Author's POV...
Evening did not arrive quietly. It descended with brilliance.
The sky above Ravencourt deepened into a rich shade of indigo as the first firework split the darkness open. A golden burst bloomed high above the palace towers, scattering light like shattered stars. The echo rolled across the kingdom walls, followed by cheers rising from courtyards and balconies.
Victory. Celebration. Homecoming.
Music swelled within the palace grounds. Strings and flutes blended with steady drums, servants rushing through illuminated corridors with trays of wine and polished silverware. Lanterns were lit one by one along marble halls, their warm glow reflecting off gilded pillars and intricate carvings.
It was not just a banquet. It was a declaration. The Crown Prince had returned successful.
The young nobles and warriors who had joined him would soon depart to their respective kingdoms and estates. Tonight was celebration. Tomorrow was farewell.
Rooms across the palace buzzed with preparation.
Servants moved swiftly, laying out embroidered robes, polishing boots, fastening jeweled clasps. Maids styled hair with practiced hands, braiding, smoothing, weaving delicate accessories through strands of silk-like locks.
Laughter echoed from some chambers. Excited chatter filled others. But one room remained in darkness.
Riven stood before the tall window of his chamber, the curtains half-drawn, moonlight barely outlining his silhouette. The room was unlit.
The only glow came from distant fireworks outside, flickering briefly across his face before fading again.
He had not changed. He had not moved for a long time.
His hands were resting on the windowsill, fingers slightly curled against the cool stone. His reflection in the glass was faint and distorted, swallowed by shadows.
His thoughts were not quiet. They were loud. Relentless.
Maelis smile. The way it curved so naturally when he looked at him.
The way his eyes softened when speaking gently. The warmth in his voice when he said Riven name.
The memory replayed again.
And again.
Riven inhaled slowly. Then exhaled sharply.
"I am really losing my mind," he muttered under his breath.
He lifted a hand and dragged it through his hair, pushing dark strands back from his forehead only for them to fall again.
"I am going crazy." He let out a dry, humorless chuckle.
"What have you done to me, Maelis?" His jaw tightened. His breathing grew uneven. He closed his eyes.
And images shifted.
What if he kept Maelis somewhere only he could reach?
What if he took him away from this palace, from responsibilities, from Seraphine, from Theron?
What if he made Maelis smiled only for him? Would he still smile the same way?
Would he still look at him with that softness? Or would that softness turn into fear?
That thought made something inside his chest twist violently. He pressed his palm against his sternum as if physically restraining himself.
"I cannot lose you." The words escaped before he could stop them.
His voice was low. Almost broken.
"I am scared of my own thoughts."
Outside, another firework exploded, bright red light spilling across the room for a split second. It illuminated his face clearly.
His eyes were not calm. They were conflicted. A storm trying to disguise itself as composure.
A knock echoed softly against the door.
Riven's eyes opened instantly. His posture straightened.
"Prince Riven, we are coming inside," a male servant said from the other side, voice careful.
Riven did not turn.
"Come in," he replied in a low tone.
The servant hesitated before opening the door.
The darkness inside the room made him pause instinctively. The air felt heavy, suffocating, like stepping into a space where something unseen lingered.
He swallowed and gestured for the maids behind him to enter. They carried folded garments and accessories in careful hands. The male servant moved quickly to light the lamps one by one.
Warm light slowly filled the room, chasing away shadows.
Riven remained facing the window.
"Prince Riven," the servant began cautiously. "Crown Prince sent you this royal outfit for the banquet and told us to prepare you. He personally chose this outfit for you." He forced a polite smile, though a bead of sweat slid down his temple.
The room felt wrong. Like the air could shatter if disturbed too much.
Riven's voice came quietly.
"Did he choose only for me? Or for others too?"
His tone was steady. Too steady. It was not loud. But it carried weight.
The servant stiffened immediately.
"No, Prince Riven," he said quickly. "The Crown Prince especially chose this outfit only for you."
He bowed slightly, hands trembling faintly. Riven slowly turned his head. His gaze met the servant's eyes.
