I never knocked on Theo's door.
I pushed the door open and let the cold greet me as always.
His room was always like this—windows thrown wide no matter the season, curtains stirring lazily, air sharp enough to wake skin.
The scent too—faintly green. Like when rain met the earth. Clean, grounding.
Suncrystals glowed softly along the walls, off-white, dim and steady. He had to be careful always—temperatures, fire. There were books stacked on the table near the window, some open, some face-down like they'd been abandoned mid-thought. The bed was a mess—sheets twisted, pillow half on the floor.
He'd been here recently.
Then—
Water splashed faintly from the bathing room. Not loud. Just enough to notice if you listened.
I sat on the edge of his bed to wait.
The sheets were cool beneath my hands. When I leaned back, they resisted just slightly—soft, but with a faint sting against my skin. Mineral-infused, fireproof. My brilliant idea.
He woke up from a nightmare last year—nothing survived.
I exhaled and let myself fall back fully.
The scent was stronger here. Sun-warmed fabric. My shoulders sank into the mattress before I could stop them.
"What did you want to say, uh..?"
The last thing I remember was thinking that maybe we should have a sleepover.
He's not too old for that, right?
.><><><.
Something cold—and wet touched my cheek.
I flinched—not awake yet—then felt fabric brush gently beneath my eye, careful, precise, trying not to press too hard.
I opened my eyes.
Theo sat–leaned over me.
Bright green eyes caught in moonlight. Hair damp, loose, curling slightly at the ends. Shadows carved his face softer than daylight ever did. The suncrystals cast a low glow, but the moon did most of the work, silvering his lashes, his cheekbones, the line of his mouth.
For a second, he looked... mythical.
"Theo," I said.
He sat up, as I pushed myself up on my elbows, rubbing my eyes. "When did you come out?, Why didn't you wake me?"
"You looked at ease," he said quietly. Then, after a beat, "I didn't want to disturb you."
I sat up properly, mid-yawn. "You could've. You should've."
He shrugged, small. "You can... sleep here tonight. If you want."
I studied him. Tunic clinging slightly to his frame. Skin warm—shoulders tense, like he was bracing for refusal.
"You were saying something earlier," I said gently. "In my study, before Father called."
Theo's eyes flickered, then his fingers curled in his lap.
"Oh," he said. Then he hesitated. "Em... actually," his gaze dropped.
I was used to his slow pace when his being subconsciously cute. I wished he'd grow out of it, but at the same time I'm not complaining.
"Take your time" I assured.
"I don't want to go to the LCI," he blurted.
I blinked. "What?"
No–actually, what?!. L.C.I, the Luminspire Collegium of influence, if I hadn't been suppressing my influence when I was younger, I'd be there already.
He looked up, fear. "You want me to?" He asked—voice soft, and.. tugging on my heart strings. I patted the bed beside me. "Come here."
He didn't hesitate this time. He sat, careful not to jostle me, hands folded like he didn't know what to do with them.
"I know Mia and Gia passed their written exams, and they'll most definitely pass the trials as well. Then it will be my turn next year." He spoke quickly now, words tumbling. "But attendance isn't compulsory. And, Sir Lord Karlot said home training is valid too. I could stay here."
"Theo—"
"I don't want to leave you," he said, finally meeting my eyes.
The room fell colder.
"I'll miss you too much," he continued, voice low, "and people will talk to you differently. Men will. They'll try to court you."
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. He'd never forgive me if I didn't.
"And if I'm not there," he continued, "there won't be anyone to tell them to stop."
{He really thought this through.}
I reached for his hand. He froze, then laced his fingers through mine like it was instinct.
{So cute!}
"I can stay," he said softly. "I can train here. To protect you."
I stared at him—not sure where to start.
I had a lot of questions, and his mind wasn't any different.
My throat burned.
"Remember when I told you I'll always have time for you?," I said, squeezing his hand. "I meant it. The whole world could be burning, but you'll always come first for me, understand?."
He nodded, relief flickering across his face.
"Now about LCI, you have to go."
His grip loosened slightly. "But.."
"If not you'll hurt someone, you could hurt me. You don't want that, right?" I continued.
