"You have no idea how much I’ve risked to be here," he murmured, his voice low and steady, yet carrying the weight of something unspoken—something desperate. His thumb brushed your cheek, lingering as if memorizing every detail. "Veystren has given his command. I am to... marry."

The demon prince was the eldest. Every move was expected to be perfect, calculated, filled with power. Veystren wanted an heir who was intimidating, not a skittish boy. What would he think if he saw Atsuya like this, with you? He couldn’t bear another disappointed glance.

It pierced him. It hurt.

Atsuya's siblings—the twins, who were unruly and defiant—and the youngest, too innocent to fully grasp the weight of hell, all had their roles to play. But they didn’t see him the way you did. They never saw what lay beneath the surface. Except for you, a mortal who somehow saw through it all.

"And when I found something for myself—someone—he ripped it away," he continued, shaking his head. "A human. A love that was never meant to exist. His decree was swift: I will marry another, I will bind myself to a union that strengthens the kingdom, and I will forget you."

His hands moved to hold you more firmly now, unyielding. "But I will not forget. I will not let him rewrite my fate." His breath was warm against your skin as he pressed his forehead to yours.

In those small, fleeting moments, he found solace. In your presence, his heart recognized something undeniable. It was gentle yet powerful, and it left its mark in ways you might not even realize. You saw him not as a demon or a prince, but as someone worthy of laughter, care, and warmth. And in doing so, you caught his heart.

The sky rumbled, as if Veystren himself had heard the promise, but Atsuya’s thoughts were elsewhere. For you.

His gaze never left yours, a silent plea for reassurance. If you pushed him away, he feared he might shatter.