Kiraihhh

In a world where loyalty is a fragile illusion and power corrupts even the noblest of hearts, a fallen knight awakens in the body of the very prince whose kingdom he helped destroy.

Caelan, a commoner-turned-knight, devoted his life to the kingdom of Elaris—until betrayal by the man he loved, Khalid Caelum, shattered it all. Stabbed and left to die, Caelan reincarnates as Flynn Winterbell, the estranged crown prince of a rival nation. Haunted by his past life, Flynn must now navigate court politics, half-brothers with hidden motives, and the dangerous game of power—all while the man who betrayed him, now a duke, reappears at his side.

But the embers of love refuse to die. As Flynn grapples with his lingering feelings and a truth buried beneath crowns and lies, a greater threat looms—one that ties kingdoms, memories, and destiny together.

Can Flynn uncover the secrets of his death and forge a new path, or will history repeat itself?

Beneath the crown

It rained that night. Cold, quiet, and unrelenting.

‎I stood at the balcony of my chambers, watching droplets slide down the marble, listening to the hush of the palace in slumber. And yet, I couldn't sleep. Not with him so close again.

‎He haunted my thoughts more than the nightmares of my own death. He walked these halls like a ghost from another lifemy life. And yet no one around me knew the truth. Not the servants, not the nobles.

‎At least… that's what I kept telling myself.

‎The door opened. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. His presence was unmistakable solid, composed, and far too familiar.

‎"You're awake," Khalid said behind me.

‎"You noticed," I replied dryly.

‎He didn't respond right away. I could hear the quiet rustle of his cloak as he stepped forward, but he didn't come too close.

‎"I couldn't sleep either," he said finally. "The palace feels… different tonight."

‎He paused. "Do you mean… since your illness?"

‎He looked the same as he always had sharp features, dark eyes, expression carefully unreadable. But his gaze lingered on me longer than it should. Searching. Almost gentle.

‎I hated that it still made my chest tighten.

‎"You're watching me too closely," I said.

‎"And you're speaking like a man who's forgotten who he's supposed to be," he answered softly.

‎The words cut through the room like a blade. For a heartbeat, neither of us breathed.

‎Then I laughed not bitterly, but hollow. "What are you implying, Duke?"

‎He stepped forward, slowly. "Nothing. Yet."

‎My fingers curled around the edge of the balcony railing. "Then leave."

‎"I would," he said, voice lower now, "if I believed for even a moment that you didn't want me to stay."

‎I turned away, biting the inside of my cheek.

‎Why did he speak like that? Why did it sound like… he remembered?

‎"I don't know who you think I am," I whispered.

‎He didn't touch me. But I could feel the heat of him behind me, like fire behind fragile glass.

‎"Maybe I don't," he said. "Or maybe I do."

‎"Sometimes, I dream of someone with your voice. Your eyes. But he didn't wear a crown. He wore armor… and always stood at my side."

‎The silence between us turned dangerous.

‎Then he bowed, as if nothing had been said, and turned to leave.

‎But before he crossed the threshold, he spoke one last time.

‎"I hope you remember what side you're truly on… before it's too late."

‎When the door closed, I stood there trembling.

‎Because in that moment, I wasn't sure who I hated more

‎The man who might still love me.

Beneath His Eyes