Chapter 7. A test of loyalty

Kael woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. He took his position as guard outside the princess's chamber, his watchful eyes scanning the surroundings. His keen sense of smell allowed him to detect any scent before seeing the person, his greatest asset.

As he stood guard, he picked up Farah's scent and saw her walking towards the throne room, her maid and a guard trailing behind her. She stopped momentarily when she saw Kael, her chin held high as their eyes locked. Then, she continued on her way.

Kael smirked to himself. Feisty, yet small and beautiful.

Just then, Zoya emerged from her room, looking distressed. "Kael, I need your help, please," she said, her voice laced with urgency.

Kael raised an eyebrow, sensing a mischievous act. "What might you possibly need me to do, my lady?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Zoya beckoned him to follow her, and he hesitated for a moment before entering her chambers. As soon as he stepped inside, she slammed the door shut and threw herself at him, rubbing herself seductively against him.

Kael rolled his eyes and peeled her off him. He wasn't in the mood for such antics.

Zoya jumped on him again, and Kael's irritation boiled over. "Enough!" he whispered sharply, his voice low and firm.

"What's wrong? Don't you like me? Am I not pretty enough?" Zoya asked, still clinging to him.

Kael gently but firmly pried her off him. "Do you know what you're doing, Zoya? Do you want to ruin your future?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers.

Zoya's expression turned pleading. "What future? I'm a princess, and I have everything I want. Right now, I want you."

Kael's gaze softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "Have you been with a man before?" he asked gently.

Zoya shook her head, and Kael's expression turned resolute. "That's it, I won't do what you're asking of me, Zoya. I'm sorry, this is not acceptable."

But Zoya was beyond reason. "Please, take me, please! I don't mind, take me, make love to me, Kael!" she begged desperately, rubbing herself against him.

Kael watched her, aware that she had lost control. She was overwhelmed with desire, and he could smell her arousal. But he refused to give in. His heart belonged to another – Farah.

Kael swiftly picked Zoya up and deposited her onto her bed. With one swift move, he exited her chambers, leaving her stunned and frustrated.

Zoya's face burned with humiliation. How could a lowly guard reject her? She was a princess, after all. Her arousal and hurt pride simmered into a deep-seated frustration. She hurled her pillow to the floor and collapsed onto her bed.

Meanwhile, Kael didn't stop until he reached his own chambers. Breathing heavily, he couldn't believe the princess's brazen behavior. Though, he had to admit, he'd seen it coming.

He gripped his hair, collecting his thoughts before heading to the throne room. He needed to speak with the king and persuade him to reassign him to a different post.

Upon arriving, Kael bowed before the king. "What brings you here, Kael?" the king asked, eyeing him curiously.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you reconsider my position. I sense impending danger, and I'd like to be appointed as a guard in your throne room," Kael explained, hoping to convince the king.

The king raised an eyebrow. "What danger do you speak of?"

Kael hesitated before responding, "I saw a suspicious man lurking in the palace earlier, I haven't seen or noticed him around here before," Kael said, choosing his words carefully. "I tried to follow him to question him, but he disappeared quickly, and I couldn't track him down. I'm certain he's up to no good."

The king's expression turned grave, and he nodded, convinced by Kael's words. "From now on, you'll be working here in the palace. Meanwhile, gather all the other guards working in the palace. I need to discuss this further with everyone. We must be vigilant and keep everyone safe."

Kael nodded and carried out the king's instructions. The king addressed the gathered guards, his voice firm and urgent. "We need to be cautious and keep a sharp eye out. I want everyone to be on high alert, and we'll increase the palace security immediately."

Following the king's announcement, every guard was on high alert. Kael, aware that he had deceived his way into the new position, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. After all, a win was a win, no matter how it was achieved.

However, not everyone was pleased with Kael's newfound role. News of his reassignment spread quickly, reaching Zoya's ears. She was furious to learn that Kael would no longer be her personal guard and had begun working in the palace instead.

Seething with anger and hurt pride, Zoya began to concoct a sinister plan to take revenge on Kael.

Kael stood proudly on guard, thrilled with his new position. That day, Princess Farah was scheduled to visit a nearby village to procure her skincare and haircare supplies. Her father, confident in Kael's abilities, assigned him to accompany Farah on the trip.

"No, Father, I refuse to have him follow me," Farah protested, but her father remained firm.

"He, along with the two other guards, will escort you. I won't risk anything happening to you," he replied sternly.

Farah's frustration grew. "If there's anyone I need protection from, it's him. I don't trust him," she insisted, but her father wouldn't budge.

