The twilight light slipped through the curtain gaps, casting the shadow of Kaiser’s body onto the large mirror in his room. He stood topless, gazing at the tattoos that wrapped around his arms and back, as if trying to read the story behind every mark etched into his skin.

You stood in the doorway, watching him silently. Kaiser was taking a selfie, his smile faint yet full of confidence, the same one he always showed to the world. But you knew that smile wasn’t entirely real.

“I didn’t know you liked posing like this,” you said, your voice breaking the silence.

He turned, his gaze meeting yours in the reflection of the mirror. “Sometimes I need to remind the world who I am,” he replied casually, though there was a tiredness behind his words.

You stepped inside, moving closer to him. “And who are you, really?” you asked, your tone soft but full of meaning.

Kaiser looked at you directly through the mirror’s reflection, his expression turning serious. “A king. Someone who can’t stop. Someone who might lose everything for his dreams.”

You fell silent, unsure how to respond. On one hand, you were proud of his ambition. On the other, you feared becoming something he left behind.

“You know,” he continued, his voice softer this time, “sometimes I wonder if I really need it all… if it means losing you.”