**Caius' POV**
The royal summons came at dawn.
The weight of expectation settled on my shoulders as I made my way through the grand halls of the palace, flanked by knights who once called me their brother-in-arms but now regarded me with wary respect.
The throne room was crowded when I arrived. Nobles, knights, and scholars stood in hushed murmurs, their attention flickering between the young king seated upon his throne and me—the man who had defeated him.
Eloise was not here. I made sure of that.
I stepped forward and bowed my head only slightly, just enough to be respectful, but not enough to submit. "Your Majesty."
King Aldric leaned back against his golden throne, his fingers tapping idly on the armrest. "Caius," he mused, his tone far too casual for a man who had nearly lost everything to me yesterday. "You fought well in our duel."
The room was silent, waiting for his next words.
"You have proven yourself worthy," he continued. "Which is why I must insist—Eloise belongs in this palace."
I clenched my fists. *Of course.* I had known that a man like Aldric would never accept defeat so easily.
"The people witnessed our battle," I said, my voice calm but firm. "You gave your word that if I won, Eloise would be free."
A few nobles exchanged uneasy glances. Whispers stirred among them. The honor of a king was absolute—breaking his own decree would only bring doubt to his rule.
King Aldric, however, merely smiled, unfazed. "And yet, isn't it strange? A woman of such extraordinary power... traveling with a fallen knight?" His gaze sharpened. "You expect me to believe she is safer with you than under the protection of my kingdom?"
I took a step closer. "I expect you to honor your word."
The tension in the room thickened.
Then, a cold, familiar voice broke through the silence.
"Your Majesty."
The air shifted as my brother, Valerian, stepped forward from the shadows of the court.
Dressed in his pristine silver armor, his presence alone commanded the room's attention.
"The people will not overlook a broken promise," Valerian continued, his tone neutral yet laced with warning. "You challenged Caius before the eyes of your kingdom. To go back on your word now would be unwise."
King Aldric's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the armrest. I could see the frustration in his expression.
Valerian had done what he always did—kept the kingdom from falling into chaos.
Kept me from being executed on the spot.
The king exhaled sharply, his arrogance cracking under the weight of scrutiny. "Very well." His voice was sharp, unwilling. "Eloise is free to go."
A sigh of relief swept through the court.
But I knew better.
This wasn't over.
The king wasn't finished with Eloise. And I wasn't finished protecting her.
———-
The king leaned forward, a smirk curling at the edges of his lips. Though he had relented in front of his court, I could see it in his eyes—his game was far from over.
"You've won your duel, Caius. And as promised, Eloise is free to leave." His fingers drummed lazily against the throne's armrest before he leaned his chin on his hand, gaze sharp. "However, freedom always comes at a cost."
I didn't move, my fists clenched at my sides. "What do you mean?"
Aldric's smirk widened. "I will let you both walk away, unharmed and unchained. But should the kingdom ever call upon you—especially Eloise—you will return."
A silence settled over the throne room.
The murmurs of the nobles and knights echoed around me. I could already hear the discussions brewing. The king was playing this carefully. He couldn't openly keep Eloise against her will, but with this condition, he ensured she would never truly be free.
Eloise was his greatest threat and his greatest asset. If she fell into the hands of another kingdom, Aldric would be undone.
And he knew it.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice even. "And if we refuse?"
The king chuckled, as if amused by my defiance. "You won't." His expression darkened. "Because if you do, I will not hesitate to declare you both as enemies of the crown. No city, no village, no land will offer you shelter. You will be hunted, and no place will be safe."
I felt my jaw tighten. He was backing us into a corner.
Eloise...
I had to think of her.
I turned my gaze to Valerian, who stood in his usual, unreadable silence. If he disagreed with the king's condition, he showed no sign of it.
Damn him.
The room waited for my answer. The nobles, the knights, the courtiers—everyone knew the king had trapped me.
For Eloise's sake, I had no choice.
"...Fine." My voice was low, measured. "If the kingdom calls, we will come."
The king's victorious grin made my blood boil.
"Good." He leaned back, satisfied. "Then go, my fallen hero. Enjoy your little freedom while you can."
I turned on my heel and walked out, knowing this was not the end.
Eloise would never be free—not while Aldric still ruled.
But no matter what, I would never let him take her.