"But I can control—"
"Control isn't enough Theo, you have no idea what it like to see unconscious for days..." I paused, and he listened.
"It was scary, I was scared..." I could feel the tears trying to bubble up in my eye.
"Onita..." He breathed softly...
"I was so scared, if I had—" my voice hitched "Control isn't enough, sure it keeps things contained," I continued. "keeps damage small. And the people around you safe."
I exhaled slowly.
"But control still isn't enough."
I looked up then—blinking to hold the tears back. And catch my breath.
"It can't do anything in the eye of danger, precision and strength however,"
The words tasted old. Learned.
"To protect something, anything in fact" I went on—fingers still entwined in his, "you have to be able to act, on purpose. Never hold back. Never hesitate. Make the choice you know you'd regret the least. And end a threat before it ends you."
The room stayed cool. Too cool.
"I don't get it.." he confessed.
I scoffed a little laugh. "That's why you have to go to LCI, where elite experts can help you. With Sir Karlot you'd be too limited, and reckless. He'd tell you the same thing."
"So... I have to go." My heart sank at his tone.
"Yeah, you're special, very special, but most people won't understand and... they'd get scared for no reason," I tried.
«But I don't care what they think» he was visible sulking.
"Okay. What if I promise to do anything you ask till your exam."
He lit up.
"Once a month, just once."
Theo narrowed his gaze on me. Then pulled his hand out—and pulled a pinky at me.
"Deal." He nodded
I linked my pinky in his, smiles "Deal."
Then we both kissed on it to seal the promise.
"And don't tell Father, or anyone for that matter, but.." I leaned in close to his ear. "I'm never getting Married." I whispered.
His eyes widened, brows lifted. Then his tilts his head "why?"
"Personally, I believe all men are emotionally stupid. So you don't have to worry about anyone courting me." I sit up, stretching.
{Gosh, I'm kinda hungry now}
«Emotionally stupid?» Theo questioned internally. Then he pushed up on his knees.
"Onita!"
I leaned back, startled..."Yes..?"
"I'm not stupid, am I?," he asked.
"Not yet, you'll be a man someday." I laughed—not loud enough. Patting his head.
"I'm a little hungry, you?" I asked.
"I'll go change!" He rushed off the bed, into his dressing closet.
I smiled to myself watching him.
{He's the cutest..} The thought ran several miles in my head.
"God, even if I do die some day. Just don't make Theo do it like in the book, he'd be too damaged after..." I paused. Then scoffed into a smile "or is that just hopeful thinking."
.><><><.
Hunger tugged at my stomach, servants guided me and Theo toward the dining hall, My posture stayed calm—trained, practiced—but my thoughts were swallowed by the clatter of polished porcelain, the sheen of garnished soup, and that low, humid warmth only hot meals could give.
Dinner. With royalty.
I'm just trying to be positive.
The proper gown stabbed at me from all directions, a brutal reminder that I hadn't bothered changing from my earlier… leisurely state. Theo borrowed me his slippers just before we left. Comfort now felt like a luxury. I couldn't move without gnawing at the edge of my nerves—or stomach, rather.
Sliding into the head seat, I let my eyes skim the table. Theo, Carl, and Rosie on my right. Cael, Mia, and Gia on my left. The maids hovered in stiff, nervous postures, hands pressed too tightly together.
No one had touched the food.
Why?
I'm wondering the same thing.
"Where have you two been," Rosie countered immediately, voice sharp and clipped, "and why are you still in that dress—I explicitly told your maid to fetch the scarlet silk. At least the young lord is dressed decently."
"Sheesh. Breathe, woman," I replied, leaning back. "My red hair is already color enough, and it's not Lauren's fault. I just couldn't walk that far."
She didn't seem satisfied with my response, but also didn't have a follow up. Her thoughts skimmed over me «Keep calm… nothing unexpected is going to happen… the Prince's stay must be flawless.»
{I see. So we're waiting on His Highness}
I let my attention drift and tuned in.
Mia, hyper-focused, was thinking faster than she could breathe. «I have to get the proof soon… I have to be the one to expose his true intentions. Lord Cael is so obviously in love withIris.»
