**Caius's POV**
The towering gates of the King's Land rise before us, grand and unyielding, just like the city itself. The banners of the kingdom sway in the wind, a symbol of power and discipline. Knights patrol the entrance, their armor gleaming under the sun, and citizens bustle through the streets, whispering among themselves as they recognize me.
I ignore the stares, gripping the reins of our carriage tighter than necessary. My mind is elsewhere—on *him*.
Valerian.
It's been years since I last saw my brother. Years since I walked away from everything, leaving behind the name, the title, the expectations. I never wanted to come back here, not after how he turned his back on me.
But fate is cruel.
And now, I'm back.
The guards notice us approaching and immediately step forward. One of them, a knight dressed in the king's colors, eyes me carefully before bowing slightly.
"Sir Caius."
I nod in acknowledgment, keeping my expression unreadable. "We request entry."
The knight glances at Eloise beside me before turning back to his men, signaling them to open the gates.
But before we can move forward, a familiar voice cuts through the air.
"Well, well."
The deep, commanding tone is enough to make my entire body tense. I don't need to turn around to know who it is.
"Look who finally decided to return."
Valerian.
I force myself to breathe as I face him. He stands on the steps of the palace entrance, his presence as imposing as ever. Tall, strong, and unreadable. His silver-white hair—so similar to mine—catches the light, but unlike me, his is always perfectly groomed. His deep blue eyes hold the same intensity they always did, sharp and piercing.
The last time I saw those eyes, they were filled with disappointment.
And now?
I can't tell.
He descends the steps slowly, his gaze flickering briefly to Eloise before returning to me. "It's been a long time, little brother."
My jaw tightens. "Not long enough."
A faint smirk touches his lips, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Still holding onto your grudges, I see."
I don't respond. There's nothing to say.
Eloise shifts slightly beside me, and I know she wants to speak, but I'm not ready for whatever she has to say.
"Let's not waste time," Valerian continues, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "The king has been expecting you."
I narrow my eyes. "*Expecting* me?"
Valerian's expression doesn't change. "You'll understand soon enough."
A sense of unease settles in my chest, but I don't let it show.
Without another word, I step past him, leading Eloise through the gates and into the heart of the kingdom.
I can feel Valerian's eyes on my back the entire time.
And for the first time in years, I wonder—
What is he hiding?
——-
Eloise's POV**
The grand hall of the palace was breathtaking, lined with towering pillars and decorated with intricate golden carvings. The scent of fresh roses and polished wood filled the air as the royal court gathered around the long table. Nobles, generals, and high-ranking officials sat in their designated seats, their eyes trained on us—more specifically, on *me*.
I shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, my hands tightening in my lap.
Caius stood beside me, silent and unreadable, his posture tense. He hadn't said a word since we entered the hall, but I could sense his unease.
Then, the heavy doors swung open, and the murmurs of the court quieted immediately.
The King had arrived.
He was a man of presence—his regal robe flowing behind him, a crown of deep emeralds resting upon his graying hair. His sharp eyes swept over the room before settling on me. A slow smile tugged at his lips as he took his seat at the head of the table.
"You must be Lady Eloise," he said, his voice calm but filled with authority.
I hesitated before bowing my head slightly. "Your Majesty."
The king studied me for a moment before leaning back in his chair. "I have heard much about you... and your remarkable power."
My stomach twisted. *Of course.* The rumors had spread. I glanced at Caius, but his expression remained unreadable.
"I must admit," the king continued, "I did not believe it at first. The idea that a mere girl holds the power to alter fate itself... It sounds like a tale out of a fantasy book."
A few nobles chuckled, but there was a sharpness in the king's tone.
"And yet," he went on, "there are too many witnesses who claim otherwise."
I clenched my fists under the table. *So this is why we were summoned.*
The king leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Such power should not go unprotected... nor should it go unclaimed."
A sudden tension filled the air.
*Caius stiffened beside me.*
The king smiled. "I have decided. Lady Eloise, I wish for you to become my queen."
The words sent a shock through my body. My mind went blank for a moment.
"What?" I whispered, barely able to comprehend.
Murmurs spread across the table. Some of the nobles looked intrigued, others disapproving.
"Your Majesty," Caius spoke at last, his voice low but filled with barely restrained anger. "This is—"
"A great honor, is it not?" the king interrupted, smiling. "I am offering Lady Eloise a place by my side. She will be the most powerful woman in the kingdom. Who else can protect such a rare gift?"
I swallowed hard. "Your Majesty, I—"
"To ensure her safety," the king continued, as if I hadn't spoken, "I will also appoint Sir Caius as the First Knight of the Protectorate. He will guard my future queen and stand by her side as her sword."
I turned to Caius. His hands were clenched into fists. His jaw was tight, and his stormy blue eyes burned with fury.
This wasn't a reward.
It was a *trap.*
The king wasn't *offering* me protection—he was *claiming* me, just as he would claim a rare treasure. And Caius? He was being bound to me in a way that ensured he couldn't interfere.
I needed to think. I needed to speak. But the weight of the moment held me frozen.
Caius, however, wasn't frozen.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice sharp as steel, "Eloise is not a possession to be claimed."
The hall fell silent.
The king's smile didn't waver, but his gaze darkened. "Are you challenging my decision, Sir Caius?"
I saw the way Caius's body tensed, the way his fingers twitched near his sword. He was ready to fight.
For me.
For *us.*
I took a deep breath. *I won't let him fight this alone.*
"My lord," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I appreciate your offer... but I must refuse."
The tension in the room sharpened like a blade. The nobles gasped.
The king's eyes flashed.
And for the first time, I realized—*he doesn't take refusal lightly.*