A Royal Obligation
Chapter 89: Small Gestures, Big Impact (1)

Chapter 89: Small Gestures, Big Impact (1)

The soft morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a warm, muted glow over the room.

Eirik lay still, his body cocooned beneath the sheets, his mind slowly stirring awake. The familiar weight of his thoughts pressed down on him, thoughts of the upcoming wedding, of his uncertain future, and of Sadiki.

Sadiki.

His heart ached at the mere thought of the man he had loved so deeply. Even now, as the reality of his arranged marriage loomed closer, he couldn’t shake the feeling of loss.

How could he? Sadiki had been his everything, his love, his confidant, the one person who understood him. But now, those moments were nothing but memories, and Kaelix... Kaelix was the future.

Eirik turned in bed, his fingers brushing against something soft. He sat up, blinking in surprise.

There, on the pillow beside him, was a bouquet of white azaleas. Confusion flickered across his face. Flowers? He hadn’t placed them there. His eyes trailed over the delicate petals, the pure white standing in stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions that churned within him.

"Kaelix," Eirik realized.

He stared at the flowers, fingers gently brushing against the petals. Flowers had never been a part of their relationship, if he could even call it that.

What little interaction they had shared up until now had been stiff, polite, and emotionally distant, save for a few moments.

There had been that night by the lake, where something unspoken passed between them, a moment of rawness that had caught both of them off guard.

They had shared nothing more than quiet words, lingering glances and a near kiss accident, but it had been enough to plant the seeds of something deeper. And then, there was the night of the nightmare.

Eirik swallowed hard, the memory of that nightmare sending an involuntary shiver through him. He had been woken up by Kaelix, his chest tight with panic.

But it wasn’t the familiar nightmare that haunted him, that horrible memory from his childhood where a man had tried to force himself on him, the helplessness and fear suffocating him. This time, it had been worse. This time, Sadiki had been there, watching.

In the dream, Sadiki stood there, his face expressionless, unmoved as the man from Eirik’s childhood tried to have his way with him.

No matter how much Eirik screamed, no matter how desperately he begged for Sadiki to help him, the man he loved just stood there.

Silent. Cold. Distant. His heart had shattered in the dream, not from the violation but from the realization that the person he trusted most wouldn’t save him.

When Eirik woke up, his body had been trembling, soaked in sweat. Kaelix had encouraged him, coaxed the story out of him like drawing poison from a wound.

"I know it’s not easy," Kaelix had said softly, his voice a steady anchor in the sea of Eirik’s emotions. "But sometimes, holding it inside just lets it fester. You don’t have to carry this alone."

Eirik had hesitated but eventually told him everything. About the man who had tried to force himself on him when he was just a boy. About the shame and fear that had haunted him for years.

But he chooses not to share about the nightmare horrible twist where Sadiki, the one person who had made Eirik feel safe, had turned his back on him when he needed him most.

Kaelix had listened without judgment, his presence unwavering. He had reached out and gently pulled Eirik into his arms. And Eirik couldn’t resist.

"You’ve been through so much," Kaelix had said when Eirik finished, his voice firm yet gentle. "And you’re still here. You’re still strong."

Even now, the memory of that conversation lingered in Eirik’s mind as he stared at the flowers.

Kaelix had been patient, kind, and understanding, traits Eirik hadn’t expected from him. And now, seeing the bouquet resting on his pillow, it was clear that Kaelix was making an effort, not just to fulfill his royal duties but to connect with him on a deeper level.

Eirik’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the door opening. His head snapped up, and there stood Kaelix in the doorway, his expression cautious, as if unsure whether his presence would be welcome.

"I didn’t mean to intrude," Kaelix said, his voice soft and hesitant. "I just... wanted to check if you liked the flowers."

Eirik’s eyes fell back on the bouquet, his fingers still curled around one of the stems. The truth was, the gesture had caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected this gestures from Kaelix, but this... this was different.

"They’re beautiful," Eirik finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Kaelix stepped further into the room, his posture still tense. Eirik could see the vulnerability in his eyes, the way his fingers fidgeted nervously at his sides. It was a side of Kaelix he hadn’t seen much before, a side that was raw, uncertain, and perhaps even afraid.

"I’m glad you like them," Kaelix said, offering a small smile. "I just... I wanted to do something. I know I haven’t exactly been the most... open person in the past."

Eirik looked at him, surprised by the admission. Kaelix, the ever-stubborn prince, was speaking of his own feelings, and even acknowledge his faults. He could get used to this part of the prince.

"I know it hasn’t been easy for you," Kaelix continued, his voice softening. "Especially with everything you’ve been through. I just want you to know that I’m trying, Eirik. I really am. And I will keep trying"

The sincerity in Kaelix’s words tugged at something deep within Eirik. He wasn’t used to seeing Kaelix like this, vulnerable, uncertain, almost... human.

It reminded him of that night when Kaelix had been there for him, pulling him out of the darkness of his nightmare, helping him face a fear he had kept hidden for so long.

Eirik found himself softening, despite the lingering ache in his heart. He didn’t know if he could ever love Kaelix the way he had loved Sadiki, but he couldn’t deny that Kaelix was making an effort. And perhaps, for now, that was enough.

"I can see that," Eirik said quietly, meeting Kaelix’s gaze. "And I appreciate it."

A small, relieved smile flickered across Kaelix’s lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I just want to make this work," he said. "For both of us."

Eirik nodded, though the weight of his past still clung to him. He wanted to move forward, he knew he had to, but it wasn’t easy. How could he simply let go of the love he had shared with Sadiki? The thought of it felt almost like a betrayal.

But then, Kaelix took a step closer, his presence warm and reassuring. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Eirik’s hand, a small but deliberate gesture of connection. Eirik tensed at the touch, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let the moment linger, allowing himself to feel the sincerity behind it.

"I know you still care about him," Kaelix said, his voice gentle. "I know this isn’t easy for you. But I’m here, Eirik. And I’ll be here, whether you’re ready or not."

Eirik’s throat tightened. Kaelix’s words, though simple, carried a weight that settled deep within him.

He had always assumed that Kaelix didn’t care, that this marriage was just as much a formality for him as it was for Eirik. But now, seeing the raw vulnerability in Kaelix’s eyes, he realized how wrong he had been.

"Kaelix did care." Maybe not in the way Sadiki had, but it was a start. And Eirik found himself wanting to meet Kaelix halfway, even if his heart wasn’t fully ready to move on.

"I want to try," Eirik admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "I don’t know if I can ever..." He paused, struggling to find the right words. "I don’t know if I can ever love you the way I loved him. But I’ll try."

Kaelix’s eyes softened, and he gave a small, understanding nod. "That’s all I’m asking for."

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