Caroline stood nervously outside Gavin Ward's chamber, her palms damp and her heart racing. The two royal guards, both towering figures clad in polished armor, blocked the doorway. They glanced at her with sharp, measured eyes before one finally spoke.
"Please wait here a moment," said the guard in a clipped tone.
Caroline nodded, clutching the hem of her dress tightly. Every second felt stretched, every breath heavier than the last. She could hear faint sounds from inside—papers shifting, the scratch of a quill, the muffled sigh of a man weighed down by duty.
At last, the door creaked open. One of the guards turned to her.
"You may enter. His Majesty is waiting."
Caroline drew in a deep breath, straightened her back, and stepped forward.
Inside, the chamber was bathed in the glow of lamplight. Books and scrolls littered the great oak desk at the center. Behind it sat a young man in a dark military uniform, his expression composed yet commanding. Gavin Ward, King of Los, was immersed in his work, his quill moving swiftly across parchment.
Caroline's throat tightened. The mere sight of him—his sharp jawline, his piercing eyes, the quiet confidence that radiated from his posture—made her even more tense. Her steps felt too loud on the polished floor as she approached.
The guard closed the door behind her, leaving the two of them alone.
"Sit," Gavin said at last, lifting his gaze to her. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority.
"Yes, Your Majesty," she whispered, her body trembling slightly as she lowered herself into the chair.
Her eyes lingered on him. Every movement he made, no matter how small, carried the weight of command. She had seen nobles, knights, and rulers in her time, even her own father, but none of them possessed the sheer majesty that Gavin carried so effortlessly.
"It has been some years," Gavin said, setting aside his quill and stretching casually. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I hadn't expected you to change so much. My little sister Caroline has grown into quite the beauty."
Caroline's face flushed crimson.
"Your Majesty, King of Los—" she began, lowering her head in a gesture of respect.
But Gavin waved a hand. "There's no need for such formality with me. Not you. I've always valued friendship above titles, Caroline."
He pulled a chair closer and gently guided her shoulders down, urging her to sit more comfortably. His casual warmth only made her heart ache more.
For a fleeting moment, the heaviness she carried from her kingdom's downfall lifted. Yet the moment she allowed herself to relax, the memories came crashing back—the fall of the Kiswell Kingdom, the deaths of her father and knights, the loss of everything she had known. Her expression grew heavy once more.
"Your Majesty—" she started, her voice tight with sorrow.
But Gavin stopped her again, smiling faintly. "Do you remember what you used to call me as a child? There's no one here. You can call me that again, if you like."
He meant it sincerely. Despite the burdens of ruling, moments like this allowed him to touch the fragments of his childhood, to find solace in the rare company of those who once knew him before he was king.
But Caroline remained silent.
She had nothing left. No throne. No land. No knights. No bargaining power. What did childhood memories matter in the face of politics? A wise king would never let sentiment sway him. And Gavin Ward was not just a king—he was the strongest, most unprecedented ruler among all neighboring nations.
Caroline's heart twisted. If she had nothing else, then the only thing she could offer was herself.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for the neckline of her dress, preparing herself for what she believed to be the unspoken demand.
Meanwhile, Gavin, unaware of her spiraling thoughts, only sought to reminisce.
"Caroline," he began, his voice gentle, "have you misunderstood—"
But before he could finish, she suddenly rose from her chair. Her eyes glistened with desperation.
"Your Majesty," she said firmly, "I have nothing left. My Kiswell Kingdom, its lands, its army, its knights—everything is gone."
Gavin blinked in surprise. "I know. But Caroline, what are you trying to say?"
"I still have one thing," she whispered, her silver teeth clenched. "Something I have guarded for eighteen years."
Gavin's brow furrowed. A sinking feeling gnawed at his chest. "Caroline, wait—don't tell me you—"
But before he could stop her, Caroline shed her garments, cupped his face with trembling hands, and kissed him.
His eyes widened in shock. Of all the scenarios he had imagined, this had not been one.
The conscience of heaven and earth—he truly hadn't meant for it to come to this. But Caroline had misunderstood his intentions completely, mistaking his warm words as veiled demands for proof of loyalty.
The night unfolded with passion she believed was necessary and he had never sought.
When silence finally returned to the chamber, Gavin leaned back with a heavy sigh. "What in the world just happened…? I swear, I was really forced…"
Caroline lay nestled in his arms on the sofa, her cheeks flushed red with both embarrassment and determination. She whispered softly, "Your Majesty… after this… will you send troops to aid me?"
Gavin pressed a hand to his temple. His head throbbed with the weight of it all. "Caroline, I never said I wouldn't help you."
Her eyes widened. "Then why… why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I only wanted to catch up. To talk. After all, it's been so many years," Gavin replied, his tone utterly sincere.
Realization struck Caroline like a lightning bolt. Her face turned a deeper shade of red, hotter than any flame.
He hadn't meant it that way at all. All her assumptions, all her desperate conclusions—nothing more than her own imagination!
God above, she had acted rashly, and now the line could never be erased.
Still, Gavin placed a steady hand on her shoulder. His eyes softened. "Don't worry. Since this has happened, I will take responsibility."
Caroline closed her eyes, torn between relief and shame. The fragile bond of childhood friendship had been twisted into something neither of them had intended, but one thing was certain—Gavin Ward would not abandon her, nor her cause.
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