“He was the firstborn of my generation,” he said, “which means he has the highest chance of being king if he can sire a child first. He doesn’t realize how privileged his life has been and doesn’t take into account his actions unless he knows it’ll affect him negatively.”
Lerin sounded exhausted.
“Do you want to rule?” It was an uncomfortable question, and in the pause that followed, I thought I saw a fragile gleam in his eyes.
“No,” he replied, shaking his head. “I don’t even want to live here, it’s suffocating.”
“We can leave—get away from all this,” I offered.
He dropped my hand immediately.
“I’m not going to betray my family.”
It felt like a rock hit my gut. I didn’t mean to upset him but seeing him here was like seeing a completely different person. He was so formal, so stern. It would have been hot if I didn’t think he was angry at me too.
If I moved to this kingdom with him, would it always be like this? Lerin by my side, broken and defeated, in a kingdom with such gender disparity.
It might kill me.