Lynaria walked slowly toward the door, about to leave the room, when the door suddenly opened. A man entered, heading straight for Kaelron with a smile he couldn't hide.
"You've gotten even more beautiful, Lynaria. It's been so long since we last met," the man said, his tone teasing as he scanned her from head to toe. Kaelron immediately glared at him with a look of annoyance, but Lynaria merely gave a neutral smile before turning to leave.
"What do you want, Rivan?" Kaelron spoke in a low, controlled voice.
Rivan leaned casually against the doorframe, enjoying the tension in the air. "I've just returned from a mission outside the palace. Naturally, I came to report in."
Kaelron didn't seem impressed. "Just report your mission. No need for small talk."
Rivan began recounting his report in detail, giving every piece of information needed. However, there was one piece of crucial information that had nothing to do with his mission, and Rivan intentionally left it out.
Once he finished, Rivan bid his farewell and left. Not long after, Lynaria found him at the guard post.
"What are you doing here, Beautiful General?" Rivan asked, his grin sly.
Lynaria responded with indifference, "On duty, Sir."
"Oh, I just wanted to get to know you better. The first time we met, I didn't treat you well. Would you give me a chance to get to know you properly?" Rivan tried to approach her, but Lynaria remained aloof.
"I'm on duty, Sir Rivan. You should go rest," she replied coldly.
"I can rest right here with you," Rivan said, his persistence unyielding.
Lynaria didn't respond, finding his behavior ridiculous.
The moment was broken when someone appeared in front of them. "Didn't I tell you to rest?" Kaelron's voice boomed.
Lynaria quickly explained, "Prime Minister Brondby is not here. I'm filling in for him tonight."
Kaelron looked at Rivan sharply. "And why are you here?"
Rivan replied casually, "Just relaxing with a beautiful lady. Shouldn't a king be sitting on his throne?"
"Leave now, Rivan. Don't disturb Lynaria while she's on duty," Kaelron ordered firmly.
Rivan smiled provocatively. "You don't have the right to control my life, Kaelron. I'll go wherever I please. You can only command me when you're sitting on your throne. Outside of that, I don't answer to you."
Kaelron responded with cold authority. "Go back to your place, General. Let him stand guard tonight."
Lynaria didn't object, though she was slightly taken aback by Kaelron's decision. She left the post, and Rivan became even more frustrated. "Kaelron, you bastard. I swear I'll make your life more difficult."
The next day, Lynaria continued with her usual duties, training her troops. Everything was proceeding as normal, but there was a sense of unease lingering in her mind. As usual, Ares came to visit her.
"You seem different today. Is something bothering you?" Ares asked, concerned.
Lynaria sighed, "Yesterday, I saw Kaelron waiting for someone. I'm curious—who is he waiting for?"
Ares hesitated, then spoke softly, "Someone who promised to return when the red full moon appeared at the palace."
Lynaria looked at him sharply. "So, she should've returned last night?"
Ares nodded, "Yes, it's been several full moons, but she hasn't come back yet."
Lynaria grew more curious. "Who is she?"
"Someone from Kaelron's past," Ares answered, then paused. "A woman."
Lynaria's curiosity deepened, but Ares seemed unwilling to elaborate. Just then, Kaelron arrived, his expression serious. "Is your duty finished? Why are you two just standing around?"
"I was about to leave," Ares replied quickly, walking away. Lynaria returned to her training, her thoughts filled with questions.
Later in the afternoon, Kaelron challenged her to a duel. "Fight me," he said, tossing a sword toward Lynaria. "If you win, you can ask me anything. But if I win, you'll have to cook for the entire royal army."
Lynaria nodded and immediately prepared herself. The battle began with swift strikes from Lynaria, but Kaelron responded with ease. Although Kaelron was clearly more skilled, Lynaria adapted quickly, observing his movements and finding weaknesses in his defense.
The battle grew more intense. Kaelron tried to maintain control, but Lynaria finally found a gap in his defense and struck decisively. In an instant, her sword flashed toward Kaelron's neck, forcing him to concede defeat.
Kaelron admitted his loss reluctantly, and the onlookers applauded Lynaria. But despite the victory, Lynaria still felt a deep sense of curiosity about Kaelron.
Afterward, they walked together to the palace's artificial lake, a place Kaelron enjoyed. There, Lynaria decided to press him with her questions.
"Who is the woman you're waiting for?" she asked boldly.
Kaelron paused, then replied quietly, "She's no one special."
Lynaria frowned. "What's your relationship with her?"
"We've been friends since childhood," Kaelron said, but his answer seemed incomplete.
"Do you love her?" Lynaria asked, unable to stop herself.
Kaelron remained silent, his expression unreadable. Lynaria felt a pang of emotion deep within, sensing that their relationship was more than it seemed. But Kaelron didn't offer further explanation.
After their brief conversation, Lynaria resumed her duties. Kaelron allowed her to leave, and when night fell, an unexpected threat appeared at the borders. Several infiltrators attempted to sneak into the palace, but Lynaria, on duty, immediately grew suspicious of their movements.
As the battle with the intruders ensued, Lynaria was almost injured by one of them. However, Kaelron suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking the blow with his own body. The sword struck Kaelron's back, leaving a deep wound, and blood began to flow from his cloak.
Lynaria was shocked by Kaelron's sacrifice to protect her. She quickly dealt with the remaining intruders and rushed to Kaelron's side, lifting him up as he collapsed to the ground.
The battle wasn't over yet. As Lynaria brought Kaelron back to the palace, Ares took her place in leading the assault on the remaining infiltrators. Once at the palace, Lynaria sent someone to fetch the royal healer.
The healer arrived quickly and began tending to Kaelron's wounds. Lynaria stayed by his side, her heart racing with worry. Hours passed, and when the healer finished, he gave his final instructions.
"Give him this medicine once he wakes. If he develops a fever tonight and doesn't regain consciousness, let me know immediately."