I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing tight, and the words came out a little shaky, stammering before I could steady them.
"Y-you… you have to take it. You have to accept it."
He opened his mouth, trying to explain — to tell me what would follow, the long separations, the heavy burdens, all the things he was afraid of losing. But I reached up, resting my fingers gently over his lips to quiet him.
"It doesn't matter," I said, firmer now. "You have to protect your people. Your lands. And… and our future too. This is the only way."
He went quiet, watching me for a long moment, then gave a slow, calm nod. There was no more argument left in him — only acceptance, and that heavy, quiet weight still resting on his shoulders. He squeezed my hand once, then turned and walked toward the bathing chamber, closing the door softly behind him.
It's weighing so much on him, I thought, my chest aching as I watched him go. Every choice he makes carries the whole world on his back.
