The training fields were nearly empty when Evelyn arrived, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the worn stones. Caelan stood at the far edge, sleeves rolled, hair tousled from practice. He looked up as she approached, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.
"I heard," he said softly. "He's gone."
Evelyn nodded. "Just for a while."
Caelan set his practice blade aside, crossing his arms. "That's not what it looked like. That was someone walking away—for good."
She hesitated. "He said he'd come back if I asked."
"And will you?"
She didn't answer.
Caelan sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. "You've always looked at him differently. Even before you knew who he was."
"I didn't mean for it to happen," she whispered.
"I know," he said. "But it did."
They stood in silence for a moment. It wasn't bitter—it never had been with Caelan. But it was heavy.
"I thought," he continued, "maybe if I stayed by your side long enough… maybe you'd see me, too. Not just as your friend. But as someone who's always been here."
Evelyn's heart twisted.
"I do see you," she said. "Just not the way you want."
He smiled, but it was sad. "Then that's all I needed to hear."
She stepped closer. "You'll always matter to me."
"And you to me," Caelan said gently. "But don't wait too long to decide, Evelyn. Because no matter how strong he is, even Alexander has a limit."
She looked down, clutching the edge of her sleeve.
"I'm just afraid," she admitted.
"Of choosing wrong?" Caelan asked.
"No," she said. "Of choosing right… and losing everything else."
He stepped forward, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder.
"Then be brave," he murmured. "Because love never waits forever."
And with that, he walked away, leaving Evelyn standing in the soft glow of sunset—torn, trembling, and perhaps closer than ever to knowing her heart.