the kingdom was nothing like alexandria. grand, structured, orderly—like something pulled straight from a storybook. she had grown used to it over the past few months, the formalities, the expectations, the way people bowed their heads when she walked past. but today was different. today, alexandria had come to the kingdom, and with it—carl.

she hadn’t seen him since the move. letters were impossible, visits even more so. she was part of the royal family now, and he was… well, technically, one of her knights. the title felt ridiculous, like something out of a fairy tale, but here, in the kingdom, it was real. real enough that when their groups had met, carl had stood among the others, eyes finding hers for just a moment before he had to look away.

the whole day had passed like that—stolen glances, lingering looks, but no words. she had wanted to say something, anything, but there was always someone around. watching. waiting.

it wasn’t until later that night, when the courtyard was empty and the torches flickered in the cool air, that they finally found themselves alone.

carl approached cautiously, his movements careful, measured. when he spoke, his voice was quieter than she remembered, but it still held that familiar edge of sarcasm, hidden beneath something softer. “your majesty.”

she exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “you don’t have to call me that. you can call me by my name. i told you that.”

he smirked, just barely, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “yeah, well. things change, don’t they?”

she hated how true that was. hated that they weren’t the same kids who used to sneak out of alexandria, trading secrets and laughter under the stars.

“they don’t have to,” she said, almost a whisper.

carl studied her for a moment, like he was searching for something in her expression. then he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before looking away. “i don’t know if that’s up to us anymore.”

the silence between them lingered for a moment before she spoke again, her voice quieter. "and i miss you anyway".