"I think we need to stop seeing each other for a while," Roseline said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. "Last night, I was nearly caught because of the bruise you left. I told you to be more careful."
Brandon's brow furrowed as he clenched his fists. "I don't understand, Rose. How much longer do we have to hide like this? It's been five years already. You promised you'd find a way out, but we're still stuck in the same place."
Roseline sighed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of guilt and helplessness. "Izaak refuses to take the throne, and that's what's holding me back. As long as he won't step into his role, I can't risk separating from him. I thought that becoming Queen would give me the leverage we need, that it would make things easier. You know how much I love you, Brandon," she added, her fingers gently tracing the curve of his jaw. "For you, I even... I even terminated the child I was carrying for Izaak."
