*AMOR — DEVIL OF CAMELLIA*
*Another Kingdom — His Silent Promise*
The palace was silent.
Inside a lonely chamber, a man stood beside the window, holding a small photograph between his fingers.
A girl.
Her beautiful face was captured in the picture, her eyes carrying a happiness that seemed so far away now.
He stared at her for a long time.
Then, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Rooha…"
He whispered her name as if it were a precious secret he had kept close to his heart.
"I am so sorry."
His smile slowly faded.
"I am sorry for everything that happened to you. For all the pain you've endured… and for every moment when I wasn't there for you."
His fingers gently brushed the edge of the photograph.
For a moment, he closed his eyes, struggling to contain the emotions he had hidden behind his calm expression.
"But listen to me, Rooha…"
He looked at her picture again, and this time, a determined smile appeared on his face.
"Everything will be alright."
His voice grew firmer.
"I promise you. No matter what happens, I will make it right. I won't let your life be ruined by decisions you never wanted to make."
He paused.
Then his hand slowly moved toward the chain around his neck.
Hanging from it was a small pendant.
He held it between his fingers, staring at it as memories flooded his mind.
This chain wasn't merely an ornament.
It was a reminder.
Of her.
Of the past.
And of a promise he had made long ago.
He tightened his grip around the pendant.
"Do you remember what I promised you, Rooha?"
A sad smile touched his lips.
"Perhaps you've forgotten. Perhaps you think you've been left alone to face everything by yourself."
He shook his head.
"But you haven't."
His eyes lifted toward the distant horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to appear.
"I don't care how long it takes. I don't care who stands in my way."
His expression hardened.
"I will keep my promise to you."
He pressed the photograph against his chest for a brief moment before placing it carefully inside a drawer.
Then he touched the pendant once more.
And whispered the words that only he could hear.
**"I promise, Rooha. This time, I won't let you suffer alone."**
Outside, the morning wind swept across the palace gardens.
Far away, in another kingdom, Rooha was travelling toward Villin City—the city of darkness, ruled by King Alexander.
She had no idea that someone, in a distant kingdom, was thinking about her.
Someone who remembered her smile.
Someone who carried her memory around his neck.
And someone who was preparing to change her fate.
**Alexander's POV 🖤**
After some time, I finally returned to my room, carrying a tray of food in my hands.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes fell on the sight before me.
My Camellia.
She was sleeping peacefully on my bed, curled up like a little child, her face buried in the pillow. She looked exhausted, as if the whole world had done nothing but trouble her.
A small, affectionate smile appeared on my face.
*My little Camellia…*
I placed the tray on the bedside table and walked towards her.
"Aira… baby, wake up."
I gently called her name, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.
"Come on, my baby. Wake up."
She slowly stirred, scrunching her nose before opening her eyes halfway. She looked at me sleepily, her expression filled with pure annoyance.
Like a little child who had been disturbed in the middle of her favourite dream.
I couldn't help it.
A small, amused smile spread across my face.
*God, this girl…*
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Good morning, my Camellia."
She barely acknowledged me before trying to close her eyes again.
I chuckled softly.
"No, no. Don't even think about going back to sleep."
I helped her sit up and reached for the tray.
"First, you need to eat something."
She glanced at the food, then at me, before giving me a look that could probably kill an ordinary man.
An angry little bird.
That was exactly what she looked like.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She said nothing.
Instead, she folded her arms and turned her face away from me.
I stared at her for a moment, trying very hard not to laugh.
"Ah, I see. My princess has decided to declare war on food today."
Still no response.
I sat on the edge of the bed and gently pulled her onto my lap, settling her comfortably on my knee. Taking the spoon, I scooped up a little food and held it in front of her mouth.
"Open your mouth, baby."
She immediately shook her head.
I blinked.
"Excuse me?"
She pushed my hand away.
I looked at her.
She looked at me.
For a few seconds, neither of us moved.
Then my eyes narrowed.
"Aira."
She stubbornly turned her face to the other side.
I let out a slow breath, staring at the ceiling as if asking the heavens for patience.
*This girl is going to be the death of me.*
I had faced enemies without blinking. Entire kingdoms feared my name. One word from me could silence a room full of powerful men.
And yet, here I was…
sitting on my bed, negotiating with a girl who refused to eat a spoonful of food.
I turned her face gently towards me.
"Listen carefully, my baby. You can glare at me all you want. You can call me every terrible name you know. You can even plan your revenge against me."
I brought the spoon closer to her lips.
"But you are going to eat."
She shot me another furious look.
I smirked.
"Good girl. Now open your mouth."
She stubbornly pressed her lips together.
My smile disappeared.
"Aira…"
I called her name in that low, warning voice that usually made grown men reconsider their life choices.
But my little Camellia?
She simply stared back at me with those big, rebellious eyes.
For a moment, I could only look at her.
Then a helpless smile tugged at my lips.
*My beautiful troublemaker.*
I brushed my thumb gently across her cheek and softened my voice.
"Baby, please. Just eat a little for me, hmm?"
This time, I waited.
Because beneath all my teasing, beneath the smirks and the warnings, there was one thing I could never hide from her.
**I could rule an entire kingdom with an iron fist….**
**But when it came to my Camellia, all my power meant absolutely nothing.** 🖤
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