It's an advantage that Kael knows every turn of this palace, every creaking tile, every careless whisper. So he waits. Waits for the right moment to do the right thing.
For now, the only thing he can do is join the maidens in their endless duties, avoiding their eyes, blending in.
There are so many of them, he is sure they don't even try to distinguish one from the other.
"We need water from the bowel," one snaps, shoving a large metal container into his arms.
Another silently follows behind him with her own.
The sky deepens into hues of indigo. Night is fast approaching. He must reach the sacred chamber before full darkness falls.
His heart won't stop racing. What if something goes wrong?
But… they won't recognize him. They can't. Still, what if they find out it's Darien?
There would be no return. No one would care what happens to him, no one, except Harry. Harry would care. He knows he would.
"Hey," the maid accompanying him to the water source whispers.
Kael turns slightly, his face expressionless, saying nothing.
"I know we're not supposed to talk about this. And we could get killed for it, but… don't you think Prince Eryx has become worse after Kael died?"
Kael stumbles, nearly dropping the bowel.
He knows he wants to hear, but something warns him saying it's not worth.
They get at the well where they usually source the water, not far away from the building that they have just come from.
"Think about it," she continues, hushed but eager. "He's more cruel now, more than ever. Like he's trying to punish everyone, or maybe himself. He sleeps with a new woman every night. He never used to do that. And the fights with the king? Daily! They used to be inseparable. Now it's like he's trying to self-destruct. Tell me, don't you think so? Ugh! Why am I the only one who can see this?!"
Sleeping with women?! Changing every night?! Huh! Great move Eryx! If you are trying to erase what you really are, then you might as well stop, because the fact that you desire men romantically... is not going to change by trying to sleep with countless women!
Kael scoffs.
He knows it sting to hear that, but he ignores that fact.
"What makes you think that has anything to do with Kael's death?" Kael asks, voice steady but low.
"At least you're talking now. I finally have someone to share this madness with. I think it's all connected. I heard them, prince Eryx and the king, arguing the day after the execution. Eryx didn't want it to happen. I know it, the way he was talking, the way his voice carried emotions for once! And tell you what...? The night before…" her voice dips lower, "I saw Kael going into Prince Eryx's chambers. And he never came out. So I was curious, I kept checking in the morning... and guess what? He came out in the morning. So tell me, don't you think they slept tog..."
Kael freezes.
"I don't want to talk about it," he says quickly, turning away with the container.
The air feels thinner. She saw him? His chest tightens, breath uneven.
The maid, startled, carries hers and follows. "What now? Gonna report me?"
"No. But don't talk to me about it again."
"Okay, fine!" she huffs. "Could've said that before I opened my mouth!"
Kael doesn't reply.
The moment he sets the bowel down, he slips away into the shadows. It's fully dark now. The sacred house is near abandoned, silent, forgotten.
He moves fast, dodging moonlight, his thoughts tangled. Is Eryx really grieving for him? Is he suffering because of it? Does he regret what he did to him?!
He shakes his head violently. No. Stop it.
Then, without warning, he slaps himself- hard, sharp, the sting immediate. "What the hell are you thinking?" he mutters under his breath. "That the same man who looked at you with such disgust the next morning, who let them accuse you like that, is someone you care what he feels now?"
His voice grows harsh.
"Yes, Eryx loved me. But he still betrayed me. With that love in him. Don't forget that. Next time you think of such nonsense, I'll beat the hell out of you."
He steadies his breath and gently opens the door, no creak, no resistance.
The chamber is dimly lit, weapons lined up like ghosts of the fallen. He scans them, searching.
But his sword, his father's sword, isn't there.
He searches again. Desperately.
Still, nothing.
And suddenly it dawns on him. With the disgrace he was dealt, the fury of the king, the public humiliation, of course they wouldn't honor him. Of course they wouldn't place his sword here.
He sits, the weight of it crashing into his chest. After everything I did… they erased me without even a second thought?!
He swallows hard, forcing the pain down.
He has to find that sword. He needs it. It's more than steel, it's all he has left of his father.
"Where would they throw it?"
He drags himself back to the servants' quarters, mind spinning. That nosy maid, she might know. She must know.
He calls her aside.
"What now? I thought you didn't want my stories." she scoffs.
"I just wanted to know, was Kael's sword kept with the others? The ones of the fallen warriors?"
Her eyes narrow. "Why are you suddenly interested in swords? His sword was thrown out. Said he humiliated the kingdom. Of which, honestly, I don't think he..."
She starts saying more than necessary.
Kael stops listening. His body goes still. Thrown… they threw it away?
"You mean Kael's sword was..."
Before he can finish, strong hands grab him from behind, rough and forceful.
Two guards.
"Where are you taking me?!" Panic floods his voice.
"You know what you did."
"No, I don't!" He argues.
"Prince Eryx was clear. Anyone who speaks that name- 'Kael' faces him directly."
No. No. Please. No!
He must have said it aloud without knowing.
His heart pounds like war drums. The other maid is being dragged too, her face pale with fear.
There's no going back now.
--
Who are you guys thinking or wishing the ML is? Eryx or Harry?🤔