A Royal Obligation
Chapter 80: Eavesdropping & Empathy (2)

Chapter 80: Eavesdropping & Empathy (2)

"Leave me," Kaelix said softly, his voice heavy with emotion.

Drystan gave a slight bow, his eyes flickering with concern as he glanced toward Eirik and Sadiki by the lake. Without a word, Drystan turned and walked off into the shadows, leaving Kaelix standing alone, wrestling with the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him.

Kaelix watched Eirik and Sadiki in silence, his chest tightening with each passing second. The sight of his future husband, broken and vulnerable, had caught him off guard.

How long had Eirik been carrying this pain? Kaelix had always assumed that Eirik was simply fulfilling his duty willingly, without a second thought.

But now, seeing Eirik’s tears and hearing his quiet sobs, Kaelix realized how wrong he had been.

Eirik had been suffering. And Kaelix had done nothing but add to that suffering.

The guilt hit Kaelix like a punch to the gut. He had been selfish, careless. He’d been so wrapped up in his own pride, his own insecurities, that he had overlooked what Eirik was going through. But no more. He would make things right. He had to.

Taking a deep breath, Kaelix steeled himself. He couldn’t turn back now, not after what he’d overheard. He was determined to show Eirik that he wasn’t just a pawn in this political game. He would win him over, no matter how long it took. He would treat Eirik the way he deserved to be treawas, like the treasure he was.

The moon cast a shimmering glow over the still waters of the lake, a peaceful contrast to the turmoil swirling inside Eirik’s heart.

His mind raced, trying to make sense of everything, his love for Sadiki, his looming marriage to Kaelix, the crushing weight of his duty. He could feel Sadiki’s hand trembling slightly in his own, a silent comfort in the face of all the uncertainty.

But then, from behind them, Eirik heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. He froze, his pulse quickening, and when he looked up, his heart nearly stopped. Kaelix.

Sadiki dropped Eirik’s hand as though it had suddenly burned him, standing up so quickly he almost stumbled. His eyes darted nervously between Kaelix and Eirik, tension rolling off him in waves.

Eirik followed suit, standing quickly and wiping his tear-streaked face, his expression a mix of fear and guilt, his muscles tight anticipation. What would Kaelix do? Would he punish Sadiki for this? Would he end their engagement, an engagement that, despite everything, was critical to maintaining peace between their two kingdoms?

"It’s not what you think, Kaelix," Eirik blurted, his voice thick with desperation. "Sadiki was just..."

But Kaelix cut him off, his voice surprisingly soft, yet firm. "Leave us." His gaze never wavered from Eirik, but his words were meant for Sadiki.

Sadiki hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on Eirik as if silently asking for permission to leave. Eirik nodded slightly, his heart heavy with guilt. Sadiki bowed once to Kaelix, then turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Eirik and Kaelix alone by the lake.

Eirik stood there, tense and uncertain, clearly expecting a confrontation. His mind raced with possibilities, would Kaelix be angry? Would he report this to the king and call off the wedding? Would he use this as an excuse to end everything, to break the fragile peace between their kingdoms?

Every possibility raced through his mind, each worse than the last. His hands clenched at his sides, trying to prepare for whatever storm was coming.

"Kaelix..." Eirik started again, desperate to explain, to beg for Sadiki’s safety, but Kaelix raised a hand, silencing him once more.

"Sit with me, Prince Eirik," Kaelix said quietly, sinking down onto the stone near the lake’s edge, where Eirik had sat just moments before.

Eirik blinked, taken aback by the gentleness in Kaelix’s tone. It was so... unlike him. He hesitated, unsure what to make of this unexpected shift. Kaelix wasn’t known for his kindness or patience, especially not with him.

Eirik had always seen him as cold, distant, and controlling. But now, Kaelix sat there, looking up at him with an expression that almost resembled... vulnerability?

It didn’t make sense. Still, he hesitated, unsure of what to do, but Kaelix repeated himself.

"Please," Kaelix gestured to the spot next to him. "Sit with me."

The softness in Kaelix’s voice surprised him, confusion rippled through Eirik. Why was Kaelix so calm? Where was the rage, the accusations? Tentatively, Eirik obeyed, sitting beside him, his body stiff with apprehension. He watched Kaelix cautiously, his mind racing to make sense of the prince’s unexpected behavior.

Kaelix sat beside him, his eyes fixed on the water for a long moment, neither of them speaking. The air between them was thick with tension and unsaid words.

