Kiev’s steps carried him further down the hallway. He now walked with renewed confidence, more determined than before—his strength restored, and ard with the knowledge he had gained from the knights in the private library.
Though adored by many won, the derian Prince had little real relationship experience. No matter how sincere his heart, he still lacked the right approach to beginning a new life with his wife, especially in matters of intimacy.
There was much he did not know, and Elis, being a delicate soul, required more care and attention than he had ever imagined. He was keenly aware he needed to prepare himself, and the advice he had received from the knights had been nothing short of an eye-opener.
As he drew closer to the chamber, the two derian guards stationed outside noticed him imdiately and hurried over.
"Your Highness! You’re back!" said one of them. "We heard about the accusation and were so worried! But Madam Collins told us to stay calm."
"At ease," the derian Prince replied. "Everything has been resolved. Go down to the parlour. Sir Eric Navin is about to explain the whole matter. You should join them."
The guard glanced at his companion, and both nodded.
"We will, Your Highness. Her Highness Princess Elisabeth is inside. She hasn’t stepped out since the day she returned from the palace. We were told you married her before the king, so we’ve been guarding her on Lady Jarr’s orders," said the other guard.
"Yes, that is true. Thank you for your diligence. You may leave."
The two guards bowed and departed at once, equally eager to hear the whole story.
As the guards departed, Kiev rested his hand on the door handle, pausing for a breath. His heart beat harder, not from nerves, but from the weight of all the days and nights apart.
With a slow press, the latch gave way, and the door opened to the quiet stillness of the chamber.
Sunlight slanted through the tall window, painting soft gold across the floor. By the window seat, a slender figure sat curled in on herself, head bowed, as though the weight of her thoughts had anchored her in place.
"Elis..." His voice was low, carrying both relief and longing, as he stepped forward.
She stirred at the sound, lifting her head. Her eyes—red from sleepless nights—t his, disbelief shimring within them.
For a heartbeat, she didn’t breathe. She had dread of him too often, only to wake in loneliness; yet now, the man before her grew sharper, more real, with every step he took.
"Kiev?"
"It’s , darling," he said softly, his smile tinged with tenderness.
Her lips trembled. "Is it... truly you?"
"It is ."
He reached out, fingers brushing her cheek. Her skin was warm beneath his touch, warm and real, and sothing inside his chest ached with the knowledge of how much he’d missed that simple contact.
"Kiev! Oh, Kiev!" She flew into his arms, clinging to him as if afraid he would vanish again.
The dam broke, and her sobs ca in torrents, her tears soaking into his shoulder.
Kiev closed his arms around her, holding her with the care of a man who knew how fragile she had felt in his absence.
He pressed his cheek against her hair, inhaling the faint scent that had haunted his mories. Every laugh they hadn’t shared, every word left unsaid, every night he had imagined her alone—they all burned inside him now.
"I thought I was dreaming," she wept. "I thought you’d never co back."
"Hush now," he murmured, stroking her back in slow, steady circles. "I’m here. I’m not leaving."
Her cries filled the chamber, a sound both raw and beautiful in its honesty. When at last she pulled back, she kept her hands on his shoulders, as though to reassure herself he was solid and not a ghost.
"The accusation... how did you get away? Did they hurt you?" she asked in a rush, her gaze scanning his face for signs of harm.
"I’m not hurt," Kiev said. "It’s all over. Everything has been resolved. Princess Anna and I were proven innocent."
"Truly?" She bit her lip. "Lady Jarr told that if I stepped outside, the king might punish you. I wanted to run to you, but I was terrified it would only worsen things."
Kiev’s lips curved faintly at her confession.
"You don’t need to be afraid anymore. You stayed because you trusted her, and that trust kept you safe. Knowing you were here, unhard, gave the strength I needed to face it all."
He brushed a stray tear from her cheek, his hand lingering as if to promise silently that he would not let her face such fear again.
They embraced again, this ti without restraint, their arms locked tightly as though letting go might undo the miracle of being together.
For a long, quiet mont, they simply held each other, breathing in the familiarity they had both ached for.
At last, Elis spoke, her voice muffled against his chest. "I’m happy you ca back. Now that you’ve returned... please don’t leave again."
"I won’t," Kiev promised, his tone steady and certain. "Once spring arrives, we’ll set sail for Seta. Rafe and Callis will co with us. I’ll introduce you and him to my parents."
