Xavier sat on the floor of his chamber, just crying. It felt weird with only one eye, and he would have normally found it humorous that only one side of his face was puffy, but now, he wasn't so sure.

He realized Rhys was right. If he truly loved Zephrine, which he did, he would have to let her go. He'd have to leave the best part of his life behind, even while she lived right alongside him. While she walked the halls of the castle, she would forever wonder why Xavier shut her out. Why he just stopped fighting for her. Why he would avoid her gaze.

Those thoughts swirled around in Xavier's head, tormenting him, rattling his brain around. Every part of his body, soul, and mind ached, draining him of any ounce of energy he had left.

This was it. He was empty. Nothing Vana could do to him would break him as much as this did.

"Sire?" Caius knocked gently on the door, then very tentatively said, "Would you like dinner?"

"I'm not hungry." Xavier's voice was worn thin, raspy and almost unintelligible.

"Rhys says Zeph's in stable condition, and she'll wake up any day. As long as her body doesn't do anything drastic, she'll make it." Caius set the plate down on the table.

"That's great!" Xavier smiled, but it never reached his eye. "That's amazing!"

"Somehow I don't think you're being genuine." Caius kneeled down right in front of Xavier. "At least, to yourself."

"Rhys isn't happy with me. To be fair, I don't think he was since I brought Zephrine back." Xavier brought his knees to his forehead, like a small child trying to hide their emotions. "I'm supposed to stay away from her. I don't get to see her, I don't get to even speak to her. How is that fair?"

"It's not. But I think it's the right call."

Xavier looked up at Caius, bewildered by his words. "What?"

"She's always been reckless, Xavier. She jumps in with both feet instead of testing the waters. That's just Zephrine."

"What are you saying?"

"You were a reckless decision for her. A dangerous one at that. In the past couple of months she's known you, you've put her in more danger than she should have in a lifetime. And I don't know if I can forgive you for that. If I'm being honest, I look at you, and I see her, half melted away." Caius wiped a few tears of his own away. "I just think you've put her through too much."

"What about what I've gone through?" Anger began to take place of Xavier's depression. "My parents were killed, and their heads were thrown at me! I was tortured and blinded! I lost an eye! Zephrine isn't the only one who's been through some shit, Caius! Yet, she and I are the only ones who realize that! So go ahead, claim I haven't been endangered! Say I don't really love her! Do it!"

"Xavier..."

"Just know that if you do say any of that, you'll be wrong. I don't care about myself, Caius. The kingdom can survive without a king, I don't know if I can without Zephrine."