The tea shop was small, and the walls were lined with shelves filled with jars of different leaves, herbs, and spices that I couldn’t even begin to name. The warmth of the place seemed to seep into my bones, and for a moment, I felt like I could let go of all the heaviness weighing me down.

As I set the cup back on the table, I caught Art’s gaze. There was something in his eyes, a kind of determination that I couldn’t place. It wasn’t the usual carefree spark he had when we first met, not the easy confidence that came with his royal blood. It was... softer, maybe even tired. But it didn’t show on his face. He looked as if he was trying to shield me from something, something I wasn’t yet meant to see.

I had no idea what he was thinking, but I could feel the undercurrent in the air, something unspoken, something he wasn’t sharing with me. It was probably foolish, but I didn’t ask. He had been trying so hard to pull me out of my shell, to make me feel better, and I didn’t want to ruin it by making him talk about the things we were both avoiding.

I forced a smile. "So, how did you find this place?"

Art leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the edge of his cup, his eyes scanning the room as if he was thinking about something else. "I’ve been to this part of the city a few times. It’s... quiet. No crowds, no distractions. Just the kind of place where you can catch your breath."

I could tell he wasn’t talking about the shop anymore. He was talking about us—about this moment. A small part of me wanted to ask what he was really thinking, what was still bothering him, but I didn’t want to bring the mood down. Not here, not now.

Instead, I leaned forward slightly, trying to change the subject. "So, what do you think of the tea?" I asked, watching him as he took another sip.

He raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by my sudden curiosity. "It’s good," he said, his voice light. "It’s got a kick to it, but that sweetness at the end is a nice surprise."

I nodded, thinking back to the strange complexity of the flavor. "It’s so different from what I’m used to. I always thought I knew tea, but this…" I trailed off, still amazed by the aftertaste.

Art smiled. "Sometimes, the best things surprise you. You just have to be open to them."

There was something in his words, something more than just about tea. I glanced at him, but he was already standing up. "Come on," he said. "Let’s take a walk."

Before I could respond, he had already turned and started heading toward the door. I felt a little flustered as I scrambled to gather myself, paying for our tea before following him out.

---

The streets outside were busier now, the early morning calm having given way to the energy of the day. But Art walked with an easy grace, as if he had no care for the crowds or the world around him. He didn’t seem to mind that people were staring, that whispers might follow us. A man with his hood on hiding his face, alongside a maid. Everyone looked at us. Then I thought, he was a prince, after all, used to being in the public eye. But with me, it felt different—more personal.

We made our way through the narrow streets, with me trailing a few paces behind him. He didn’t seem to care about the pace, and for once, I found myself not caring either. We passed by shops selling bright fabrics and fresh fruit, street vendors calling out, and children playing in the street.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked, my voice a little quieter than I intended.

Art glanced back at me with a mischievous smile. "I told you, I have a surprise."

"Another one?" I couldn’t help but laugh, though the weight in my chest hadn’t fully lifted.

"You’ll see." His smile softened, and there was something in his expression that made me pause, made me question what was going on inside his mind.

We walked for a while longer, until the noise of the city seemed to fade behind us. We had reached the edge of a park, a peaceful space with trees stretching up to the sky, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The park was mostly empty, save for a few people walking along the paths or sitting on benches, enjoying the quiet.

Art led me to a secluded spot under a large tree. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. I sat down on the bench, and Art followed, sitting beside me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the soft breeze and the distant hum of the city behind us. I watched a bird fly past, the world around us feeling so far away, so separate from everything else.

"Maria," Art finally said, his voice quiet. He turned to face me, his expression serious now. "I know you’re still... struggling. And I don’t have the answers. But I want you to know that you don’t have to face everything alone. Not while I’m here."

His words caught me off guard. I had known he cared, but hearing him say it so plainly, so earnestly, made my chest tighten. There was so much more I wanted to say, so much I was too afraid to admit.

"I’m glad I’m here with you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Art reached over and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "We’ll get through this. Together."

For a moment, there was no pressure, no looming danger or uncertainty. Just the quiet strength between us, the unspoken bond that was beginning to form. It was small, fragile, but it was enough. And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough to carry us through whatever came next.

---

Arterios's Perspective (Inner thoughts):

I had brought her here to give her a break, a chance to breathe, but it was more than that. I needed to see her smile again. She had been so distant lately, trapped inside her head, fighting battles I couldn’t see. I didn’t know how to fix it, but I hoped that today, I could at least help her forget, even if it was just for a little while.

The truth was, I needed her to be okay. I couldn’t stand seeing her so broken, so unsure. It made me feel helpless. But as I looked at her now, sitting beside me, I realized that maybe... just maybe... this was the way forward. Not through grand gestures or words, but through small moments, together.