Eirik felt his chest tighten with each passing second, his thoughts growing darker. Is he waiting for me to explain? he wondered. Will this be the end of everything?

Just as the weight of the silence became unbearable, Kaelix spoke.

"I’m sorry, Eirik."

Eirik’s head snapped toward him, his eyes wide with shock. Kaelix? Apologizing? It didn’t seem real. Eirik stared at him, speechless, waiting for the prince to clarify, to add some sarcastic comment or sharp retort. But none came. Kaelix’s face was calm, his expression sincere.

"For what?" Eirik asked quietly, genuinely confused.

Kaelix took a deep breath, his hands resting on his knees as he leaned forward slightly. "For everything," he said softly. "For treating you like you were... less than me. For making this situation so much harder than it needed to be." He shook his head, a bitter smile crossing his lips. "I’ve been selfish, and careless with your feelings. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own fears that I never stopped to think about what this was doing to you."

Eirik blinked again, still struggling to process the words coming out of Kaelix’s mouth. Was this really happening? The proud, stubborn Prince Kaelix was sitting here, apologizing to him? It felt surreal.

Kaelix’s gaze softened as he continued. "I’ve been thinking, Eirik. About us. About this marriage that neither of us asked for. I know you don’t love me... and I know I’ve given you every reason to hate me."

Eirik shook his head, still too stunned to speak. He didn’t hate Kaelix. He had been frustrated, hurt, but hate? No, it had never been hate.

"I want to make things right," Kaelix said quietly, his voice filled with determination. "I want to show you that I mean well. I know I’ve done nothing to deserve it, but I’m asking for a chance. A chance to prove that I can be better, that I can treat you like the treasure that you are."

Eirik was rendered speechless. Was this really Kaelix speaking? The prince who had been nothing but cold and distant since their engagement? Eirik had always assumed Kaelix was just waiting for an opportunity to end things, to find a way out of their arranged marriage. But now, hearing these words, seeing the sincerity in Kaelix’s eyes, Eirik’s heart ached with a new kind of confusion.

"I’ve been under so much pressure," Kaelix admitted, breaking the silence again. "As the crown prince, there’s always this weight, this expectation to be perfect, to never show weakness. And I hate it. I hate feeling like I’m not in control, like I’m being forced into something I can’t change." His voice wavered slightly, a crack in his otherwise composed exterior.

Eirik’s heart softened as he listened. He had never heard Kaelix speak so openly about his struggles, never seen him show vulnerability. It was as if the mask Kaelix had worn all his life was finally slipping. And for the first time, Eirik saw him not as the arrogant prince he had thought him to be, but as a man who was just as trapped by circumstance as he was.

Kaelix took a deep breath, his next words measured carefully. "I won’t punish Sadiki," he said, cutting through the tension that still lingered between them. "I know how much he means to you, and I won’t take that away from you."

Eirik felt a wave of relief wash over him, though his stomach still churned with uncertainty. Kaelix’s next words, however, came with a condition.

"But," Kaelix continued, "you need to end things with him. Before the wedding."

Eirik’s relief was short-lived. The weight of Kaelix’s words settled on him like a stone. End things? With Sadiki? He glanced down at the ground, his heart conflicted. He knew it was inevitable, he couldn’t keep Sadiki and marry Kaelix. It wasn’t fair to anyone involved. But how could he sever the bond he had with Sadiki? Sadiki had been his confidant, his comfort, his love.

Kaelix leaned closer, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I know this isn’t what you wanted. I know you had dreams of a different kind of love, and I can’t promise that I’ll be the man of your dreams. But I can promise you this, Eirik, I’ll do my best. I’ll be the best husband I can be. I’ll never treat you wrong, and I’ll never make you feel like you’re not important."

Eirik looked up at him, his mind swirling with emotions. This was not the Kaelix he had known, this was someone willing to change, someone willing to try. And yet, the idea of ending things with Sadiki tore at him. Could he really do it? Could he give up the one person who had been there for him through everything?

"I don’t want to make you miserable, Eirik," Kaelix said, his voice barely above a whisper now. "But we both know that things can’t stay the way they are. You deserve more than this. More than me, even. But if you’ll let me, I’ll try. I’ll try to be the husband you need."

Eirik’s throat tightened with emotion. He appreciated Kaelix’s promises, his honesty, but he was still conflicted. How could he end things with Sadiki? How could he move forward with Kaelix when his heart was still entangled with someone else?

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