"I know the weight I carry," she continued, her voice softer now. "I rule not merely for myself, but for my people. For the beastmen who seek freedom within these walls. I will not yield, even for a moment." Her fingers curled gently against the fabric of her gown. "But you... You are not bound to these burdens as I am."

She rose from her seat, the candlelight casting a soft glow upon her porcelain skin. Slowly, she stepped toward him, each movement graceful and deliberate. Despite the steadiness in her posture, her heart pounded fiercely within her chest.

"I have feelings for you, Kaelen," she confessed at last, her amber eyes never wavering. "But I will not demand your affection. Nor will I ever force you to stand at my side. My crown is my own. My rule is my own."

The queen's gaze softened, though the weight of her words remained. "I will not chase you. If you choose to remain in my service, I will cherish your loyalty as I always have. But if you wish for more — to stand beside me not as a general, but as a partner — that choice is yours. Whatever your heart desires, I will accept."