"That even though you knew Helios lied…" Kaelis smiles faintly, but it is almost bitter, the kind of smile that looks more tired than amused. "...I was afraid you'd still look horrified, that anything would be better than…"
The prince took a deep breath.
"…than me."
Ezra's eyes widened immediately.
Because honestly—
Out of every answer he expected, that wasn't one of them.
Not even close.
Because what?
Kaelis was scared of that?
Why?
It felt strangely intimate hearing him admit something like that so openly.
Too vulnerable.
Ezra hadn't done anything that should've made Kaelis fear that kind of rejection specifically.
They weren't close.
Not really.
If anything, they were only barely becoming something more civil now.
Acquaintances.
Partners.
Maybe friends someday?
Ezra didn't even know anymore.
But still—
Seeing that expression on Kaelis' face made something ache unpleasantly inside Ezra's chest.
Because Kaelis looked exhausted.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
