Theo stepped out of the carriage, the humid Southern air pressing down on him as he looked around the vast palace grounds. The Southern Empire was starkly different from the North in almost every way: warmer, brighter, and filled with a lushness that bordered on surreal. But Theo was too preoccupied with his thoughts to take in the scenery. After all, he'd been summoned here not merely for a political mission but to play a pivotal role as an advisor to Emperor Kairos, a task he wasn't particularly thrilled about. However, loyalty to his brother ran deep, and he knew better than to question Axel's strategic mind, even if it sometimes veered toward reckless.
Theo strode into the palace, a frown furrowing his brow. Upon finding Axel, he didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "So, this whole plan," Theo began, fixing his brother with a sharp look. "If Lila hadn't agreed to any of this, what exactly was your backup? Did you even have one?"
Axel gave a low chuckle, brushing off his brother's piercing tone as if the question amused him. "Of course, I had a plan, Theo. If she didn't agree, I would have simply taken her back with me. By force, if needed."
Theo's eyes widened, and he let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples. "So you'd lock her up, just like that? You're out of your mind, Axel. You know she wouldn't stand for that."
Axel shrugged, the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips. "I never said it would be easy. But what choice do I have?" His voice softened slightly, betraying an edge of vulnerability. "I can't let her slip away, Theo. Not again."
Theo exhaled sharply, glancing away for a moment before leveling his gaze at Axel. "You realize how… unhinged that sounds, don't you? There's a fine line between love and obsession. And locking her up, forcing her into some gilded cage—it's the fastest way to drive her away."
Axel's jaw tightened, and he looked away, grappling with his own inner turmoil. "You think I don't know that? But this isn't about control. I can't lose her. If it means keeping her safe, even if she resents me for it… I'll take that risk."
Theo shook his head, a glint of both admiration and exasperation in his eyes. "You're hopeless, you know that? You can't just solve everything with force or authority. But," he sighed, clapping a hand on Axel's shoulder, "you do love her more than anything. I just hope, for your sake, that's enough."
For a moment, they stood in silence, brothers in a shared but unspoken understanding. Axel's determination was unwavering, even if it bordered on madness. And though Theo couldn't quite condone his brother's extremes, he could see the strength of Axel's resolve, the depth of his loyalty to Lila.
Axel's expression softened as he looked at his brother, sensing an underlying tension. "Where's Rael?" he asked gently. There was a hint of concern in his voice, a rare departure from his usual resolute tone.
Theo's jaw tightened, his gaze shifting away. He hesitated, an unusual moment of silence filling the room as he seemed to gather his thoughts. "I… he's with his nursemaid," Theo replied, but there was a hesitation there that Axel caught immediately.
Axel's eyes narrowed slightly. "Theo," he pressed, studying his brother's face carefully. "Don't tell me you resent the child."
Theo closed his eyes, exhaling a sigh as if the weight of the admission was pressing down on him. "I… I can't help it, Axel." His words were barely more than a whisper, laced with frustration and guilt. "I know he's my son, and I know he's innocent in all this. But every time I look at him, I see… her." His voice broke slightly, betraying an inner struggle he had tried to keep hidden.
Axel's gaze softened, and he nodded, understanding yet saddened by his brother's turmoil. "Theo," he began gently, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Rael didn't choose any of this. He's just a child, a part of you. And whether you like it or not, he needs his father. A father who sees him for who he is, not just as a reminder of the past."
Theo's face twisted with a mix of pain and resentment. "I know that, Axel. And I try… believe me, I try. But there's a part of me that just can't look past it." He paused, his voice quieter now. "How am I supposed to give him the love he deserves when I'm still caught up in my own anger?"
Axel squeezed his shoulder firmly. "You're stronger than that, Theo. Don't let the past poison what you have now. Rael will only grow up once—and you'll want him to know the best version of his father."
Theo gave a slow nod, though doubt still clouded his eyes. Axel knew it wouldn't be easy, but he hoped his words had planted a seed of change in his brother's heart.
Axel's gaze was steady as he spoke, his voice calm yet resolute. "Bring Rael here, Theo. I want to see him before I leave with Lila and head back to the Northern Empire."
Theo looked up, momentarily taken aback by his brother's request. "You want to see him?" he asked, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Yes," Axel replied firmly. "If there's one thing I know, it's that family matters more than anything. Whatever you feel, he's still your son, and you can't ignore that. Let him come here, and let him know that he has people who care for him, Theo."
Theo sighed, a storm of emotions in his gaze as he considered his brother's words. Rael was a child who bore an innocent heart, untouched by the bitterness that had colored Theo's past. Perhaps it was time to look beyond his own anger.
"I'll bring him," Theo said quietly, his voice softening.
Leaving Theo with a nod of reassurance, Axel made his way through the corridors, his thoughts focused on Lila. The weight of everything—the choices he'd made, the battles he'd fought, and the lengths he'd gone to secure her by his side—all led him back to her.
As he reached Lila's chamber, he paused outside her door, steadying his breath. He was no longer the man who had once faced battles with fearless indifference.
He pushed open the door gently, his eyes immediately landing on Lila, who was sitting by the window, looking out at the Southern Empire's sprawling gardens, lost in thought. The golden light of late afternoon spilled across her, illuminating her in a warm, ethereal glow. It was moments like these that reminded him of why he had fought so relentlessly to keep her by his side.
Lila turned when she sensed his presence, her expression a mixture of surprise and relief. Axel gave her a small smile, closing the distance between them. Without a word, he reached out, taking her hand in his, a quiet but powerful reassurance in his grip.
"I wanted to see you," he murmured, his voice softer than usual.
She tilted her head, studying him, sensing the unusual vulnerability in his gaze.