The World Cannot Know

Chapter 20

Prince Sebastian 

I woke before dawn, the first light of morning filtering softly through the heavy curtains. My head rested against the cool pillow, and for a moment, I simply lay there, savouring the warmth of Matthew's body curled against mine. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind, each memory vivid and laden with the weight of our shared longing. I gently brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, my heart heavy with the bittersweet knowledge of what lay ahead.

Yesterday was full on, the wedding went as smoothly as it could. The ceremony had been a grand affair, full of opulence and celebration, as befitting a royal wedding. The vows I spoke, the promises made, were all part of the duty I was bound to fulfill. Katharina, with her grace and kindness, deserved nothing less than my respect and fidelity. Yet, even as I held her hand and looked into her eyes, I couldn't help but see Matthew. They looked so alike, the same striking eyes, the same proud bearing. It was as if every glance at Katharina was a reminder of him, and just how much fun we could have for a life time. 

The palace outside was beginning to stir. Servants would soon be making their rounds, the clatter of preparations for the day's duties gradually breaking the morning stillness. We had little time left in our stolen sanctuary, and the reality of our circumstances pressed in on me with a crushing weight. Duty and expectation loomed just beyond our closed door, demanding we return to the roles we were born to play.

Matthew stirred beside me, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal the deep, soulful eyes that had haunted my dreams for so long. Our gazes locked, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to matter. In that silent exchange, we found a connection that words could never fully capture.

"Good morning," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the stillness.

He offered a sleepy smile, the corners of his mouth turning up in a way that made my heart ache with both joy and sorrow. "Good morning," he replied softly, his voice a comforting balm to my troubled thoughts. "Not going for a morning run as you usually do" 

"Today, I don't want to leave my bed" I replied, soaking him up.

We lay there for a moment longer, reluctant to break the spell of intimacy that had enveloped us through the night. But the inevitability of our situation couldn't be ignored forever. I knew I had to be the one to shatter the fragile peace between us, to remind us both of the realities we had to face.

"Yesternight was amazing," I said, leaning to give him a soft kiss.

Matthew's eyes closed as our lips met, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. His fingers tangled gently in my hair, holding me close, as if trying to prolong the fleeting moment of solace. When we finally parted, his gaze held a mixture of contentment and trepidation.

"It was," he agreed, his voice a whisper against the quiet dawn. "But now what?"

I sighed, the weight of our circumstances pressing heavily on my chest. "We need to be careful," I said, my hand tracing the line of his jaw. "We can't let anyone suspect what we share. The risks are too great."

"I know," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "This is just a means to release some stress, nothing more."

His words hit me harder than I expected, a cold reminder of the precarious nature of our relationship. Matthew's eyes, usually so full of life and intensity, now held a guarded resignation. I wanted to protest, to tell him that what we shared was more than just an escape, but the truth of our situation made it impossible. We were bound by duty, by the expectations of our stations, and by the ever-watchful eyes of the court.

"Yes," I finally replied, my voice steady but my heart aching. "Just a means to release some stress."

I leaned in, capturing his lips in a soft kiss, trying to convey everything I couldn't say aloud. The kiss was a mixture of longing and desperation, a silent plea for understanding and connection amidst the chaos of our lives. Matthew responded in kind, his hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer as if he, too, wished to freeze this moment in time.