The sound of footsteps echoed through the cold stone corridor. Eden's heart thudded in his chest as he sat curled up on the rough, hard floor of his cell. His fingers trembled slightly as they grazed the damp stone, the familiar sensation grounding him, even if only for a moment. His blindness had long since forced him into a world of sound, touch, and scent, but the thick darkness around him felt oppressive today.
He heard the familiar clink of metal, followed by the soft rustling of fabric.
Eden didn't need to see to know who it was. He could feel it in the air—the shift. Darian was here.
The door creaked open slowly, and Eden's breath caught in his throat. He stayed perfectly still, waiting, his heart pounding louder than ever.
"Eden," Darian's voice broke the silence, soft and measured, but with a warmth he hadn't used before. "It's time."
Eden recoiled slightly, instinctively, his body stiffening with the remnants of fear. "Time for what?" he asked, his voice quiet, but edged with confusion.
"To be clean," Darian replied, his tone gentle but firm, as though he was trying to convince Eden of something he couldn't quite yet understand.
Eden remained where he was, unsure of whether he should even trust those words. What did Darian want now? The Prince had done nothing but hurt him, kept him confined, locked away in the dark. His thoughts were jumbled, but a flicker of something in Darian's voice—a softness he had never heard before—made him hesitate.
Darian stepped closer, his voice a little quieter now. "You've been through enough, Eden. It's time to change that."
Before Eden could react, the soft rustling of another presence filled the space. A maid entered quietly, her footsteps light and respectful. Eden could sense her movement, though she didn't speak at first.
Darian turned slightly, addressing the maid with a tone that was far gentler than Eden had ever heard. "Prepare the water," he instructed, though his gaze never left Eden. "He needs to be clean. He deserves it."
The maid nodded, and Eden could feel her approach, delicate and careful. There was no force in her touch, just a careful consideration of his discomfort.
"Eden, I'm not here to hurt you," Darian said, his voice almost a whisper. "Please… let us help you."
Eden flinched, not out of fear, but because his heart couldn't comprehend the sudden kindness. Was this really happening? Was Darian—the Prince—standing here, offering help? It made no sense. The Prince had been the source of so much of Eden's suffering, the one who kept him locked away in this dark cell. And now, he was… speaking to him as if he cared.
"I can do it myself," Eden muttered, though the words felt hollow, lacking conviction. The vulnerability he felt in this moment, the shame that gnawed at him from the inside, made it hard for him to speak without sounding defensive.
There was a long pause before Darian responded, his voice low and soft. "I know you've been strong, Eden. But you don't have to be strong all the time. Let us help you. You don't have to face this alone anymore."
The words struck deep. Eden's body tensed, but a part of him—one he didn't want to acknowledge—longed for the kind of care Darian was offering. The kindness, the gentleness. It felt unfamiliar. But it didn't feel like pity. At least, not the kind he had expected.
"Please," Darian continued, a note of pleading entering his voice. "I can't undo what I've done to you, but I can try to make this right. Just… let me."
Eden's breath hitched, his emotions a swirl of confusion and hesitation. His heart told him to pull away, to refuse the help. But his body betrayed him, and he found himself nodding faintly. "I… don't know how to trust you anymore."
Darian took a careful step forward, close enough now for Eden to feel the warmth of his presence. His voice softened further. "I won't force you, Eden. But I swear, I'm not here to hurt you. I never meant for any of this."
Eden's world was silent but for the muffled sound of the maid preparing the bath. He could smell the warm, floral scent of the water—the lavender and rose petals. The air itself felt warmer now, the chill of his cell being replaced by the soothing presence of the bath.
Darian stepped back, allowing the maid to approach him. "Let her help you. You don't need to do this alone."
Eden, still hesitant, allowed the maid to take his hand gently, guiding him to his feet. He couldn't help the tremble in his fingers nor the quickened pace of his heart. His body wanted to reject this, to pull away from the touch, but he found himself moving slowly with her guidance.
She led him toward the bath, the warm water welcoming him like a distant memory. Eden felt the heat of the water as they lowered him into the tub, the soft splash of liquid enveloping his body in comfort. He let out a soft exhale as his muscles, tensed from days of fear and confinement, began to relax.
As the maid carefully bathed him, her touch was gentle and respectful. There was nothing crude or invasive about it. Her hands moved lightly over his skin, ensuring she was as careful as possible, as if she could sense the unease in him.
Darian remained silent but close, his presence in the room palpable. He wasn't like before—distant, cold, commanding. He was something else now. Eden could feel the shift in him. There was no more anger or frustration in Darian's movements. Instead, there was something tender. Regret. Maybe even… care?
When the bath was over, the maid carefully dried Eden off, wrapping him in a soft, thick towel. Eden's breath slowed, the tension in his body having melted away with the water, leaving behind a strange sense of peace.
Once he was dressed in fresh clothes, Darian's voice broke through the quiet once again. "I'll see you in your new quarters, Eden."
Eden wanted to protest, to demand answers, to ask why all of this was happening. But a part of him—something deep within him—knew that Darian had finally crossed a line. No longer was he the cruel figure that had kept Eden locked away. Now, he was offering something different. Redemption, perhaps. A chance for something better.
Darian's voice, quieter now, filled the space. "You deserve to be treated with respect. I promise I won't make the same mistake again."
Eden closed his eyes, unable to find the words. He simply nodded, unsure of what the future held. But for the first time in a long while, there was a glimmer of hope—of something different -