Pov ~ Cyrus
"That's the proposal Yanflos has presented this year, Your Majesty! Uhmm… uhmm…" Dorian's voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, we'll have to wait for the Celestial House's reply, to see if they can give us more of the elixir this year," I said, sighing heavily.
"But Your Majesty," Dorian said, sounding worried, "the elixir production has dropped a lot these past few years."
"It's their decision to make," I answered calmly, though my mind was full of doubts. "If I ordered them, they would obey… but I want to give them a choice. I don't want to rule by force."
Deep down, I was worried. Ever since my mother passed away and I took the throne, I felt like I was walking on thin ice. My father always had advisors, but I knew now it was my mother's wisdom that kept everything in balance. She understood people in a way no one else did.
Dorian bowed deeply. "Let's end today's work, Your Majesty. It's already midnight. You should rest. We can continue tomorrow."
He left, and I was alone again, surrounded by stacks of papers that felt heavier than any sword I had ever carried. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. These papers weren't just ink and signatures; they were decisions that affected every single person in this kingdom.
Everything had been going as planned. Reve could have left safely, unnoticed. But my brother had to interfere. I didn't know exactly what she was going through right now, but I knew my brother. He wouldn't hurt her — not yet.
She shouldn't be here. Not now. I couldn't go into Ephialtes, because if I did, Nyx would know. At first, I thought he didn't know about Reve, but now I had to be careful. If something went wrong… no, I couldn't let it happen. I would wait. When the right time came, Reve would have to return.
My brother's anger wouldn't make it easy, but I had never been one to shy away from challenges.
I opened my eyes again and started signing the last of the papers. When I finally finished, I stood up and went to my chambers.
As I reached for the door handle, I noticed a faint light coming from inside. My hand froze. My breathing stopped for a moment. Then I saw it — red hair, loose and falling over her shoulders. She never wore her hair like that, unless she wanted to remind me of something… something painful.
She stood up slowly from my bed, her movements smooth and confident. She walked toward me, her hair flowing around her pale face.
"Where have you been, my king?" she asked, her voice rough and low. I could smell wine on her breath. "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady and hide my disgust. I couldn't let her know how much her presence affected me.
She leaned back slightly and smiled — a smile that felt more like a threat than a greeting.
"I heard there's a pretty girl wandering around the villages," she said, her voice almost teasing.
She couldn't know. I clenched my jaw.
"So it's true," she continued, laughing in a cold, sharp way that cut straight through me. "What will you do now, my king?"
"Cilia, this is none of your business. Leave my room now," I said firmly, though my hands were shaking inside.
She leaned in closer, her face inches from mine. "Speak softly… you wouldn't want the people to know I'm here, would you?"
She was right.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her out into the hallway. Her laugh echoed behind me as I closed the door quickly and locked it.
I leaned my back against the door, my heart beating like a drum. I imagined her outside, maybe crying, maybe smiling in that cruel way she always did. I knew her too well. Once, she was my first love. Once, she meant everything to me.
But now… she was a danger I had to handle carefully. She knew things she shouldn't. That was the only reason I tolerated her.
I took a deep breath and looked around my room. It felt empty, cold, and heavy with memories I didn't want to face.
I moved to my bed, trying to calm my mind. But my thoughts wouldn't stop. Tomorrow, I had to show strength in front of everyone. They needed to believe I was unshaken. But tonight… tonight I felt the weight of every decision pressing down on my chest.
I knew sleep wouldn't come easily. The kingdom was depending on me, and so many secrets hung in the air like ghosts. Tomorrow would come, with its demands and duties. But tonight, all I could do was wait in the dark, fighting the shadows in my own heart.