The gardens of the Imperial Palace were deserted at this time, the great glass canopy above shimmering with the last traces of dusk. Illiana gazed upon the starlight blossoms, taking in their sweet fragrance. Her hands trembled slightly, filled with fear, so much so. She could not hear Leonidas' footsteps approach.
He knew something was wrong, the moment he laid eyes upon her. Her spirited eyes, normally sharp, sure, and unbreakable. She was afraid.
"Star of my sky? What happened"
Illiana hesitated, the words stuck at her throat. She was would not meet his gaze. Then she stepped forward, snatched his hands quickly, desperately, as if letting go even for a second would mean losing him forever.
"Star of my sky. We cannot stay here" she pleaded.
He held his breath.
"My father knows. He confronted me. He accused me of betraying my station, of betraying him, and now he is going to force a political binding. He intends to marry me of to some foreign prince. A union with someone I do not know. I will not have it."
Her voice cracked, just barely.
"We have to leave. Tonight. Not tomorrow, not after training, now. We can disappear into the outer regions forever. We could build our lives together. Just… please. Come with me."
Leonidas froze. He had imagined this moment a thousand times — the two of them free, unbound by court claws or lineage or Imperial eyes. But reality weighed on him like a blade at his throat.
"Illiana…"
She stepped closer, forehead resting against his chest.
"Do not refuse me. Not yet. Just… think of a life where we do not have to hide. Where your father's shadow does not hover over you. Where mine cannot cage me. We would be free."
Her fingers curled in the fabric of his tunic.
"Say you'll come with me" She said.
Leonidas shut his eyes. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine it, her hand in his, twin suns rising over some distant world that did not care about dynasties or duty.
He wanted it more than anything.
Yet…
He cupped her face gently, thumb brushing her cheek.
"If I run now… my father wins. He gets to say I was never worthy of being his heir. That I could not uphold tradition, responsibility, or my name."
Illiana pulled back, horrified.
"You would choose him over us?"
"No. I am choosing a future where we are together without the need to hide. Where no one can tear us apart again."
His voice shook — just barely.
"I need all of them to acknowledge me, Illiana. To see me. To accept the life I want with you. If I leave before that… I lose that chance forever."
Illiana's breath hitched, anger and heartbreak swirling like a storm.
"What if no one never accepts it?"
Leonidas steps forward, grips her by the shoulders with a conviction that almost masked the fear in his eyes.
"Then I will make them. I will earn my place. I swear to you by the Eternal Mother, I will find a way to force the Emperor himself to bless our union."
Illiana blinked back tears.
"And if it breaks you in the process?"
He leaned his forehead against hers.
"Then I'll break first… before I ever break my promise to you."
Her lips parted, a silent plea he couldn't answer.
She closed her eyes.
And for the first time in her life, Illiana felt truly helpless.