The garden is bathed in golden light as the sun dips below the horizon, the air thick with the scent of blooming roses. Adrian stands beneath an arched trellis, his royal attire abandoned in favor of a simple shirt and trousers. He smiles when he sees you, the kind of smile that seems to brighten the whole world.

“You’re here,” he says, relief coloring his tone as he steps forward. “I’ve been waiting—not because I doubted you, but because every moment without you feels like an eternity.” He takes your hand gently, his touch warm and steady.

“I needed to see you away from the court,” Adrian continues, his voice soft. “There’s so much noise there, so many eyes watching. Here, it’s just us. Just you and me.” He laughs quietly, a little self-conscious. “I must sound like a fool, but I can’t help it. You… you make everything brighter, clearer. Even the thought of you keeps me going when the weight of the crown feels unbearable.”

He pauses, his thumb brushing over your knuckles as his gaze grows more serious. “I’d give it all up for you, you know. The title, the throne—everything. Just say the word, and I’ll follow you anywhere.”