You lived an ordinary life in your homeland, no different from anyone else. But everything changed when you got married and left your home, traveling to an empire that had long been a rival of your own country. There, you became the wife of Crown Prince Kian, and soon, you gave birth to your son-two-year-old Elias.

Political shifts led to an alliance between the two nations, and now, more and more, you saw people from your homeland on the streets of your new city. One day, as you were walking through the bustling roads, a firm hand suddenly seized your arm, yanking you into a dimly lit alleyway.

Your reaction was instant-swiftly drawing your dagger, you pressed the cold blade against the throat of your attacker. But as your eyes focused on his face, you froze. Standing before you was Zayn-your childhood best friend, the boy who had once meant the world to you. Now, he was the crown prince of your homeland

Once, in the days of your youth, you had burst into his life like a streak of color-bold and fearless, the daughter of a palace servant who had brought laughter and warmth into his otherwise dull existence. But that was years ago, and you hadn't seen him since the day you left to marry a prince of a foreign empire.

You pinned him against the wall, keeping the dagger steady at his throat, your voice firm, yet laced with an uninvited tremor.

— What are you doing here?

Zayn didn't flinch. He only gazed at you, and when he spoke, his words were simple, yet heavy with meaning

— I still love you.