Chapter 275
Chapter 275
I waited.
Seconds stretched.
Finally, he spoke-but not to the room. Not to an imaginary audience.
His eyes fixed on me again that the intensity he only had when he was serious about something.
“To be honest,” he said slowly, “I don’t think about thrones when I imagine the future p>
I stayed still, afraid to break whatever fragile honesty had surfaced.
“I think about our sons,” he continued. “About August and fan growing up without knowing what it’s like to sleep with one eye open. Without being taught who to hate before they learn how to choose p>
My throat tightened.
“I want them to know a peaceful life,” he said. “One where strength doesn’t mean violence, and power isn’t something you cling to out of fear of losing it. I want them to get to be kids and not just warriors in training p>
He glanced at me then, eyes dark and earnest. “If I become king, it won’t be because I wanted a crown. It’ll be because I want to build a world where they never have to fight for the right to exist p>
I couldn’t speak for a moment.
That was it. That was the answer he’d been circling since the campaign began-the truth beneath all the strategy and restraint.
But it was more than that. It was the thing that had been building in him since he saw the boys that day in the park. Since he realized that they were still alive and I had been hiding them.
I knew enough about his upbringing to know that Nolan never got to be a child, not really. Every carefree day that August and lan got to experience was precious to him. They were precious to him. Hearing him say it out loud didn’t reassure me.
Deep down, I had known already that he was fiercely protective of them. Not just their physical safety, but their happiness.
Still, hearing him lay it out like that made my heart ache in the best way.
I reached out, brushing my thumb along his jaw. “That’s your vision,” I said softly. “You just haven’t let yourself say it out loud p>
He swallowed. “It doesn’t sound… grand enough p>
“It sounds real,” I replied. “And right now, that’s what people are responding to. Not promises of dominance. Not tradition for tradition’s sake.” I smiled faintly. “They’re responding to you. The real you, not the ice and anger you’ve been hiding behind.” His hand came up to cover mine, warm and steady. “I don’t want to lie to them.” “Then don’t,” I said simply. “Tell them exactly that p>
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him the way he so often held me.
“You’re allowed to want peace,” I murmured. “Even if you’re built like a storm p>
A quiet breath of laughter escaped him.
Chapter 275
+25 Bonus
“Especially then,” I added.
He straightened a little, some of the tension finally easing from his frame.
“Thank you,” he said. “For reminding me why I’m doing this p>
I smiled, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Anytime, Your Majesty p>
He snorted. “Don’t start p>
“Too late,” I said, grinning. “Now come on. If you’re going to change the future of the
kingdom, you should probably get some sleep p>
“Sleep is the last thing on my mind right now,” he said with a grin.
“Don’t you start,” I huffed at him.
He stood, pulling me up with him, his hand warm and sure in mine.
“Too late, princess,” he teased.
I started to protest the nickname, but he pulled him forward suddenly and scooped
me over his good shoulder.
I squeaked in surprise and clung to him.
“Nolan! You can’t just throw me around like this, you’re injured p>
“I’m not that injured,” he muttered as he carried me up the stairs to our bedroom. “I’ll never be that injured p>
“You’re being a bastard,” I groaned.
He only laughed. I sighed in defeat and wrapped my arms around him to steady us as he carried me.
As we headed toward the bedroom, I glanced back once at the darkened windows, the city lights flickering beyond
them.
Storms were still gathering. I could feel that much.
But for the first time in days, the future didn’t feel like something to fear.
It felt like something worth fighting for.
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