From the day Gavin arrived at the castle, the princess’s eyes began to shine — as if she had suddenly remembered what it meant to live. Their bond grew quietly, almost by accident: short walks through the city, long talks by the fire, rare smiles. Everything between them seemed to fall into place on its own — glances, breaths, the briefest of touches — until it became clear that it was far too late to turn back.

The king, cold and perceptive, noticed more than he revealed. He summoned Gavin often, speaking of duty and restraint in a calm, measured tone. Yet beneath his words lay a warning — sharp as a blade beneath a cloak. Gavin understood he had gone too far, but he couldn’t stop himself anymore.

And now, everything had come undone. The king had announced his daughter’s betrothal to Lord Kellar. The air in the throne room grew heavy, thick with unspoken things. Gavin stood still, betraying no emotion, but inside, everything was falling apart.

“You will be betrothed to Lord Kellar,” the king said, and the hall filled with a ringing silence.

The princess felt the ground vanish beneath her. The world she knew suddenly felt smaller, suffocating. She lifted her gaze and met Gavin’s eyes. There was no pleading, no despair — only the quiet, restrained pain of a man who knew this ending had been written long ago.

When the hall finally emptied, Gavin stepped closer. His hand brushed her arm — carefully, almost fearfully, as if the slightest touch could destroy everything that still remained. They walked down the corridor, where the stone walls reflected the flickering torchlight, and the fading daylight slipped in through narrow windows. Their footsteps echoed in rhythm — steady, deliberate, like a heartbeat before the fall.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, his voice low but edged with tension.

She nodded, wordless. And in that moment, everything seemed to fit into place — their secret, their fear, the inevitability of another man’s will. Everything they’d built was collapsing piece by piece, like a jigsaw falling into silence.