A Royal Obligation
Chapter 265: Does that make sense?

Chapter 265: Does that make sense?

Seven days had passed since Kaelix and Eirik’s brothers and cousins had departed for war, and Valeidio had fallen into a solemn rhythm. Eirik stood by his window, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face as he gazed at the distant horizon. His hands clutched the windowsill, a quiet longing etched into his delicate features.

He missed Kaelix. Desperately. The absence of his husband, his anchor, left a hollow ache in his chest. Each passing day stretched endlessly, the castle quieter without Kaelix’s steady presence and reassuring words.

Eirik sighed, his thoughts pulling him back to the conversation they had before Kaelix left. He could still see the determination in Kaelix’s eyes, the way his jaw clenched as he promised to make Mbuzuoria pay for their crimes. Eirik had tried to argue, tried to dissuade him from spilling more blood, but Kaelix had been resolute.

"It’s not just for vengeance," Kaelix had said, his voice firm but gentle. "It’s for you, Eirik. For everything they took from you. From us. They won’t stop unless we make them."

Eirik’s brothers had stood by Kaelix, their expressions mirroring his resolve. Even his uncle Cedric, usually one to counsel caution, had voiced his support. And though Eirik hated it, hated the thought of blood spilling in his name, there had been a small, selfish comfort in knowing Kaelix and his family were willing to fight for him. For his honor. For the child they had lost.

But that comfort was fleeting, overshadowed by the grim reality of war. Innocent soldiers, bound by loyalty to their kingdom, would die because of their king and crown prince’s sins. The thought weighed heavily on Eirik’s heart, his aversion to violence clashing with the undeniable desire for justice.

Eirik’s fingers tightened on the windowsill as he exhaled deeply. The memory of his experiences in Carl’s hands flashed through his mind, the haunted purple chambers, the feeling of being paralyzed and powerless, the overwhelming loss of his unborn child. A sharp pang shot through his chest, and his breaths hitched, uneven and shallow.

A soft knock on the door broke through his thoughts. He turned slowly, his gaze landing on Amarok. Amarok, wore an expression that was both gentle and tentative, as though uncertain whether to speak.

He had been a steady presence ever since Kaelix had gone to war. If Eirik’s mother wasn’t there to cheer Eirik up, Amarok would be, stepping into the role of confidant and companion without hesitation. Even Queen Morgan had entrusted the task of lifting Eirik’s spirits to Amarok, and it was clear why, he had a way of coaxing Eirik out of his shell, one step at a time.

"Your Highness," Amarok said softly, closing the door behind him. "Dinner is ready. Will you dine with us today, or do we have to bring yours here as usual?"

Eirik shook his head, his gaze drifting back to the horizon. The vibrant hues of the setting sun seemed muted to him, a pale echo of what they once were. "I’m not hungry," he murmured.

Amarok didn’t let the answer deter him. He had grown used to Eirik’s reluctance to join the others. At times, they would walk together in silence, and on rare occasions, Eirik would open up, revealing glimpses of the person he used to be. But one habit remained unchanged, Eirik refused to eat in the dining hall, preferring the solitude of his chambers.

"Is that your way of saying your dinner should be brought to your chambers?" Amarok teased, though his concern was evident in the softness of his voice. "You need to try and dine with us today. Mother and Father would love it. And Prince Kaelix would be thrilled to hear that you’re associating with others again."

The mention of Kaelix made Eirik’s throat tighten, a lump forming that he couldn’t quite swallow. He turned to Amarok, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you think he’s...safe?"

Amarok crossed the room, his movements deliberate as he placed a reassuring hand on Eirik’s shoulder. "Prince Kaelix is strong. And he’s not alone. Your brothers and Uncle Cedric are there, and they’ll protect him with their lives. And don’t forget Lady Ella, that cousin of yours would never let a scratch touch him, if only to spare you the heartache."

