The wind swept across the plains, carrying with it the scent of dried blood and ash. Kael’s encampment was silent, disturbed only by the crackling of the watchfires. The soldiers, exhausted from successive battles, were taking a well-deserved rest. Yet, the atmosphere remained heavy, tense. Everyone knew this peace was fleeting.

  Kael stood apart, gazing at the horizon with a pensive expression. In his hand, he held a letter sealed with red wax, bearing the royal insignia. A message from the princess.

  She wanted to see him.

  Since her coup, she had consolidated her rule with an iron grip. In a few months, she had gone from a manipulated noble to the undisputed queen of the kingdom. Her enemies had been eliminated one by one—some by the sword, others by poison, or through mysterious disappearances. She was more dangerous than ever.

  But what intrigued Kael was: why now?

  Was this an outstretched hand or a carefully laid trap?

  A sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Darius, his most trusted companion-in-arms, approached with a grave expression.

  — "Are you planning to go?" he asked, crossing his arms.

  Kael folded the letter and slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat.

  — "If she wants to see me, it means she needs me. The question is: for what?"

  Darius let out a dry chuckle.

  — "She probably wants to use you as a weapon. You know her. Nothing comes for free with her."

  Kael didn’t respond immediately. He knew the princess all too well—her cunning, her ambition.

  — "Whatever her intentions, this is an opportunity. We need to understand what she’s planning."

  Darius sighed but didn’t try to dissuade him.

  — "Fine. But we’re not taking any chances. Lysara and I are coming with you."

  Kael slowly nodded. It was time to return to the capital.

  The journey was made at night, under the cover of shadows. Kael, accompanied by Darius, Lysara, and two other trusted men, avoided the main roads, preferring the trails through the wooded hills.

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  Each night, Lysara strayed ahead to scout for potential ambushes. She always returned with the same report: no one was following them.

  Yet, Kael felt something was off. An invisible tension, a lingering sensation of being watched. He had learned to trust his instincts, and this time, they were screaming at him that they weren’t alone.

  After several days of travel, they finally reached the massive gates of the royal palace.

  The guards now wore black armor, adorned with the princess’s insignia. Their discipline was impeccable, their gazes cold and calculating. These were not the same sentries as before.

  Even the palace itself seemed changed. Where once the halls were filled with the murmurs of courtiers and the echoes of celebrations, an oppressive silence now reigned.

  Fear.

  The princess had seized power, but she had not yet won the trust of her people.

  Kael and his group were escorted through marble corridors to the grand throne room.

  When the heavy doors opened, Kael was struck by the sight before him.

  The princess was there.

  Seated on the throne, draped in a sumptuous crimson gown that clashed violently against the immaculate white columns surrounding her. Her gaze, as sharp as a blade, immediately locked onto him.

  She hadn’t changed. Or rather, she had become even more formidable.

  — "Kael."

  Her voice was soft, almost warm, but he knew it was just a fa?ade.

  He inclined his head slightly but with no trace of servility.

  — "Your Highness."

  An amused smile played on her lips.

  — "You traveled all this way to see me, and yet you seem wary."

  Kael didn’t reply immediately. He let a heavy silence settle between them.

  She descended the throne’s steps slowly, approaching him. When she was mere inches away, he could smell her perfume—a mesmerizing blend of jasmine and power.

  — "Why did you summon me?" he finally asked.

  She tilted her head slightly.

  — "Because things are changing, Kael. My enemies are regrouping. I need someone competent at my side."

  Kael crossed his arms.

  — "You want an alliance?"

  A flicker of amusement passed through her eyes.

  — "That might be too strong a word. Let’s say… a mutually beneficial cooperation."

  He let out a small chuckle.

  — "You want me to help you crush your enemies. And in return?"

  She placed a hand on his chest, her gaze burning with determination.

  — "In return… you’ll have a place at my side."

  A long silence stretched between them.

  Kael knew that with her, nothing was ever simple.

  As night fell over the capital, Kael left the throne room, the weight of the princess’s proposal pressing on his shoulders.

  Darius awaited him in the shadows of a column.

  — "Well?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Kael didn’t answer immediately. He gazed at the city through one of the palace’s vast windows. The streets were silent, but he sensed that this calm was an illusion.

  — "We’re staying for now. But I want Lysara to investigate. I need to know who these ‘enemies’ she speaks of really are."

  Darius nodded.

  — "And her? Do you trust her?"

  Kael smirked slightly.

  — "No. But she doesn’t trust me either."

  He cast one last glance toward the throne room, where the princess still stood, watching him through the darkness.

  The game of power had just begun.