Wilhelm lets Jesper envelop him, and folds into him, because he needs it — the comfort of another's warmth, the reminder that he's not alone. It's not enough to stop hot tears from spilling out, but Jesper doesn't need to stop them. He just needs to make space for them.

"He should've had more time to figure out what he wanted. He should've had a choice."

His heart stings, knowing that Kelson would have chosen to return home. He made no secret of it. He had always wanted to go back to his kingdom, his duties, his royal cage. He found purpose in it, without which he felt unmoored. He didn't know who he was without his crown. And Wilhelm, he'd hoped to show Kelson that he could find purpose in this fresh start too. He wanted to be by Kelson's side while he learned who he could be outside of his mother's expectations.

Now, he's just gone.

"I couldn't help him," Wilhelm cries into his knees. "I couldn't help him. I couldn't make him happy."