Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 315. Endless Calculation
Angel and Rose stood up from their seats and walked out of the study room, their footsteps echoing softly in the silent night. The castle was quiet, with only a few guards standing watch in front of Angel's study.
Angel glanced at Rose's hand as they walked, feeling a subtle yet powerful urge to reach out and hold it. The conversation they had just shared in the study had brought them closer, emotionally and intellectually. Now, he felt a deeper yearning for physical closeness, an intimacy that had eluded them for some time. It was something he had longed for, something he should have embraced more freely after Rose agreed to be with him.
However, he had deliberately held back. His reasons were not trivial. Angel knew that until he could secure Rose's position as queen, she was vulnerable. Despite her status as a princess from another kingdom, she held no real power here in Euphorion. She had come to his kingdom as a political prisoner, a status that made her an easy target for those who sought to undermine him. He had seen how quickly court politics could turn vicious, how easily someone could be overthrown with a well-placed whisper or accusation.
The thought of Rose being attacked or overthrown haunted him. If she remained merely his wife without the title of queen, it wouldn't be long before the court started questioning her ability to bear an heir. In Angel's estimation, she would only have a year or so before the whispers turned into demands. It was a precarious situation, and one he could only resolve by making her queen.
Yet, Angel's life was full of pressing matters. The kingdom's well-being, the search for his father's murderer, and now the mystery of the bracelet consumed his thoughts and time. Intimacy had been pushed to the back of his mind, not out of lack of desire, but out of necessity. He had often thought that if things didn't go according to plan or if something happened to him, he would take drastic measures to ensure her safety. He would announce that their marriage was a political maneuver, a façade, and send her back to her homeland.
The mere thought of this contingency plan made his heartache. He didn't want to lose Rose, to send her away, or to see her with anyone else. The idea of her returning to her homeland, possibly to be married off to someone else, was unbearable. He loved her deeply, and the thought of their separation was a constant, gnawing pain.
He glanced at Rose again. She trusted him, believed in him, and stood by his side. He wanted to protect her, to ensure her happiness and safety, but he also longed to be closer to her, to share moments of intimacy that had been so rare in their relationship.
That was probably just his overthinking, of course. But unfortunately, with his position as king, he had to think of all the possibilities that could happen. He needed to anticipate the worst and always be one step ahead. His mind was a constant battlefield of strategies, contingencies, and worries. This endless calculation often robbed him of peace, but it was a necessary burden for a ruler.
Reaching their chamber, Angel held the door open for Rose, watching as she stepped inside. He followed her in, closing the door softly behind them.
Rose walked to the bed, and Angel's eyes followed her. He felt a sudden, overwhelming need to be closer to her. Almost instinctively, he reached out and caught her hand. Rose, startled by the unexpected touch, stopped in her tracks. Just as she began to turn around, Angel closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He pressed his forehead to her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her gown.
The embrace was a spontaneous act, driven by the intensity of his emotions.
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the only sound was the steady rhythm of their breathing. His thoughts were a jumble of relief, longing, and the ever-present worry that he couldn't quite shake. He had spent so long keeping his distance, trying to protect her from the harsh realities of their situation. But in this quiet moment, all he wanted was to be near her.
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