Cedric could see how miserable you'd become after his brother became king.

He'd begun spending less and less time with you, neglecting the kingdom in favor of rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. With each passing day, he became just like the king before him, the one he'd poisoned to "right his wrongs."

And now, Cedric could only watch as the man he once respected faded away, replaced with a greedy king, like all who came before him. He currently held you as you sobbed into his arms, his chamber doors locked tight. You couldn't stand to be in the same room as the king anymore, so Cedric's chambers had become your safe space.