Max Roy's POV:
I don't know what's happening to me. My heart is racing. My chest feels tight. It's not fear.. it's her. The thought of her. Her smile... the way her nose wrinkles when she's annoyed... the way her voice scolds and soothes at the same time. I don't want power. I don't want thrones. I just want her. Only her.
If she wants a simple life, I want it with her. I'll build a home far from the noise of kings and war. If she dreams of peace, I'll protect that dream with blood. If she ever says, touches, or even thinks something.. I'll make it real for her.
The first time I met her... It was in her kingdom. I was dressed as a merchant, gathering information under my father's command.
She was furious with a fruit seller.. angry about high prices. She tried to trick me, thinking I was just another vendor. She played with words, argued like a mastermind, and tried to drop the price with tricks. I smiled. I gave in... I gave her the fruits for the lowest price she wanted.
The real merchant stared at me, stunned. I only showed him one thing- gold coins... enough to silence him. I never liked losing. My father trained me to win, always. But for the first time... I wanted to lose. I wanted to surrender to her every time.
There was something in my stomach that day a pull, a storm, a need. Something unknown.
And it didn't stop.
Every chance I got, I slipped away from the Indila Palace. I lied.... I told them I was gathering reports from rival kingdoms. But the truth was... I was going to her. Once a week. Sometimes thrice a month. And it was never enough. Was it love? Was it obsession? I didn't care. All I knew.. I needed her. I needed her like BREATH.
Slowly, something changed. Her eyes. Her voice. The way she waited for me. She started to feel something too. Maybe not like me.. but enough.
We talked for hours. Walked the silent alleys at night. She told me about her grandmother, and I helped without asking. She never accepted money. She worked, earned, provided with her hands.
That made me frustrated.. but proud. She was... powerful. Not by sword. But by heart.
And now...
We're at the edge.
One step forward, and everything will change.
I rose from the chair in my chambers. Gripped my sword.. not for war, but for strength. And walked out.
To her kingdom.
To see her.
To see my love.
No matter what happens next.. I want to look into her eyes once more.
Lotus's POV:
I was rinsing the herbs in the courtyard when I felt a strange tension in the air. The usual chatter of the farmers had stilled, and my heart suddenly felt heavy.
Then I heard his voice.
"Lotus."
I turned slowly... and there he was.
Max Roy.
The king. The storm.
He wasn't in his royal attire, just a simple tunic, like the one he wore the first day we met.
Lotus: You... what are you doing here?
Max Roy: I needed to see you.
I looked around. If anyone saw us..
Lotus: Are you mad? If someone from the village finds out, or worse.. your father-
Max Roy (stepping forward): Let them. I'm not afraid of them. I'm only afraid of losing you.
I tried to keep my voice steady.
Lotus: You're a king. You belong to another world. And I... I'm just a girl who sells herbs and-
Max Roy: You're not 'just' anything. You're the only peace I've ever known.
I looked down, memories flooding me.. the time he helped me ,the long walks by the river, the nights he held my hand when Grandma was sick.
But those moments weren't made to last. We knew it.
Lotus: We can't go back, Max. The world is not kind to love like ours.
Max Roy (gripping his sword): Then I'll fight the world.
Lotus: Even if it destroys everything?
Max Roy: If I lose you.. I'm already destroyed.
My eyes burned. I stepped back.
Lotus: Go. Please. Before they see you here. For your sake and mine.
He didn't argue. He simply stared at me like he was memorizing every piece of me.
Max Roy (before leaving): You're not just my love, Lotus. You're my choice. Always.
Author POV:
Max Roy clenched his jaw and slowly turned to leave. He mounted his horse, giving one last glance. But just as the wind picked up, and Lotus thought he was truly gone he turned the horse with the speed of a storm, galloping back toward her. Before she could react, he reached out, lifted her up in one motion, and seated her in front of him on the horse.
Lotus (shouting): What are you doing?! Put me down!
Max Roy (calmly near her ear): If you shout, people will see us. If you don't... no one will.
Her heart raced.. not from fear, but from the overwhelming feeling of him near her again. They rode in silence, away from the market, away from the eyes, to the quiet banks of the river near the falls.. where the world couldn't interfere.
As soon as he stopped the horse and gently helped her down, Lotus turned and started hitting him on the chest with all her strength.
Lotus (choking with tears): Why? Why does it have to be us?!
Her fists weakened, falling slowly as tears rolled down her cheeks. Max gently caught her hands. Hugged her tightly.
Max (voice cracking): I wish I was born poor. I wish I wasn't Lord Vexar's son... I wish he was dead.
He looked away, ashamed.
Max: Even with a crown, with armies, with gold... I feel like a loser. I have nothing. Nothing real. Because I don't have you.
Lotus stepped back, wiping her tears but still shaking.
Lotus: Max, we have to let the present pass. When all this ends.. when these war ends .. maybe then we can be together.
