Caius' POV**
I moved quickly through the corridors, my mind still reeling from my encounter with the king. The weight of his words clung to me like chains, but none of it mattered right now.
I needed to see Eloise.
She was the only thing that made sense in this twisted world.
As I neared the guest chambers, I slowed my steps. The door was slightly ajar, and the sound of her voice reached me.
"I don't know what to do," she murmured.
I froze.
Eloise was speaking to someone.
Carefully, I moved to the side of the doorway, out of sight. My instincts told me to walk in, but something about her voice—soft yet filled with hesitation—made me stay.
"I've never felt this way before," she continued. "It's confusing, frustrating... but at the same time, it makes my heart race. And it terrifies me."
My breath caught in my throat.
The doctor—her father's character—sighed. "Love often has a way of creeping up on us when we least expect it. You care for him."
"Yes," she admitted without hesitation. "I care for him more than anything."
My fingers curled into a fist at my side.
Eloise...
"Then why are you hesitating?" the doctor asked.
Eloise let out a shaky laugh. "Because it's Caius. He's... overwhelming. He's stubborn, protective, and sometimes, I think he sees me as something fragile. But I'm not. And I want him to see me for who I am."
She paused before whispering, "I want to be his equal."
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might shatter.
I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to step inside and pull her into my arms.
"I see," the doctor said thoughtfully. "And do you believe he does not see you as his equal?"
Eloise hesitated. "I don't know. He never talks about what he wants. He always puts me first, always protects me—but what about him? What does he want?"
I swallowed.
You, Eloise.
I want you.
"But... even if he doesn't say it," she continued, her voice quiet, "I can feel it. I can feel it every time he looks at me, every time he stands by my side. That's why it's so scary. Because if I lose him, I don't think I can handle it."
A lump formed in my throat.
Damn it, Eloise.
The doctor chuckled softly. "Love is terrifying because it is powerful. It will challenge you, make you vulnerable, but it will also give you strength. Do not run from it. Embrace it."
Silence followed.
I took a step back, my chest tightening.
I had heard enough.
Eloise loved me.
And I...
I had always loved her.
———
Eloise's POV**
The doctor's words lingered in my mind long after our conversation ended.
"Do not run from it. Embrace it."
Love.
I couldn't deny it anymore. The emotions that had been bubbling under the surface, the way my heart reacted whenever Caius was near—it was all too obvious now.
I loved him.
But the real question was, what did I do with that love?
A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, straightening myself as the door creaked open.
Caius stepped inside. His presence filled the room instantly, his sharp gaze scanning me like he was searching for something—something he wasn't sure how to ask for.
"You were talking to the doctor," he stated, his voice unreadable.
I nodded, feeling warmth creep up my neck. "Yes."
Caius took a slow step forward. "What about?"
I hesitated, fingers gripping the fabric of my sleeves. I couldn't bring myself to say it—not when he was looking at me like that, with eyes that could strip away every defense I had.
"Just... some advice," I murmured.
Caius tilted his head, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Advice about what?"
I swallowed hard.
Say it.
Tell him.
I took a deep breath, willing myself to be brave, but before I could answer, he let out a short chuckle—one that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Let me guess," he said, stepping closer. "You wanted to know how to handle the king. Or maybe how to navigate court politics."
He was deflecting.
Avoiding something.
Just like me.
I clenched my fists. "No, Caius. It wasn't about the king."
His jaw tensed. "Then what?"
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but something held me back. Fear, maybe. Or uncertainty.
Caius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Forget it."
He turned to leave, but before he could, I reached out and grabbed his wrist.
He froze.
I swallowed past the tightness in my throat. "Caius..."
Slowly, he turned back to me, his expression unreadable.
I knew I had to say something—anything.
But instead of words, all that escaped me was a shaky breath.
Caius must have sensed my hesitation because his gaze softened—just a fraction.
"It's late," he said quietly. "Get some rest."
And just like that, he pulled away, leaving me standing there—alone with the weight of everything I still couldn't say.