A Royal Obligation
Chapter 87: Haunted Dreams

Chapter 87: Haunted Dreams

The night outside was peaceful, the moon casting a soft glow over the still palace. But inside Eirik’s chambers, a storm was brewing.

Eirik thrashed in his bed, his body twisting under the sheets, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. Sweat glistened on his forehead as his lips parted, soft cries escaping between trembling breaths. His hands clenched and unclenched, reaching out in desperation for something , someone.

"Sadiki... Sadiki, please... help me..."

His voice cracked as it rose, his distress deepening with each passing moment. His brow furrowed, and his body jerked violently as though trying to escape something unseen, something terrifying.

Kaelix woke with a start, the sound of Eirik’s voice pulling him out of his deep slumber. His heart raced in confusion as he blinked in the dim light, trying to orient himself. Then he heard it again, Eirik calling out for Sadiki, crying for him in the midst of whatever horror had overtaken his mind.

Kaelix sat up, his chest tightening as he watched Eirik’s restless movements. The sight of the prince, so vulnerable, shook him to the core. He couldn’t help the flash of jealousy that surged through him, "Sadiki". Even in his nightmares, even now, Eirik’s heart still reached for him.

But then Kaelix’s jealousy was quickly overshadowed by a deeper emotion, concern. Whatever nightmare was plaguing Eirik, it was far worse than anything Kaelix had witnessed before.

"Eirik," Kaelix called softly, his voice filled with worry as he reached out to touch his arm. "Eirik, wake up."

Eirik didn’t respond, still caught in the grip of his dream, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Kaelix gently shook him, his touch firm but cautious, careful not to startle him. "Eirik, wake up. It’s just a dream. Come back to me."

At the sound of Kaelix’s voice, Eirik’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused and wild. His chest rose and fell with shallow, panicked breaths as his gaze darted around the room. It took him several seconds to realize where he was, who he was with. His eyes locked onto Kaelix’s, and for a moment, there was only confusion and fear in them.

"It’s alright, Eirik," Kaelix said softly, his hand still resting on Eirik’s arm. "You’re safe. It was just a nightmare."

Eirik blinked rapidly, his mind still tangled in the remnants of the dream, the terror clinging to him like a heavy cloak. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing, trying to shake the images that haunted him. But it was impossible. His heart raced, his skin cold with sweat.

Kaelix watched him, his heart breaking at the sight of Eirik so shaken, so lost in his pain. He couldn’t stand to see him like this. "I’m staying with you," Kaelix said firmly. "I’m not sleeping until you’re calm."

Eirik didn’t respond, his body still trembling. He swallowed hard, trying to force the words that stuck in his throat. He had never talked about his nightmares, not with anyone, not even with Sadiki. The weight of the memories had always been his to bear alone.

Kaelix shifted closer to him, his voice soft and steady. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently. "Sometimes it helps. You’ve been carrying this for so long. Maybe it’s time to let it go."

Eirik’s breath hitched, the suggestion pulling at a part of him that he had kept locked away for years. The idea of opening up, of sharing the pain that had haunted him since childhood, felt impossible. But at the same time, there was a strange relief in the thought. Maybe Kaelix was right , maybe the nightmares would stop if he finally freed himself from them.

There’s something in Kaelix’s gaze made him pause. The concern, the understanding,tit was different. For the first time, Eirik didn’t feel judged. He didn’t feel like his nightmares were a burden. Kaelix wasn’t pushing him, but he wasn’t walking away either.

"I... I’ve never told anyone," Eirik admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands clenched the sheets tightly as he tried to summon the strength to speak. "Not even... I couldn’t... I didn’t know how."

Kaelix didn’t push, but his steady presence urged Eirik forward. "It’s alright. Take your time," he said softly. "I’m here."

Eirik drew in a shaky breath, his chest tightening as the memories began to surface, memories he had buried deep for years. He looked down, unable to meet Kaelix’s eyes as he began to speak, his voice trembling with emotion.

"I was nine years old...," he started, his words coming out haltingly. "There was a man... I don’t know how he got into my room. I don’t even remember his face clearly anymore. But he... he pinned me to the bed."

Kaelix’s heart clenched as Eirik’s voice broke, his body tensing as he recalled the trauma. He didn’t speak, didn’t interrupt, but his hand found Eirik’s and squeezed gently, offering silent support.

"He tried to... to..." Eirik’s voice cracked, and tears welled in his eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut, the memory so vivid, so raw. "I couldn’t move. I couldn’t scream. I just lay there, terrified..."

Kaelix’s chest tightened as he listened, his heart aching for Eirik. The thought of a young Eirik, so helpless, so terrified, filled him with a deep, protective anger. But he kept his voice steady, gentle. "You don’t have to say more if you’re not ready."

Eirik shook his head, his hand trembling in Kaelix’s grasp. "I need to. I’ve never said it out loud. I need to... to let it out." He took a deep breath, his voice wavering. "My uncle Cedric found me. He pulled the man off me before... before he could do anything worse. Then my uncle’s sentinel dealt with him. After that, I never saw the man again."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Eirik’s confession hanging between them. Eirik’s shoulders shook as the tears finally spilled over, and he quickly wiped at his face, embarrassed by his vulnerability. But Kaelix didn’t let go of his hand. He held on, a silent reminder that he wasn’t alone.

"I’ve had that nightmare ever since," Eirik whispered, his voice broken. "It never goes away. Every time I close my eyes, it’s like I’m back there, trapped, helpless..."

Kaelix’s heart ached at the rawness of Eirik’s pain. He hadn’t realized just how much Eirik had been carrying all these years, the weight of the past, the terror that still haunted him. And yet, here Eirik was, strong and resilient, still standing despite it all.

Without judgment, without hesitation, Kaelix reached out and gently pulled Eirik into his arms. Eirik didn’t resist. In fact, he leaned into the embrace almost instinctively, as though the walls he had built around himself had finally crumbled. Kaelix’s arms were warm and steady, offering the comfort Eirik didn’t even realize he needed.

"I’m so sorry, Eirik," Kaelix whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. But you’re not alone anymore. You don’t have to carry this by yourself."

Eirik let out a shuddering breath, the tension in his body slowly melting away as he rested his head against Kaelix’s chest. He didn’t even realize how much he had needed this, the comfort. His nightmares always left him feeling so vulnerable, so exposed, but for the first time he was being consoled by someone that is not Sadiki.

"I started veiling my face after that," Eirik admitted quietly, his voice muffled against Kaelix’s chest. "I didn’t want anyone to notice me. I didn’t want to attract anymore attention. And Uncle Cedric... he forced me to train with his sentinels after it happened. He didn’t want me to ever be that defenseless again."

Kaelix felt a surge of anger, not at Eirik, but at the world that had forced such a young boy to carry such burdens. He couldn’t believe how much Eirik had endured, how much pain he had hidden behind his nonchalant mask. And yet, he was still standing, still fighting.

"You’ve been through so much," Kaelix whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "And you’re still here. You’re still strong."

Eirik didn’t respond, but he didn’t need to. His body relaxed further into Kaelix’s embrace, the comfort lulling him into a sense of security he hadn’t felt since his arrival in Zephyros. His breaths grew slower, more even, as the exhaustion from the nightmare and the weight of his confession finally took their toll.

Kaelix held him, his heart aching for the man in his arms, for the pain he had carried alone for so long. He couldn’t change the past, couldn’t erase the nightmares, but he could be there now. He could offer Eirik the comfort, the safety, the love he deserved.

As Eirik’s breathing evened out, Kaelix realized he had drifted off, his body limp