Love is worth it (Having creative struggles. Please bear with me <3)

Love is worth it (Having creative struggles. Please bear with me <3)
Aribella POV

The room felt empty without the presence of Emrys, Reo, Rhys, and Kaelar.

I sat, waiting on bated breath while Rhory sat in complete silence. The linen of my dress felt scratchy against my skin, and my spine flared with phantom pains. I imagine the mental scar from my public beating will never fade entirely.

“I’m sorry,” Rhory’s voice was low, thick with tension and regret.

“What for?” Our eyes locked, and for the first time today, I really took in his appearance. Rhory’s hair was disheveled from running his fingers through it. His eyes lacked their usual warmth, and dark circles painted the skin beneath them.

“Everything,” he shrugged. “Nothing. I don’t know.”

“If you don’t know, then I’d prefer you not apologize at all.”

“You can be infuriatingly difficult,” he pinched the bridge of his nose before rising from his chair. “As can I,” a soft chuckle filled the otherwise silent space as he walked over towards the window.

The sun was setting in the distance, casting an orange glow over his office.

“Did you truly travel through time?” Rhory didn’t turn around, and I found myself fiddling with the hem of my dress.

“Honestly, I don’t know. That’s how it seems though.”

“But you were alive in another timeline?” he whispered, still not looking at me. “And you died before ending up here? In the body of Aribella Voss…”

“Yes, all of that is true.”

“And you’ve known the entire time?”

“I have,” he wasn’t looking at me, but I found myself darting my eyes to the ground in shame. I knew eventually my truth would come out, I just didn’t realize it would be like this. “The day that I woke up was the very same day that you showed up on the Voss farm. Fate works in funny ways, huh?” I chuckled nervously, standing because I needed to move or I was going to go insane.

“Funny isn’t quite the word that I would call it,” Rhory muttered, letting out a soft sigh. “Without you, I would be dead, yes?”

“As far as the story went, yes.”

“Then I owe you my life,” he finally spun around. “I’ve spent the entirety of my existence dedicated to learning how to become a good King, but I never truly would have lived without Emrys. He is everything to me, Aribella. I cannot stress that enough, and the thought of not being by his side,” he grimaced just saying the words out loud. “I couldn’t bear it. Please understand that my reaction earlier was simply out of shock, and while I have no excuse for it; That is just the honest truth.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I spun around. “I’m happy right here, and believe it or not, this life I’ve lived, with you and Emrys,” my heart fluttered. “With Kaelar… It’s more than I could have asked for.”

Rhory studied me for a moment, his face giving nothing away. The rays of light coming in through the window made his skin look golden, and for the first time today, a genuine smile tilted the corner of his mouth, “You love him?”

Kaelar was everything I dreamed of growing up. He was gentle and kind to me while being harsh and unforgiving on the battlefield. He’s protective and dedicated.

“I do.”

“Then let me promise you something, Aribella,” Rhory’s expression turned serious. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that you have a shot at the life you deserve. One with Kaelar,” he steps closer, crowding my space. Slowly, hesitantly, he reaches for my forearms before sliding his hands down to grip my own. “I know what it’s like for your relationship to be forbidden in the eyes of everyone around you. It’s taxing, stressful, and sometimes makes you question why you’re even doing it, but then when you look at your partner…”

This lovestruck look burned in his eyes, something I had yet to see from Rhory. It made him seem more relatable… more human. His adoration for Emrys was clear as day, and brought tears to my eyes.

“You’re reminded of why it’s all worth it. Love will always be worth it, Aribella. So as long as you love Kaelar, I’ll be there to ensure the both of you have a fighting chance at a relationship.”

I squeezed his hands, emotion clogging my throat, “Thank you.”

“Please don’t,” a frown pulled on his lips. “I’ve done nothing to earn your thanks.”

The door to the office opened up, “Well well well, what do we have here?”