Cold. Sharp. Calculating.
The servant nearly forgot to breathe.
Riven looked away again.
"Where is the Crown Prince now?" he asked.
"He said he will go directly to the banquet with His Majesty and Her Highness along with the Crown Princess. He wishes to see you there."
The words Crown Princess echoed in Riven's mind like a hammer striking metal.
Something snapped. Not visibly. But internally.
The maids approached carefully and began dressing him. The black royal attire fit him flawlessly.
Dark fabric layered with pure gold embroidery traced intricate patterns across his chest and sleeves. The contrast made his figure appear sharper, more imposing. A gold clasp fastened near his collarbone, the metal cool against his skin.
As they adjusted his sleeves and straightened the fabric, Riven stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Crown Princess. The phrase repeated.
Seraphine's arms around Maelis. Her head against his chest.
His fingers curled slowly. Would Maelis smile at her tonight? Would he look at her the way he looked at him? His mind twisted the image.
What if he forced Maelis to stay by his side? Locked away from the world.
Would he still smile? Would he still be gentle? Or would he look at him with hatred?
That was the part that frightened him most. He could endure rejection. He could endure rivalry. But he could not endure Maelis looking at him with disgust and fear. The thought suffocated him more than any darkness.
Meanwhile, across the palace, Maelis stood inside the Queen's private chamber.
His parents stood close together, speaking softly. The King leaned toward the Queen slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face while she adjusted his collar in return.
It was subtle. Familiar. Affectionate.
Maelis watched them quietly.
If his father from his previous life had lived, his parents would have looked like this...his mother would have smiled the same way.
A quiet ache settled in his chest. He exhaled and stepped away. He had responsibilities. He made his way toward Seraphine's chambers.
Maids lined the hallway and immediately bowed when they saw him.
Seraphine's personal maid rushed inside to announce his arrival.
Moments later, Seraphine appeared.
She was radiant. Her gown shimmered in soft shades of ivory and gold, embroidery delicate along the hem. Jewels rested lightly at her neckline. Her hair was styled intricately, pinned with small pearls.
She bowed gracefully.
"I am ready, Your Royal Highness," she said, smiling brightly.
Maelis blinked. Then frowned.
He stepped closer and gently touched the edge of her corset.
"It looks tight," he said softly. "Painful."
She stiffened slightly.
"How many times have I told you not to do anything that makes you uncomfortable?" he continued gently. "And do not forget, you are not in your palace. You are at mine. You do not need to be perfect. Especially when you are with me."
His tone was not reprimanding. It was warm. Concerned. He lifted a hand and lightly patted her head.
Seraphine's composure cracked instantly. Her lower lip trembled. Tears welled in her eyes.
"But the Queen gave me this gown," she said softly. "I want to be a perfect daughter-in-law for her. If she sees me not wearing it, she will be angry."
Maelis stared at her for a moment. Then he laughed softly. The sound was gentle.
He lifted his hand and wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
"Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "She will not be angry."
He stepped back slightly.
"Go change. I will wait outside."
Seraphine hesitated only a second before hugging him impulsively.
Maelis stiffened again for half a heartbeat, then awkwardly patted her back. She hurried off to change. When she disappeared behind the screen, Maelis sighed deeply.
Making up with the leads of the novel may help me in the future, he thought.
If he maintained good relationships with everyone, perhaps the original tragic plot would not unfold the same way.
He straightened his posture.
He had no idea that elsewhere in the palace, someone was slowly unraveling because of him.
Riven stood fully dressed now. Impeccable. Composed. Dangerous.
But inside, the conflict raged on. His mind whispered control.
Possession. Force.
His heart whispered restraint.
Protection. Love.
He closed his eyes briefly.
If he forced Maelis to stay, would he still laugh? Would he still trust him? Or would those soft eyes harden?
Riven exhaled slowly.
"I don't want you to fear me," he murmured.
And yet. The darker voice did not disappear. It waited. Quietly. Patiently. Like something inevitable.