Shattered Light { 𝓑𝔁𝓑 }

{ ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 IV }

Emrys turned on his heel. Behind him, the ballroom was alive with the murmur of gossip and whispers-sharp, cutting words that he knew were about him. He could feel their eyes on him, could hear the judgment in their tones.

His steps quickened as he made his way toward the balcony. When he finally reached the huge open doors, the cool night air hit him, a sharp contrast to the stifling warmth of the ballroom. He inhaled deeply, letting the fresh scent of the night wash over him.

Before him stretched the enormous rose garden, bathed in silver moonlight. The delicate petals glowed softly in the dark, their beauty an eerie contrast to the thorny stems that twisted beneath them. Emrys gripped the balcony railing, the cold railing biting into his palms.

But then, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.

"Emrys," a deep voice called from behind.

Emrys turned slowly. A man in a striking red and white suit stood before him, the sharp lines of the tailored outfit adding to his commanding air. His green eyes gleamed under the moonlight, and his dark brown hair, tousled but perfectly arranged, framed his strong, chiseled features.

Cassian Vivienne.

Emrys blinked in surprise, his mind racing. The Viviennes, ally of the Rosenwald. Cassian Vivienne stood before him, the embodiment of charm and calculated poise. A man who had mastered the political games of the courts, gliding through alliances and rivalries with an effortless grace, always one step ahead.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "All alone, and not with your dear husband. Hadeon."

Emrys's heart jumped as he turned to face him. His throat tightened. "I-I was just getting some fresh air."

Cassian chuckled darkly, his lips curling into a smirk as he stepped closer to Emrys, towering over him. "Fresh air, huh?" he repeated. "Preparing to play your part in this little political performance we're all in, aren't you?"

Emrys felt a chill creep up his spine, but he held his ground, even as the weight of Cassian's presence made it harder to breathe. He had always known how people saw him, but hearing it said out loud felt like a punch to the gut.

Cassian's smirk deepened, his green eyes narrowing as he watched Emrys's discomfort. "Always the perfect son, always the one who does what he's told," he continued. "Obedient, loyal, willing to sacrifice everything for your precious family. How noble."

"I'm doing what I have to," Emrys said quietly. "And it does not concern you."

Cassian chuckled, the sound low and mocking. His green eyes gleamed with amusement. "Doesn't concern me?" he echoed. "Oh, Emrys, everything concerns me. Especially you."

Emrys swallowed hard, his pulse quickening. "What do you want from me, Cassian?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cassian's smile didn't waver. He reached out, trailing a finger along the line of Emrys's jaw. "What do I want?" he repeated. "I wonder..."

Emrys flinched, taking a step back, but Cassian didn't let him get far. In an instant, he closed the distance between them, his hand gripping Emrys's wrist, holding him in place.

"I see how Hadeon looks at you," Cassian said. He leaned in, his lips curling into a mocking smirk as his piercing green eyes gleamed. "No interest. No comfort. It's as if you're nothing to him, isn't it?"

Emrys tried to pull away, but Cassian's grip was too strong. "Let me go."

But Cassian only chuckled darkly, tightening his hold. "Yet you still run after him," he continued, his tone growing sharper. "Like a dog chasing after scraps. Quite amusing, isn't it? Watching you debase yourself for someone who barely even looks your way."

Emrys clenched his teeth, his heart pounding in his chest as the weight of Cassian's words sank in. He hated how close to the truth they were, hated how they hit at the raw insecurities he tried so hard to bury.

"You don't know anything about me and Hadeon," Emrys said.

Cassian's smirk twisted into something far more sinister, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "You really don't get it, do you?" he said. "You're nothing but a fucking puppet, and Hadeon's got you by the strings. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, you're just his little pet."

Emrys's breath hitched, but before he could respond, Cassian tightened his grip on Emrys's wrist, pulling him closer.

"And it's fucking pathetic, watching you trail after him like some lovesick whore, hoping for affection. You think he gives a shit about you? About any of this? He's probably laughing at how easy it is to keep you under his boot. You'll do anything to stay in his good graces, won't you? No matter how much he ignores you, no matter how worthless he makes you feel. You'd still bend over backward for a second of his attention, like a whore begging for scraps."

Cassian leaned in, his breath hot against Emrys ear, "What's sad is how much you fucking want it. What do you think he whispers to you when no one is around? How he loves you? What a fucking joke."

"Stop!" Emrys shouted quitely.

Cassian chuckled as he let go of Emrys's wrist harshly. Emrys stumbled slightly, he looked as if he was about to cry, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Stop? Funny. Look at him." He gestured toward Hadeon, across the huge ballroom. "Not caring a single damn thing about you, is he?"

Emrys clenched his fists, forcing himself to turn his gaze toward his husband. Hadeon stood surrounded by nobles and princesses, his expression unreadable, devoid of any trace of warmth or affection. He wasn't laughing, wasn't smiling, just... existing, like Emrys wasn't even there. And beside him stood Princess Verena Nyx, her hand grazing his arm as she whispered something into his ear.

A sharp pang twisted in Emrys's chest, but he forced himself to stand still, to keep his composure. Cassian, ever the snake, took pleasure in the sight.

Before Emrys could respond, a maid appeared, breaking the suffocating silence. "Your Highness," she said, bowing slightly, "it's time for the dance. Her Highness Rosenwald is calling for you."

Emrys's heart sank further, but he nodded, relieved for the distraction. Cassian stepped closer, his breath hot against Emrys's ear as he whispered, "Run along, little prince. Don't keep your master waiting."