Morning in Bellemont arrived with a quiet hum beneath the grandeur. Servants and officials moved with purpose, ensuring every detail was perfect for the official announcement—the moment King Alistair would name his heir.

  Theo, however, paid no mind to the preparations. While the palace bustled around him, he was seated in the library, immersed in another book on ancient history. He flipped through the pages absently, his mind half-focused on the words, half on the notes stored on his iPad—plans for his next project with the Kensington Volunteer Initiative.

  It was better to keep busy.

  Better than thinking about what today meant.

  When he finally stepped out into the corridor, he caught sight of Edric ahead, speaking with an advisor. Without thinking, Theo approached.

  His brother turned at his presence, brows lifting slightly.

  Theo held his gaze. “Would you care about our people once you become the king?”

  It was the only thing he said before walking away.

  He didn’t wait for an answer.

  ---

  The garden had always been his refuge—a place where titles and expectations blurred into the background, if only for a little while.

  He settled onto a stone bench, pulling up his iPad again, scrolling through his notes. Double-checking details for the shelters, making sure everything was on track.

  Footsteps interrupted his focus.

  Theo didn’t look up. “If you’re here to talk about my attitude, don’t waste your breath.”

  “I was going to ask how you’re doing,” Edric said, settling beside him.

  Theo let out a sharp laugh. “Since when do you ask?”

  Edric sighed. “Theo—”

  “I lost a mother and father already.” Theo’s voice was quiet, but edged with something deeper, something raw. He turned to his brother, meeting his gaze with an unwavering stare. “But when I lost the only person I had left—the one person I needed most— I realized something.” His grip on his iPad tightened. “I wasn’t born into a family. I was born into royalty. So there’s no mother. No father. And no brother.”

  Edric looked away, jaw tightening. “You know that’s not true.”

  Theo scoffed, shaking his head. “Do I?”

  The silence between them stretched, heavy with things unsaid.

  Finally, Edric stood. “I have duties, Theo. That doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

  Theo didn’t reply.

  And Edric left.

  ---

  The grand hall of Harrington Palace was bathed in golden light, chandeliers casting a regal glow over the sea of nobles, politicians, and dignitaries gathered for the announcement. Every detail was perfect—pristine white florals lining the stage, banners bearing the Harrington crest draped across the marble walls, and a palpable sense of history being made.

  Theo stood among them, unseen yet present. He hadn't wanted to come, but despite everything, he was still here. Silent, distant, but here.

  He watched as his brother stood before the crowd, standing tall like the future king he was meant to be. The room quieted as the king stepped forward.

  "In every generation, there comes a time when the kingdom must look ahead—to its future, its legacy, and its leader. Today, I stand before you not just as your king but as a father, passing down this sacred duty to the one chosen to carry the weight of the crown."

  A pause. A moment of suspense.

  "Prince Edric Alexander Leon Harrington is hereby named the official heir to the throne."

  Applause erupted through the hall, a wave of cheers and admiration sweeping over the crowd. Theo remained still, his expression unreadable.

  Edric stepped up to speak, his gaze briefly searching the room. Searching for him. Theo looked away.

  "My father has placed his trust in me to lead, and I will not take this responsibility lightly," Edric began, his voice steady, commanding. "I know what history demands of a king. Strength. Wisdom. Legacy."

  A pause. A breath.

  "But I also know that power means nothing if it does not serve the people."

  Theo's eyes flicked up.

  "I was reminded of this today," Edric continued. "Reminded that a king should never let his people down. That he should never forget the weight of their struggles. That is a promise I will uphold—not just as a ruler, but as someone who stands beside them."

  Theo exhaled slowly.

  He hadn't expected that.

  It was his own words, spoken hours ago in the hallway, now echoed back in front of the entire kingdom. Edric had listened. More than that—he had made it a vow.

  For the first time in years, Theo wasn’t sure what to feel.

  ---

  The banquet that followed was a display of power—Harrington’s allies gathered, voices raised in laughter and conversation, toasting to the future.

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  Theo, however, had no interest in the spectacle.

  He slipped away unnoticed, making his way back to the garden.

  Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his playlist, pressing play on the one song that had always pulled him away from reality. As the melody filled his ears, he let himself drown in it.

  He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly, letting the night air cool the heat lingering in his chest. He hadn’t expected Edric’s words to affect him. He hadn’t expected Cass to haunt him either.

  But there it was.

  A single lyric in his favorite song had yanked him back to last night—Cass’s sharp gaze, the subtle tension in his posture, the way his presence had unsettled Theo in a way nothing else had in years. It wasn’t just the argument that stuck with him; it was the feeling. A feeling he couldn’t name, one that refused to fade.

  Why?

  Theo rubbed his temple, as if that could erase the thoughts creeping in. He didn’t know Cass, yet his body—his mind—reacted as if he did. As if they had history that didn’t exist.

  A rustle nearby snapped him out of his thoughts. Footsteps, light but deliberate. Someone was coming.

