Elise rested her head against Arthur's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. She suddenly realized that she might have started relying on this sense of security. She had told herself before to keep some distance, but every time she found herself in his arms, her defenses fell apart.
They lay there quietly for a while, Arthur's fingers gently tracing circles on her back. After a long silence, Elise spoke, breaking the peaceful calm, "What were you like... when you were a kid?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. He let out a soft chuckle, his voice low and steady. "When I was a kid? My life was pretty much designed from the start. Strict education, barely any time to play, and only a handful of friends were allowed. Back then, my dream was to escape one day, g
