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Chapter 12
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-31 01:31:29
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The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 13
The noise I had heard outside my tent had left me on edge, and I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder, expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows.My boss, a smallish man with a thick beard, looked up from the stove where he was busy stirring a large pot of stew. "Ah, servant," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're up bright and early, ready to face another day of servitude."I ignored his jibe and began my tasks, washing the dishes from the previous night's meal and starting the fire for the day's cooking. But my boss was not content to let me be. He seemed determined to taunt me, to get a rise out of me."So, servant, tell me," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "What's the story behind the general's little visit to your classes the other day?"I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I scrubbed a particularly stubborn stain on a plate. "I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.But he would not be fooled. "D
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 14
As the morning wore on, the kitchen grew busier, with the other servants and cooks arriving to start their day's work. My boss finally left me alone, turning his attention to the day's menu and the preparations for the warriors' meals.But I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after my boss's taunts had stopped. The noise outside my tent, the general's strange behavior and sudden disappearance, and my boss's malice all combined to leave me feeling on edge, wondering what the day would bring.As I worked, I caught glimpses of the warriors outside, their laughter and shouts carrying on the wind. They seemed carefree, oblivious to the tensions that simmered beneath the surface of our little community.But I knew better. I knew that the warriors' pleasures were bought at a steep price, one that the servants and entertainers paid in full. And I knew that I was not immune to the dangers that lurked in every corner of our world.As the day wore on, I found myself grow
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 15
Ava POV "What's going on, Mistress Elara?" I asked, trying to keep up with her as she strode through the camp."You'll see," she replied, her voice firm. "Just come with me."I followed her, my heart pounding in my chest. What did she want with me? And what lay in store for me this time?As I followed Mistress Elara, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done wrong this time. Had I not completed my tasks to her satisfaction? Had I somehow displeased her?We walked in silence, Mistress Elara's heels clicking on the stone floor as we made our way through the winding corridors of the compound. I trailed behind her, my heart pounding in my chest.Finally, we arrived at a large wooden door, adorned with intricate carvings of the compound's emblem. Mistress Elara pushed the door open, revealing a spacious room with a large desk at its center."Enter," she said, her voice firm.I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the bright light that streamed through the large windows. Mistress Elara cl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 16
Ava POV He exhaled sharply, as though losing interest. "Move along, then. But keep your eyes open. You might not be so lucky next time."I hesitated for only a moment before stepping around him, my legs trembling slightly as I moved forward. My mind was still racing, but I refused to show weakness.The feeling of being watched returned, stronger than before. I could hear the heavy silence behind me, like an unspoken presence lurking just out of reach. I glanced over my shoulder—nothing. And yet, I couldn't shake the sensation that something was terribly wrong.My steps quickened again, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. Just as I turned a corner, a shadow flickered across my vision. Someone was there."Who's there?" I called out, trying to sound steady.No answer.I gritted my teeth and pressed forward, my fingers clenching my skirt as if that could ground me. The camp was never truly quiet—distant voices, the clang of metal, the ever-present hum of a place preparing for war—but in th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 17
As I spoke, Master Zayne's expression turned serious, his eyes clouding over with concern. "I see," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "It seems like you're in a bit of a bind, Ava."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. It was nice to have someone to talk to, someone who seemed to understand the complexities of the situation.Master Zayne's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my veins. "Don't worry, Ava," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "I'll do my best to help you navigate this mess."I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "Thank you, Master Zayne," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Master Zayne's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Anytime, Ava," he said. "Now, let's get you back on your feet."As he helped me up, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the unexpected turn of events. Who would have thought that Master Zayne, the infamous warrior, would turn out to be my unlikely ally?As we wal
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 18
I felt a surge of gratitude towards him. No one had ever shown me such kindness and concern before. "I'm fine, Master Zayne," I said, trying to sound brave. "Just a little... overwhelmed."Master Zayne nodded, his eyes locked onto mine. "I know how you feel," he said. "But I want you to know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, Ava."I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Master Zayne. I had thought the Panja warriors had no emotions in them. This is my first. It was as if he understood me in a way that no one else did."Thank you, Master Zayne," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Master Zayne smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Ava," he said. "Now, let's get out of here. I think you've had enough of this place for one day."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I closed my book and stood up, brushing off my tattered gown. As I walked with Master Zayne, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if I had finall
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 19
As Zayne continued to talk to Ava, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Rylan's interest in her was more than just casual. He had known Rylan for years, and he knew that the man was ambitious, always looking for ways to advance his own career. But Zayne also knew that Rylan's ambition was not always pure. He had seen Rylan do some questionable things in the past, things that had made Zayne wonder if Rylan's loyalty to the Panja was genuine.As he watched Ava, Zayne realized that he needed to keep a closer eye on her. Not just because of Rylan's interest, but also because of the general's request. Something was not right, and Zayne was determined to find out what it was."Ava, I need to ask you something," Zayne said, his voice low and serious.Ava looked up at him, her eyes curious. "What is it, Master Zayne?" she asked."I need to know if you've noticed anything strange lately," Zayne said, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Anything that might seem out of place or unusual."