Her head tilted back, eyes widening. "Do you really an it?" But even as joy flickered there, a shadow of worry crossed her face. "What if your parents can’t accept ?"
"Silly girl," Kiev said, smiling with a gentle pinch to her cheek. "My parents are the most lovable pair in the world. They’ll be overjoyed to know I married my soulmate. The derians value their soulmates like their own life."
His words eased her heart. From the way he cared for Callis, it was clear he ca from a good family. Even the derian Princess had always been kind and cheerful, never the sort to look down on others.
Still, another thought pressed forward.
"What about... Lady Raychard?" she asked quietly.
Kiev’s expression remained calm.
"She’ll stay here with her husband, of course. The duel is off, and the grand duke has sworn to care for her. I won’t be claiming her anymore."
Elis’s eyes lit with unspoken relief, though she kept her lips sealed. She didn’t want him to think she was prying too deeply into matters that had once been his primary purpose for coming to the continent.
"I don’t have feelings for her like I do for you," Kiev said gently, sensing her unease. "Everything I did was only to protect her. I know you have a dozen questions, and I’ll answer them all, but first, allow to freshen up. I’ve been in the dungeon for days... I’m afraid I’m a little slly and uncomfortable."
"Then let help you," Elis offered.
His brow lifted. "You want to bathe ?"
"Why not? You’re my husband."
Kiev smiled at that. Her openness felt like a small but aningful step forward between them.
"Then, please do. Afterwards, we can go outside and have a proper long talk. You’ve been cooped up in this chamber for quite a while, too."
Elis nodded brightly and rang for a servant to prepare a hot bath in the adjoining room. Once steam began to curl from the tub, she led him there.
She busied herself at once, adjusting the water temperature and pouring in fragrant oils, wanting the bath to soothe and restore him. But when she turned around, her hands stilled and her eyes widened.
Kiev was standing just two steps away... glorious in his n*ked form.
"What’s the matter?" the derian Prince asked, puzzled by her frozen expression.
Elis didn’t answer. Her face had gone pale while her body was rigid.
"Elis?"
Kiev noticed her hands trembling—the sa way they had the first ti he confronted her in the treatnt room when they first t face to face.
It struck him then; she had never seen him like this. Though they had shared the bed, he had always made sure to be decent before her.
Realising her old trauma had resurfaced, he quickly snatched a towel and wrapped it around his waist.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t an to startle you."
"No! It’s not your fault!" Elis blurted, her voice cracking. "I... I shouldn’t be like this. You—you’re my husband!" Her eyes shone with guilty tears that wore her down.
Kiev stepped closer and placed his hands gently at her waist.
"It’s all right. I understand."
Elis’s chest tightened with sha. How could she even imagine that Kiev would lunge at her like those n had?
He was the most thoughtful, patient gentleman she had ever known, yet her fear had dragged her mind back to that dark place, convincing her... if only for a second... that he might hurt her.
Tears welled and spilt over. The mory clawed at her; rough hands tearing at her clothes, mocking laughter echoing in her ears, the stench of sweat and wine heavy in the air, and her own voice hoarse from screaming for help that never ca.
The weight of their bodies, the helplessness, the cold stone beneath her seared into her soul.
"I’m sorry! I’m sorry!" she sobbed, shuddering in emotional pain.
She didn’t need to explain herself as Kiev already understood.
"It’s all right. You’re not at fault," he said gently. "This is new for both of us... sothing we’ll have to adjust to together."
"But I’m your wife!" she cried, looking away in despair. "How can I fulfil my duty if I’m too afraid to even look at your body? How am I supposed to bear your children if I keep feeling this way?"
Kiev cupped her face and brushed away her tears with his thumbs.
"Don’t think about it like that. We’ll take it slowly. I knew this might happen, so I’m ready for it. We’ll face it one step at a ti. For now, I’ll bathe on my own while you wait outside."
"You’re not... disappointed in ?" she whispered.
"Of course not," he said without hesitation. "You’re my soulmate. We’ll overco your fear together, and one day, you’ll be able to feel without fear. I’ll guide you there."
Elis nodded; her heart full with gratitude. No man could ever be better for her than he.
She slipped out of the bathing chamber, closing the door softly behind her at his will. Kiev watched her go with a thoughtful gaze.
Rafe had been right—winning true intimacy with Elis would not be easy. But he was determined to begin, slowly and patiently, starting tonight, until the day she could accept him completely.
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