Breaking the Silence

The days continued to pass, each one filled with the weight of their unspoken words. The palace was a blur of meetings, events, and the constant presence of others, but when it came to their private moments, everything felt magnified. Every glance shared between Xypheron and Vexaria felt like a spark in a dry forest—powerful, undeniable, yet still controlled.

Vexaria found herself increasingly aware of the prince's presence. It was in the way he stood a little too close, the way his eyes would linger on her longer than necessary. And the way he would speak to her, his tone softer, quieter, as though they were alone even when surrounded by others.

But despite the growing pull between them, Vexaria kept her distance, both physically and emotionally. She had her reasons—reasons she wasn't yet ready to share with him. The walls she'd built were sturdy, even if they were beginning to show signs of cracking. She couldn't afford to let them fall too soon.

One evening, after a long day of attending to court matters, Vexaria found herself on the balcony overlooking the palace grounds. The night was cool, the moon high in the sky, casting a silvery light over the garden below. She had sought out solitude, needing a moment to clear her mind.

But as she stood there, looking out at the horizon, she heard footsteps approaching. Her first instinct was to turn and retreat, but something inside her told her not to. Not this time.

Xypheron stepped into view, his dark eyes reflecting the faint moonlight. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her heart skip a beat—a mix of determination and something softer, something that made her question everything she thought she knew about him.

"I've been looking for you," he said, his voice calm but filled with intent.

Vexaria turned to face him, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. "I didn't know you were searching for me," she replied, her tone light, though her heart was beating faster than she cared to admit.

Xypheron took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I am now." There was a slight pause, and then he added, "