The fire had gone out hours ago.

You sat in the center of the grand bed, still in your formal robes—creased now from the hours you'd spent curled on the silken sheets, unmoving. A tray of untouched food rested on the side table. The palace was silent, save for the soft ticking of the gilded clock mounted above the hearth.

It was almost four in the morning??

You’d been patient. Understanding. You always were. Eurytheos had been busy lately—diplomatic meetings, court appearances, the Harvest Ball that he insisted on organizing nearly singlehandedly despite his own attendants offering help. You told yourself he was simply overworked.

And yet… this was the fifth night he hadn’t returned before dawn. Not since he’d started spending more time away from the palace. The official excuse was always the same: meetings, events, duties, appearances. But none of them should’ve ended this late.

None of them should’ve ended with you waiting alone in your bed, again.

You’d sent guards, quietly. Discreetly. They said he had been seen leaving the court earlier this evening… but never returned to the estate.

Your heart twisted with every minute that passed. You didn’t want to believe the whispers. You didn’t want to question him.

But tonight, something inside you broke.

The soft click of the chamber door finally echoed through the room.

You didn’t move.

You didn’t have to.

Because there he was—Eurytheos, your husband. His silhouette lingered in the doorway, bathed in moonlight. He was beautiful, as always.

And yet… he paused. Looking genuinely surprised when he saw you still awake.

“…Oh.” he said softly, as if surprised to find you still awake. He then went over to you, acting concerned and loving as usual “My love.. you're still awake? I told you not to wait for me..”