A Royal Obligation
Chapter 108: Brooding

Chapter 108: Brooding

Eirik’s footsteps echoed softly down the corridor as he made his way to his chambers, still feeling the weight of his earlier escape from his family.

His mind buzzed with thoughts of how they might react when they eventually learned about him sharing chambers with Kaelix.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, knowing full well that the truth wouldn’t stay hidden for long. But not tonight.

When he reached the door to his chambers, he paused for a moment, his hand on the doorknob. He took a deep breath before turning it, pushing open the heavy door with a soft creak. The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of candlelight, casting long shadows across the stone walls. And there, sitting by the window, lost in thought, was Kaelix.

Kaelix’s posture was rigid, his silhouette framed by the pale light filtering in from the moon outside. His dark hair fell loosely around his shoulders, and his piercing eyes, usually so full of confidence, seemed distant. He hadn’t noticed Eirik enter.

Eirik stood in the doorway for a moment, watching Kaelix quietly. His heart tightened at the sight. He knew exactly what was on Kaelix’s mind, and he hated that he couldn’t shield him from it.

He hated how his family had treated Kaelix earlier that day, the cold shoulders, the cold glances, and the unspoken judgment.

"Kaelix," Eirik said softly, breaking the silence.

Kaelix’s head snapped up, his eyes refocusing as he turned toward Eirik. For a brief moment, there was vulnerability in his gaze, but it was quickly masked by the familiar, stoic expression Kaelix wore like armor. He offered a small, tight-lipped smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Eirik," Kaelix greeted him, his voice calm and measured. "I didn’t hear you come in."

Eirik crossed the room in a few quick strides, his heart heavy with concern as he came to stand in front of Kaelix. "I noticed," he replied softly, kneeling beside Kaelix’s chair so they were at eye level. "What are you thinking about?"

Kaelix waved a hand dismissively, his smile widening just a fraction. "Nothing important. Just... thinking."

Eirik frowned, not buying it for a second. He placed a gentle hand on Kaelix’s arm, his touch warm and grounding. "Kaelix, I know you. You’ve been sitting here, alone, brooding, haven’t you?"

Kaelix chuckled lightly, though the sound lacked its usual vibrancy. "I’m not brooding. I’m just... processing."

Eirik’s frown deepened. "Processing what? How my family behaved earlier?"

Kaelix shook his head, the smile fading from his lips. "No. Well... maybe." He sighed, finally letting some of the tension show in his shoulders. "It doesn’t matter, Eirik. I knew it wouldn’t be easy with your family, and I’m fine with that."

But Eirik wasn’t convinced. He could see the cracks in Kaelix’s armor, the way he carried the weight of the day on his shoulders. The way he pretended it didn’t affect him, when Eirik knew it did.

"You don’t have to be fine with it," Eirik said quietly, squeezing Kaelix’s arm gently. "You don’t have to pretend like it doesn’t hurt."

Kaelix’s eyes flickered with emotion for the briefest of moments, but he quickly masked it again, straightening his posture. "I’m not pretending. It’s not the first time I’ve been judged. It’s not going to be the last. I just have to work harder. Prove myself."

Eirik’s heart ached at the words. He hated hearing Kaelix talk like that, as though he had something to prove just to be accepted. "You don’t have to prove anything to anybody, especially not my family," Eirik said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "They just need time. They’re stubborn, yes, but they’re not bad people. They’ll come around."

Kaelix let out a soft sigh, his gaze drifting toward the window once more. "I’m not asking for them to love me, Eirik. I just want them to see me as more than... an outsider."

"They will," Eirik promised, his voice gentle but determined. "They will, Kaelix. But you can’t let their words get to you. You’re more than what they think. You’re strong, capable, and kind. They just need to see what I see."

Kaelix’s lips quirked into a faint smile at that, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "You always know what to say, don’t you?"

"I mean every word," Eirik insisted. He stood up, pulling Kaelix to his feet as well, his hands resting gently on Kaelix’s shoulders. "You’re part of my life now, Kaelix. And if they can’t see how important you are to me, then that’s their problem, not yours. You don’t need to prove anything. Just... be patient with them. They’ll come around."

Kaelix’s eyes softened, and for a moment, his defenses seemed to lower. He leaned into Eirik’s touch ever so slightly, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. "I wish it didn’t bother me," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it does."

Eirik’s heart clenched at the admission, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled Kaelix closer, wrapping his arms around him in a gentle embrace. "I know," he murmured into Kaelix’s shoulder. "I know. But you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here, always."

For a moment, they stood like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the silence of the room offering a sense of peace that the rest of the palace couldn’t. Kaelix relaxed slightly in Eirik’s arms, letting himself find comfort in the embrace.

"You’re too good to me," Kaelix murmured after a while, his voice soft, almost tender.

Eirik pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, a playful smile on his lips. "I’d say you deserve it."

Kaelix chuckled, shaking his head as if to dismiss the notion, but the smile that tugged at his lips was genuine this time. "You’ll spoil me."

"Good," Eirik replied with a grin. "I like spoiling you."

Kaelix rolled his eyes but didn’t protest further. Instead, he let Eirik lead him toward the bed.

As they prepared for bed, Eirik couldn’t help but steal glances at Kaelix, watching as the tension slowly left his body. It wasn’t easy, he knew. It wasn’t easy for Kaelix to navigate this world, where every move was scrutinized, where acceptance was hard-won and always conditional. But Eirik also knew that Kaelix was strong, far stronger than he often gave himself credit for.

Once they were both under the covers, the room dimly lit by the last flickers of candlelight, Kaelix turned toward Eirik, his expression softer now, less guarded.

"Thank you," Kaelix said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "For everything."

Eirik smiled, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from Kaelix’s face. "You don’t have to thank me. I’m always here for you."

Kaelix hesitated for a moment before inching closer, wrapping an arm around Eirik’s waist and pulling him into his chest. Eirik melted into the embrace, resting his head against Kaelix’s shoulder as they settled into a comfortable silence. The warmth of Kaelix’s body against his own was soothing.

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