The Ashbourne family was known for their dramatic ir in matters of the heart. When Bet dered that they could be as cold as ice just as easily as they could burn with passion, it felt like a sharp knife had pierced through the softest part of his heart, twisting cruelly.


    "Bet..."


    Wrapped in his military suit, Ste trembled violently, her gaze filled with disbelief and hurt as if trying to see through the cold facade of the man she thought she knew, "Have you stopped caring for me?"


    Her performance was Oscar-worthy, tears rolling down her cheeks like a string of pearls, showcasing pure, unadulterated sadness.


    Bet''s heart clenched, unable to bear the sight of her distress.


    He had wished her affections were a mere act, devoid of genuine emotions.


    Unfortunately, the girl before him was all heart, with not a trace of pretense.


    "Have you forgotten everything we shared back at the pce? The risks you took to climb the walls to see me, holding me in your arms."


    "Princess, indeed I have kissed you, held you. But what does that prove?"


    Bet scoffed, his mocking tone as cold as an Antarctic iceberg, "It only shows that you were once attracted to me, a physical attraction."


    The realization of his words hit Ste hard. Despite her na?veté, sheltered upbringing under the king and queen''s loving watch, she understood the implication - a primal desire, the cheapest form of affection.


    "The long nights felt less lonely because of you. For that, I did have feelings for you."


    "But you did care for me!"


    Tears streamed down Ste''s face as she tried to embrace him, seeking his love. But Bet held her at bay, her efforts to reach him in vain as she cried out in desperation, "Bet, I love you. Can''t we just try? We''ve never truly given us a chance. How can you be so sure of your feelings? Even if it''s just my body you desire, I don''t care! I want to be with you."


    Her plea for love, ignoring her royal dignity, was heartbreaking.


    "Princess, you once said I was your first."


    Bet''s lips curled into a bitter smile, "Your fixation on me isn''t about my worth but the scarcity of men you''ve encountered. We''re not suited for each other. Let it go."


    "No. I can''t!"


    Ste''s eyes, swollen from crying, red defiantly, her voice breaking, "Imand you stay with me! Or my family will not let you be! If you don''t marry me, you''ll never marry anyone else!"


    "I''ve resolved to dedicate my life to my country. Affairs of the heart have never been my concern. I''ve never intended to marry, sparing you the trouble. Moreover, I''m not from Helgen. Your royal prerogatives don''t apply to me."


    Bet stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow over her, his expression cold, "Leave my room now."


    "I won''t!" Ste''s defiance was as pitiful as it was fierce.


    "Fine, stay then. I''ll leave."


    Without hesitation, Bet turned to leave but was stopped by Ste''s desperate grasp, which also seemed to grip his heart.


    "Don''t go. I''ll leave, that''s better, right?"


    Leaving his coat behind, Ste vanished from his room in an instant.


    "Ste, we can''t be together, I''m sorry."


    Bet whispered, his eyes downcast, holding onto the warmth that was fading away, "Find someone who will put you first, who will love you with their whole being. Falling for someone like me isn''t worth it."


    Ste ran through the castle corridors, her tears unabated until she couldn''t run anymore. Copsing against a wall, she sat down, a picture of utter destion.


    After what seemed like an eternity, a figure appeared before her, crouching down to her level.


    "Ah, so it''s a person crying. I thought the castle had a ghost," Evadne said, her voice soft and eyes twinkling with kindness.


    Ste, her eyes nearly swollen shut from crying, sniffled, "I am a ghost, the most beautiful ghost!"


    "Indeed, you are the world''s most beautiful princess," Evadne soothed, her voice calming yet yful, lightening the mood, "Crying out here in the middle of the night, aren''t you afraid of attracting real ghosts? Old mansions like this are said to be full of spirits."


    Ste, terrified, threw herself into Evadne''s arms, seekingfort in her warmth.


    Bet, usually so reserved, had unexpectedly captured the heart of the noble princess on his rare visits to Helgen.


    But Evadne knew the real reason behind Ste''ste-night tears. Born into luxury, ustomed to getting whatever she wanted, the one thing she couldn''t have was Bet.


    Evadne''s heart ached for Ste, seeing parallels with her own past. She too had been the princess of her world, adored and cherished, only to face her greatest trials for love.


    Yet, she found her happiness in the end. Perhaps Ste was walking a simr path, facing her trials for love. As a family, Evadne hoped for Bet''s happiness but could see Ste''s genuine affection for him.


    However, the path of love is never straightforward.


    The perplexing ordeal of his mother, coupled with his father''s vehement


    opposition, left Bet facing the harshest choice of his life.


    "There, there, no more tears. Let me take you back to your room," Evadne sighed deeply, her heart heavy with unspoken sorrow.


    "I''m too scared to go back."


    Ste rubbed her teary eyes, her voice a soft whine, "It''s all your fault, telling me about ghosts. I''m terrified, I''ve always been scared of ghosts."


    Evadne gently patted her quivering back, "Well, if Your Highness doesn''t mind, how about spending the night with me? Would that be alright?"


    "Mhm, I, the princess, grant you that permission." Ste sniffed, her nose turning a shade redder.


    All her life, royal protocols had dictated solitude at bedtime, sharing a bed was a notion that unnerved her.


    Yet, in the presence of the youngdy, she found aforting sense of familial warmth. A precious rarity within the rigid confines of royal life.


    Evadne couldn''t help but chuckle as she wrapped an arm around her, walking forward slowly.


    That moment, her jacket pocket vibrated with a message on her phone. Sneaking


    a nce, she saw it was from Bet:


    [Evadne, tonight, please take good care of Ste.]


    Evadne looked back in surprise, barely making out a lone figure standing at the dark end of the corridor, emanating a sense of solitude.


    It was Bet.


    He seemed to have been standing there for quite some time.


    Turning back around, Evadne quickly shed an "OK" sign with her hand when Ste wasn''t looking.