The third prince Edward was the empress's second son born two years after the death of his older brother. He was a bright child , thoughtful , noble and very image of imperial virtue. But things started to go awry as Cassian grew older and got greedier. Tormented by the limitations of his birth and the icy walls of royal expectations he begun spinning a secret Web. Discontent being the puppet heir and the fear of his younger legitimate brother becoming the next emperor he plotted to seize the throne by force. And at the center of his plan, like a jewel to be claimed, stood Evelyn Brighton: the Empire's most radiant flower and the woman he refused to let escape. At first it was only curiosity and he approached her for her family’s political power but slowly that curiosity turned into obsession.

-The East Wing-

Evelyn looked around. It was an old room with a bookshelf, a dusty old table where a single candle was placed. It was a dark gloomy room.

"By the way, Your highness where is this?" 

"Oh this. Its the East Wing and this place is kind of my secret hide out. No-one comes in here. I saw you passed out outside so I brought you here! I couldn't think of any other place since you were injured and it seemed like you were escaping from the crown prince menace!" 

"T-that! T-thank you for everything!" 

After a few seconds of silence, 

Edward’s expression tightened. “Cassian isn’t just threatening you. He’s been building something—an inner faction of loyalists within the palace guard. He’s planning to seize full control.”

Evelyn froze. "But he is already Crown prince-"

"But an illegitimate child born from a concubine." Edward cut in. "You don't know him. His greed has no limits. Even though my mother loved him like he was her own child after my older brother's death, he still dares plot something so sinister!"

Evelyn couldn't process everything prince Edward spoke at once. Her chest tightened. Several questions started popping up in her head. 

"What about this marriage?" 

"He only sees you as a trophy. That guy is clearly obsessed with you to the point he has gone crazy!"

"And if I refuse?"

Edward looked away. "He'll take you anyway. By force if needed."

Evelyn swallowed hard. "So what now?" 

As Prince Edward was about to answer her, the door burst open.

"Your highness! The Crown Prince is in the east wing!" Said the servant huffing and puffing.

"Damn it! Follow me lady Evelyn" He took her hand and left through the back door of the room.

The hallways twisted like veins, and Edward led her through dim servant corridors until they neared the edge of the East Wing.

"You have to escape for now!"

"Whaaaaattt!?"

"Yes. Just do as I say! If he catches you here it's all over! Just send him a letter or something after you return to the estate saying you suddenly felt unwell so you had to go back urgently!"

"B-but!"

As they sprinted through the hallways, Evelyn felt a sharp throbbing pain and fell to her knees.

"Ouch! I'm sorry your highness, it seems like I can't move!" 

"Dang it!"

Edward without a thought picked her up by the waist and ran for the exit.

Evelyn and Edward both turned their heads.

From the end of the hallway, emerging from shadow like a phantom, stood prince Cassian.

"There's a servant's window just ahead. If you slip through there and take the old maintenance stairway, it leads outside the wall— So just hurry and go! I will hold him on." Edward whispered.

She nodded, limping as fast as she could to the window Edward had described.

But her leg— she dragged herself towards the window.

"Just a little—further—"

Then, she reached the window.

And froze.

It was a sheer drop—two stories at least. But the sounds behind her of prince Edward talking and delaying the crown prince—she had no time.

He's coming!

Gritting her teeth, Evelyn pushed the window open and hurled herself out into the air—

Only for her foot to slip on the outer ledge.

She screamed.

And then—

"Oof—WHAT THE—"

She didn’t hit the ground.

She hit a man.

They crashed together onto the grass, his arms instantly wrapping around her to break her fall.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Her breath was caught in her throat.

The man groaned. 

Evelyn blinked. "YOU!?" 

“I know you like me,” he said, voice rough, “but this is getting ridiculous.”

She blinked again.

“The dance, the visit to your house, now falling from the sky directly into my arms?” he teased, raising an eyebrow. “Should I start worrying you’re trying to propose?”

Evelyn was too stunned to speak. Her heart was pounding. Her whole body trembled.

Kayden's teasing expression softened.

Then, without another word, he pulled her into a tight hug—arms wrapping around her like the only thing that mattered in the world was that she was safe.

“You’re alright,” he whispered. “I thought I was too late…”

Evelyn didn’t know why, but the warmth in his voice unraveled something deep in her chest.

Above, from the window, Prince Edward looked down at them.

He saw the way Kayden held her.

The way her eyes, full of fear only moments ago, shimmered with a strange comfort now.

He felt a sharp, unexplainable ache behind his ribs.

A silent realization blooming in his heart.