A faint chuckle escaped Eirik, though his worry lingered, heavy and unyielding. He knew Kaelix was capable, surrounded by people who would die for him. But war was unpredictable, cruel in its twists. The thought of losing Kaelix, of never seeing him again, was a weight that threatened to crush him.

"I miss him," Eirik admitted, his voice cracking under the strain of his emotions. "Every day feels longer without him here."

Amarok’s expression softened, his own emotions surfacing in the form of a bittersweet smile. "He’ll come back, Your Highness. I miss the twins as well, but I know they’re doing what they must. When they return, Mbuzuoria’s reign of terror will finally be over."

Eirik’s heart twisted at Amarok’s words. The longing in his his voice was unmistakable, a mirror to his own pain. He turned fully to face Amarok, he studied his face carefully.

The calm reassurance in Amarok’s tone belied a subtle, almost imperceptible sadness in his eyes. Eirik had always admired Amarok’s strength and unyielding optimism, but now he could see the faint cracks in his composure, the toll of missing the twins gnawing at him even as he worked tirelessly to comfort others. It made Eirik’s chest tighten even more.

The twins, Julian and Lucian, were Amarok’s world. The bond they shared was something Eirik had always marveled at, a connection so fierce and unwavering that it seemed unbreakable. Even before Kaelix had come into Eirik’s life, he had often envied the natural ease with which Amarok and the twins moved together, their love shining through in stolen glances, gentle touches, and shared laughter. Now, Amarok carried that love like a shield, using it to mask his own longing while tending to Eirik’s fragile state.

"You miss them," Eirik said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t a question but a statement, one that carried the weight of his empathy. "Julian and Lucian...you must feel so alone without them."

Amarok’s hand, still resting on Eirik’s shoulder, gave a gentle squeeze. His lips quirked into a small, wistful smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Of course, I do. Every day." He exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting out the window as if he could will the twins back through sheer force of longing.

"Every night feels colder. Every day feels...emptier. It’s...strange. Like there’s a part of me missing. But I hold onto the thought that they’ll come back. That’s what keeps me going."

Eirik felt a pang of guilt. Amarok had been so focused on helping him, on pulling him out of his withdrawn state, that Eirik hadn’t stopped to consider how deeply Amarok might be struggling. He had been so consumed by his own pain, his own longing for Kaelix, that he hadn’t noticed the cracks forming in Amarok’s seemingly unshakable demeanor.

"You’ve been so kind to me," Eirik murmured, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don’t think I would have managed these past seven days without you. But..." He hesitated, his brows furrowing. "You shouldn’t have to shoulder this alone. You should be able to miss them, to grieve their absence."

Amarok’s smile softened, a flicker of warmth returning to his eyes. "I don’t mind, Your Highness. Helping you keeps me grounded. It reminds me of why we’re fighting, of why the twins and Kaelix left in the first place. If I can be of some comfort to you, then that’s enough for me."

Eirik shook his head, a flicker of frustration breaking through his sorrow. "But it’s not fair. You’re always here for everyone else, always so strong, so steady. Who’s there for you when you need it?"

Amarok looked taken aback for a moment, his expression softening into something more vulnerable. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he let out a quiet chuckle, a sound tinged with both amusement and weariness. "You sound just like Julian," he said after a moment. "He’s always fussing over me, always worrying that I don’t take enough time for myself."

Eirik managed a faint smile at that, imagining Julian’s determined expression as he fussed over Amarok. It was such a Julian thing to do, to care so deeply and unapologetically. "Maybe he’s right," Eirik said softly. "Maybe you should let yourself miss them, Amarok. Really miss them. You don’t have to hold it all in for my sake."

Amarok hesitated, his gaze flickering to the floor for a moment before meeting Eirik’s eyes again. "It’s not just for your sake," he admitted quietly. "When I focus on helping you, it makes the distance between us feel a little smaller. It’s like...like I’m keeping a part of them close by being here for you. Does that make sense?"