The King’s Unclaimed Mate(BL)

Caelum sat by the window, his fingers gripping the fabric of his robes as he listened to the hushed whispers outside. Servants, merchants, even nobles—everyone was talking about it.

The king's relentless search had come to an abrupt halt.

Rumors spread like wildfire. Some claimed the king had been obsessed with an unknown beauty, others whispered that the queen herself had intervened, warning him of the people's growing unrest. The kingdom was uneasy. They wanted stability, not a ruler who appeared bewitched by a fleeting illusion.

Caelum's chest tightened.

Is it because of me?

He hadn't stepped foot near the river since that night. Yet the mere thought of it made his heart race. He could still hear the deep voice calling out—"What is your name?"—the sound of footsteps chasing after him.

Had he made a mistake? Had the king recognized him?

No. That was impossible. He had been without his mask. Without his identity.

Then why?

Why was the king so desperate to find him?

Doubt crept in like a slow-moving shadow.

Is it anger? Suspicion? Or… something else?

He clenched his fists, his mind racing. It made no sense. A king did not chase after a nameless stranger. He ruled over armies, nations—he had concubines waiting at his beck and call. He had no reason to search for a fleeting vision in the night.

And yet, he had.

Caelum exhaled shakily. He was overthinking. He had to be.

Still, the uncertainty gnawed at him.

The cool night air drifted in from the window, carrying the distant sound of crickets. Sleep evaded him, his body restless, his mind refusing to quiet.

His gaze flickered toward the door.

He could go back. Just for a moment. Just to see. The river had always been his sanctuary—his escape. He missed the way the water felt against his skin, the way the moonlight shimmered over its surface.

His feet moved before he could stop himself.

One step. Then another.

But before he reached the door—he froze.

No.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears. His breath came quick and uneven.

It was too dangerous. The search might have stopped, but that didn't mean it was over. The king was unpredictable. And Caelum… he wasn't foolish.

With a sharp inhale, he turned away from the door, forcing himself to step back.

He would not return.

Not yet.

Little did he know—

The king was still waiting.