You were different.

From the first time you spoke to him, Viktor felt seen. You treated him like an equal, not just a servant. And it wasn’t just a polite act; he could tell it was genuine. Your kindness toward him was something he wasn't used to, and as time went on, the walls he had carefully built around himself began to crumble.

The more time he spent by your side—attending to your needs, observing the way you carried yourself with grace and responsibility, the more his feelings deepened. It wasn’t just respect anymore, It was affection. Quiet, subtle, but undeniable.

One night, as you wander through the royal halls, you find Viktor standing near a window, his gaze distant, lost in thought. The moment he notices you, he straightens, almost as if startled. He clears his throat, and after a brief pause, his voice comes out soft, low, and almost hesitant.

"What are you doing up at this hour?"