A Crowned Heart

{3}

The garden's tranquility seemed to mock the turmoil inside Y/N. She and Davin had reached an understanding, but it didn't bring her the peace she had hoped for. Instead, it felt like a temporary bandage over a wound that refused to heal. As they sat in silence on the bench, she couldn't shake the feeling that their agreement was just another layer of the façade they both were trapped in.

Davin eventually broke the silence, his voice gentle but firm. "There's a banquet tonight in the grand hall. The king and queen have invited several noble families. They expect us to be there, together."

Y/N nodded, already knowing the implications. The kingdom would watch them, judging their every interaction, searching for signs of unity and strength. She would have to smile, to laugh, to play the part of the loving partner. The thought made her stomach twist, but she pushed the feeling down, locking it away with all the other emotions she couldn't afford to show.

"Of course," she replied, her tone even. "I'll be ready."

Davin studied her for a moment, as if trying to read the thoughts she so carefully concealed. "You're strong, Y/N. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. But you don't have to carry this burden alone."

She turned to him, surprised by the softness in his voice. "I've never had much of a choice, Davin. My life has always been about duty—about doing what's expected of me."

"And what about what you expect of yourself?" he asked, leaning closer, his gaze intense. "What do you want, Y/N? Not as a princess, but as a person?"

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Y/N had asked herself that question a thousand times, but the answer always seemed just out of reach. What did she want? Freedom, love, a life where her choices were her own—but those things felt like distant dreams, impossible to grasp.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't even know who I am anymore."

Davin's expression softened, and he reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, comforting, and for a moment, she allowed herself to lean into it, to take the comfort he offered.

"You're Y/N," he said quietly. "You're strong, compassionate, and you care deeply for the people around you. Those are the things that define you, not the crown or the expectations placed on you."

Y/N looked into his eyes, searching for the sincerity she knew was there. Davin had always been honest with her, even when the truth was difficult. He was offering her something she hadn't expected—understanding, a connection that went beyond their public roles.

But even as she appreciated his words, a part of her remained distant, guarded. She knew he was trying to reach her, to bridge the gap between them, but she wasn't sure if she could let him in. Not completely.

"Thank you, Davin," she said, pulling her hand back gently. "But I'm still trying to figure out what that means for me."

He nodded, accepting her hesitation without pressing further. "Take your time, Y/N. I'm not going anywhere."

The words were meant to be reassuring, but they only reminded her of the reality they both faced. Time was something they didn't have in abundance. The kingdom needed stability, and their relationship was a cornerstone of that stability. But stability didn't mean happiness, and Y/N couldn't shake the fear that she was slowly losing herself to the demands of the crown.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Y/N's thoughts raced, her mind swirling with the implications of their pact. They had agreed to be honest with each other, but honesty didn't change the fundamental issues between them. It didn't change the fact that her heart was somewhere else, with someone else—someone she could never have.

As if sensing her turmoil, Davin spoke again, his voice breaking through her thoughts. "I don't want you to think of me as your enemy, Y/N. We're in this together, whether we like it or not."

Y/N sighed, feeling the tension ease just slightly. "I don't see you as my enemy, Davin. It's just... complicated. I wish things could be different."

"So do I," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But wishing won't change our reality. We have to work with what we have."

Y/N nodded, knowing he was right. They were bound by their roles, by the expectations of their families and the kingdom. There was no escaping that. But even so, she couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to carve out some small piece of happiness for herself, even within the constraints of her life.

As they stood to leave the garden, Davin offered her his arm, a gesture of support rather than obligation. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, allowing him to lead her back towards the palace. The walk was slow, deliberate, as if they were both trying to prolong the inevitable return to their duties.

"Tonight," Davin said as they reached the steps leading up to the grand hall, "we'll show the kingdom that we're united. But after that, I want you to think about what you need, Y/N. Not just as a princess, but as a person. And if there's anything I can do to help you find that, I will."

Y/N looked up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, she saw a glimpse of the man he truly was—not just the noble suitor or the political partner, but someone who genuinely cared about her well-being.

"Thank you, Davin," she said, her voice soft. "I'll think about it."

He nodded, and they continued up the steps together, side by side. As they entered the palace, the noise and bustle of court life surrounded them, the demands of their roles crashing down on them like a tidal wave. But even in the midst of it all, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them—a small, fragile understanding that might just be enough to carry them through the days ahead.

As they parted ways to prepare for the banquet, Y/N found herself pausing in the hallway, her thoughts still lingering on their conversation. She had always felt trapped, but now there was a glimmer of hope, a tiny spark that maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to navigate this life without losing herself entirely.

But that hope was tinged with uncertainty. Davin's offer of help was genuine, but it didn't change the fact that they were both bound by chains they couldn't break. And even as she appreciated his understanding, Y/N couldn't ignore the ache in her heart—the knowledge that her true happiness lay somewhere else, with someone who could never be hers.

With a deep breath, she pushed those thoughts aside and continued down the hallway, preparing herself for the evening ahead. The banquet would be another performance, another day of playing the role expected of her. But as she walked, she held on to the small comfort that, for the first time in a long while, she wasn't facing it alone.

"I love you Y/N...But even if i have to pretend i dont...i'll do it for you" Davin murmured to himself as he watched her walk away...