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 20
“Be careful.” The words echoed in his head. There had to be more to this. Someone was trying to keep Ava safe—or perhaps warn her about a threat. Was the note a sign that someone knew what was coming? "Someone knows something," Rylan thought, and it made him feel uneasy. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but there was still so much that didn’t add up.His steps slowed as his thoughts shifted back to Zayne. “What if Zayne was the one who wrote it? No, that’s too obvious. He’s too careless for that. But who else might be watching Ava? And why are they warning her?"The more Rylan thought, the more questions seemed to pile up. He had to get to Ava before Zayne did. It was clear now that Ava was part of something much bigger than he had originally thought. She was involved in something—someone—was trying to protect her, or maybe stop her from discovering something. But what?Rylan’s mind raced, but there was no time to waste. He needed answers, and he needed them fast. “Ava… y
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04
Bab terbaru
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 91
“The soldiers. Quiet. Restless. More fights breaking out. One even collapsed during a sparring match, said his limbs just gave out.”Kaelen sat up straighter despite the ache in his spine. “So it’s not just me.”“No. But it’s stronger in you. Which makes me think this isn’t just sickness. Something’s targeting you.”He didn’t flinch. “You think it’s Ava?”The name cut through the air like steel.I watched him closely. “I think… whatever tether you formed with her, it’s still active. Even at a distance.”“However, I think it’s the accusations laid on you that affect you the most. And you have to be strong and go after what you want. If you love Ava, fight for it—irrespective of the culture of our land.”He went still.I leaned forward, voice low. “Kaelen… when did this start?”His lips parted, but no words came. Then he closed his eyes. “A few days after she stopped showing up in the kitchens. After that last night. The one I thought was our—”He stopped himself. Looked away.“She’s co
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 90: The Breach Between Us
Zylan’s POVThe moment I saw Kaelen slump against that boulder like a wounded animal, something inside me snapped.He looked wrong. His proud posture was gone, traded for a haunted tilt of the shoulders. Shadows lined his eyes like bruises, his once-imposing presence dulled under the weight of something he wouldn’t name.I’d seen warriors broken by loss, by betrayal, by hunger—but Kaelen? He was breaking from the inside out.“I didn’t want to burden anyone,” he’d muttered, and damn it, that cut deeper than any blade.“You’re not a burden,” I said again, this time more to convince him than myself.He didn’t answer. Just stared at the dirt like it held the answers he was too afraid to ask for.______________I handed him the flask. “It’s laced with herbs to ease your stomach. Sip slowly.”He did. His hand trembled around the metal. I made a mental note of it but said nothing. Not yet.A breeze swept through the clearing, and the firelight flickered across his cheekbones—too sharp, too s
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 89
Ava POV When I finished, he nodded thoughtfully. "I see," he said. "It seems like the General is not the only one being persecuted around here."I felt a surge of gratitude toward him. Finally, someone who understood me. "What brings you here, Master?" I asked, trying to change the subject.Zylan smiled wryly. "I'm here to check on you and to ask you a favor, actually.""A favor?" I tilted my head. "What's the matter? Is the General okay?" My voice trembled slightly, the fear too quick to rise.Zylan's eyes softened as he shook his head, the corners of his mouth drawn down. "No, I must say. He's been... indisposed lately."My eyes widened in concern. "What do you mean by 'indisposed'? Has he been injured? Is he sick?""It's hard to explain," Zylan replied, running a hand through his hair. "At first, we thought it was fatigue. The General rarely rests, as you know. But now… his condition is more troubling than that."I took a hesitant step closer. "Troubling how? Has he spoken to anyo
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 88
Ava's POV I stood frozen, mop in hand, as Mistress Elara approached me. Her eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, and I could sense a palpable tension in the air. "I see Sora took you in," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "What exactly is your agenda, servant?" I felt a surge of confusion and defensiveness. What was she talking about? I was just doing my job, trying to survive in this chaotic world. "I...I don't know what you mean, Mistress," I stammered.Mistress Elara's expression turned even darker, and she took a step closer to me. I could feel her anger radiating toward me, and I instinctively took a step back. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" she spat. "But I see right through you. You're just a troublemaker, and I won't have you causing problems here."“I’m not trying to cause anything,” I whispered, gripping the mop tighter. “I clean, I follow orders—I haven’t done anything wrong.”"Exactly," she hissed. "You pretend to be meek. But I know your type. Al
