Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 335. A Fortress Of Ice
Sarah nodded again but didn't shy away from her directness. "Because of His Majesty," she said, her voice tinged with a kind of knowing that only comes from years of observation. "He's perfect for his role as king. Strong, decisive, unflinching. But we all know he's been too cold for romance. At least, until you came into the picture."
Rose blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. "Too cold?" she echoed. She couldn't agree more. Yet she couldn't say it out loud.
Sarah smiled faintly, not unkindly. "Yes, Your Highness. I mean no offense to His Majesty, but before you, he had no warmth when it came to personal relationships. I don't believe many saw him as someone capable of love or even gentleness. He has always been closed off, a fortress of ice. But around you, something shifted."
Rose pressed her lips. She could imagine that.
"You may not notice it as clearly as those of us who have served him for years, but there's a difference in him. It's subtle, yes—he's still reserved, and he won't show affection openly. But I see the way he looks at you. There's a softness there, something deeper than duty," Sarah explained, her eyes warm with understanding.
Rose fell silent. She knew Angel cared for her, of course, but to hear someone else confirm it in such a way felt… strange.
Sarah continued, "When His Majesty first took over the throne, the entire court felt the chill of his rule. He was distant, hard, and I thought he would never marry. But now, even though he hides it well, it's clear that he's changed since you've been by his side."
Rose smiled, understanding what Sarah was getting at. There was a truth to her words. "His Majesty… he is indeed different from the others," Rose said thoughtfully. "He's too mature for someone his age. Even among other royals, he carries himself with a seriousness that's rare in men of his rank."
Sarah nodded, listening intently.
Rose continued, "Maybe it's because of his past. Or his responsibilities. Or maybe… it's because he's always in survival mode, as if he's never been able to just relax and let his guard down." Her voice softened, tinged with a sadness she couldn't fully express. "It's the only thing that makes sense, why he's always so careful, so calculated."
Sarah remained silent for a moment, her expression reflective. It was clear that she was thinking back to her first encounters with Angel, when she had just begun her service in the royal household. "I remember the first time I met His Majesty," Sarah finally said, her voice quiet but filled with a mixture of nostalgia and awe. "He had just taken the throne after the chaos with the late King Xenos. I was terrified of him, to be honest. We all were. He carried himself with such authority, but there was always something distant about him. He rarely spoke to anyone unless it was absolutely necessary."
Rose tilted her head, curious. "How was he back then?" she asked, her voice soft but inquisitive. She had always wondered what Angel had been like before they had reunited, how he had handled the early days of his rule.
Sarah's eyes seemed to grow distant as she recalled those early years. "He was… disciplined, I suppose that's the best word for it. He had a single-minded focus on his duties. His meals were simple—just the essentials. He never cared about extravagant feasts or fancy dishes. What mattered to him was nutrition, balance. He would never complain about the taste, even if the food was bland. His focus was always on keeping his body in the best condition, like he was always preparing for battle."
Rose listened quietly, imagining Angel at that time. She had seen glimpses of this side of him in their time together—the way he could shut himself off from the world and focus entirely on his work, almost to the exclusion of everything else. But hearing Sarah describe it so plainly, it made Rose realize just how deep that discipline ran in him.
"He never thought about his own pleasure," Sarah added, shaking her head slightly. "He was always working, always strategizing. Even in moments where he could have taken a break, indulged in something, he didn't. It was as if he couldn't allow himself to let go. Everything was about responsibility, the kingdom, and nothing else."
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