"Selene?!" Kael's voice was harsh and sharp, like an order that couldn't be ignored. "Down!"
He immediately pulled Selene down, her body falling into the cold grass, and Kael landed on top of her. The weight of him sent a shock straight to her chest.
Her heartbeat raced as if it was running, her palms turning cold, and her breath left a hot steam in the dim night.
Selene felt the weight of Kael's body pressing against hers. Every movement of his seemed deliberate, each step carefully calculated, driven by one goal—protecting her.
Kael's scent was a woody fragrance of expensive sandalwood, warm, bold, with a strange comfort amidst the tension. It wasn't the scent of an ordinary man—it was the scent of strength and security.
And despite the fear she felt, Selene couldn't help but feel her confusion start to fade, her self-doubt slowly shifting, and an unexpected fall began to take place within her.
As the cold night air brushed against her skin, the weight of Kael atop her reminded her that she wasn't alone.
She could feel his breath gently caress her neck, the heat of his body sending a strange chill through every inch of her skin. Each movement of Kael brought a sensation that was hard to explain—his hands moving with precision, and it was as if all the noises around them had vanished, leaving just the two of them in the darkness.
"Someone... wants to kill me?" Selene whispered, her voice trembling, filled with fear and shock. Her body seemed to freeze, her tears welling up—not from pain, but from a fear that slowly consumed her heart.
Kael was silent, not answering immediately. His eyes were darting rapidly, scanning the trees, the grass, the shadows hiding in the dark. With every rustle of the wind, with every movement of the leaves, Kael's body seemed to intensify, exuding a quiet yet undeniable determination.
The tension between them was thickening by the second.
Kael pulled a small com device from his wristband. It immediately illuminated the darkness of the night, but despite the light, Selene could still feel the heat of the man on top of her.
"Sector Delta-Four. Shot fired. Active threat. Protect the Princess," Kael's tone was cold. But despite his seriousness, Selene couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sensation with every touch of his skin against hers.
And even in the midst of the heavy tension and danger, her emotions were slowly unraveling something she couldn't quite explain.
A few seconds passed before Kael looked at Selene. When their eyes met, Selene felt the weight of the air around them shift, a type of energy emanating from Kael.
Kael's expression shifted, no longer the stoic bodyguard he always was, emotionless and calm. Now, his eyes burned with intense anger, and despite all the danger, Selene's heartbeat quickened as though she had fallen into a current she couldn't escape.
"This wasn't an accident," Kael's voice dropped low, filled with anger and tension. "This wasn't just a warning shot. They tried to kill you."
No words came from Selene's mouth. Her heart beat furiously, her vision blurring with tears she couldn't explain. As she stared at the dark surroundings, an inexplicable fear gripped her, and along with that fear, she felt an unshakeable pull toward Kael, his every movement bringing a warmth she couldn't name.
"But... how did they get in? There are guards at every—" She began to speak, but her questions were left unfinished by Kael's presence beside her.
The scent of him, the warmth of his body, and the intense promise that Selene felt in every second of their shared presence gave her a deep understanding—Kael was not just a bodyguard.
He was the man willing to sacrifice everything for her, and despite all the fear, a part of her heart no longer wanted to escape his arms.
"The guards... not all of them are allies," Kael answered seriously. "And not every palace is a fortress like you think."
Selene stared at his face.
There was mud on his cheekbone, and his suit was slightly torn at the side, probably from blocking something earlier.
"Why did you push me? You could have—"
"You're more important than my life, Selene." Kael's voice was firm, emotionless. "You are the one who needs to be protected, because you're the target."
There was no change in Kael's expression, hard and cold, like an unshakable wall. But behind the silence, his eyes contained intense emotion, as if feelings long held back were ready to explode, ready to reveal secrets that couldn't be exposed.
As Selene observed Kael, something entered her mind. What she needed was more than just protection. She needed someone to be her shield, and now, it was clearer than ever: Kael was what she had been searching for.
Kael quickly stood up, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness, observant, alert, seemingly catching every shadow lurking. He felt the hidden eyes watching, silent but carrying the threat of danger.
In the distance, they heard the sound of footsteps—royal guards quickly running toward them. But Kael didn't move an inch. He stood before Selene like a solid wall, no one able to break him.
Slowly, Selene sat down, her hands still trembling. Her eyes were filled with confusion and questions, but with every movement of Kael, there was a strength flowing through her, a strength not only from his body but from every gaze and presence he emitted.