  Theo sighed. “If you’re here to drag me back inside, don’t bother.”

  But when he turned, it wasn’t a palace servant or one of his cousins.

  It was him.

  Cass stood there, hands in his pockets, gaze unreadable. “You always sneak out of royal dinners?”

  Theo tensed, pulse skipping. Of course it’s him.

  Theo didn't even glance up. "And you always show up where you're not wanted."

  Cass chuckled, stepping closer. "Come on, you’re not enjoying your dear brother's big night?"

  Theo finally looked at him, eyes sharp with sarcasm. "Oh, I did my part. Clapped in all the right moments, nodded when necessary. That’s enough, don’t you think?"

  Cass hummed as if considering. "And yet, here you are. Alone. In the dark."

  Theo scoffed, standing up. "Some of us prefer silence over empty words."

  Cass smirked. "Funny. I don't remember you being this bitter when we first met."

  Theo's jaw tightened. "Yeah, well. People change."

  Cass didn't move as Theo brushed past him, but the lingering air between them crackled with something unspoken—something heavier than just sarcasm.

  Cass, of course, didn’t take the hint. Instead, he fell into step beside Theo, hands still tucked into his pockets like he had all the time in the world.

  "Where are we going?" Cass asked, amusement laced in his tone.

  Theo shot him a glare. "We aren’t going anywhere. I am leaving. You’re just following like a lost dog."

  Cass let out a soft chuckle. "Well, you keep talking to me, so I figured you wanted the company."

  Theo scoffed. "I talk to a lot of things that annoy me—broken elevators, bad weather, you."

  Cass hummed, pretending to consider that. "So I’m in the same category as a malfunctioning machine. Interesting."

  Theo rolled his eyes, but the sarcasm in his voice had lost its bite. Somewhere along the way, without realizing it, he had fallen into an actual conversation with Cass. He hated that. Hated how effortlessly Cass slipped past his walls, how he made it seem natural—like they’d always done this.

  They reached the far end of the garden, where the city lights flickered beyond the palace walls. Theo exhaled, pressing his palms against the cool railing.

  Cass leaned beside him. "So, are you going to pretend you don’t remember me from last night?"

  Theo stiffened. He did remember—too well. The argument. The tension. The way Cass had looked at him like he was trying to figure him out.

  "You’re assuming I care enough to pretend," Theo muttered.

  Cass just smiled. "See? You do like talking to me."

  Theo groaned. "I swear to God, I will push you off this balcony."

  Cass laughed, and for some reason, the sound wasn’t as annoying as Theo expected.

  Theo tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as he glanced at Cass. "Why are you out here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be inside, playing the part of the perfect prince? Shaking hands, smiling like you actually enjoy it?"

  Cass didn’t answer immediately. His gaze drifted beyond the palace walls, to the distant city lights flickering against the night sky.

  "I could ask you the same thing," he finally said. His voice was light, but there was something underneath—something careful.

  Theo scoffed. "Oh, please. I’m not supposed to be anywhere. I’m not the future king. No one cares where I am."

  Cass turned toward him then, and Theo caught a flicker of something in his expression—something almost understanding. Almost.

  "You really believe that?" Cass asked.

  Theo looked away. He hated that question. He hated how it made him feel—like someone was peeling back layers he’d spent years carefully putting in place.

  "Don’t change the subject," he muttered. "You, Prince Cassius, are supposed to be in there, flashing that charming smile. So why are you here?"

  Cass hesitated. Then, with a small shrug, he said, "Too many people."

  Theo frowned. That wasn’t the answer he expected.

  Cass let out a slow breath. "It’s suffocating, sometimes. The expectations. The noise. Everyone watching, waiting for you to be exactly who they want you to be." He let out a small chuckle, but it lacked humor. "I just needed a moment to breathe."

  Theo studied him, trying to decide if he believed him. Cass was always so put together, so effortlessly composed. It was hard to imagine him feeling trapped—but then again, Theo knew what it was like to wear a mask.

  For a brief second, something almost like understanding passed between them. But Theo refused to acknowledge it.

  Instead, he smirked. "So, the perfect Prince Cassius gets overwhelmed. Who would’ve thought?"

  Cass rolled his eyes. "You really can’t help yourself, can you?"

  Theo shrugged. "Nope."

  Cass let out a slow breath, shaking his head slightly. "You have a talent for being insufferable."

  Theo smirked. "And you have a talent for dodging questions."

  Cass arched a brow. "I answered your question."

  "Not properly," Theo countered. "You gave me the polished version—'too many people, too much noise'—but that’s not the real reason you’re out here, is it?"

  Cass looked away, as if considering whether to bother with the truth.

  Theo leaned back against the bench, watching him. "Come on, Your Highness. Since when do you run from a little attention? I thought you liked it. The adoring smiles, the carefully curated reputation, the whole ‘perfect prince’ act."

