Forbidden love.

The oppressive atmosphere in the Royal Court was thick with tension as Riku, his fists tightly clenched, stormed out of the room. The veins in his hands bulged (almost grotesquely) as he squeezed his fist with all his might; his anger was a tempest raging within. With a furious roar, he struck his fist against the nearest wall. The stone shattered upon impact, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. His breath came in ragged gasps, his eyes ablaze with an uncontrollable fury. *"Curse you, Roy! You insolent insect!"* Riku growled under his breath, his teeth gritting so hard they might have shattered. *"However, rest assured, I will crush you underfoot very soon... very, very soon."* With a final, vengeful glance around the ruined chamber, he turned and departed, his destination unknown; yet, his determination was unmistakable.

---

In the meantime, Princess Rina, the inaugural Princess of Narzan, found herself ensconced in her carriage, her thoughts tumultuous like a raging tempest. Her visage, a facade of elegance and beauty, was clouded by the anxiety and trepidation she could not conceal. Engaged to Riku Sugen, however, her heart was irrevocably tethered to another—Roy. Rina was a woman of kindness, exhibiting intelligence that surpassed her years and possessed a beauty capable of captivating any man. Yet, despite her noble lineage, it was Roy, a mere commoner, who had captured her heart. The recollections of the times when Roy had served as her personal knight continued to blaze vividly in her memory. She had been compelled into an engagement with Riku, a man she held in contempt and although she endeavored to fulfill her royal obligations, her heart remained unyielding in its affection for Roy. The love she harbored for him was indisputable, even if it meant contravening societal norms. She would forsake everything—her title and position—if only she could unite with him. As her carriage jolted to a halt outside Roy's mansion, she wasted no time and hurried out, her heart racing within her chest. Her anxiety intensified with each step toward the door, driven by an urgent need to see Roy and to ascertain whether the rumors of his demise were indeed factual.

---

Within the confines of Roy's mansion, he found himself confronting the expansive iron gate, his body still weakened from the injuries he had endured. Blood oozed through his garments, staining them a deep crimson as he inched closer to the door. The familiar sensation of agony surged through him; however, he persevered, resolute in his quest to reach the one sanctuary that had consistently provided him with solace—his home. The mansion, a modest duplex characterized by black-textured walls and a white facade, stood silently before him. His heart felt burdened with memories of the past, but he resolutely set them aside as he pushed the gate open, which emitted a loud creak as it swung inward. He traversed the narrow path leading to the front door, each step a reminder of the fierce battle he had recently emerged from. His blood continued to mar the ground beneath him. Upon arriving at the door, he knocked several times, but no answer came. He nudged the door open to discover it was slightly ajar. Upon entering the mansion, Roy navigated through the dimly lit rooms, each one silent and still, save for the subtle creaking of the floorboards beneath his feet.

The sole individual who inhabited this space alongside him was the elderly butler, Grey. As Roy traversed the entrance hall, he observed the old man making his way down the staircase. Grey's eyes widened considerably (in amazement) upon recognizing Roy standing before him, a living miracle in his midst. "Lord Roy, is it really you?" Grey inquired, his voice scarcely rising above a whisper. He rubbed his eyes as if to dispel the illusion, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You're alive?" Roy chuckled darkly, his tone strained. "Yes, I suppose I'm alive... by the grace of God; I nearly perished." Grey hastened to Roy's side, concern etched on his face. "I'm so relieved you're alive, sir. I will fetch a doctor at once." Roy nodded weakly, responding, "Go, hurry. My wounds have reopened. Please, Grey."

---

Outside, Rina's carriage came to a halt before the mansion. The instant the door swung open, she emerged, her eyes wide with distress. She quickly settled the fare with the carriage driver and hurried toward the entrance, hardly registering the frigid air that lingered around her. Trembling, she found herself unable to suppress the fear that constricted her chest. What if the rumors were accurate? What if Roy was truly gone? As she approached the door and entered, she came to a standstill. The scene that awaited her was enough to paralyze her. There, in the foyer, stood Roy—alive, however, barely so. His shirt was saturated with blood and his body bore numerous wounds. "Princess, what are you doing here?" Roy's voice was feeble, but assertive. "And why are you alone? Where are your guards?" Rina's anxiety erupted and before she could rein in her impulses, she dashed toward him, enveloping him in a desperate embrace. Her tears streamed down freely as she held onto him, overwhelmed with relief that he was still alive.

Roy remained rigid within her embrace, his body betraying no warmth. He gently pushed her away, his gaze icy. "Princess, what are you doing? You are a princess. You shouldn't be touching someone like me—a commoner. You'll be tainted by my blood. You're royalty—act accordingly." Rina's expression twisted in despair, however, she resolutely held onto him. "I don't care about that," she murmured through her tears. "I'm just relieved you're alive. I always knew you couldn't die—not without me." Roy regarded her, his eyes vacant and offered no response. His face was inscrutable, his heart hardened by the severity of his trials. "Why?" Rina inquired, her sobs punctuating her words. "Why are you pushing me away? You know I love you. Why won't you accept it?" Roy's voice was frigid, detached. "I know you love me, Princess. But that doesn't alter anything. I am a commoner and you belong to royalty. No one would condone this. I can't comprehend why you'd desire someone like me. I am honored, but it's simply impossible." Rina's expression shattered and she sank to her knees, her cries resonating in the silence of the mansion. Roy loomed over her, mute, his heart void. He offered no comfort; he uttered no words of solace.

---

In Roy's perspective, love represented nothing more than a curse. It acted as a destructive force, rending the soul and leaving behind an abyss of emptiness and regret. He had witnessed it firsthand: the anguish of unrequited love and the devastation it inflicted upon the mind and heart. Love, while a beautiful illusion, was also ephemeral. It promised happiness; however, in the end, it invariably led to sorrow. He could not allow himself to succumb to the snare of love again—not after all he had persevered through. Yet, as he stood there observing Rina weep, something stirred deep within him. He yearned to reach out, to offer her comfort, to express his understanding, but he found himself unable to do so. To Roy, love was merely a temporary state. Nothing, he believed, endured forever. Ultimately, it consistently became the catalyst for one's downfall. For Rina, however, he remained mute, providing neither comfort nor solace. She was the first individual to truly love him and yet he could not reciprocate that love.