Chapter 37: The Moment Between Us
The palace lights had dimmed into silence, but Prince Kimo sat alone, devastated in the dimness of his chamber. His shoulders trembled—whether from fear, anger, or pain, even he could no longer tell. The events of the past days had torn into him like the howling winter winds.
The door creaked softly.
"Oki?" His voice cracked, raw and low. When he turned, there she stood—her presence like a calming breeze through his storm. He didn't wait.
With a voice barely above a whisper, broken and afraid, he murmured, "Please… hug me. Please, Oki."
Without hesitation, Oki stepped forward, her arms wrapping around him with strength and warmth. He buried his face into her shoulder as though it was the only thing anchoring him to this world.
"I thought you said you knew when I needed you most…" Kimo's voice quivered, wounded like a child seeking comfort.
"I do, my prince," Oki whispered gently. "But this time, I had to save your father. You need him now more than ever, even if you don't realize it yet."
He pulled back slightly, eyes shimmering with tears. Without another word, he cupped her face and kissed her deeply—his heart pouring through the tenderness. A kiss that spoke of longing, pain, and something unspoken that had bloomed between them in the fire of chaos.
But just as the moment deepened, Oki placed her fingers gently on his chest and pulled away.
"My prince," she said softly, her voice firm but kind, "Believe me… it's not time for this."
Kimo's brows knit together. "Why not? Why do we always stop before something real happens between us?"
Her eyes held sorrow and strength. "Because if we go too far now, you'll lose focus… and everything you're about to face needs your strength—not just for you… but for your people. For your truth."
Elsewhere in the palace, murmurs swelled. The citizens were still grappling with confusion. They whispered questions among themselves:
"How did the king return so suddenly?"
"What happened to that maid girl? Wasn't she with the prince during the war?"
But the king, as instructed by Oki, had already stepped forward during a brief gathering.
"I had gone on a spiritual retreat," he told them, "one that allowed me to see clearly again. My return may seem sudden, but I assure you—it was necessary, and guided."
No one could question the authority in his voice. Still, in private, the king watched Oki closely.
That night, he called her to his chamber. The fire flickered between them.
"Who are you… truly?" he asked, not with suspicion, but with quiet desperation. "Do you… know anything about Elira?"
Oki looked into his tired, regretful eyes. She didn't answer right away.
"Your Majesty," she finally said, "I know only that Queen Elira loved her son beyond measure. And that she left behind more than you realize. As for who I am…"
She smiled faintly.
"…Let's just say I was sent to protect your legacy."
And in the night air, unseen by the others, the spirit of Queen Elira drifted past the moonlight—her eyes watching over her son, her lips whispering ancient words of protection and warning… straight toward the heart of the one who still plotted from behind the throne.
To be continued…