The days following the confession were torture. Aldric retreated behind his public persona, and Kieran was reassigned to other duties within the household. They saw each other only in passing, and when they did, Aldric’s expression was carefully neutral.

It was what Kieran had asked for. What he’d insisted upon.

It was unbearable.

“You look terrible,” Chelsea said one morning, studying Kieran’s face. “When did you last sleep properly?”

“I sleep fine.”

“Liar.” She sighed. “What happened between you and the prince?”

“Nothing. That’s the problem.” Kieran managed a bitter smile. “Nothing happened, nothing can happen, and nothing ever will happen.”

Two weeks after their conversation, the formal announcement came: Prince Aldric was to be betrothed to Lady Helena of the Western Province. A strategic alliance, beneficial to both families. The wedding would take place in six months.

Kieran heard the news and felt his world crystallize into sharp, cutting clarity. This was reality. This was always how it would end.

He requested a private audience with the prince—a formal request through proper channels. It was granted with cold efficiency.

Aldric received him in his study, looking every inch the royal he was. Gone was any trace of the vulnerable man who had nearly confessed his feelings.

“You requested this meeting,” Aldric said formally. “Speak.”

Kieran bowed. “Your Highness, I wish to offer my congratulations on your betrothal. Lady Helena is by all accounts an excellent match.”

“Is that all?”

“No.” Kieran straightened, meeting those gray eyes one last time. “I want you to know that what I said before—about loyalty—I meant it. My duty is to serve you, to protect you, to help you become the king this realm needs. That has always been my purpose.”

“Kieran—”

“Please let me finish.” He drew a shaky breath. “These three years in your service have been… they’ve been everything to me. More than you can know. But I understand now that the best way I can serve you is to maintain the proper distance. To be the invisible support that allows you to shine.”

“Is that truly what you want?” Aldric’s voice was strained.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. It matters what’s right.” Kieran’s hands clenched at his sides. “You deserve happiness, Your Highness. A proper marriage, children, a legacy. And I… I’ll be here, serving faithfully, for as long as you’ll have me.”

“Even if it hurts?”

“Especially then. Because that’s what loyalty means.” Kieran allowed himself one small, sad smile. “Boundless loyalty, Your Highness. That’s what I pledged, and that’s what you’ll have.”

Aldric looked away, and Kieran saw the tension in his jaw, the way his hands gripped the edge of his desk.

“I’m releasing you from my household service,” Aldric said abruptly.

Kieran’s heart plummeted. “Your Highness?”

“You’ll be promoted to the position of Assistant Steward for the East Wing. Better pay, more responsibilities, less… direct contact with me.” Aldric’s voice was carefully controlled. “It’s a deserved promotion. Your dedication has been noted.”

“I don’t want a promotion. I want to serve you.”

“And you will. Just… from a more appropriate distance.” Finally, Aldric looked at him, and Kieran saw the pain mirrored in those storm-gray eyes. “This is for the best, Kieran. For both of us.”

It was the cruelest kindness—giving Kieran what he’d claimed to want while taking away what he truly needed.

“If that’s your command, Your Highness.”

“It is.”

Kieran bowed one final time. “Then I thank you for three years of service. It has been my greatest honor.”

He turned to leave.

“Kieran.” Aldric’s voice stopped him at the door. “I want you to know… if things were different. If I were different—”

“But they’re not, and you’re not, and that’s why this is right.” Kieran didn’t turn around. He couldn’t bear to. “Be happy, Your Highness. That’s all I ask.”

He left before Aldric could respond, before his carefully held composure could shatter.