She looked at the water, her voice softer.
Lotus: But promise me... don't start wars. The kings may lead, but it's the people who bleed. Villages burn, families vanish. I've seen too much, Max. They don't hate you. They fear what your father turned you into. But you're not him... not yet.
She paused, swallowing her pain.
Lotus: He's using you. Can't you see that?
Max looked down, struggling.
Max: I know. But if I disobey, he'll kill you. I know what he's capable of. He's already turned the council against me. I speak, and they don't listen. But I will try. I swear to you.. I'll do everything I can to avoid war... to protect you, my kingdom, and-...
He hesitated, then met her eyes.
Max: ....our future.
Lotus looked up at him, her tears slowing.
Max (smiling faintly): You once told me you loved the riverside... then let's dream together. Someday, we'll live here by the fall. A small cottage, a garden of wild roses... a few cows, a dog maybe... and no one will care who I was.
Lotus (laughing softly through her tears): And I'll make you sell fruits again... for cheap.
Max (laughing back): Only if it makes you smile.
They stood there, hearts beating in sync, as the river whispered secrets between them. He moved forward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Max (softly): I love you, Lotus. No crown, no war, no name... just you.
Lotus looked into his eyes, the storm of emotion calming inside her.
Lotus: And I trust you.
He nodded, kissed her forehead gently, then turned back toward his horse. As he was about to leave, she took his hand and kissed it softly.
Lotus: Until we meet again.
He gave her one last look the kind that lingers in memories long after someone is gone and rode away.
The wind carried her scent back to him. And he carried her hope in his heart.
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In Romania Kingdom
Royal War Chamber, Romania Palace
The war chamber was nestled deep within the eastern wing of the Romania Palace... a place few had access to.
A massive rectangular table stood in the middle, layered with scrolls, war maps, and pinned parchments that marked troop positions and political boundaries.
Taehyung stood at the head of the table, his gloved hands resting on its surface, brows tightly furrowed. His royal jacket, though elegant, was slightly unbuttoned hinting at the stress and urgency weighing on him.
Hae-in entered from the left side, through a door guarded by two of his loyal men. His movements were calm, but his gaze sharp, assessing the room and the heaviness of the air before stepping closer.
King Hae-in: So... my father-in-law kept such a promise. To Max Roy's father...?
He clenched his jaw, his hands behind his back.
Taehyung: Yes. But he regrets it now. He didn't know Vexar Roy would become a man obsessed with power. Back then, they were allies, not enemies.
Hae-in: And now that alliance is the rope tightening around all our necks.
Taehyung nodded.
Taehyung: Vexar's ambition isn't hidden anymore. He doesn't want alliances. He wants control. If Max doesn't obey, he might be killed... and if he does, we all suffer.
Hae-in exhaled, shoulders heavy.
Hae-in: And what of Max Roy? The son?
Taehyung looked thoughtful.
Taehyung: Different. He's nothing like his father.
Hae-in: But there is only one blood.
Taehyung: His father is using him like a puppet. His father must be planning something good.
Taehyung stood with his arms crossed, brows furrowed as he examined the latest updates from his informants. Hae-in's face was calm but eyes sharp.
Hae-in: Any new movements from Indila Kingdom?
Taehyung: Max Roy returned. His father summoned him urgently. We're guessing it's about the failed alliance with Thyne.
Hae-in: nodding slowly... That man doesn't take betrayal lightly. He'll retaliate... and soon.
Taehyung: We need to be ahead of him. If he's planning something, we can't afford to wait and react.
Hae-in: Agreed. But how do we proceed?
Taehyung: We send eyes inside. Quiet ones. I'll assign my best men to infiltrate Indila. We need information.. what his father is planning, any military movement, secret alliances. Everything.
Hae-in: I'll do the same. I know a few traders who frequently visit Indila. They won't raise suspicion.
Taehyung: Good. We should avoid war if possible... but if it comes to that, we must be prepared. Max might still be conflicted, but Lord Vexar is ruthless.
Hae-in: We'll keep our kingdoms protected. For now, let's focus on learning everything we can before making a move.
Taehyung: Right. We don't strike until we see the full board.
Hae-in studied Taehyung for a long time, then nodded slowly.
Hae-in: You've grown, Taehyung. I see why Princess Y/N trusts you.
Taehyung (smiling faintly): Her trust is the only crown I value.
As soon as Taehyung returned to the So-Land Kingdom, the air shifted with tension. Before he could even rest, a royal hawk arrived bearing a blood-red scroll from the borders of Thyne. The letter, sealed with the Roy family crest, was laced with threat and pride. Max Roy's army had marched to the gates of Thyne, their war drums echoing across the valleys, challenging the peace with fire in their eyes. Arrows carrying letters rained upon the outer walls of the kingdom... each one a silent declaration of war. The battle Max once promised to avoid was now at their doorstep, and the storm had officially begun to save HER.
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