THE DECISION

Darian couldn't let her go. Even as they sat at the small wooden table in the tavern, his arm was wrapped around her, pulling her closer as if he feared she might slip away again. Sophie simply smiled, touching his hand as he gently ran his fingers across the back of her palm.

"Tell me everything," he whispered. "How did you escape? How did you survive?"

Sophie sighed and leaned against his hand.

"When they took me from the palace, I thought it was the end. They didn't tell me where we were going; they just threw me into the carriage and drove for hours. When we arrived, I realized they had brought me to the edge of the village and left me there, like I was nothing. I had nothing – no money, no food, no place to go."

Darian clenched his jaw, his grip on her hand tightening.

"Damn Elara," he muttered through his teeth.

Sophie shook her head.

"Tobias found me that evening. I didn't even know who he was, but he offered me a roof over my head until I could figure something out. He and his wife took me to an old friend of theirs, a good woman who took me in and gave me work here, in the tavern. I started to build a new life. And then…"

She placed her hand on her stomach and gently caressed it.

Darian followed her movement, his heart tightening.

"And then you found out you were pregnant," he said softly.

Sophie nodded, but her smile faded.

"At first… I was terrified. I didn't know if I could take care of the baby. I didn't know if it would have any future with me. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again."

Darian's eyes filled with tears as he held her tighter.

"I thought about abandoning it," she admitted, looking him straight in the eyes. "I was broken, Darian. I had nothing, no name, no home. How could I take care of a child?"

His hand tightened around her waist.

"But you didn't," he whispered.

Sophie smiled gently and touched his face.

"I didn't. Because I realized it was the only thing I had of you. And if I never saw you again, at least I'd have something of yours. Someone who would remind me of you."

Darian struggled to hold back his tears, but he couldn't stop them from falling.

"Sophie…"

He pulled her close again and kissed her hair, breathing in her scent, savoring her touch.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, I didn't know… I should've come for you earlier."

She simply shook her head.

"I don't blame you. But tell me now – what happened to you? How did you survive?"

Darian leaned back in his chair, his eyes full of pain.

"I left the palace," he said simply. "I couldn't stay. Everything reminded me of you. Everything felt… empty. The palace became a tomb, and I was a ghost in it. Elara took over everything, started commanding… People suffered. I… I just disappeared. I let it all go."

Sophie stared at him in disbelief.

"And now? Are you planning to wander until you die from sorrow?"

Before Darian could answer, a voice came from the kitchen.

"Of course not."

They both turned and saw Tobias coming out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron.

"Tobias?" Sophie asked, confused.

The old tavern keeper looked at them with a serious expression.

"King, you have to go back."

Darian flinched.

"What did you say?"

Tobias crossed his arms over his chest.

"I said, you have to go back to the palace and fight for what is yours. For what you love."

Darian was stunned.

"How… how do you know who I am?"

Tobias smiled and shook his head.

"Oh, please. You thought you could hide your true nature from me? From the first day, I knew you weren't just an ordinary wanderer. Your posture, your manners, the way you speak… Then I heard about the missing king, and it all became clear. I waited for the right moment to tell you."

Darian stared at him, still in shock.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Tobias chuckled.

"Because you were broken. You weren't ready. But now you are."

Sophie kept her hand on his and looked at him with hope in her eyes.

"Tobias is right, Darian. You have to go back. You can't let Elara rule the palace. The people are suffering, and you're their king."

Darian shook his head.

"I can't. It's no longer my home."

"It's the home of your wife and your child," Tobias said seriously. "And if you're not ready to protect that, then you're not worthy of your royal name."

Darian held his breath. Tobias' words struck him to the core.

"You're right," he said finally, tightening his grip on Sophie's hand. "I won't let Elara take my family from me. I won't let her take away what I love."

Tobias smiled with satisfaction.

"That's the spirit. And if you need an army, we'll gather it. The people here may not be soldiers, but they believe in you. If you give them a reason to fight, they'll follow you."

Darian looked at Sophie, and she squeezed his hand.

"Let's go home," she said softly.

Darian nodded, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes.

"Let's go home."