Rahel's heart felt like it was being torn apart as she watched Boyka walk Princess Asake to safety amidst the chaos. The fire of anger and regret burned fiercely within her, clouding her thoughts. She had fought alongside Boyka for years, earning his trust and respect, but never his heart. It was clear now that Princess Asake had stolen that from her—a truth she struggled to accept.
Her jaw clenched as her mind raced. He risked his life for her without hesitation. He braved the fire and chaos just to keep her safe. Would he ever do the same for me?
Her rage deepened, but even through her anger, she knew she was powerless to change what had already been set in motion. Boyka's heart belonged to the princess.
"Fuck this," Rahel hissed under her breath. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "I have to take action, even if it means taking the princess out of the equation."
But as the thought solidified in her mind, another wave of doubt washed over her. Killing her would destroy Boyka. He'd spend the rest of his life consumed by grief and vengeance, hunting down her killer. And I know how relentless he can be.
She sighed, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her frustration. "No, that's not the way," she whispered to herself. "There has to be another way—a way to show him that I'm the one he should be with."
Rahel took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her. But as she turned to leave, the bitterness in her heart remained, unresolved and simmering.
---
Meanwhile, Boyka escorted Princess Asake to her quarters. His steps were steady, his hand resting protectively on the hilt of his sword. Though the rebellion had been quelled, he remained vigilant, his sharp eyes scanning every shadow for potential threats.
When they reached her chambers, Boyka stood guard outside, ensuring her safety. His hand instinctively reached for his radio transmitter as he pressed the button.
"What's the situation? I need to know how it ended," he said in a firm, commanding tone.
A voice crackled through the radio. "Sir, this is Captain Michael. The rebellion has been quelled. The palace is secure," Michael reported.
Boyka exhaled a sigh of relief, a rare smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "That's good. That's really good," he said, his voice softening.
He turned to the princess, his expression lightening for a brief moment. Without thinking, he stepped forward and embraced her. "It's over," he whispered.
The princess, caught off guard but clearly moved by his actions, held him tightly. Boyka's emotions overwhelmed him in that brief moment of joy and relief. He leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss.
But the radio crackled again, breaking the moment.
"Sir, are you there?" Michael's voice came through once more.
Boyka quickly stepped back, clearing his throat. "What is it, Captain?" he asked, his voice returning to its usual authoritative tone.
There was a pause before Michael's voice returned, heavy with grief. "Sir, we have a situation. It's Assistant Commander Moyo…"
Boyka's grip on the transmitter tightened, his breath hitching. "What happened?"
"He didn't make it, sir," Michael said solemnly. "He was killed while trying to quell the rebellion. He fought bravely, but he was overwhelmed. I tried to reach him, but I was surrounded as well. I… I couldn't save him."
The words hit Boyka like a thunderclap. He stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what he had just heard.
"Sir? Commander? Are you there?" Michael's voice called again, but Boyka didn't respond.
He lowered the transmitter, his hand trembling. The weight of the news pressed down on him like a mountain.
"Moyo…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Grief and guilt tore through him like a storm. I should have been there. I should have fought beside him. Instead, I was here, distracted, while my friend was dying.
His chest tightened as he fought back tears, his jaw clenching in an effort to suppress the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
"Here I was… having a moment… while my best friend was being shot at," Boyka said bitterly, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow. "I failed him."
The princess stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern. "Boyka, what's wrong?" she asked softly. "You were happy just moments ago. What happened?"
He didn't answer. He couldn't. The words caught in his throat as his emotions threatened to break free.
Asake reached for his hand, but he pulled away abruptly, his movements stiff and agitated.
"I need air," he muttered, his voice cold and distant. Without another word, he stormed out of her quarters, leaving her standing there, confused and hurt.
---
Boyka wandered the dimly lit halls of the palace, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Each step felt heavier than the last as guilt and sorrow gnawed at his soul.
He replayed the events of the night in his mind, searching for what he could have done differently. If only I had been there. If only I had fought beside him…
The death of Moyo wasn't just a loss—it was a failure that Boyka knew he would carry for the rest of his life. And though the rebellion had been crushed, the battle raging within him was far from over.
He stopped in the middle of the hallway, leaning against the cold stone wall. For the first time in years, Commander Boyka—the indomitable warrior, the unyielding leader—felt utterly defeated.