phienruple

Cassian was the heir to Evergreen Palace—until the empire crumbled, his father was imprisoned, and high society turned its back without hesitation. Now, he lives in shadows, barely making ends meet, haunted by betrayal and a promise he made to himself: they will all pay.

A small coffee shop becomes his refuge in a quiet corner of the city. It’s the place he meets Noah—calm, enigmatic, and strangely familiar. Noah doesn’t look at him with pity or judgment. He sees him. And for the first time in months, the weight of survival feels a little lighter.

But love is a luxury he can’t afford—not when every step forward is a move in a game of vengeance. Still, as secrets unravel and the past comes calling, he finds himself torn between the justice he craves … and the person who just might save him from himself.

I Choose to Rebuild Me Instead Of The Crumbled Palace

I press the bell. The snow clings to my coat and hair like cold dust. It melts slowly down my neck. Everything feels damp.

After a minute, the door opens. Warm light spills out like it's trying to reach me. Noah stands there in his usual knit sweater and slippers, already holding a towel like he knew I'd come back ruined.

Without a word, he places the towel on my head and pulls me inside by the wrist.

"Don't just stand in the snow," he murmurs, like he's scolding a ghost.

Mellow pads over immediately, her tail wagging slow and uncertain. I crouch briefly and pat her head twice. She leans into my palm, but I don't linger. My fingers are too cold.

"You're late," Noah says without heat. He doesn't meet my eyes. "The bath is ready. Go warm up before you catch a cold."

"I—" I almost ask why? Why he's doing all this. Why he's still being kind.

A Long Sigh