Kaelen's nights had always been filled with the weight of responsibility. Even when he lay in bed, his mind never truly rested. He would replay the events of the day, anticipating threats, preparing for danger. But since Elara's words, something had changed.
He found himself thinking about her—about what she had said. He had spent his entire life believing that his purpose was to protect, to fight. But what if there was more? What if there was a future beyond the sword, a future where he could be something... someone different?
But that thought, too, felt dangerous. His loyalty was to the kingdom, to the king, to Elara. To allow himself to think of something else felt like betrayal.
One evening, as he stood guard outside Elara's chamber, a shadow crossed his path. It was fleeting, a mere flicker in the corner of his vision, but Kaelen's instincts were sharp. He moved without thinking, drawing his sword and stepping into the darkness of the corridor.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice low and commanding.
There was no answer.
Kaelen's senses heightened, his eyes scanning the darkness. He moved quickly, the sound of his boots muffled against the stone floors.
Another flicker of movement. This time, he was ready.
With a swift motion, he lunged forward, catching a glimpse of the figure before it disappeared into the shadows. It was too fast, too elusive to catch. But Kaelen knew one thing—there was danger lurking in the shadows, and it was coming for Elara.
The flicker of movement was all Kaelen needed. His instincts had always served him well on the battlefield, and now, in the quiet corridors of the palace, they felt just as sharp. He moved with precision, his sword ready, the muscles in his body coiled with tension. His heart pounded not with fear, but with the deep, ingrained knowledge that danger had found its way too close to the princess.
He didn't wait. He didn't hesitate.
Kaelen advanced through the dark hallways, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows that seemed to stretch in every direction. His eyes, accustomed to the dark, scanned for any sign of movement, any subtle hint of the intruder's presence.
A soft sound—a faint rustling—came from his left. Without thinking, Kaelen spun on his heel, his blade flashing through the air as he thrust it forward.
The figure in the shadows was fast, but not fast enough. Kaelen's sword stopped just short of its target, the edge grazing the cloaked figure's arm. The stranger stumbled backward, but Kaelen was upon them in an instant, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He didn't want to kill—he never wanted to kill unless it was absolutely necessary—but this was different. This was about protecting Elara, and that meant no mercy.
The stranger raised their hands, their voice trembling as they spoke in a low, urgent whisper.
"Please… don't hurt me."
Kaelen narrowed his eyes, his sword still poised to strike. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The stranger, clearly disoriented and panicked, slowly lowered their hands. A flicker of recognition passed across Kaelen's face as he studied the figure more closely. Beneath the dark cloak was a young woman, her face pale with fear and exhaustion.
"I—I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to alarm you," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "I was trying to get to Princess Elara. I… I have information. Important information."
Kaelen's suspicion remained. He didn't lower his sword. "What kind of information?"
The woman's eyes darted nervously, and her breath came in quick, shallow bursts. "I—I've been watching the nobles, and there are whispers—dark whispers. Some of them… some of them are planning something against the crown. Against Princess Elara."
The words hit Kaelen like a thunderclap. His grip on the sword tightened, and his mind raced. He'd known there was something brewing beneath the surface, but this? This was more serious than he had feared.
"And you think the princess is in danger?" Kaelen asked, his voice cold and sharp.
The woman nodded urgently. "Yes, sir. They've been planning in secret. There are factions within the court—noble families, some with powerful allies—they're all conspiring together. They'll move soon. They'll do anything to seize power. And Princess Elara… she's their target."
Kaelen's heart tightened. He had known Elara was at risk, but hearing it laid out so plainly sent a chill through him. He'd failed to see the extent of the danger, how deeply the conspiracy ran. The nobles were not just dissatisfied—they were preparing to strike, and they knew exactly where to hit.
"Who are they?" Kaelen demanded, his voice low but filled with urgency.
"I don't know all their names, but…" The woman hesitated, as though unsure whether to speak further. Then, her face hardened with resolve. "Lord Harwin of House Crestmoor. Lady Melina of House Ravenvail. And a few others. They've been meeting in secret, planning their moves."
Kaelen's mind worked quickly. Harwin. Melina. Names he knew well, both influential, both ambitious. If they were behind this, the threat was more serious than he could have imagined.
"Where is Princess Elara?" the woman asked, her eyes wide with panic.
Kaelen's eyes flicked toward the direction of Elara's chambers. He couldn't allow the woman to get near her—not yet. "I'll make sure she's safe," Kaelen said firmly. "But you need to leave. You've given me enough."
The woman seemed to falter, as though not entirely trusting him. But when Kaelen's gaze hardened and his sword remained at the ready, she nodded reluctantly. "Thank you," she whispered, before vanishing into the darkness of the hallway, her footsteps fading quickly.
Kaelen stood in the quiet aftermath, his mind racing. He had to act quickly. If what the woman said was true, then Elara was in immediate danger. He couldn't afford to wait for confirmation—he had to protect her now.
Kaelen didn't waste another second. He rushed toward Elara's chambers, his heart pounding in his chest. The palace was still and silent, its usual tranquility broken by the rush of urgency in his step. When he reached the door to her room, he paused for only a moment to collect his thoughts.
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he knocked firmly. There was no answer.
He knocked again, this time louder, more forcefully. Still no response. Panic began to rise in his chest, but he quickly forced it back down. He couldn't afford to lose control now.
Elara was in danger. And he was the only one who could protect her.
With a swift motion, Kaelen turned the handle and pushed the door open. The room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of a few candles. But it was empty. Elara wasn't there.
His pulse quickened as he scanned the room. The bed was neatly made, the desk covered with papers. Nothing was disturbed, nothing out of place. But he knew something wasn't right.
His instincts screamed at him to move, to find her, to protect her at all costs. He turned toward the balcony doors.
That's when he saw it.
A shadow, barely perceptible against the night sky. Someone was standing just outside the balcony, watching the palace from a distance.
Kaelen's hand went to his sword, his body moving before he even fully processed the danger. He didn't hesitate, didn't second-guess. He lunged toward the balcony doors, pushing them open with a force that sent them crashing against the stone walls.
The figure on the balcony whirled around in surprise, but it was too late. Kaelen was already upon them, his sword drawn and ready.