Crowned In Thorns

5. The Game of Resistance

Content Warning: Close Proximity.

Kalyna joined the couple, Anise Vitaliana and Cassius Ashbourne for an afternoon stroll. As they walked through the gardens, Kalyna observed Cassius' behavior. His usual cheerfulness seemed strained, and his eyes held a hint of unease.

"Prince Cassius," she said, her voice laced with concern. "I couldn't help but notice a bit of tension in your demeanor. Is everything alright?"

Cassius smiled, yet his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, Princess Kalyna. Always perceptive," he replied, trying to sound casual.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "There are just... some matters that weigh on my mind lately."

Kalyna's eyes narrowed, sensing there was more to his words than he was letting on. "Matters of what kind, if you don't mind me asking?" she pressed, her voice gentle but insistent.

Cassius hesitated again, his gaze flickering away as if weighing his words. "Just... the responsibilities of ruling," he said, giving a vague answer.

Kalyna's suspicion grew stronger. She knew Cassius well, and this seemed like a deflection.

"Your Grace." She called him softly as they walked side by side while her sister, Anise, in the distance. Her intuition speaks in volume yet she has to be discreet in any possible ways.

"You are now important to my sister, you're also important to me as well.  You don't have to endure the grudge alone."

Cassius' gaze softened as he looked at Kalyna. He could sense her genuine concern and knew he was caught. He stopped and turned to face her fully.

"Kalyna," he began, his voice solemn. "I appreciate your kind words, but this is a burden I must bear alone."

He sighed, the weight of his secrets evident on his face.

She was about to say something but her sister called him.

Anise, walking a few steps ahead, called out to Cassius. "Cassius, darling, come here for a moment."

Cassius swallowed, grateful for the distraction from Kalyna's probing. "Excuse me," he said to Kalyna before walking towards Anise.

As Cassius walked away, Kalyna couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gripped her. She had a nagging suspicion that Cassius was hiding something more than just the stresses of duty.

    Aurelius found himself at a diplomatic function, surrounded by nobility and dignitaries. Conversations flowed around him, but his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts drifted to Kalyna constantly, the memory of her laughter and the touch of her hand sending sparks down his spine.

As the evening wore on, he found an opportune moment to slip away from the event, his heart urging him to reach Kalyna. He excused himself from the company of his companions and his footsteps echoing through the grand hallways.

Aurelius entered the imperial library, his eyes surveying the grand space. He found Kalyna atop a ladder, her form illuminated by the soft glow of the library lights. Her graceful movements and the quiet focus with which she handled the book sparked a fresh wave of fascination within him.

He approached softly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"A beautiful sight, Princess," Aurelius murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

She was startled as she slipped off a step from the ladder.

Aurelius's instincts kicked in as he heard her slip. He moved swiftly, catching her just before she fell. His arms wrapped securely around her waist, their bodies pressed closely together.