  Cass exhaled through his nose, the hint of a smile ghosting his lips. "You really don’t hold back, do you?"

  Theo shrugged. "Why would I?"

  For a moment, neither of them spoke. The night air was cool, the distant hum of the city blending with the rustling leaves.

  Then, Cass spoke—softer this time. "And what about you, Theo? Why are you out here?"

  Theo stiffened slightly. "I told you. No one cares where I am."

  Cass tilted his head. "That’s not an answer."

  Theo shot him a look. "Oh, so you get to dodge questions, but I don’t?"

  Cass gave a small, amused hum. "I suppose I deserved that."

  Theo scoffed, but before he could steer the conversation away, Cass said, "Edric does."

  Theo froze.

  Cass met his gaze. "Care where you are. He does."

  Something twisted in Theo’s chest. He didn’t like the way Cass said it—like it was a simple truth. Like it was something Theo should believe.

  A bitter smile curved Theo’s lips. "If that’s what you think, you really don’t know anything about me."

  Cass studied him, quiet for a moment. "Maybe," he said finally. "Or maybe you don’t know as much about Edric as you think you do."

  Theo's fingers curled slightly on his lap. He was about to snap back—something sharp, something to cut this conversation short—when a voice called from the distance.

  "Your Highness?"

  Cass sighed. "And there it is."

  Theo watched as Cass straightened, his mask slipping back into place with ease. The perfect prince, the one everyone expected him to be.

  Cass turned to him one last time. "Looks like I’m needed."

  Theo rolled his eyes. "Tragic."

  Cass smirked, but as he walked away, Theo found himself watching him longer than he meant to.

  And that annoyed him most of all.

  A sudden burst of laughter from inside the palace broke Theo out of his thoughts. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before finally standing.

  Enough of this.

  Shoving his hands into his pockets, he made his way back toward the hall, slipping in through one of the side entrances. The moment he stepped inside, the air felt heavier—filled with the hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, the carefully curated world of royalty.

  And there they were.

  King Alistair, standing beside King Edward, Cass's father, both of them beaming with pride. Talking loudly, toasting their heirs, basking in the spotlight as if they themselves hadn’t spent years clawing their way to it.

  Theo’s gaze flickered to Edric. He was standing there, composed, regal—every bit the future king. He looked untouchable. Unshakable.

  Theo felt something bitter rise in his throat.

  He grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and took a slow sip, letting the bubbles burn his tongue.

  It was going to be a long night.

  “Of course, not every prince is meant for the throne,” King Edward’s voice cut through the room, smooth and pointed. His eyes landed on Theo. “Some… serve better in other ways.”

  A few nobles chuckled politely. Others avoided looking at Theo entirely.

  Theo clenched his jaw.

  But before he could summon a retort—

  “I wouldn’t underestimate him, Your Majesty.”

  The voice was clear.

  Firm.

  Cass.

  Theo’s head snapped toward him, but Cass wasn’t looking at him—his gaze was on his father, unwavering.

  Edric spoke next, calm but steady. “Theo has done more for our people than most of the nobility combined.”

  King Edward’s smile faltered. Just slightly.

  Cass, his Golden Son, standing up for him?

  Theo barely registered the rest of the conversation.

  Even when things shifted back to pleasantries, his mind still reeled.

  Not only had Edric defended him.

  Cassius had, too.

  ---

  Theo stood by the grand windows, his champagne glass loosely held in his fingers, eyes fixed on the city lights stretching beyond the palace grounds. The distant glow blurred as his thoughts tangled together.

  King Edward’s words still echoed in his mind, sharp and deliberate, meant to remind him of his place. But what lingered more—what unsettled him—was that Cassius, of all people, had stood up for him.

  He exhaled slowly, trying to make sense of it. Cass had no reason to get involved. No reason to care.

  And yet, he had.

  A quiet presence beside him pulled him from his thoughts. Edric.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke. Theo expected another rehearsed line, something diplomatic, something kingly. But instead, Edric only said, “You shouldn’t listen to him.”

  Theo scoffed, swirling the champagne in his glass. “Which ‘him’?”

  Edric gave a knowing look but didn’t answer. He reached out, a brief squeeze on Theo’s shoulder—a rare gesture of comfort—before stepping away, leaving him alone once more.

  Or so he thought.

  “I never took you for someone who broods,” Cass’s voice came from behind him, light but laced with something unreadable.

  Theo didn’t turn. “And I never took you for someone who stands up for me.”

  Cass stepped closer, standing beside him but not looking at him. “Must be a night of surprises, then.”

  Theo let out a dry laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re suddenly on my side.”

  Cass smirked. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  Theo finally glanced at him, catching the way Cass’s expression flickered—something amused, something calculating, something almost curious.

  He hated it.

  He hated that, for the first time in years, someone had thrown him off balance.

  The city lights stretched on, steady and constant. But something in Theo’s world had shifted.

  And he wasn’t sure if he liked it.

  ---