The soft glow of the evening sun leaked through the velvet curtains, casting golden slants across the room. The faint scent of burning herbs still lingered in the air, the remnants of the healing ritual.
Rayne lay still, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Beads of sweat clung to his brow, the color slowly returning to his skin.
The A-Class healer, an elegant older woman with silver hair and a presence that radiated power, pulled back from the bed. Her hands shimmered as the last traces of green magic dimmed from her fingertips. "The poison is gone" She said, turning to Emeney. "His body just needs rest now. He'll wake in a few hours. You don't need to worry anymore"
Emeney exhaled deeply, like a dam finally breaking. Her shoulders slumped with relief. "Thank you" She breathed, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much"
She hadn't realized how tightly she had been holding onto that fear until it was gone. Her fingers gripped the edge of Rayne's blanket like it was an anchor. The healer gave her a small, knowing smile, then nodded and walked out of the room, robes trailing behind her like flowing shadows.
That left only Emeney, Anya, and Rayne.
There was a stillness in the room now. The kind that only old friends knew how to sit in. Anya leaned against the window ledge, arms crossed as she stared at her best friend. She had watched every flicker of emotion that crossed Emeney's face during the healing, and she hadn't missed a single one.
"So…" Anya said casually. "You want to tell me what's going on?"
Emeney blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb" Anya pushed off the ledge, moving to sit on the edge of a nearby chair. "You were clenching your fists when he was unconscious. Your eyes teared up when the healer said he'd be fine. And I haven't seen you this worked up since Leo….."
She stopped herself, but the name lingered like smoke.
Emeney looked away. "That doesn't mean anything. He got hurt because of me. I dragged him into this. I made him my guard. If he'd died…."
"But he didn't" Anya interrupted gently. "And you know that's not what this is about"
Emeney's gaze dropped to her lap, fingers twisting in the fabric of her gown.
"It's not like that" She whispered. "I just...I don't want to carry another death on my conscience"
"Em…" Anya said softly, her tone a mix of sympathy and firmness. "I'm not judging. I'm not accusing. I'm your best friend. But whatever's happening here, you can't keep pretending it doesn't exist"
There was a long pause.
Rayne shifted slightly in his sleep, letting out a quiet breath. Emeney's eyes immediately flicked to him, watching him as if the sound alone could pull him back awake. Anya watched her carefully, lips pressed together. Then finally, she stood.
"Alright" She said, brushing invisible dust from her tunictop. "You're not ready. I get it. But just know, Xander sees it too. And if you're not careful, you're going to break more than one heart"
Emeney didn't reply.
Anya walked quietly to the door, but before she stepped out, she glanced over her shoulder and added one last thing. "Whatever this is, Em... be honest with yourself before it's too late"
And with that, she was gone, aiming to go assist her godmother with other injured mages.
Emeney sat in silence, her eyes back on Rayne, who continued to sleep peacefully.
***
The warm glow of the fireplace flickered across the walls of the lavish sitting room. Deep red drapes lined the windows, and golden accents shimmered in the dim light. Xander sat slouched in a velvet armchair, his jaw tight, one leg bouncing anxiously. His father, the Royal Advisor, stood by the bar cart, pouring himself a drink, his movements measured, deliberate.
The moment he turned around, glass in hand, his eyes locked onto his son's troubled face. "You've been brooding since you walked in" The advisor said, his voice calm but probing. "Let me guess…Princess Emeney?"
Xander looked away, teeth clenched. Silence hung for a moment.
The advisor took a slow sip and strolled over. "I thought so"
Xander exhaled, finally giving in. He knew he had to tell his father his troubling thoughts. He desperately needed some advice. "It's Rayne" His voice was low, almost bitter. "There's something about him. The way she looks at him, reacts to him...it's like I'm not even there"
The advisor sat down across from him, brow furrowed in faux concern. "You've always had competition with that girl. First Leo, now this new 'Rayne.' What is it with these low-ranked boys?"
Xander scoffed. "He's a B-Class. He shouldn't even be in the King's Guard. And now she's constantly around him, worried sick about him. She hasn't come to my bedroom for two days now, because of him….he's turning into a problem"
His father leaned forward, setting the glass on the table between them.
"Then deal with it, Xander"
Xander blinked. "What do you mean?"
The advisor's tone sharpened just slightly, wrapped in fatherly wisdom. "She's your fiancée, your future queen. If you want to keep her, you need to stop acting like the victim and start taking control. Loyalty isn't inherited…it's earned"
Xander looked uncertain.
