Lila stirred awake, her eyes slowly adjusting to the soft light filtering through the room. As her vision cleared, she saw Axel in the corner, changing into fresh clothes. His bare back was to her, muscles flexing as he moved, the scratches on his wide back, a reminder of the night they had shared. She blinked, trying to process the reality of the situation. Her eyes shifted downward, catching sight of her exposed collarbone, where faint love marks still lingered—evidence of the intensity of the night.
Her breath caught in her throat. The marks on her skin weren't just physical; they were a reminder of how she had let her guard down, how she had given in. Lila's mind raced, replaying every moment, every kiss, and every touch. She felt a wave of disbelief wash over her—how had she allowed this to happen? Her carefully constructed facade had crumbled in an instant, and now she was left dealing with the aftermath. Blaming herself silently, her thoughts spiraled.
Axel, now fully dressed, turned and caught her gaze. He noticed the look on her face, the way her eyes flicked down to the marks on her collarbone before quickly looking away, clearly overwhelmed. A brief flash of amusement flickered in his eyes, but he controlled himself. Instead, he took a breath, his usual composed demeanor returning as he crossed the room toward her.
"You're awake," Axel remarked, his voice low but soft. He had already arranged for breakfast to be brought up, and without another word, he lifted the tray from the table and brought it to her side.
Lila's hands trembled slightly as she sat up in bed, pulling the blanket closer to cover herself, her fingers brushing over her collarbone once more as if trying to hide the evidence. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt an uncomfortable tightness building. The tray was set in front of her, and the smell of warm food filled the air, but her mind was too clouded with thoughts to take comfort in it.
Without looking at Axel, she hesitated before picking up the spoon. Her hand shook as she tried to steady herself, but the weight of her emotions made it impossible. The spoon clattered softly against the edge of the bowl, slipping from her grasp. Her frustration grew, and just as she reached for it again, Axel's deep laugh cut through the tension.
"Let me do it," he said, his voice teasing but not unkind. His hand moved swiftly, catching the spoon before it fell to the ground.
Lila glanced up at him, surprised by his reaction. The laughter in his eyes was disarming, and despite the turmoil inside her, she felt a faint flutter of warmth. Axel settled beside her on the bed, spoon in hand, and without waiting for her protest, he brought the spoonful of food toward her.
"Here," he said simply, guiding the spoon toward her lips, his tone gentle but firm.
She hesitated, torn between wanting to maintain her independence and the sheer exhaustion that had overtaken her. Axel's presence was both overwhelming and comforting, and despite herself, she opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her. The act itself was intimate, far more so than the events of the night before. It was tender in a way she hadn't expected.
Lila felt a mix of emotions—shame, confusion, and something else she couldn't quite place. As Axel continued to feed her, his movements calm and deliberate, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. His control over the situation contrasted sharply with her internal chaos, grounding her in the present moment. Yet, she remained silent, her mind still racing with questions, fears, and regrets.
Axel, noticing her continued silence, paused for a moment, setting the spoon down. His gaze lingered on her, taking in her trembling hands and the far-off look in her eyes. He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened," he said softly. "You're not the only one who gave in."
Lila's eyes flicked up to meet his, and for a brief second, she saw something genuine there—something that almost made her forget the turmoil inside her. But the words didn't reach her, not fully. She still felt the weight of her decisions bearing down on her. Axel's words were a balm, but they didn't erase the marks on her skin or the confusion in her heart.
Axel let out a small sigh, sensing her reluctance. "You don't have to say anything," he added, his voice softer now. "Just… let me take care of you, at least for now."
Lila bit her lip, her thoughts swirling. She didn't want to let herself depend on him—she had always prided herself on being in control. But here, in this moment, with Axel's calm and unwavering presence beside her, she found herself nodding, allowing him to feed her once more, her hands falling still.
The silence between them grew, not awkward, but heavy with unspoken words and emotions. Axel remained patient, and for the first time, Lila found a strange sense of peace in letting go, even if only for a little while.
The silence hung thick in the air as Axel finished feeding Lila. His eyes, sharp and piercing, remained fixed on her as she sat back against the pillows, her mind still clouded by everything that had happened. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of their shared history and the unspoken words between them pressing down on the room.
Then, without warning, Axel broke the silence. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a determination that left no room for misunderstanding. He pulled a small document from inside his jacket, unfolding it carefully. The air around them seemed to shift as he spoke.
"Lila," he began, his tone low and commanding, "I'll give you two options."
Lila's breath caught, her eyes darting to the document in his hand. She could feel the gravity of the moment, the intensity in his words making her pulse quicken.
Axel held up the document, his expression unreadable. "This marriage—our marriage—it's still valid," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Your first option: come with me. Be my wife again. If it's power you need, I'll give it to you. I'm the Emperor. You know what that means."
Lila's heart pounded in her chest. The weight of his words felt suffocating. She wanted to speak, to push back against him, but the look in his eyes told her that Axel had already made up his mind. This wasn't a request—it was a decision waiting for her to either accept or defy.
He leaned closer, his voice softening but laced with a dangerous edge. "Or," he continued, "I'll take you out of here, forcefully. You know how much power I have, how easily I could claim the Southern Empire."
Lila's breath hitched at the threat beneath his words. She could feel the tension radiating from him, the raw power and determination that had always defined Axel. He wasn't bluffing—she knew that. He never bluffed.
"So now decide," Axel finished, his gaze locking with hers. "What will it be?"
Lila's mind raced, her hands tightening around the blanket. She knew Axel well enough to understand that whatever choice she made would change the course of both their lives. There was no easy escape from the situation in front of her, no simple answer that would allow her to maintain the illusion of control. The future he was offering her, while suffocating in its intensity, was one of power and security—something she had longed for, but at what cost?
The document lay between them like a silent promise, and Lila could feel her heartbeat echoing in her ears as Axel's eyes bore into her, waiting.