"Ravić, it's not so bad..." I whispered, my hands cupping his jaw, trying to steady him.
His eyes searched mine, dark and unrelenting. "What did you promise her, Rosie?"
"I promised exactly what you heard," I said, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "I'll continue my studies, learn the ropes...and one day, take her place as President."
Ravić's lips parted in disbelief. He took a step back, as if the space between us could make the truth felt less real.
"You know what this means," he said, his voice low, almost breaking.
"I do," I nodded, my palms resting against his chest, feeling the faint tremor beneath my fingers. "We'll be apart. Months at a time. Once you take your father's place as King. But..." I lifted my gaze to his, refusing to look away. "We can make this work."
For a moment, Ravić said nothing. His jaw tightened, thoughts flickering behind his red eyes. From duty, to fear, love, all of them warring for a space.
