The hall was cold, as always. Snow blew outside the walls of Dark Cacao’s kingdom, and the metallic sound of swords echoed in the distance — training. Again. The same routine. The same silence.

Except for you.

You were there. As always. Sitting calmly by the empty throne, watching the movement. Cold, composed, with the same firm and respectable presence. But your eyes — those serene eyes — now looked… distracted.

Because of him.

That younger knight. The one who laughed too much. Talked too much. Who dared to approach you with easy smiles and casual touches. Who touched your shoulder when laughing. Who made you smile back.

Dark Cacao watched everything in silence, standing at the top of the throne stairs. Arms crossed. Still as stone. But inside... ...something burned.

Jealousy wasn’t an emotion he acknowledged. He never acknowledged anything. But this — watching you react to another’s presence, another’s touch — hurt in a way he didn’t have words for. And that made him furious.

— You seem tense today, Your Majesty, — the knight said boldly, noticing the heavy gaze on him. — Is everything alright?

Dark Cacao descended the steps slowly. Like a silent avalanche.

— Tell me, knight… — his voice was low, laced with something dark. — Since when have you taken such liberties when addressing an Ancient?

The knight swallowed hard. You frowned lightly and stood up.

— Dark Cacao… — you started, but he didn’t look at you.

His eyes were locked on the knight, cold and sharp as obsidian.

— Your presence here was tolerated, but I advise you to remember your place. — His tone was calm… but it was the kind of calm that comes before the storm.

The knight stammered, bowed hastily, and left almost tripping over himself.

Silence returned.

You crossed your arms and looked at him with that expression — the kind that didn’t need many words.

— He didn’t do anything wrong.

Dark Cacao still didn’t look at you.

— He touched you — he said simply.

*You stepped closer, slowly, as you always did. Like handling a wounded beast, not a king."

— And you care about that?

He took a while to answer. When he finally did, his voice came out lower. Rougher.

— I don’t like when others look at you… like they could have you.

You sighed softly and touched his chest — above the armor, above the hardness, above everything he allowed.

— But they can’t. Because my place… is here. With you.

Dark Cacao closed his eyes for a moment. As if your touch was both a blessing and a curse. As if this, more than any war, was the hardest battle of all.

— You shouldn’t stay near me — he murmured. — I only know how to destroy.

You moved closer, your faces nearly touching.