The morning sun cast a golden hue over the new dam as Viktor stood at a distance, observing Ethan. It was a momentous day—a tangible symbol of progress in the kingdom, and Viktor was keenly aware of the stakes. As the king's bodyguard, it was his job to ensure Ethan's safety, and while today was about the dam and its significance, Viktor knew that it was also another step in a much larger game. He had only been in this role for a few months, but the weight of the responsibility settled on his shoulders with each passing day.
Ethan was surrounded by people—rural workers, farmers, and families whose lives would change because of the dam. It wasn't just about politics and power. For the first time in his life, Viktor saw the king of the realm not as a monarch, but as someone who genuinely wanted to help these people. There was something raw about the way Ethan interacted with them, offering words of encouragement, connecting with each individual in a way that made Viktor feel—just for a moment—that this kingdom might be in good hands after all.
But Viktor's gaze never wavered for long. He'd learned early on that any lapse in vigilance could be fatal. His eyes scanned the crowd constantly, looking for any sign of danger. As Ethan spoke with the people, Viktor moved through the crowd with calculated ease, never too far from his charge. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his weapon, not in a threatening manner, but ready. Always ready.
The ceremony itself was brief—short speeches, the traditional ribbon cutting, and the hum of machinery as the turbines powered up for the first time. But Viktor was more concerned with the surroundings than the event itself. He watched the way the workers and townsfolk reacted—some excited, some cautious, but all hopeful.
And it wasn't lost on Viktor that the success of this dam was tied directly to Ethan's leadership. The expectations of the people were growing, and Viktor was acutely aware that those expectations came with risks. People didn't want empty promises—they wanted results. And if someone felt that Ethan couldn't deliver, it was all too easy for that dissatisfaction to turn into something dangerous.
As the ceremony came to an end, Viktor observed the exchange between Ethan and a middle-aged farmer who expressed gratitude for the dam's impact on his family's future. It was clear that Ethan was trying to do the right thing, trying to show these people that he was working for them. But Viktor couldn't help but notice the unspoken weight on Ethan's shoulders. The king wasn't just navigating political power; he was also wrestling with the weight of those expectations.
Viktor's attention snapped back to the present when Ethan was approached by a young woman, eager with questions about future projects. Viktor moved closer, sensing a shift in the air. This was the moment that Ethan's real work began—the tangible impact on the lives of his people. It would be easy to get swept up in the optimism, to think that one project could change everything. But Viktor knew better. It was about keeping the people happy—and that meant navigating the dangers that came with power.
He kept his eyes peeled, moving a little closer as the conversation between Ethan and the woman concluded.
"We should be heading back, Your Majesty," Viktor's voice was low, cutting through the moment like a knife. His eyes were already scanning the horizon, looking for the slightest sign of trouble. The crowd was dispersing now, and his instincts told him that something wasn't quite right. It was subtle—the way people were moving, the way the air had shifted—but Viktor trusted those instincts.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, lingering in the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the rural townspeople one last time before he reluctantly nodded. They made their way to the convoy, the sound of the crowd's chatter slowly fading into the background.
As they neared the waiting SUV, Viktor remained at a slight distance, always aware of their surroundings. The vehicle's door swung open, and Ethan slipped inside, the bodyguard following close behind. Viktor took a quick glance at the crowd, feeling the familiar tension in his gut.
The car began to move, the convoy slowly picking up speed as they wound their way back toward the capital. The wind from the open windows ruffled Viktor's hair, but he remained focused, his eyes scanning the landscape around them.
"Stay alert," Viktor muttered to the driver, his voice low and steady. The air was thick with the feeling that something was about to happen.
The convoy was moving at a steady pace when Viktor heard it—the unmistakable crack of a gunshot. His eyes snapped to the rearview mirror just in time to see the vehicle lurch to the side, the tires screeching. A second shot rang out, and the rear window exploded, sending glass flying. The car jerked again, the driver struggling to maintain control.
"Down!" Viktor's voice was harsh, commanding, as he grabbed Ethan and shoved him down onto the floor of the vehicle. Without missing a beat, he pulled his own weapon from its holster and moved to the rear window, his body tense as he aimed toward the source of the fire.
Another round of gunfire struck the vehicle, hitting the rear wheel, causing the car to swerve even more violently. Viktor's grip on his weapon tightened as he looked over at the driver, who was desperately trying to keep the car on the road.
"Hold on, Your Majesty!" the driver grunted, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.
Viktor was already preparing for the next move. He had only seconds to act, but his training kicked in. The helicopters would be close. They had to be. He had already called for air support when the first shot was fired, but now the urgency in his movements reached a new level.
His eyes flicked to the sky, scanning for the telltale signs of the military helicopters. It didn't take long. Two helicopters appeared from the clouds, their engines roaring as they dove toward the convoy, guns trained on the attackers. The first helicopter swooped down in a perfect arc, sending the pursuing vehicle off-course with several precision bursts of gunfire. The second helicopter followed suit, hovering low over the convoy to provide cover.
Viktor gave the driver a quick nod. "Accelerate!" he barked.
The vehicle surged forward as the helicopters laid down more suppressive fire, ensuring they weren't followed. The SUV's speed picked up as they took advantage of the helicopters' cover, but Viktor wasn't taking any chances. His eyes stayed fixed on the rearview mirror, scanning for any sign of further danger.
The pursuing vehicle swerved off the road, crashing into a ditch as the helicopters took it down, making sure there were no further threats. The convoy sped away, the distant hum of the helicopters reassuring Viktor for a moment. But he knew the danger wasn't over yet. Whoever had orchestrated this attempt would be back. He could feel it.
As the helicopters circled, ensuring their escape, Viktor kept his eyes on the horizon, ready for anything. Ethan was safe for now, but Viktor's gut told him this was only the beginning.
"We're not done," Viktor muttered to himself, his fingers still clenched around the grip of his weapon. He had no intention of letting the king fall victim to the plans of whoever was behind this. It was his duty to keep Ethan alive—and he would do it, no matter the cost.