Chapter Twenty Two: His roles

The scent of rain-soaked earth and pine clung to Kaelen as he strode through the covered walkway connecting his private residence to the main palace. His face was a carefully constructed mask of regal indifference, a shield he was well-versed in employing. Inside, his mind churned with a mixture of guilt and fierce protectiveness. The image of Elara, pale and trembling, haunted him still.

He had managed to put her to sleep less than an hour ago, promising her safety, whispering reassurances that felt thin even to his own ears. Every stolen moment with her was a gamble, a dangerous dance on the precipice of ruin. But the thought of relinquishing her, of leaving her to the tender mercies of Damon, was unbearable.

Reaching the main palace, he was immediately engulfed in the orchestrated chaos of court life. Courtiers bowed, advisors clamored for his attention, and the air thrummed with whispered agendas. He navigated the throng with practiced ease, nodding, agreeing, and subtly deflecting, his mind still miles away, cradling the image of Elara's face. The weight of his responsibilities, of the future of the kingdom, felt crushing in moments like these. His parents were gone, taken by a rogue attack years ago, leaving him orphaned and the throne to his uncle, Valerius. The kingdom held its breath, waiting for him to find a mate, produce an heir, or at the very least, show signs of settling down. But how could he when his heart belonged to an omega already bound to another, carrying the other's pups?

He was intercepted not by his uncle, but by a stern-faced guard. "Prince Kaelen, His Majesty requests your presence in the Royal Study immediately."

Kaelen's unease intensified. The Royal Study was reserved for matters of great importance, and the King, his Uncle Valerius, rarely summoned him there unless a serious issue was at hand.

He found Valerius seated behind his grand desk, a single scroll unfurled before him. The room, usually filled with an air of quiet authority, felt charged with a palpable tension.

"Kaelen," Valerius said, his voice lacking its usual smooth cordiality. "Come in. We need to discuss this." He gestured to the scroll with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

Kaelen approached, his senses on high alert. The scroll contained architectural blueprints, intricate and detailed. He recognised them instantly.

"The plans for the new training facility for the Royal Guard ," Kaelen stated, keeping his tone neutral.

"Yes," Valerius replied, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Submitted by Damon Robin's company. And approved by you."

Kaelen held his ground, bracing himself for the inevitable confrontation. "That is correct, Your Majesty."

"Why, Kaelen?" Valerius asked, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "There's no need for a new training facility, the existing one is running just fine. Besides, why Damon Robin? There are more established, more reputable firms within the kingdom. Firms that have served the crown for generations. Yet you entrust a project of this magnitude, a project that will cost a significant portion of the royal treasury, to him?" Okay that was exaggerated, the project in question is in no way costing a significant portion of the royal treasury.

Kaelen had anticipated this line of questioning, and he had prepared his answers. "Your Majesty, the board of the royal guard is in dire need of a new training facility as much as there's need to recruit more members. Its current state poses a security risk to the kingdom. I reviewed several proposals, and Damon Robin's design was, in my assessment, the most innovative and practical. It addressed not only the structural deficiencies but also incorporated advanced defensive measures that would significantly enhance the security of the facility."

Valerius leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Kaelen as if trying to decipher his true intentions. "Innovative? Perhaps. But also... risky. Robin's company, while showing promise, is relatively young. Their experience in projects of this scale is limited."

"I am aware of that, Your Majesty," Kaelen replied calmly. "But I believe in fostering new talent and providing opportunities for growth. Robin's company presented a comprehensive plan, and they demonstrated a clear understanding of the project's complexities. Furthermore, their proposed timeline was significantly shorter than that of the other firms, minimizing the disruption of activity in the board."

He was walking a tightrope, offering plausible justifications while concealing his true motives. He couldn't tell his uncle that he had awarded the contract to Damon to keep him occupied, to buy himself more time with Elara. Such a revelation would not only expose his affair but would also shatter the carefully constructed image of responsibility and dedication he had cultivated over the years.

Valerius tapped the desk with his fingers, his silence unsettling. "There are... whispers, Kaelen. Rumors of mismanagement, of financial difficulties plaguing Robin's company. Have you not heard them?"

Kaelen feigned surprise. "I was not aware of any such rumors, Your Majesty. However, before approving the contract, I did order a preliminary assessment of Robin's company's financial standing. The results were... satisfactory. But given your concerns, I can certainly order a more thorough audit to ensure their stability before any funds are disbursed."

He was throwing Valerius a bone, offering a concession to appease his suspicions. He knew that Valerius was a shrewd and ruthless ruler, a man who had spent years consolidating his power. He wouldn't be easily swayed, and he certainly wouldn't tolerate any perceived threat to his authority.

"That would be prudent, Kaelen," Valerius said, his eyes still studying him intently. "Very prudent indeed. I trust you understand the importance of this project. The security of the kingdom hinges on the integrity of the board in question. Any failure, any mismanagement, will reflect poorly on us all."

"I understand perfectly, Your Majesty," Kaelen replied, maintaining eye contact. "I assure you, I will oversee the project personally to ensure its successful completion."

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words and veiled accusations. Kaelen could feel the weight of Valerius's gaze, the pressure of his scrutiny. He knew that he was being tested, that his uncle was trying to gauge his loyalty, to assess his capabilities.

Finally, Valerius broke the silence. "Very well, Kaelen. I trust you will not disappoint me. You are the future of this kingdom. Your decisions must be made with wisdom and foresight."

He paused, his voice softening slightly. "Your parents would have been proud of the man you've become, Kaelen. They always believed in you. And I do too. Don't let their memory be tainted with rash decisions."

Kaelen's heart clenched at the mention of his parents. Their deaths had left a void in his life that could never be filled, and the burden of their legacy weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"I will do my best, Your Majesty," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I will never forget their sacrifice, and I will always strive to uphold the values they instilled in me."

Valerius nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I know you will, Kaelen. I know you will." He dismissed Kaelen with a wave of his hand. "You are dismissed."

As Kaelen turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had only bought himself some time. He knew that Valerius's suspicions hadn't been completely allayed and that he would continue to be watched, his every move scrutinized. He had to be more careful, more discreet. The stakes were too high. His love for Elara, his future, and the future of the kingdom were all hanging in the balance.