𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Chapter 6

The aftermath of the battle left the palace in a strange, quiet limbo. Fourth had defied his mother in ways that couldn’t be undone, and Gemini had shown a ferocity that made it clear he would go to any length for him. But now, standing on the balcony overlooking the vast kingdom that lay beyond the palace walls, Fourth felt a new kind of weight on his shoulders—one not of fear or duty, but curiosity and longing.

He had always been bound to the palace, the walls that loomed high and the traditions that confined him. Though the royal gardens were vast and beautiful, they were still part of the same cage. Fourth could only remember looking beyond the kingdom’s borders a handful of times, and even then, it was with the cold detachment of someone who believed the world wasn’t for him.

Now, though, with Gemini beside him, things felt different.

“You’ve never really left the palace, have you?” Gemini asked softly, standing next to him on the balcony. His voice was gentle, but there was something else behind it—something that hinted at deeper knowledge, like he understood the world in a way Fourth couldn’t.

Fourth shook his head, his eyes focused on the horizon. “I’ve seen the towns during processions, but no. I’ve never walked among the people, never explored the lands beyond these walls.”

Gemini glanced at him, his brow furrowed with a hint of disbelief. “You’ve never even seen the sky, have you?”

“The sky?” Fourth turned to him, confused. “I can see the sky from here.”

Gemini smiled, but it was a sad, knowing smile. “No, Fourth. You’ve seen the palace’s sky, but that’s not the real world. You’ve never seen the sky the way it’s meant to be seen—without walls, without limits.”

Fourth frowned, feeling an unfamiliar stir of longing in his chest. He had never really thought about it before. The palace was his life, and the sky was just a backdrop to the duties and responsibilities he had been raised to shoulder. But now, with Gemini standing beside him, the idea of something more seemed possible.

“Come with me,” Gemini said suddenly, stepping back from the balcony.

Fourth hesitated, his eyes flicking toward the palace corridors, where guards still roamed. He had just defied his mother, barely fought off her soldiers, and now Gemini wanted to leave?

“Where are we going?” Fourth asked warily, following Gemini inside.

Gemini turned back with a grin that felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds. “We’re going beyond these walls. I want to show you something.”

Fourth’s heart raced. “Gemini, you know that’s dangerous. My mother—”

“Forget your mother,” Gemini said, his tone firm but kind. “For once, just forget all of that. Trust me.”

Something in Gemini’s eyes—a mixture of determination and mystery—made Fourth nod, even though his instincts screamed to stay. He didn’t know what it was about Gemini that made him so willing to follow, but he couldn’t deny that the pull was stronger than anything he had ever felt before.

Without another word, Gemini took his hand and led him through the palace corridors, past guards and servants who bowed but didn’t dare question the crown prince’s movements. They slipped through the back gardens, and soon, Fourth found himself standing at the edge of the palace walls, looking out toward the distant hills.

“We’re going over,” Gemini said, his voice filled with excitement as he pointed to a narrow passageway that led beyond the main gates.

Fourth blinked. “Over the wall? Are you insane?”