BOUND BY ROYALTY

CHAPTER 15

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Two Weeks Later

The palace had been unusually quiet in Aleron's absence. Not in the way that sound ceased to exist, there were still servants bustling about, advisors coming and going, and the faint echoes of court life drifting through the halls,but in a way that made me feel alone.

Two weeks had passed since the anniversary celebration, and Aleron had been swallowed by his duties. Meetings, councils, military, I hardly saw him beyond fleeting moments at breakfast or when he retired late at night, exhaustion etched into his features.

I had been busy as well, spending my days under the watchful eye of the Queen's advisors, learning more about my role as Prince Consort. It was grueling, lessons in diplomacy, court politics, and the intricate web of alliances I was expected to navigate. I had no choice but to endure it, but the weight of expectation pressed down on me heavier than ever.

Still, despite my responsibilities, my mind wandered to him. To us.

Our marriage was built on duty, not love. And yet, somewhere in the past few months, I had started to wonder if it could be more than just that. If we could be more than two strangers bound by obligation.

But how could we, when we hardly even saw each other?

Tonight, I had made up my mind, I wouldn't let the distance between us grow any further.

I waited in our chambers, dressed in a silk robe, fingers idly tracing patterns along the fabric. The room was dimly lit by the golden glow of candlelight, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, just that I needed to see him, to speak to him.

The door creaked open, and Aleron stepped in, rolling his shoulders as though the weight of the empire rested upon them. His coat was draped over his arm, his cravat loosened at the neck. He looked exhausted.

When his gaze landed on me, surprise flickered across his face. "You're still awake?"

I nodded, hesitating for a moment before stepping forward. "I've hardly seen you lately."

Aleron sighed, running a hand through his hair before setting his coat down. "I know. Things have been...demanding."

I studied him, noting the tension in his posture, the slight crease between his brows. "You should rest, then."

"I will." He paused, as if debating something, before taking a step closer. "But I'm glad you waited."

My breath caught slightly. His voice was softer now, less guarded.

"Lucian," he said, watching me closely, "how have you been?"

The question was so simple, yet so unexpected.

I exhaled, allowing a small smile to form. "Busy. Overwhelmed. But managing."

He nodded, his expression unreadable for a moment before he reached out. His fingers brushed against mine hesitant, but warm.

I looked up at him, my chest tightening.

The space between us felt charged, heavy with something I couldn't quite name. Aleron's fingers lingered against mine, his touch hesitant, as if he were testing the weight of my presence after so many days apart. His gaze flickered downward, taking in the silk of my robe, the way it draped over my body, hinting at bare skin beneath.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and I caught the subtle shift in his breathing, slower, deeper.

I knew that look.

A slow heat crept up my neck, but I forced myself to meet his eyes. Aleron wasn't a man who revealed his emotions easily, but right now, there was no mistaking the desire pooling in his gaze, the way his fingers twitched as if resisting the urge to touch me more fully.