10

"Cayn," spoke Diana in a low voice.

"Yes," as he raised his eyes.

"Thank you, for choosing me too," she said with a warm felt smile.

"Hmm."

"The engagement is for us to have more free time to see each other, with no bad rumors lingering around. So I wish to let you know this about me, I wish to rule my kingdom, as a Queen." Diana had determined eyes, her will gave her a strong presence as she stood in front of Cayn. "If you still wish to stand by my side, I will care for you and love you, and I will stand strong in front of anything that may arise between us as I strive for my ambitions. I would like to know your wishes."

Cayn watched silently. With her presence, he thought Diana already stood as a queen.

He answered after a moment, "I wish for nothing more than to protect my loved ones and spend time with them."

"Cayn!" She put her hand on his cheek, meeting his cold gaze. "Something, for you."

"I am happy whenever I get to see their smil-"

"What about yours? I would have normally said nothing as it was your duty, but you are neglecting yourself even when you have no such reason to in this life."

"I..." Cayn looked down, "I don't know," he sighed. "I never got the chance to think it through."

"I can see it in your eyes, you are merely existing, thinking your only purpose is to protect your people. You should know you are worth much more than that."

He smiled.

"Cayn," she got closer. "You are worth fighting for too."

He chuckled.

"You are worth the worl-"

His eyes grew dim, as he met her bright eyes.

They looked at each other for a while, Cayn's eyes answered her.

She sighs saying, "Too much blood in your hands."

He got closer, putting his head on hers. "I am happy. As long as I get to see their smiles, your smile included, I would do anything."

She looked at him for a moment, before slowly wrapping her hands around his body.

"I will stand by your side." He said smiling, "and, don't forget to show me the world I am worth," he said holding her.

Diana hugged him tighter, smiling. "I will."

Cayn gently put his head on her shoulders as he embraced her. "Your heartbeat, it's warm."

"Yours too."

Cayn slowly let go after a bit of time, "Sleep well."

"You too, goodnight."

He smiled, patting her head as he left, leaving her staring at his wide back, entering her room until he left.

Diana sighed as she fell onto her bed. She thought for a long time about what Cayn had to endure to be who he was today. She couldn't help but think she tried to reach his heart too fast, her feelings got the best of her, but at least it went well.

She smiled warmly as she touched her head where he patted her, slowly falling asleep and holding her pillow.

---

A figure was walking in the middle of the forbidden forest, deep inside towards the direction of the mountains.

the road was dark, the figure moved without sound. It took a while, then it walked through what seemed like an illusion wall at the bottom of the largest mountain.

Looking like the entrance of a cave, the figure walked inside, reaching a big pond of water, around it shined hundreds of blue-colored gems.

The place finally had enough light to show the figure's face as it stood watching the reflection of itself in the water. It was Cayn.

Suddenly a pair of blue eyes appeared behind him in the reflection, like that of a cat's, but they were so bigger and taller than him.

Cayn didn't turn around and stood there in silence.

The figure behind him kept watching, the darkness that englobed it slowly dissipated, showing the figure of an enormous black panther.

the blue-eyed beast closed its eyes as it bowed to Cayn's back. "You are back, my liege."

"Yeah," responded Cayn, as he turned to pat it.

Feeling the cold and tired eyes of its lord the beast sat on all four and rested on the ground.

Cayn slowly got down and laid his back on its black fur. He looked at the hole on the roof of the cave, staring at the skies for a moment, before closing his eyes.