My arrogant ROYAL.

Side story: Part Two.

Prince Adar's POV.

The bitter taste of reality dawned on me, as I realized that I had been foolish to believe that Evan would ever gaze upon me with eyes that saw more than just a fleeting comfort. He had habitually sought me out in the stillness of the night, when the weight of his thoughts had kept him awake, but now that he had attained all he desired and grown weary of my presence, he was effectively banishing me from his life. My heart was a maelstrom of turmoil, a vessel bleeding profusely from the crushing understanding that I was incapable of inspiring love in another, as I had once naively believed I would.

It was within the confines of his chamber that the fragile threads of our bond finally snapped, and he wore a mask of composure as he uttered the words that would forever change the landscape of our relationship. 'There's more to you than just me,' he said, each syllable a razor-sharp slice to my heart. My love for him was a palpable ache, a heavy burden that I could no longer bear, and yet, he pushed me further away, into the darkness of uncertainty.

His eyes, those piercing orbs that seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, betrayed a depth of emotion that he struggled to articulate. The turmoil that churned within him was a silent scream, a cry for connection that he couldn't quite voice, not even to me, the one who had been his refuge.

And yet, amidst the tangled web of our emotions, he detested the very thing that had bound us together - his reliance on me, the crutch that had become our relationship. He resented the fact that he had used me as a salve for his soul, and I couldn't help but wonder - should he have let me go in the first place?

My departure was imminent, mere days away, and the castle was abuzz with farewell wishes from everyone except the one person whose words I longed to hear. Prince Adar's absence was a palpable silence, a gaping hole in the fabric of our once-close bond. He hadn't even ventured out of his chambers to bid me a simple farewell, to wish me a safe journey, or to offer a glimmer of hope that our paths would cross again.

Even at dinner, where we sat in proximity, the distance between us felt like an insurmountable chasm. I yearned to reach out, to bridge the gap, to whisper words of comfort and solace, but his mask of secrecy and self-imposed isolation made it impossible to discern what thoughts swirled beneath his surface.

King Melus, wise and kind, had attempted to persuade me to stay, but even he seemed oblivious to the true reasons behind my departure. The pain in my heart was a heavy burden, a constant reminder of the unspoken words, the unresolved emotions, and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

The car was poised at the gates, its engine purring softly, as the crowd gathered by the stairs to bid me farewell. Every familiar face was present, except the one that had etched itself in my heart. King Melus approached me, his eyes filled with a mix of understanding and concern. "Are you certain you wish to depart ?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. I nodded, a resolute smile on my lips. "Yes, Your Majesty. My presence is no longer required here."

As I settled into the car, the door closed behind me with a soft thud. I waved goodbye to the sea of faces, Simon's warm smile a beacon of friendship amidst the crowd. King Melus's words echoed through the open window: "May our paths cross again, perhaps when you ascend to the throne?" I chuckled, a hint of nervousness in my voice. "Months from now, I suppose I shall be searching for a suitable queen. Such is the burden of duty."

My kingdom was Eldrida, a realm nestled in the northernmost part of the continent, where the Great Northern Mountains met the sky and the ancient forests whispered secrets to the wind. A land of mystical energies and breathtaking landscapes, where the Lake Calanthor shone like a beacon of hope and the capital city, Aethereia, stood as a testament to our rich history and culture.