𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

23. Can't lose you

The grand gates of the palace loomed ahead as Aiore and Arielle approached, side by side. As soon as they arrived, Queen Ezra was the first to greet them, her expression carefully crafted to look regretful.

"Prince Aiore, Lady Arielle, I deeply apologize for my maid's behavior," she said smoothly, bowing her head in a show of false remorse. Her words, though, felt like a polished lie, one Arielle could almost feel crawling under her skin.

Before Arielle could respond, the king, standing beside his wife, waved his hand dismissively. "The queen need not apologize for a crime committed by her maid. She has no fault in this," he declared, his voice final and stern. The dismissal in his tone grated against Arielle's nerves. It was infuriating how easily he absolved the queen.

Aldith, standing nearby, clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He glanced at his mother, the woman who had orchestrated the entire plot, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Yet, he remained silent, unable to do anything. He opened his mouth to ask how Arielle felt.

Arielle, feeling the tension in the air, straightened her back. "I am feeling much better now," she said softly, her voice filled with both gratitude and hidden turmoil. "Thanks to Prince Aiore, I am alive today." She turned her gaze to Aiore, her eyes softening as they met his. Though Aiore said nothing in response, the look in his eyes held a tenderness that spoke louder than any words.

At that moment, her family arrived, worry evident on their faces as they rushed to her side. Her father, Duke Rosemountain, stood before Aiore and bowed deeply. "Prince Aiore, my family owes you a great debt for saving my daughter's life."

Aiore gently took Arielle's hand in his, his grip firm and possessive. "There's no need for thanks. She is my responsibility now," he said firmly. "It's only natural that I would protect her."

Arielle's heart raced at the way he claimed her so openly. His hand, warm and steady in hers, sent sparks through her skin, and the blush that spread across her cheeks didn't go unnoticed by the onlookers. For the first time, she realized without a doubt: I love him. The thudding of her heart made it impossible to deny.

Later that day, Arielle sought Aiore out in his study. She entered the room cautiously, her thoughts heavy with concern. When she found him sitting at his desk, absorbed in paperwork, she hesitated. Aiore looked up at her, sensing her presence, and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice soft yet commanding.

Arielle closed the door behind her and approached his desk. "Why aren't you taking any action against the queen?" she blurted, her tone sharper than she intended. "She tried to kill you! How can you just let this go?"

Aiore sighed and leaned back in his chair, his eyes dark with resignation. "I don't have a choice, Arielle. My father will never believe me. No one would," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "The queen has woven her influence too deeply within the court. If I try to expose her now, it won't end well."

Arielle clenched her fists. "So you're just going to let her continue like this?" she asked, her voice trembling with both anger and fear. "How can you be so calm about it?"

Aiore stood and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You have to understand. Making an enemy of the queen is dangerous. Not just for me, but for you as well." His gaze softened as he looked at her, seeing the concern etched on her face. "Please, Arielle, promise me you'll be careful. Don't provoke her. Not yet."

Arielle's reluctance was clear in her expression, but she nodded slowly. "I don't like this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I'll do as you say."

Aiore smiled faintly at her compliance, but the sight of her downcast face made his chest ache. "Arielle," he called her name, his voice unusually gentle.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide, and her heart fluttered when she saw the softness in his gaze. "Don't be afraid," Aiore said quietly. "Nothing will happen to me."

Without thinking, Arielle took a step forward and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. Her sudden action took Aiore by surprise, and for a moment, he froze. But then, something inside him melted. Slowly, he raised his arms and wrapped them around her, pulling her close.

"I'm afraid," Arielle admitted, her voice muffled against his chest. "Please take care of yourself, Aiore. I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Aiore rested his chin on top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. "I will," he promised, his voice a quiet vow. His arms tightened around her, holding her as if she were the only thing grounding him to the world.

Neither of them noticed the figure standing just outside the study's door. Aldith, who had come to see his brother, had witnessed the entire scene. His heart clenched painfully as he watched Arielle and Aiore in each other's arms. The words his mother had spoken earlier echoed in his mind: She'll never want someone useless like you. You're nothing but a prince with no titles.

A bitter smile tugged at Aldith's lips as he turned and walked away, his chest heavy with sorrow. "She loves him," he whispered to himself, the weight of his unspoken feelings crushing him. "And I...I'm just a fool."

She will never look at me in the way she looks at my brother.