The glow of dusk painted the castle walls in muted tones, but the beauty of the evening did little to soothe Prince Luthais’ restless mind. Word had spread through the royal court like wildfire: the neighbouring kingdom’s prince—his supposed friend—was to wed the one person who had consumed his thoughts since childhood.

His jaw tightened as he stared out of his chamber’s window, watching the stars emerge against the darkening sky. A tempest brewed inside him, fed by memories of her laughter, the warmth of their shared moments as children, and the unspoken bond that had tethered them to one another. She was his—how could she not see that?

But nothing had ever been confessed. Not to their parents. Not even to each other.

The ache in his chest refused to relent, and the thought of her lying just a few halls away, unaware of the chaos in his heart, was unbearable. Before he realized it, his feet were carrying him down the dimly lit corridor.

The guards posted outside her quarters offered no resistance, bowing their heads respectfully as Luthais passed. As far as they knew, the prince’s presence was routine—a symbol of the long-standing alliance between their kingdoms.

Inside, the room was bathed in soft candlelight. She lay soundly asleep on the massive bed, her chest rising and falling steadily under the delicate fabric of her night clothes. For a moment, Luthais faltered, his hand hovering over the doorframe. He felt like an intruder, yet the pull toward her was undeniable.

He approached cautiously, his boots making the faintest sound against the marble floor. Kneeling at the bedside, he allowed himself the indulgence of simply looking at her.

The softness of her features, the peacefulness etched into her expression—it was both a comfort and a torment. His hand trembled as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“You were supposed to be mine,” he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “How can they take you away from me like this?”