She perched on a timeworn, dusty couch, her gaze fixed upon the crackling fireplace. An empty expression masked her features as her mind raced, each thought tearing at her heart with a familiar and burdensome ache. Betrayal had once again cast its dark shadow upon her, prompting unsettling questions about her own worthiness. Was she the root of this recurring pain? Did some curse haunt her, rendering her undeserving of loyalty and love? The unthinkable truth gnawed at her – her own flesh and blood had turned against her with the help of her people. Her lifelong confidant, closest friend, and lover had joined forces with the very person who sought her demise. An uncontrollable shiver coursed through her body, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. «This is not the time to fall apart, Elisa», she thought with desperation.

“Your Highness?”

The sudden sound of Leon's voice jolted her from her thoughts. She turned reluctantly to meet his gaze; her composure strained. His face was as impassive as always, but his dark eyes lingered on her face for a moment too long.

"I am well, Lieutenant," she offered, her words tinged with a fragile attempt at reassurance. "You need not concern yourself with me."

Without uttering a word, Leon moved closer, taking a seat beside her on the tattered cushion. His attention remained fixed on the flickering flames.

"Being hurt when something bad happens doesn't make you weak," he suddenly stated. “It makes you human.”

The unexpected declaration caught Elisa off guard. It was entirely out of character for Leon, a man of few words and even fewer displays of emotion, to offer such counsel. The fact that he, of all people, was extending a supportive hand and words of wisdom at this moment managed a smile out of her.

“Why, thank you, Lieutenant," she replied, her tone carrying a touch of playfulness. "I can't help but question if we're squandering your intellect in the army when you could make such a fine philosopher."

His response was a stern glare, but this time it couldn't suppress her laughter. "I truly mean it, Your Highness," he sighed, shifting his body to face her. "I understand what Cassian meant—what he means to you."

The mere mention of his name, sent a sudden wave of emotions over Elisa, dispelling any sense of easefulness that had started to settle between them.

Elisa averted her gaze, her eyes dropping to her hands as she wrestled her drowning feelings yet again. She couldn't bring herself to meet Leon's eyes, not without betraying the truth she had been trying to suppress. Facing him meant confronting the emotions she had been struggling to quiet. Leon tenderly placed his warm hand atop hers. She finally allowed herself to look up at him.

"I—" Her voice faltered, and she shook her head slowly. "I just don't understand what drove him to do that. Could it have been the allure of power my uncle offered? Or perhaps he grew weary of serving as a general under my command, seeing that I can barely keep the kingdom afloat."

"You are not the problem at all, Your Highness," Leon reassured her earnestly. "You bear no responsibility for anyone's actions but your own. Know that there is no loss when it comes to a loyalty as fickle as Cassian's."

Leon's words struck a chord within her, and a solitary tear slipped down her cheek. She gently withdrew one hand from Leon's grasp and wiped it away with a hint of determination. Perhaps Leon was right; why should she weep for Cassian when he had betrayed her, willingly surrendering her to the enemy at the first opportunity? As she pondered this, a slow burn of anger began to kindle in her heart.

"Thank you, Leon," she expressed, her tone now serious and heartfelt.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before rising from his seat and heading towards the door. His steps came to an abrupt halt, and he turned back to face her.

"For what it's worth, Your Majesty," he whispered, his voice filled with a depth of feeling, "my loyalty will always lie with you."

Elisa's heart leaped at his words, and she turned to respond, but Leon had already vanished from her sight. She continued to gaze into the flickering fire as she wrestled with her newfound emotions toward Cassian, determined to protect herself from further heartache; choosing to dismiss Leon’s comment as the unwavering loyalty of a dedicated lieutenant to his queen, when in reality it was a subtle declaration of love.