Chapter 26

Erhan

Erhan’s heart was heavy with frustration and longing. Every day since their rescue, he had tried to reach out to Kleena, hoping to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

His attempts, however, were met with a gentle but firm obstruction.

The queen’s influence was a protective barrier around her new confidante, and no matter how hard he tried, Erhan found himself unable to get close to Kleena.

Why won’t Queen Azha let me see her? I need to make things right.

Every morning, he sent her flowers and gifts, small tokens of his affection and regret. He hoped that these gestures would convey what his words could not—that he was sorry for the pain he had caused her and that he still cared deeply.

His offerings were accepted without response, and the silence only deepened his sense of helplessness.

She must hate me. How could I have been so foolish?

On several occasions, he had tried to corner her, to catch her in a moment when she couldn’t avoid him.

Once, he had seen her from a distance in the palace gardens. His heart had leapt at the sight of her, and he had rushed forward, calling her name. By the time he reached the spot where she had been, she was gone, like a ghost slipping through his fingers.

Please, Kleena, just give me a chance to explain!

Despite his status as prince, his usual entrances were rerouted, and his queries were redirected. The palace’s corridors, once so familiar, had become a maze keeping him from Kleena. It was as if an invisible hand was guiding him away from her, ensuring that their paths never crossed.

“Why is this happening?” he muttered to himself, slithering along the length of his chamber from one side to the other and back again, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and sorrow.

He knew he had hurt her, but he couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t even give him a chance to explain and make things right.

Maybe she’s better off without me. But how can I just let her go?

Finally, in his growing desperation, he decided to speak directly to the queen. He found her in her private chambers, surrounded by attendants who immediately withdrew at his arrival.

The queen looked up from her desk, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of understanding and gentle reproach.

“Your Majesty,” Erhan began, bowing slightly out of respect. “I need to speak with you about Kleena. I don’t understand why I’m being kept from her.”

She regarded him with a calm, steady gaze. “Erhan, I have seen your efforts. I know you are trying to reach her. But Kleena needs time. She has been through a great deal, and she is still healing.”

His fists clenched at his sides, his frustration bubbling over.

“But how can she heal if we don’t talk? I need to apologize, to make things right. I can’t bear the thought of her suffering because of me!”

The queen’s expression softened, and she rose from her seat, crossing the room to stand before him. “Sometimes the best way to help someone heal is to give them the space they need. Kleena is finding her strength again, and you must allow her that time.”

He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions.

He knew the queen was right, but the thought of waiting, of being separated from Kleena, was almost unbearable.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” he said finally, his voice low and strained. “But it pains me to be away from her. I want to be there for her, to support her.”

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I know, Erhan. And your concern does you credit. But you must trust that she will come to you when she is ready. Pushing her now could do more harm than good.”

He nodded, the weight of the queen’s words settling heavily on his heart. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best to respect her need for space.”

As he left the queen’s chambers, Erhan felt a sense of resignation mixed with determination. He would give Kleena the time she needed, but he would not give up on her.

Every day, he continued to send her flowers and gifts, each one a silent promise that he was waiting and still cared.

She has to know I love her. She has to.

Weeks turned into months, and the distance between them remained.

He threw himself into his duties, using his work to distract himself from the aching void that Kleena’s absence left in his heart.

He trained with the royal guards, making sure they were prepared for any future missions. But no matter how busy he kept himself, his thoughts always returned to Kleena.

She’s all that matters to me now. She even has me spending time in the palace, a place I avoided in the past.

One evening, as he was meandering through the palace gardens, he spotted her in the distance. She was speaking with one of the queen’s attendants, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns.

Erhan’s heart ached at the sight of her, and he felt an overwhelming urge to race to her, to hold her, and tell her how much he missed her presence in his life. But he held back, remembering the queen’s advice. He would not force himself upon her, would not push her before she was ready. Instead, he watched from afar, his heart filled with a mixture of longing and hope.

Is this what it means to truly love someone? To wait, even when it hurts?

Despite the distance, Erhan found small ways to be close to Kleena.

He made sure that the gardens were well-tended, knowing that she often found solace there. He arranged for her favorite foods to be included in the palace meals, hoping these small gestures would bring her some comfort.

Please, let these small things show her how much I care.

He also kept an eye on her from afar, discreetly ensuring that she was safe and well.

He spoke with the queen’s attendants, gathering news of Kleena’s wellbeing without intruding on her privacy. Every piece of information, no matter how small, was a balm to his worried heart.

While overseeing a training session with the royal guards, Erhan received a message from the queen. She requested his presence in her chambers. His heart leapt at the possibility that the queen might have news about Kleena.

When he arrived, the queen greeted him with a warm smile. “Erhan, I have been observing Kleena’s progress. She is healing, slowly but surely.”

His heart swelled with hope. “Thank you, Your Majesty. That is the best news I could hope for.”

The queen nodded. “She has thrown herself into her new duties, finding solace in helping others. I believe she is finding her strength again.”

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Do you think… Do you think she might be ready to speak with me soon?”

The queen’s gaze softened. “Perhaps. But remember, Erhan, healing is a process. You must continue to be patient and give her the space she needs.”

Erhan nodded, his resolve strengthening. “I understand. I will wait as long as it takes.”

As he left the queen’s chambers, Erhan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would continue to support Kleena from afar, respecting her need for space while remaining a steadfast presence in her life.

His love for her was unwavering, and he was determined to prove that love through his actions, not just his words.

One evening, as he was walking through the palace gardens, he spotted Kleena sitting on a bench, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

His heart ached with longing, but he respected the distance she had put between them. Instead of approaching, he found a nearby spot where he could watch over her without intruding on her solitude.

As he sat there, his thoughts drifted back to their time together, the moments of connection and the deep bond they had shared.

He remembered the warmth of her smile, the sound of her laughter, and the way her presence had filled him with a sense of completeness.

Those memories were a source of both comfort and pain, a reminder of what they had lost and what he hoped to regain.

I will wait for you, Kleena. No matter how long it takes.

He knew the road ahead would not be easy. Rebuilding their relationship would take time, patience, and a willingness to face the pain of the past.

He was ready for the challenge. His love for Kleena was a constant, a guiding light that would lead him through the darkness.