As a result, Kael joined Farah on the trip, accompanied by her maid, Elara, and two additional guards. Farah sat regally on her horse, her eyes fixed on Kael riding ahead of her on a majestic black stallion. His broad shoulders and skilled horsemanship caught her attention, and she couldn't help but snicker. She tried to convince herself that she had seen better, but her maid's admiring gaze told a different story. Elara beamed and blushed as she stared at Kael, prompting Farah to shake her head and roll her eyes.

Meanwhile, Zoya had devised a sinister plan and burst into the throne room, tears streaming down her face. Her father, alarmed by her distress, rose from his throne.

"What happened, Zoya?" he asked, his expression etched with concern.

"It's Kael, Father," she sobbed. "You can't trust him."

The king's face darkened. "What about Kael? What has he done?" he thundered.

Zoya's cries intensified as she collapsed to the floor. "He...he tried to rape me, Father!" she wailed, her voice echoing through the throne room.

The king's eyes widened in horror. "He did what? Are you certain of what you're saying?" he asked, struggling to process her words.

Zoya nodded fervently, her tears flowing freely. "Yes, Father! He threatened me, told me not to tell you. That's why he came to you, to change his position. He assaulted me, Father. Please, you have to believe me!"

Her father's eyes blazed with unbridled fury. "Find Kael immediately and bring him before me!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the throne room. "Ensure Farah's safety above all else. I want Kael brought to me forthwith!"

Two guards swiftly departed on horseback, driven by the king's urgency. Zoya's face concealed a triumphant smile, relieved that her deceit and fabricated tale had convincingly duped her father. Kael would soon face the consequences of rejecting her and relinquishing his position as her personal guard.

Her meticulously crafted plan had succeeded, and she eagerly anticipated witnessing Kael's downfall. Zoya's resentment simmered, fueled by her desire for vengeance against the man who had spurned her advances.

Kael, oblivious to the turmoil and deceit brewing behind him, rode his horse with ease, his senses heightened as he breathed in Farah's scent. He couldn't help but wonder when she would ever gaze at him with affection. Hopefully, someday, he thought, a hint of longing in his heart.

The group rode in silence, lost in their own thoughts, their horses' hooves beating in rhythmic unison. Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the thunderous galloping of horses. Kael's instincts kicked in as two guards, sent by the king, surrounded him.

"The king has ordered us to escort you and the princess back to the village," they announced calmly, careful not to arouse alarm.

"Why? What's happened?" Farah asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Nothing, my princess," the guard replied. "The king simply had a change of heart and ordered us to escort you back."

"But I think it's too late for that," Farah said, reluctance etched on her face. "We're almost at the village."

The guard's expression remained firm. "I'm afraid the king's instructions were clear, my princess. You and Kael are to return to the palace immediately."

Kael's suspicions were confirmed. He had sensed something was amiss, and now he was convinced that Zoya, the treacherous princess, was behind it.

As the guard finished speaking, Kael urged his horse forward, intending to continue their journey to the village. However, the two guards blocked his path.

"Do not let him leave!" one of the guards shouted to the other guards who had been accompanying Farah to the village.

Kael urged his horse forward again, but one of the guards swung his sword at him. Kael dodged the attack with ease, and Farah and Elara screamed in terror.

Something was terribly wrong. The four guards attacked Kael in unison, but he was a skilled and powerful warrior. He took them down one by one, his movements swift and deadly. Despite being outnumbered, Kael emerged victorious, leaving the guards wounded but alive.

Farah screamed loudly and tried to ride her horse back to the palace, but Kael seized the opportunity. He knew he couldn't return to the palace, not now. With a swift motion, he grasped Farah's struggling body and pulled her onto his horse.

"Let go of me, you monster!" Farah screamed, but Kael's grip was unyielding.

He glanced back at Elara, who was shaking with fear. "Return to the palace," Kael ordered. "I have no use for you."

Elara begged, her voice trembling. "But the princess, please, leave her alone!"

Kael's expression darkened, his anger rising. "Leave now, before I change my mind," he growled.

Elara didn't hesitate, turning to flee in terror. Kael watched her disappear into the distance before turning his attention back to Farah.

She struggled and screamed, but Kael's grip remained firm. He decided to avoid the village, fearing that someone might see him and raise the alarm.

Instead, he guided his horse into the dense forest, the trees closing in around them like sentinels. The sounds of Farah's struggles and the horse's hooves echoed through the forest, marking the beginning of their perilous

Kael and Farah rode on, the princess's struggles eventually ceasing after Kael's ominous threat. Her breath caught in her throat as she wondered if he was truly capable of such cruelty.

"Where are you taking me, you monster?" Farah demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kael's warning was low and smooth. "Careful with your words, flower."

Farah's indignation flared. "Don't call me flower! I'm your princess, and I demand respect!"

Kael's chuckle was low and menacing. "Oh, okay, Princess. You'll see where I'm taking you soon enough. No need to rush."