Chapter 9: A Moment of Freedom

The palace was vast, but it felt suffocating. The heavy walls, the watchful eyes, the unspoken rules—it was a cage made of gold.

Caelum lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come.

His heart was restless.

The East Wing was far from the main palace, and security was lax here—after all, he was no threat, just an unwanted consort.

So, under the cover of night, he slipped out.

A long cloak covered his red ceremonial robes, and a hood shadowed his face. He moved with silent steps, avoiding the guards with practiced ease.

The cool night air kissed his skin as he finally stepped past the palace gates.

For the first time since arriving, he felt like he could breathe.

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The River of Memories

He did not know where his feet were taking him, but his heart led the way.

Through the thick trees, past the stone pathways, until the distant sound of water reached his ears.

A river.

The moment he saw it, his heart clenched.

This river… it reminded him of home.

The way the moonlight reflected on the surface, the gentle ripple of the current—it was just like the hidden river from his childhood, the one he would sneak off to when the pressures of royalty became too much.

A place where no one called him Your Highness.

Where he was not an Omega bound by tradition.

Just Caelum.

He stepped closer, his hands trembling as he reached for his mask.

With slow, deliberate movements, he pulled it off.

For the first time since the wedding, his face was bare to the night.

His long black hair cascaded down his back, catching the moon's glow. His crimson eyes reflected in the water, gleaming like rare jewels.

He let out a breath.

Free.

Here, there were no expectations. No ceremonial masks. No king who refused to look at him.

Only the quiet embrace of the river.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he knelt, cupping the cool water in his hands and splashing it onto his face.

The chill sent a shiver down his spine, but it was refreshing.

"If only life could always be like this," he murmured to himself.

For a while, he simply sat by the water's edge, enjoying the silence.

Unaware that, somewhere far behind him, hidden in the shadows of the trees…

A pair of golden eyes watched him.