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 87
As we sat together, Zylan asked me questions about my symptoms, listening intently as I described my fatigue, lack of appetite, and general malaise. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I talked, knowing that Zylan was listening and trying to help.“How long has this been going on?” Zylan asked softly, his brows furrowed in concern.I sighed, running a shaky hand through my hair. “A while. Weeks, maybe. It started small—skipping meals, sleepless nights. I thought it would pass. I thought I could handle it.”He reached out, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve been carrying too much, Kaelen. You don’t have to do everything alone.”A bitter laugh escaped me. “I’m the General, Zylan. If I don’t hold it together, who will?”“You don’t have to break just to prove you’re strong,” he said quietly. “Strength isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up. And right now, getting help doesn’t make you weak.”I stared at him for a long moment before nodding. “You sound like on
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 86
Zylan's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep concern."General, let me help you," he said, his voice soft. "Whatever is going on, we'll figure it out together."I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't alone in this after all. Maybe Zylan could help me find a way out of this darkness.With a newfound sense of hope, I nodded, my eyes meeting Zylan's."Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's wrong with me."Zylan's expression was gentle."We'll find out," he said. "Together."Zylan's words were a balm to my frazzled nerves. I felt a sense of gratitude towards my friend, who had always been there for me in times of need. As Zylan approached me, I noticed that he was carrying a small satchel."I brought some food and medicine," Zylan said, his eyes scanning my gaunt face. "Let's get you fed and rested, and then we'll figure out what's going on."I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. I knew that I couldn't keep goin
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 85
General Kaelen's POVI stood atop the mountain, my eyes fixed on the horizon as the sun began to set. I had been training alone for what felt like an eternity, pushing myself to my limits every day. The isolation was suffocating at times, but I welcomed it. It was a reminder that I was still alive, still fighting.As I trained, I couldn't help but think of Zylan. My friend and confidant had been visiting me regularly, engaging in combat sessions that helped keep my skills sharp. But for the past few days, Zylan hadn't shown up. I was not sure what to make of it. Was Zylan busy with other matters, or was something wrong?I hurled my wooden spear at the tree trunk and watched it strike with a dull thud."Where the hell are you, Zylan?" I muttered under my breath, picking up another spear."Maybe he's just giving you space. You’ve been snapping at him a lot lately."I exhaled sharply and wiped the sweat from my brow. “That’s no excuse. He would’ve told me. He always tells me.”I lunged f
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 84
"What's the situation with the Council?" I asked, changing the subject.Zylan's expression turned grim. "It's not looking good, General. They're investigating your conduct, and there are rumors of... impropriety. If they're not careful, it could escalate into a full-blown scandal."I cursed under my breath, feeling a sense of frustration. I knew that the Council was looking for a way to bring me down, to strip me of my power and influence. And with Ava by my side, it seemed like they had the perfect ammunition.“They’ve been waiting for this,” I muttered, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “One misstep, and they pounce like vultures.”"You’ve always had enemies among them,” Zylan said carefully. “But this time… it’s different. They’re not just whispering behind closed doors. They’re gathering support.”"Because of Ava?" I asked, already knowing the answer.Zylan hesitated, then gave a slow nod. “Yes. They see her as a weakness, a liability. They think she’s distracting you. And worse… the
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 83
But it wasn't just about my feelings for Ava. Our social differences made it impossible for us to be together. There were consequences to consider. As General, I am a man of power and responsibility. I have a reputation to uphold, a position to maintain. And Ava... well, she is just a servant, a woman of humble birth. It was a forbidden love, one that could bring shame and trouble to both of us and I don't know how to navigate it."She deserves peace," I muttered under my breath, my fingers curling around the hilt of my sword. "Not the chaos that comes with being close to someone like me."I thought about seeking pleasure from another woman, trying to quench the desire that burned within me. But the thought felt hollow, and I knew I couldn't do it. My feelings for Ava ran too deep, and I couldn't just switch them off. Every time I considered it, I remembered Ava's voice, reading the story of Esther to me. Her words had struck a chord within me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that
