Axel staggered down the corridor, his steps growing heavier with each passing moment. The opulence of the palace, once familiar and comforting, now felt suffocating, its gilded walls a mockery of the turmoil within him. As he neared his room, the weight of everything—the lies, the manipulation, the loss—crushed down upon him with an unbearable force.
His stomach twisted violently, and before he could reach the door, he collapsed against the wall, retching. The bile that rose in his throat was a bitter reminder of the darkness that had crept into every corner of his life. He doubled over, his body convulsing as he emptied the contents of his stomach onto the cold marble floor. But it wasn't just physical illness that gripped him; it was the realization that everything he had believed, everything he had tried to protect, was slipping away from him.
When the spasms finally subsided, Axel remained on his knees, gasping for breath. The tears that had threatened to spill now flowed freely, hot and relentless, tracing paths down his ashen cheeks. He covered his face with his hands, the sobs wracking his body as he finally let go of the restraint he had held onto for so long.
"Lila…" he whispered, her name barely audible through his choked sobs.
Lila. Her image surged to the forefront of his mind, vivid and painfully clear. She was not just a memory; she was a living, breathing presence within him, a part of his soul that he had tried so hard to protect from the darkness. Her hair, the color of spun gold, had always caught the light in a way that made it seem as though she carried the sun with her wherever she went. But it was her eyes, those deep, dark pink ruby eyes, that had truly ensnared him. They were not just beautiful—they were fierce, brimming with a passion and defiance that had drawn him to her from the start.
She was like no one he had ever known, a force of nature wrapped in grace and strength. Her spirit was unbreakable, even in the face of the cruelties life had dealt her. She was a storm, wild and untamable, yet Axel had found a strange and comforting peace in her chaos. And now, they were telling him she was gone—erased as though she had never existed.
Axel slammed his fist against the marble floor, the pain sharp but welcome. It was something tangible, something real amidst the web of lies that had ensnared him. His anger, a flame long kept under control, now flared dangerously, fueled by the betrayal of those he had once trusted.
The Empress, with her poisonous words and false concern, had been at the heart of it all. But now, Axel knew the truth—he knew that Lionel was her pawn, a mole planted to ensure her control over him. And she believed she had won, that her son had finally fallen into line.
Axel's breath hitched as he forced himself to his feet, his legs trembling. He pressed a hand to his chest, trying to steady the erratic beat of his heart. He couldn't afford to fall apart—not now. Not when the stakes were so high. The Empress had played her cards, but she had underestimated him. She believed he had forgotten, that the fire had consumed not just the palace but his memories of Lila as well. But she was wrong. He remembered everything. Every touch, every word, every promise he had made to her.
And now, he had to play his part. For Lila, for the truth, for the love they had shared that no fire could destroy. He would feign ignorance, pretend that the Empress's lies had taken root. He would be the puppet she wanted him to be—until the moment came to cut the strings.
Axel's gaze hardened, the tears now dried on his cheeks. He would make them all pay for what they had done, for every lie, every manipulation. But first, he would find Lila. And when he did, he would destroy anyone who stood in his way.
With one last look at the mess on the floor, Axel turned and walked toward his room, his steps now steadier, his resolve unshakable. The storm within him had not passed, but he would harness its power. For Lila, for the truth, and for the justice they both deserved.
[flashback]
The flicker of firelight illuminated Axel's face as he sat across from Raul in the dimly lit chamber, his expression solemn yet determined. The air was thick with the weight of unspoken words, the gravity of the situation pressing down on them both. Raul, Axel's most trusted confidant and secretary, watched his liege closely, sensing the turmoil brewing just beneath the surface.
"We don't have much time," Axel finally spoke, his voice low and steady, though tinged with a hint of urgency. "The Empress is tightening her grip, and if we don't act now, Lila will be caught in the crossfire."
Raul nodded, his brows furrowing as he considered the gravity of the situation. "You're certain about this? Faking your amnesia… it's a dangerous move, Your Highness. The Empress is cunning, and she will be watching your every step."
Axel's jaw clenched, and he looked away, his gaze distant as if already preparing for the role he would have to play. "It's the only way, Raul. The Empress believes she has me under control, and Lionel… he's been feeding her every detail. If she thinks I've forgotten about Lila, that I've given in to her manipulations, she'll let her guard down. It's the only way to protect Lila and find out the full extent of their plotting."
Raul remained silent, absorbing the plan. He had served Axel for years, witnessing his growth from a promising young prince into a formidable leader. But now, seeing him prepare to take on the mantle of deception, Raul couldn't help but feel a pang of concern.
"And Lila?" Raul asked quietly, his voice betraying the worry he held for the young woman who had become so dear to his lord. "What happens to her in all of this?"
Axel's gaze softened at the mention of her name, his mind momentarily drifting to thoughts of Lila—
"She'll be safer if they think I've forgotten her," Axel said after a moment, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I can't let them know how much she means to me. Not yet. Once the war is over, and once we've rooted out the corruption in the palace, I'll bring her back. I'll make things right."
Raul studied Axel, the weight of the plan settling heavily on his shoulders. "And what if she finds out? What if Lila believes you've truly forgotten her?"
Axel's eyes darkened, the pain of that possibility evident in his expression. "That's a risk I have to take. She's strong, stronger than anyone gives her credit for. But I'd rather she hate me, believe I've forgotten her, than see her harmed by the Empress's schemes."
Raul sighed, the enormity of the situation weighing on him. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll do everything in my power to support you in this. But remember, deception is a double-edged sword. Be careful not to cut yourself."
Axel gave a small nod, acknowledging the truth in Raul's words. "I know. But for Lila, for the future of our kingdom, it's a risk I'm willing to take. We'll bide our time, gather our strength, and when the moment is right… we'll strike."
Raul rose from his seat, his resolve hardening. "Then I'll begin preparations. We'll need to be meticulous—no detail can be overlooked."
As Raul turned to leave, Axel's voice stopped him. "Raul… thank you. I know this isn't easy, but I trust you more than anyone."
Raul looked back at Axel, his expression resolute. "Always, Your Highness. We'll bring her back."
[end of flashback]