Theron's hands tightened slowly at his sides.
Marry Aveline.
Love her.
The words lingered in the quiet study as if Theodore had set something fragile and unfamiliar between them.
Theron lowered his gaze for a moment, his fingers curling into fists.
What did any of that even mean?
His life had never been built around things like love or personal desire. From the moment he was old enough to understand the world, he had been reminded, again and again, that he was only a piece on a far larger board. A prince did not get to have interests and dislikes of his own. A prince did not get to pursue happiness simply because he wished for it.
His purpose was simpler than that.
Serve the people.
Strengthen the kingdom.
Make Greenvale the greatest power on the continent.
Everything else came second.
