A Royal Obligation
Chapter 234: All For Love

Chapter 234: All For Love

Drystan made his way through the Valeidio dungeon with a heavy heart, each step echoing against the cold, damp walls. Last night, he had overheard the Valeidio royals discussing Sadiki’s betrayal and the harrowing truth behind it. The revelation had left him shaken, a storm of emotions brewing within him.

Since then, he had replayed everything in his mind, questioning how things could have been different if only he had tried harder to understand Sadiki during their time together.

Sadiki’s zoning out, his distant stares, the moments when he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, Drystan had noticed them all, but he hadn’t pressed hard enough. At time he dismissed it as stress or moodiness.

But what hurts him the most was, instead of staying by Sadiki’s side, offering support, Drystan had walked away. He had chosen anger and frustration over patience and love, ending their relationship when Sadiki had likely needed him the most.

He had thought that Sadiki needed space then. But now, it was painfully clear, Sadiki hadn’t needed space; he had needed help.

Drystan clenched and unclenched his fists as he neared the cell. Guilt gnawed at him, unrelenting. No excuses could justify Sadiki’s betrayal of Prince Eirik or the danger he had placed them all in. But knowing that Sadiki had been forced into this because of his mother, it struck a chord deep within Drystan. He couldn’t deny that, in Sadiki’s place, he might have done the same. Who wouldn’t do anything to save their mother?

The guards stationed by the cell barely glanced at Drystan as he approached. They knew who he was and who he stood with, offering no resistance. But their silence didn’t comfort him. It only made the weight in his chest heavier.

When Drystan reached Sadiki’s cell, the sight before him broke him.

Sadiki sat slumped against the cold stone wall, his knees drawn to his chest, his head resting on them. Tears streamed down his face, silent and unending, as though the weight of his choices had finally crushed him. In front of him was a plate of untouched food, its presence almost mocking in its futility.

Drystan’s hands clenched again, his nails digging into his palms. He had never seen Sadiki like this, not even during their worst arguments. This wasn’t the proud, confident man he had loved, this was someone utterly shattered, a man drowning in his own remorse and despair.

"Open it," Drystan said quietly to the nearest guard.

The guard hesitated, his hand hovering over the keys. His eyes flicked between Drystan and the prisoner. "Are you sure, sir?"

Drystan’s gaze didn’t waver. "Open it, please."

The guard sighed and unlocked the cell door, the sound of the key turning in the lock loud in the oppressive silence. With a reluctant nod, the guard stepped aside, allowing Drystan to enter.

Drystan walked into the cell, his steps measured and slow. He glanced at the guard. "Please give us a moment."

The guard hesitated but eventually stepped back, though he didn’t go far. The dungeon was secure, and Sadiki had no chance of escape, but protocol dictated vigilance.

As the door shut behind him, Drystan’s focus returned to Sadiki. The man hadn’t moved, hadn’t acknowledged his presence. It was as if he didn’t even realize someone else was in the room.

Drystan knelt slowly, his movements deliberate, his heart heavy. He didn’t reach out, didn’t speak. He simply observed the man before him, the person he had once shared his life with. Sadiki’s shoulders shook with the force of his silent tears, and the sight carved a new ache into Drystan’s chest.

It was all too much. The guilt, the regret, the what-ifs. Drystan couldn’t undo what had been done. He wished he could rewrite the past or take back his own mistakes.

"Sadiki..." His voice finally cracked as he said the name.

At the sound of Drystan’s voice, Sadiki’s body stilled. He didn’t look up right away, his fingers gripping his knees tightly as though they were the only things grounding him.

"Sadiki," Drystan repeated, his voice softer this time, more tender. "It’s me."

Finally, Sadiki raised his head slowly, his tear-streaked face was a mixture of pain and exhaustion met Drystan’s eyes. Recognition flickered for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by pain and shame. He turned his face away, as if he couldn’t bear to be seen.

