Unraveling Eris

Distraction, Thy Name is Eris

The palace had always been Theo's refuge.

Every week, he returned home from the academy for meetings with his father and council, discussions on governance, and the occasional dinner with his family. It was routine. Predictable.

It should have been grounding.

And yet, this time, as he walked through the halls of the palace, something felt off.

Or rather—he felt off.

His usual sharpness was dulled. He caught himself zoning out mid-conversation, replaying moments from the festival like a fool.

Even now, seated in his mother's parlor, sipping tea like nothing was wrong, he could feel her watching him.

Queen Liliana of Areta was not the kind of woman one could fool.

She was elegant, poised—an astute observer with an intuition that terrified most people.

Unfortunately, Theo was her son. Which meant that, no matter how much he tried to school his expression, it was only a matter of time before—

"You're distracted."

Theo stiffened. "...No, I'm not."

His mother merely lifted a single brow.

Damn it.

"You've been rubbing your temple since you sat down," she pointed out. "And when I asked how your studies were going, you said 'yes.'"

Theo cursed internally.

The Queen, amused now, set her cup down with a delicate clink. "So. Who is she?"

Theo nearly choked on his tea.

His mother laughed—soft and knowing. "Ah," she murmured, eyes gleaming. "That reaction tells me everything."

Theo scowled. "You're mistaken."

"I never mistake these things, darling." She tilted her head. "I assume this girl is from the academy?"

He refused to answer.

The Queen merely took another sip of tea, as if she had all the time in the world.

After a long pause, she mused, "It must be someone who unsettles you."

Theo tensed.

Too close.

"Not just anyone could do that," she continued, studying him. "It must be someone intelligent. Someone unpredictable."

Theo clenched his jaw.

Her smile widened. "I heard Master Elhan's daughter is attending the academy—"

"Mother." His voice was tight.

"Oh, so it is Miss Elhan."

Theo closed his eyes. He had walked directly into that one.

The Queen, absolutely delighted, sat back with a victorious expression. "I knew she would be trouble for you when I heard you have a new circle of friends."

Theo exhaled sharply, setting down his cup with more force than necessary. "She is not trouble."

The Queen raised a perfectly arched brow. "Oh? The way I hear it, she nearly assassinated you with a cabbage."

Theo exhaled through his nose, long-suffering. "It was not an assassination attempt."

His mother looked far too pleased. "So you let a young woman pelt you with produce in full view of the Academy?"

Theo shot his mother a dry look, unimpressed by her obvious enjoyment of the situation.

His mother hummed.

The conversation should have ended there. But as Theo stood to leave, she added, "Just one thing, my dear."

He paused.

The Queen's voice was gentle, but her eyes were knowing. "Whatever it is you're feeling... don't fight it too much."

Theo said nothing.

Because he already was.

By the time Theo returned to the academy, he had accepted his fate.

There was no escaping this.

He had tried—tried to push the thoughts away, to reason himself out of this absurd distraction.

It hadn't worked.

The moment he stepped back onto campus, he felt it again—the awareness. Like a taut string pulling him toward her.

And sure enough, it didn't take long before he saw Eris.

She was seated under one of the large willow trees near the courtyard, flipping through a book with an expression of deep focus.

For a brief, foolish moment, Theo considered turning around.

But it was too late.

As if sensing him, Eris glanced up—and immediately frowned.

He barely had time to react before she was standing, crossing the space between them with a sharp gaze that sent warning bells ringing in his head.

Theo braced himself.

"You look like hell," Eris said bluntly.

Theo exhaled slowly. "Good afternoon to you too."

She ignored him, studying his face. "You're sleep-deprived."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine. You have dark circles." She squinted. "Are you sick?"

Theo hated how much that question sent an involuntary warmth through his chest.

Not because she was being kind, obviously. But because Eris was rarely concerned about anyone's well-being unless it was strictly necessary.

The fact that she had noticed at all was—

Irrelevant.

"I'm perfectly healthy," he said coolly.

Eris clearly didn't believe him. "What happened?"

Theo debated his options. He could either:

a) Lie.

b) Deflect.

c) Suffer.

He chose b).

"Nothing of interest," he said. "Now, if you'll excuse me—"

Eris stepped in front of him.

Theo stared.

Was she—was she actually blocking his path?

"Sit," she ordered.

Theo narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"You need rest," she said, crossing her arms. "I'm not letting you collapse in the middle of the academy because you're too stubborn to admit you're exhausted."

Theo inhaled sharply. "You're being dramatic."

Eris arched a brow. "Says the man who looks seconds away from passing out."

Theo had never been so tempted to throw himself into the nearest fountain.

This was an absolute nightmare.

The worst part? She was right.

The exhaustion was catching up to him. His body felt heavier than usual, his mind sluggish.

And Eris, damn her, noticed.

Her expression shifted—still sharp, but with the faintest hint of concern. "Your Highness," she said, quieter now. "Just sit. Five minutes."

Theo had two choices.

He could keep fighting her.

Or he could sit.

With great reluctance, he sat on the nearest bench.

Eris, satisfied, sat beside him.

They didn't speak.

For a while, there was only silence—the rustling of trees, the distant chatter of students.

Theo exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders relax.

He would never admit it, but... it did help.

And then—

"See?" Eris murmured. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Theo turned his head, giving her a very flat look.

Eris smirked.

Theo, for the first time in days, nearly smiled back.

***

Eris had only meant for Theo to rest for a few minutes.

Just enough to take the edge off whatever was plaguing him.

She had not anticipated him actually falling asleep.

And yet, here they were.

Theo had leaned back against the bench, arms crossed over his chest, his breathing steady and deep. His usual sharp, arrogant expression had smoothed out entirely, leaving him looking—

Eris frowned.

She refused to finish that thought.

Instead, she glanced up at the sky. The clouds had thickened while they sat there, a warning of incoming rain.

She sighed.

Well. This was going to be awkward.

"Your Highness," she said. No response.

She poked his arm. Nothing.

Eris hesitated, then nudged his shoulder firmly. "Theodore."

Still nothing.

Her eye twitched.

Of course the one time he actually listened to her, it would be like this.

She leaned closer, voice low but firm. "Your Highness, wake up. It's going to rain."

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—slowly—Theo stirred, blinking drowsily. His gaze landed on her, still hazy with sleep, and for a brief second, he just... stared.

Eris raised a brow. "Are you awake?"

Theo inhaled deeply, rubbing a hand over his face. Then, in a voice rough with sleep, he muttered, "You stayed."

Eris stilled.

It was such a simple statement. But the way he said it—low, quiet, almost disbelieving—sent something unexpected twisting in her chest.

She quickly straightened, brushing off the moment. "You fell asleep on a public bench. What was I supposed to do? Leave you here to be rained on?"

Theo exhaled through his nose, the ghost of a smirk appearing. "I wouldn't have minded."

Eris gave him a look. "I'm sure the people would love seeing their Crown Prince drenched and unconscious in the courtyard."

Theo hummed, stretching. "A dramatic sight, certainly."

Eris sighed. "Come on, before—"

A drop of water landed on her forehead.

Theo glanced up as more raindrops began to fall, his smirk widening. "Too late."

Eris groaned—hugging her book closer to her chest, grabbing his wrist to pull him up. "Run, you idiot."

Theo let her.

And as they ran toward shelter, the rain beginning to fall in earnest, he realized two things.

One: He had just taken the best nap of his life.

Two: He was utterly, hopelessly doomed.