ROYAL ESCAPE ( ten.l ) ?

The tension in Pyrathos had never been this thick. Ten had spent most of his life avoiding the throne, the underworld, and everything that came with it. But now, it was becoming impossible to escape. His father, King Zorath, had grown more impatient with each passing day, and Ten's refusal to take the throne was pushing them both to the edge.

After the confrontation, Ten had retreated to his chambers, pacing in frustration. His father's words still echoed in his mind: "You are the Prince of Devotion. You will rule, or I will force you to."

But all Ten could think of was Vivienne—the warmth of her smile, the softness of her hands, the way she had made him feel like he was more than just the heir to a cursed throne. She had given him something no one else ever had: a sense of belonging, a sense of choice. In her arms, he didn't have to be the prince. He didn't have to be the one who was bound to a life of cold duty and endless sacrifice.

But now, their love, everything they shared—was becoming a secret that was too hard to keep.

"You need to come back. You need to make things right," his father's voice had echoed in his mind for days. "The throne won't wait for you forever."

That was the problem. His life, his future, had never been his own to shape. Everything about his existence was already written—the throne, the legacy, the power. His future had been carved in stone by blood and flame, and he had never been given a choice.

Ten clenched his fists. How could he choose Pyrathos when he knew his heart belonged to someone else? How could he give up the only real happiness he had ever known, only to serve a kingdom that had never cared about him? His father's kingdom. His father's throne. It was never about him.

It was always about what they wanted.

𓂃🖌

Vivienne stood on the edge of the cliff, her fingers brushing the cool breeze as it whispered through her hair. The sea roared beneath her, crashing against the rocks, but it could never compare to the storm raging in her heart. She'd never felt so torn in her life. Having to go back home and reclaim her crown was one thing, but leaving without saying goodbye to Ten or even seeing him was another level of heartbreak.

Her kingdom, Nephraea demanded her. The expectations of her parents, of the royal blood that flowed through her veins, was something that she couldn't escape. But none of it mattered when she was with him. Ten. The devil prince who had given her a love she never thought was possible.

With him, she wasn't the princess destined to rule over the waters of Nephraea . She wasn't the daughter of a cold-hearted king and queen. She was just Vivienne.

But now... now everything was slipping through her fingers. She could feel the pressure mounting. Her parents had already started questioning her decisions. They could sense the shift, the distance she'd put between herself and the royal duties she once accepted as her fate. They couldn't understand why she wanted to stay on land. But more than anything, Vivienne was terrified of what would happen if they found out about their secret. She could already see the look of disapproval in her parents' eyes.

And yet, the very thought of losing Ten... of never holding him again, of never feeling his arms around her, was more terrifying than any punishment Nephraea could impose. She'd rather feel his burning skin on hers and let him set her on fire then return to the cold, hallow, and depressing waters.

She closed her eyes, her mind flashing with memories of their stolen moments. She could still taste the sweetness of his kiss, the way his laughter filled her chest with warmth. She could feel the gentleness of his touch, like it was a balm soothing her soul. It wasn't supposed to be like this, she thought, opening her eyes to the horizon. But it was. The love they shared had become a dangerous secret. And Vivienne wondered—could they keep it hidden? Could they escape from the chains of their birthright forever?