Page 82 of A Kingdom so Crimson

Our kisses deepened as if trying to capture every ounce of this before the inevitable separation of the Match. His lips parted and pressed into mine with more passion than the last as his hands moved down to my neck, just below my jaw. He abruptly paused, his breath warm against my lips.

"We won't be able to do this again until after everything is over," he murmured, his voice laced with longing and sadness before claiming my lips once more in a kiss filled with unspoken promises.

"I know," I breathed against his lips, mirroring his sadness, knowing that worse things might happen if we were seen together. Or if Jesri, Calum,orKaizen found out.

With a tender, sad smile, he cupped my face in his hands again before his lips found mine with a fervor that left him intoxicated. As if he were waiting for this moment for a long, long time. I forced myself to melt into his embrace as much as he was melting into mine, holding tightly to the belief that this was good—that I wanted to embrace these feelings, and that I was worthy of love. That he really did care and that he wouldn'tkillme as Kaizen had said. He had a dark past, but he was kind and trying to be better. He stated over and over again how he vowed to protect me, that I was hisRegina—because he wanted me in ways that no one has ever wanted me before. He desired me as much as I desired to be loved.

As our kisses slowed and the world around us seemed to return, questions began to crowd my thoughts, each one heavier than the last and filled with nagging doubts, growing and twisting in the corners of my mind. Still, I clung to the idea that this was something to savor—a fragile, fleeting good—before the inevitable doom of the Match and the darkness beyond that could swallow everything whole.

We spent the remainder of our day leisurely wandering through the impeccably groomed garden filled with fragrant flowers. Despite the looming dread of the upcoming tournament and concerns about Jesri, Calum, and the king, we maintained a light-hearted atmosphere with continuous jokes.

Levon mentioned that Kaizen was staying with a friend and would join us after everything was done. We discussed plans for the king's dinner, including how to present ourselves, practiced dance steps, and considered potential strategies for the Match.

"Have you heard anything more?" I whispered, referring not only to updates on the animals but also to any news about those searching for me.

"No, nothing on either front," Levon responded, his voice trailing sadly.

"When you first arrived at Jesri's, you knew I would face some type of animal in the tournament. That's why you tested me with those beasts, to see if I was capable," I remarked, more as an observation than a question.

He nodded. "I couldn't bear the thought of subjecting you to something so dreadful without truly knowing you could do it."

"So little faith in me?" I teased, allowing myself to lean into his side as we watched the sky transform into an aurora of swirling purples, blues, and pinks.

"It's not about faith in you," he reassured. "It's about my lack of faith in Jesri. I knew you had the strength, I just didn't want to expose you to more suffering."

Resting my head on his shoulder, I watched as lights flickered on, illuminating the garden grounds and allowing the symphony of chirping bugs and birds to continue their summer serenade. I inhaled his comforting scent, feeling it soothe my heart. I realized I could face whatever lay ahead, and for the first time, I knew I didn't have to face it alone.

We wandered back into the castle, where the king graciously arranged for us to dine in my quarters that evening. A lavish feast awaited us and threatened to overload my belly.

Sharing this intimate meal with Levon was a rare pleasure, and our bond was blossoming unexpectedly. We laughed throughout the evening, thoroughly enjoying each other's company for the first time, until we were practically doubled over.

When we finished, Levon began stuffing leftover food into the basket we had been given earlier. He asked me to do the same with my bag, stating that although he had made mistakes during his regiment, he would always try to help and be better with what little food he had. So with the basket and bag brimming with food, we ventured out into the streets, letting the ambience of lamp lights guide our way, distributing the food to those in need—the poor, the orphaned children, the widowed, the sick, and the homeless.

Beneath the canopy of twinkling stars, we turned a corner and encountered a red-haired woman, her anguished sobs echoing in the quiet night. Tears streaked down her dirt-stained cheeks as she clung to her two children, a small child nestled in her arms while another baby cried out in hunger. My heart twisted at the sight of their difficulty, and I felt a pang of empathy for their suffering. I approached her, my footsteps soft against the cobblestones, and knelt before her, offering the entirety of my bag.

Her gaze, a captivating blend of chocolate brown with flecks of green, met mine briefly before dropping to the bag in disbelief. She wiped away her tears with trembling hands, her expression a mix of gratitude. Beside her, the blond-haired boy clung to her side, his weary eyes filled with longing for sustenance. Unable to contain my emotions, tears welled in my eyes as the mother reached out and touched my arm, her voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you," she whispered with a heartfelt expression of pure gratitude. "Thank you."

I wished I had brought a blanket, a coat, or even a pillow—something more substantial to offer. Levon's touch on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts, urging me to rise. The courageous mother and I held each other's gaze until I turned a corner and stumbled, overcome with emotion, collapsing into a puddle of tears.

Throughout my life, I had resented the path of fate that was laid out for me, yet I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude at that moment. Despite my struggles, I was given warmth, sustenance, and shelter. I had never known hunger or homelessness, even if it was just a simple meal or a cold bed.

"Why? Why are there so many of them?" I cried out, wiping tears from my ruby cheeks, their warmth contrasting with the chill of the night air.

"Many have sought refuge here, finding it safer within the King's Court than outside," Levon replied gently.

He crouched down, enfolding me in his arms and lifting me again as a random foreboding feeling of fear began to worm its way back into my consciousness. Kaizen's warning echoed in my mind:Control it.

"How can a king bask in such luxury while his people suffer?" I hissed, a sour taste of indignation rising in my throat as Istruggled to reconcile with the lavishness of my current rooms of his castle and the stark realities faced by his subjects here.

Levon held me close as tears streamed down my cheeks once more, the image of that tender mother's face and her struggling child etched in my mind. The other frail figures were too weak to lift the food to their lips, too feeble to offer a word of thanks or even steady themselves amidst their trembling.

"That's why I couldn't live here any longer. The first time I witnessed it myself, I was haunted by the knowledge of the sufferingIwas causing. I couldn't bear it any longer. I had to break free, help, and become a beacon of hope in this darkened world. And once I began, I couldn't stop until I had comforted every person I encountered," Levon confessed, brushing away a tear.

Elise's story echoed in my mind, knowing that he had seen her plight and welcomed her into a home. My heart ached with a mix of sorrow and remorse for harboring such deep-seated resentment towards his past.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed, my voice choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry you had to endure that alone." Remembering his own tale after losing his mother and joining the Royal Guard to find purpose, a family, and a belonging, until it wasn't. This kind hearted man had lived amidst horrors.

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