Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 54 ==The Truth And Lies==

"My muse... I'm sorry. For lying."

When he said those words, it felt like my world froze. Time stopped. Everything suddenly made a cruel kind of sense.

Is this why I always felt like something was off?

Is this why I kept doubting, deep inside, even when I didn't want to?

But then... why did I believe him when he said he was the real one?

"Why..." My voice trembled as I tried to speak, unsure how to shape the pain into words. "...Why did you lie to me?" I finally managed to say, even as tears began to fall, uninvited and unstoppable.

He stepped closer and gently cupped my face, his eyes filled with something that looked like regret—but it was too late. I tried to keep my expression calm, but the tears betrayed me.

"To protect you," he said softly. "I had to pretend I was him... so you wouldn't marry him. I needed you to stay focused on me."

His voice was tender. But all I could feel was the betrayal.

I remembered then—how furious he was when I told him I was considering marrying the King. How he kept telling me not to. Over and over.

But the King... he never hid anything from me.

He never pretended to be someone else.

My thoughts spiraled. My heart felt like it was being torn between two truths—between the man who lied for love, and the man who loved with honesty.

"My muse... please. Don't marry him," Kian begged as he slowly sank to his knees before me.

"Why?" I asked, hoping—begging—for a real answer this time.

But he just shook his head. Silent again. Guarded. Unwilling.

Why won't he just say it?

Why can't he give me something—anything—that makes this make sense?

Is this really about protecting me?

Or is it just jealousy?

"He's going to be the end of you," Kian said suddenly, his voice low. "The Northern Kingdom... they'll never accept you. You'll be humiliated. Hated. They won't see your worth."

I scoffed, stepping back.

Is that the best he could come up with?

"Thank you for telling me," I said, my voice cold. "But I don't think I can stop myself from marrying the King."

I turned away.

"Alyssa—wait! You can't!"

His voice cracked behind me. "Please—just listen!"

But I didn't. I kept walking, the tears falling faster now. I didn't even know why I was crying anymore. Was it the lies? The heartbreak? Or something else I couldn't name?

Then I stopped—because he was there.

The King.

Waiting quietly for me, exactly where we had left him. His expression soft, patient, worried.

"My lady," he said gently.

I couldn't look at him. I walked past him, brushing away my tears.

But then—I felt his hand on my wrist. I froze.

He turned me around, his eyes widening at the sight of my tears.

And then... he pulled me into his arms.

Warm. Steady. Real.

"There, there... let it out," he whispered, his hand gently moving up and down my back.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I cried harder. Something about his embrace made me feel safe—like he could carry all the pieces of my shattered heart without ever dropping one.

"I'm sorry I came to you so late," he murmured near my ear. "If I'd just told you everything sooner... maybe none of this would've happened."

I didn't know why I was crying like this. My chest hurt. My heart ached in a way I didn't understand.

Do I... do I have feelings for Kian?

Is this heartbreak because I found out he isn't Lex?

Or because he pretended to be him?

I don't know anymore.

Why can't my heart speak clearly?

"Come with me," the King said softly. "Let's return to my kingdom. You'll be safe there."

I looked up into his eyes—sky blue, gentle, unwavering—and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.

"I... I need to think first," I whispered, my voice shaking. My heart was reacting again, and I didn't know what it meant.

Was I happy about his proposal?

Or was I breaking because accepting it meant leaving the place—and the people—I loved?

"I understand," he said. "I know I've already given you time, but... I'll always understand you."

He smiled faintly. "Just remember... I love you. I always have. Even after everything... I love you with all my heart."

His words made my chest tighten. I didn't know how to respond. I'd heard these words before—so many times—but now they hit differently.

"I... I know," I said quietly, unsure if that was the truth or just something I needed to say.

He smiled again and pulled me into another embrace.

And this time... I hugged him back.

Then, he whispered:

"Can I kiss you?"

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up at him—until something behind him caught my eye.

Kian.

He was standing still in the distance, his eyes wide with disbelief, as if he'd heard everything. His whole body tensed. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.

"...Pardon?" I asked softly, but the King just chuckled lightly.

Before I could even understand what was happening, he pulled me in.

And kissed me.

My eyes widened as our lips touched, but I couldn't stop myself from looking—just once—over his shoulder.

Kian was gone.

But the crack in my heart remained.

Because even in this moment... I didn't know what my heart truly wanted.