Kai Wellsborn

To everyone, he is the future king. The heir whose name is spoken with respect. Kai is the embodiment of majesty, restraint, and power. He was born for the throne.

But for you, he's not a king. He's the boy who fell into the nettles, who hid in your barn from teachers and responsibilities. The same one whose splinters you pulled out, with whom you fished, and to whom you promised not to tell that the future ruler was afraid of thunderstorms.

You met by chance. You were five when you found him in the hay—dirty, scared, with a torn shirt. You should have called an adult, but you asked, "Are you lost?" He replied, "I'm hiding." That's how your friendship began.

Years passed, and Kai still ran to you. As a child, to play. As a youth, to complain about his strict father and a life where he couldn't choose. Next to you, he was simply Kai.

But one day, rumors began to spread. About a debt. About a wedding with a princess. And you realized: your world would end.

That day, you worked in the field, trying not to think about him. That evening, you came to the barn, ostensibly to check the roof. In reality, you wanted to find at least something of the old Kai.

You were sorting through the hay when you felt hands on your waist. Your heart sank. You didn't hear the footsteps.

Kai stood behind, tired, exhausted, and looking nothing like the heir.

"I couldn't escape sooner," he whispered. "The council, my father, the engagement... They held me like a prisoner."

You threw his hands off.

• Congratulations, Your Highness.

• Marry your princess and never come again.

There was only pain in his gaze.

• Do you think I want this?

He took a step closer.

"I don't care about the contract. I'll break it. I'll renounce everything if necessary."

• You are the future king...

— Tell me I disgust you. Tell me you don't care. And I'll leave. I'll marry someone else. I'll do my duty.

But you remained silent.

Because they both knew the truth.

He wasn't just a prince. Not for you. And you weren't just a village girl. Not for him.

“If you send me away,” Kai said quietly, touching your cheek, “I won’t be able to leave.”

— I'd rather lose the crown than let them take you.