CHAPTER FIFTEEN— Does he like me?
The room was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of moonlight slipping through the tall windows. Princess Emily stood near the bed, her heart racing with hope and expectation. She had prepared herself carefully, convinced that tonight would change everything.
Kira stood a few steps away, his back to her, hands clasped behind him. He did not look at her. He did not move closer.
Emily gathered her courage and stepped forward.
"Kira," she said softly, trying to sound gentle, inviting. "We are married now. You don't have to keep your distance."
She reached for his arm.
He moved away instantly.
The rejection was swift and unmistakable.
"Stop," Kira said, his voice calm but firm. "Don't do that."
Emily froze, disbelief spreading across her face. "Why?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I'm your wife."
Kira finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable.
"I agreed to this marriage for one reason only," he said. "My father wanted peace between our kingdoms. That is all."
Emily's breath hitched.
"You should stop trying to seduce me," he continued coldly. "It will never work. I will never fall for it."
The words struck her harder than she expected.
She opened her mouth to speak to argue, to beg, to explain but instead, tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips trembled, and before she could stop herself, she began to cry.
Kira looked away.
For a brief moment, something flickered in his chest regret, perhaps but he hardened himself immediately. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Emily alone with her shattered expectations.
As he moved through the palace corridors, his thoughts betrayed him.
Helena.
Her name echoed in his mind like a quiet curse. He remembered the warmth of that kiss, the way his heart had reacted before he could stop himself. Since then, he had felt a pull he could not explain one that frightened him.
Is this what it feels like… to accept loving someone? he wondered bitterly.
Lost in thought, he turned a corner
And stopped.
Ahead of him, under the soft glow of lantern light, stood Helena.
She was not alone.
Damon was with her.
Kira's expression darkened instantly.
Earlier that evening, Helena sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clenched in her lap. Her mind was restless, her heart heavier than it had ever been.
She didn't know how to face Kira anymore.
After the kiss, everything had changed. He had always been cold, distant, untouchable. But now… now she couldn't look at him without remembering how close he had been, how her heart had betrayed her.
Does he like me? she wondered.
The thought made her scoff softly.
How could he ever like someone like me? A maid. An orphan. Someone so insignificant.
Princesses, she told herself, deserved princes. That was how the world worked.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
She stood and opened the door to find Damon standing there, a gentle smile on his face.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said. "I was wondering if you'd like to step outside. The stars are beautiful tonight."
Helena hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
They walked together through the quiet paths of the palace until they reached an open courtyard where the night sky stretched endlessly above them.
Damon broke the silence. "I don't think we've ever properly introduced ourselves."
They talked quietly. Damon spoke about his life, his loyalty to Kira, his role in the palace. When it was Helena's turn, her voice softened.
"I'm an orphan," she said. "My grandmother raised me. She's sick… that's why I work here. I just want to help her survive."
Her words trembled, and Damon felt his chest tighten.
Without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry," he said gently. "You're stronger than you think."
Hidden in the shadows, Kira listened.
Every word of her story pierced him. He felt her pain, her struggle and yet, the sight of her in another man's arms burned fiercely inside him.
He couldn't bear it.
Clenching his fists, Kira turned away, fury and confusion twisting together in his chest. He was angry, jealous, and terrified all at once.
But for the first time in his life, he didn't deny it.
He was trying slowly, painfully to accept the feelings he had sworn never to feel.
And Helena was the reason.