"What's going to happen now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, though fear was unmistakable in her words.
Kael stepped toward her and took her hand, locking eyes with her. He stared for a moment before she accepted his hand. It was warm, heavy, and firm.
No hesitation, no doubt.
With every touch, Selene felt a protection she couldn't comprehend, as if the world was becoming smaller and safer beside him.
Kael helped her to her feet.
"Now… stop pretending you're a princess in a grand palace. You need to be careful. You're in danger. You don't know who your true allies or enemies are, and one wrong move could lead you into even darker threats."
As she held his hand, Selene felt an inexplicable connection, as if every movement and word from Kael pierced into her heart.
All she knew was, in the middle of all this, one thing was certain: In Kael's eyes, she was not just a princess; she was also someone he was willing to sacrifice everything for.
Selene looked in the direction of the tree that had been struck by the arrow, and a cold sensation enveloped her, as if a presence was following behind her.
"Because from now on, there's a war around you. And you have to choose: will you be a queen... or will you be the target?" Kael continued, his tone heavy with meaning.
Kael suddenly became alert as he sensed something unusual in the surroundings, as if a heavy presence enveloped the air. His eyes sharpened, scanning every shadow around them, as if a cold threat was watching them from the dark.
"Selene, run," his voice was low but firm, full of warning.
Kael grabbed her hand and pulled her away. They ran quickly, needing to distance themselves before the danger that had been hiding in the darkness revealed itself.
Despite the danger, Kael's hands served as Selene's support in the midst of the night. While the palace of Arvenia remained silent and elegant, true chaos was starting behind the calm facade.
As Kael held her and led her back towards the palace, Selene felt the rapid beating of her heart. Fast. Faster than the sound of their footsteps.
They passed under tall hedges, the moonlight desperately trying to follow them, but there were too many shadows. In the corners, eyes seemed to hide, watching them.
Then, she saw it—a quick movement on the roof. A shadow. Another. Two more. Men? Assassins? Guards? She didn't know. But one thing was certain—they were not safe.
"Kael... something's moving on the rooftops," she barely managed to whisper, her voice shaking in fear.
Kael clenched his jaw in controlled anger. "I know," he replied firmly. His eyes were sharp and alert.
Selene scanned the surroundings, looking for any hope, wondering if alarms would ring, if there would be red lights, sirens. Guards coming to save them. But there was nothing.
No alarm. No "Code Red" call. The only sound was the echo of their footsteps and their own breath—fast, chaotic, filled with fear.
"Why is there no alarm? Don't they see this?!" Selene asked, her voice full of shock.
Kael's gaze was focused ahead, not looking back, but his voice was cold, heavy, as if restraining his own anger.
"Because they don't want to see it."
Selene froze. It was like being splashed with cold water. In an instant, the palace, once her place of safety, suddenly felt like a prison. That place, once full of regal memories, now felt full of danger.
Kael pulled her back into their fast-paced run.
"What do you mean?" Selene asked, her voice almost a whisper, breathless. She could hardly keep up with Kael's pace.
"Selene," Kael replied, his voice laden with gravity, "This isn't just a simple attack. This isn't the work of a madman who just wants to hurt you. There's someone with access. Someone with power. Someone from within."
A sharp pain shot through Selene's heart. The palace, once considered her sanctuary, was now a symbol of threat
As they passed the side of the marble hallway connected to the greenhouse, they suddenly felt a presence descending from above. A man in black with a mask, wearing combat gear.
Selene screamed. Her scream echoed with the swift movement of Kael, like an animal ready to fight.
Before the man could get close, Kael delivered a quick roundhouse kick to the assassin. The sound of bones breaking mixed with the explosion of energy from Kael, and the enemy's body collapsed onto the grass like a ragdoll that couldn't stand up.
Selene stumbled back, utterly shocked. Kael can fight. He's not just a simple bodyguard.
Kael moves like a predator. Calculated. Deadly. Professional.
"Stay close," Kael said, quickly pulling her back behind him, his eyes no longer blinking, alert to every movement.
They heard movement to the right. Another one behind them.
"Three more," Kael whispered, his voice remaining calm. "Remember, Princess, you don't have to run fast…"
Kael looked at Selene. His eyes were sharp, but there was a strange light in them—one of protection and intense determination. His eyes spoke of a fearless fight.
"You just need to stay by my side.".