"Why are you here?" Sadiki’s voice was barely a whisper, hoarse and broken.

Drystan exhaled sharply, struggling to find the words. "I... I needed to see you."

Sadiki gave a bitter laugh, his shoulders shaking. "To tell me me more about how I disgust you? How I deserve this?" His voice cracked, and the tears began to flow again.

"No." Drystan’s response was immediate, his tone firm yet laced with regret. "No, that’s not why I’m here."

Sadiki glanced at him again, disbelief written across his features.

Drystan swallowed hard. "I came because... I can’t stop thinking about everything. About us. About how I failed you."

Sadiki’s eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing.

"I should have known something was wrong," Drystan continued, his voice shaking. "I saw you struggling, but I ignored it. I told myself you’d come to me if it was important.

But you didn’t, and I didn’t push. I walked away when I should have stayed. I abandoned you when you needed me most."

Sadiki’s lip trembled, and he looked away again, his hands clenching into fists.

"I’m not excusing what you did," Drystan added, his voice quieter now. "You betrayed Prince Eirik. You betrayed the two kingdoms.

But, now I understand why you did it." He hesitated, then added, "I know I might have done the same if it were my mother."

At that, Sadiki’s composure shattered. He covered his face with his hands, sobbing openly now. "I didn’t know what else to do," he choked out. "They were going to kill her... I couldn’t let that happen, Drystan. She’s all I have left."

Drystan reached out hesitantly, his hand hovering over Sadiki’s shoulder before finally settling there. Sadiki flinched but didn’t pull away.

"I know," Drystan murmured. "And I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you."

The weight of the moment pressed down on both of them. For the first time, Sadiki felt something other than guilt, he felt seen, even if only for a moment.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" Drystan suddenly asked, his voice was quiet but laced with anguish. "Why didn’t you trust me? I thought we loved each other."

Sadiki didn’t answer at first, as if he was weighing the question. After a moment he answered the question with his own question. "What would you have done if I had told you?"

Sadiki’s voice was hoarse, his tone both bitter and broken. "What could you have done? You couldn’t save her, Drystan. No one could."

Drystan’s chest tightened at the hopelessness in Sadiki’s voice. "I could’ve tried," he said, his voice cracking. "I could’ve done something, anything. But instead, you carried it all alone, and now..." He trailed off, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Sadiki gave a humorless laugh, shaking his head. "You couldn’t have stopped them. They had her, Drystan. They threatened her life every single day. If I didn’t do what they wanted, she would have died." His voice broke, and his gaze dropped back to the floor. "I didn’t have a choice."

Drystan leaned closer, his heart aching at Sadiki’s words. "But you did have me," he said softly. "You weren’t alone. You didn’t have to be alone, Sadiki."

Sadiki’s breath hitched, and for a moment, the cell was filled with quietness except for their breathing. When he finally spoke again, his words were barely above a whisper. "I didn’t want you to look at me the way you’re looking at me now. Like I’m broken. Like I’m... something you need to fix."

Drystan shook his head vehemently. "That’s not how I see you," he said firmly. "I see someone who’s been through hell to protect the person they love. I see someone who needs help now, and I’ll be damned if I don’t do everything in my power to give it."

Sadiki’s eyes flickered with something, hope, perhaps, though it was fleeting. "There’s nothing you can do for me now, Drystan," he murmured. "But if you want to help, forget about me. Help me find my mother, dead or alive. That’s all I care about."

Drystan stared at him, his jaw tightening. "No," he said resolutely. "I’m not abandoning you again. I’ll find your mother, Sadiki, but I’ll also fight for you. I’ll make sure you’re saved too. I’ll talk to Prince Kaelix, to anyone I have to. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right, for you and for her."

Sadiki’s lips trembled as he stared at Drystan, tears welling in his eyes again. "Why?" he asked, his voice raw. "Why would you do that for me after everything I’ve done?"

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