34: Confrontation in the Dark

The information Alina had gleaned from the hidden library gnawed at her thoughts. The more she learned, the more she realized that King Kael's ruthless reputation might be more complicated than she had initially believed. Was he truly a monster, or was he simply a man shaped by betrayal and survival?

But there was no time to dwell on such questions. The court was abuzz with preparations for an upcoming festival celebrating one of Castary's ancient victories. Alina, despite her best efforts to remain inconspicuous, was once again thrust into the center of attention. The nobles watched her every move, searching for signs of weakness.

That night, unable to sleep, Alina found herself wandering the palace grounds. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the cobblestone paths as she walked, her mind filled with thoughts of the secrets she had uncovered. She barely noticed where she was going until she stumbled upon a secluded garden, one she had not seen before.

The sound of a sword slicing through the air broke the silence. Alina followed the noise to find none other than King Kael himself, alone, practicing swordsmanship. His shirt was discarded, revealing his scarred, muscular torso that glistened with sweat under the pale moonlight. He moved with the fluid grace of a predator, each swing precise and deadly.

For a moment, Alina considered retreating, but it was too late. Kael had already noticed her presence. He stopped mid-swing, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. There was no anger in his gaze, only a quiet intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

"What brings you here, Princess?" he asked, his voice low and dangerously calm.

Alina swallowed hard, but she refused to be intimidated. "I couldn't sleep," she said. "This palace is filled with shadows and secrets. I needed air."

Kael's expression remained unreadable as he approached her, the sword still in his hand. "You're playing a dangerous game, Alina," he said, his tone softening for the briefest moment. "You wander where you do not belong. What is it you hope to find?"

Alina held his gaze, refusing to back down. "The truth," she replied. "I want to understand what kind of man you truly are."

Kael's eyes flashed with something she couldn't quite identify—pain, perhaps, or regret. But he quickly turned away, sheathing his sword. "You may not like what you find," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "Sometimes, it's better to live with the lies."

Before she could respond, he strode past her, leaving her alone in the moonlit garden. Alina watched him go, her heart heavy with confusion. The man she had just seen was not the heartless tyrant she had been led to believe. But could she trust this side of him, or was it just another mask?