I nodded faintly to myself.
I mean. I think so too.
Cael—my supposed lover—sat like an illustration from an etiquette manual. Clothes pressed to perfection, hands folded beneath the table, spine straight, shoulders relaxed. A refined noble..
Gosh! my eyes were hurting.
Gia, ever sharp—the human embodiment of freedom of speech. «When's it going to start? I know he's royalty, but if he's already making a Duke's household starve, what happens when he becomes emperor?»
Carl—visibly tired, his thoughts were loud and predictable. «How long will he be living with us? Security… logistics… supplies… staffing… we're going to have to reorganize the household entirely. And if anything happens under my watch—i can't even imagine what would happen.»
I suppress a snort. He was already dismantling the future like the overworked steward he was–with too much responsibility and not enough sleep.
{He is not okay.}
Even the maids weren't silent. A flurry of scattered thoughts reached me
«Royalty! Finally! »
«I hope I do everything perfectly…»
«oh gods, if I slip up… I'll be fired.»
Of course not everyone was thrilled.
«Ugh!»
«All this fuss again… over what?»
«I can't wait to quit…»
My stomach pinched violently, sharp and unforgiving, reminding me that none of this mattered until I ate. The scent of roasted meat, warm bread, and rich soup was pure torture. I pinched the hem of my skirt and focused on—trying to maintaining composure.
I'm not sure it was working.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my slippers touch the cool marble beneath me.
{I'm about to die}
After what felt like an hour—approximately 43minutes—the doors opened.
Everyone straightened immediately.
Raymond walked in first. Gone were the travel-worn layers from earlier. Now he wore a structured—long-sleeved, high-collared shirt tucked cleanly into tailored trousers, a fitted coat draped over everything like it belonged there. Wine and cream, understated but unmistakably expensive.
Behind him was Ryder. He wore blue. Dark–muted. Long sleeves, close-fitting, practical but polished. No armor. No sword. But he still stood like a wall. Guard posture intact. Clothes noble-adjacent.
{Where did they even get those?}
They showed up in dust and trench-wear. Now this? Either we had a secret wardrobe or Royalty were able to stuff clothes up their... nevermind.
I didn't care.
All I could care about was food.
Raymond took his seat with practiced ease. Ryder stood behind him, hands folded, face blank. Not a thought in mind—weird.
"My apologies for the delay," Raymond said pleasantly. "Elorian clothing is…quite layered. The straps required negotiation."
Polite laughter skimmed the table.
{Just admit you couldn't dress yourself.}
"And Lady Rosie," he added, turning slightly, "thank you for arranging everything so quickly. Though I must say—the bodice is a bit tight for my taste."
Rosie nearly combusted.
"Y–Your Highness, my sincerest apologies," she rushed, already halfway into fixing a problem the non-existent problem. "I'll handle it immediately—"
"There's no need," Raymond said smoothly. Smile magnanimous "It was just an observation."
Rosie thoughts were spiraling.
«Too tight? Did I mismeasure? I'll correct it—i'll make sure—»
Gia spoke. "Thank you for joining us, Your Highness," she said sweetly, smile razor-thin. "Though I fear the food may have grown cold now."
Direct hit. Beautiful.
"My lady—" Rosie coughed, perfect timing. The sound swallowing her panic whole.
Then—silence.
Not the comfortable kind.
No one moved. No one dished. No one dared breathe wrong.
I wanted to snap, him—In half.
Didn't he realize?
That everyone was waiting on him. That etiquette demanded he start. That six plates of food were dying in front of us?.
I stayed quiet. Deliberately. If I spoke, he'd talk to me. If he talked to me, this would become a thing. No way that's happening.
Seconds dragged.
Then—
"Are we going to eat?" Theo asked.
Soft. Honest. A hero.
"Your Highness?" Mia called politely.
Raymond blinked—then laughed, genuinely this time.
"Of course," he said. "Please."
Rosie didn't waste the opening. One sharp gesture and the maids moved instantly, relief pouring into the room as dishes were served, covers lifted, plates adjusted.
I took my first bite and nearly logged out of my internal server.
Finally..