"Start small" His father continued. "Get closer to her again. Be the one she turns to, not this mystery mage. And as for him..." He paused, his eyes darkening. "Expose him. Discredit him. Find the cracks before he drives a wedge between you two that you'll never close"
Before Xander could answer, a knock sounded from the door before it creaked open and in stepped Commander Dion, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor.
"You summoned me, Advisor" He said with a respectful nod.
The advisor smiled. "Yes, thank you for coming. Xander and I were just speaking about the new addition to the King's Guard, Rayne Egan. Quite the enigma, wouldn't you agree?"
Commander Dion's gaze flickered briefly toward Xander, noting the tension in the young man's expression.
"He is...unusual" Dion admitted cautiously. "But I haven't found anything conclusive. I've searched his belongings. No known affiliations, no clear past. But something about him doesn't sit right with me"
The advisor leaned back, eyes glinting with interest. "Then dig deeper"
Commander Dion raised a brow.
"I want you to find out everything. Who he is. Where he came from. What he's hiding. Secrets always leave trails, Commander, follow them"
There was a pause.
Commander Dion stood a little straighter, hands behind his back, but unease flickered across his face. "Forgive me, but...is this request made in defense of the kingdom, or in defense of a personal agenda?"
The advisor's smile didn't falter. "Does it matter? If there's even a chance he's a threat, it is your duty to uncover it"
Commander Dion glanced at Xander, then back at the advisor. He gave a slow nod.
"Very well….I'll find the truth, whatever it may be"
But as he turned and left the room, his mind churned with a growing suspicion. Something was off. This wasn't just politics or protection. This was personal. And it reeked of something far darker.
***
Morning light spilled through the high stained-glass windows of the palace's main hall, scattering soft colors across the pristine marble floors. The space was quiet, still recovering from the tension of the past few days. Princess Emeney stood tall, a regal presence even in her stillness. Her eyes drifted occasionally toward the towering doors as if expecting someone, but mostly, she waited. At her side, her oldest friend stood quietly, arms crossed and a soft smile on her lips.
"Are you going back with your godmother?" Emeney asked, her voice curious but tinged with concern.
Anya glanced sideways at her, a flicker of mischief in her eyes. "And leave you here to handle everything on your own?" She said, scoffing. "Besides, with a war brewing, she's better off handling the outside. I'm needed here"
Emeney turned toward her, surprised. "You'd stay?"
Anya's smile turned sincere. "I'm not going anywhere. You've always had my back. I'll always have yours at all times"
The weight in Emeney's chest eased. A true smile finally pulled at her lips, one she hadn't worn in a long time. "Thank you, Anya"
Their moment was interrupted by the echoing clack of boots against marble. The main entrance creaked open, and Commander Dion stepped in, flanked by two unfamiliar mages. The commander walked with purpose, stopping a respectful distance from the princess and bowing his head.
"Your Highness…" He greeted, "Allow me to introduce Freya Lorne and Miles Veyr. A-Class mages, both with impressive records. They're here to take the place of the two King's Guards we lost during the last mission. As you requested"
Emeney's gaze swept over them carefully.
Miles, lean and serious, stood with squared shoulders. His buzz cut emphasized the sharp angles of his face. A faint scar traced the corner of his jaw, suggesting experience despite his youthful appearance.
Freya, with her vivid red hair tied in a loose braid, mirrored Emeney's height and elegance. There was a quiet strength in her stance, but her eyes, sea green, held a kind warmth. She glanced briefly at Anya, the two silently sizing each other up in mutual respect.
"You've both seen battle?" Emeney asked, voice poised with command.
"Yes, Your Highness" Miles replied, tone clipped. "We fought on the western border during the Shadow Bloom incursion"
Freya followed smoothly. "We're ready to serve and protect the crown with our lives"
Emeney nodded, her eyes steady. "Then you have my approval"
She stepped closer, extending her hand. One by one, they clasped her forearm in salute, sealing their place in the King's Guard. Commander Dion gave a subtle nod of approval.
As they stepped back into position, Anya leaned toward Emeney and whispered with a smirk, "Redhead's got presence. Miles looks like an innocent puppy"
Emeney chuckled under her breath. "Good. Let's hope they're needed less for that and more for holding the peace"
But in the distance, beneath the polished floors and behind palace walls, whispers of war were growing louder. And the chessboard was slowly filling with new players.