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Chapter 23
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-05 16:27:42
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The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 24
Ava's POVI thought that refusing General Kaelen would be the end of it. I expected anger, maybe even punishment, but instead, he did something far worse—he refused to let the matter drop. At first, his interest was subtle. A glance in my direction when I entered a room. A lingering gaze when I worked. But as the days passed, his attention became more deliberate. He ensured I was always in his line of sight, his presence a constant, oppressive force. I began to feel like I was living in a fishbowl, with Kaelen's eyes always on me.He started testing me, pushing me to my limits. My tasks became harder, more grueling. I was assigned to haul heavy water barrels, scrub the filth from warrior tents, and endure long hours with little rest. It wasn't an outright punishment, but it was clear that Kaelen wanted to see if I would break. If I would yield to the pressure."You're a hard worker, Ava," Kaelen said one day, as I was hauling a heavy water barrel across the camp. "I'll give you that."
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 25
Ava's POV And Kaelen, despite himself, found that he was beginning to admire me for this. He had expected me to break, to crumble under the pressure. But instead, I had risen to the challenge, my spirit unbroken."You're a fascinating woman, Ava," he said one day, as I was scrubbing the filth from a warrior's tent. "I've never met anyone like you."I looked up, my eyes narrowing. "What do you want from me, General?" I asked, wiping the sweat from my brow, trying to focus on the task at hand.Kaelen smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I want to break you," he said, his voice low and steady. "I want to see you yield.""I'll never yield," I said, my voice steady and unwavering as I turned back to my work.Kaelen laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice holding a note of challenge. "You're not the first to try and stand against me, Ava. But you're certainly the most stubborn."The words stung, but I didn’t let him see that. I kept scrubbin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 26
Ava's POV As the days turned into weeks, my determination only grew. I worked tirelessly, my body honed from the hard labor. I walked with my head held high, my eyes flashing with defiance.And Kaelen, watching me from afar, couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration. I was a worthy opponent, one who would not back down without a fight.The game was on, and I was ready to play.As the days passed, my presence in the camp became more pronounced. I was no longer just a servant, but a symbol of defiance against General Kaelen's authority. The other women looked up to me, whispering among themselves about my bravery.But Kaelen was not one to be swayed by sentiment. He saw my defiance as a challenge, a test of his dominance. And he was determined to prove his superiority.One day, as I was hauling a heavy water barrel across the camp, Kaelen appeared beside me. His eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing."You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" he said, his breath hot against my ear.I
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 27
Ava's POV Kaelen's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Your job," he repeated. "I think you're more than just a servant, Ava."My heart skipped a beat. Mate? What was he talking about? She was just a servant, a worker. But Kaelen's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if he could see the very heart of me. And I felt a spark of recognition, a sense of connection that I couldn't ignore."What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Kaelen's smile was slow, predatory. "Soon you'll understand" he said. My mind reeled as Kaelen's words hung in the air and I couldn't help but wonder what he really meant.I had been doing my best to avoid General Kaelen, but it seemed like the more I tried, the more our paths crossed. I would see him in the corridors, or in the mess hall, and every time, I would feel a flutter in my chest, I couldn't understand what it meant. I didn't know what it was about him that unsettled me so much. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, like he could see righ
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 28
Ava's POV But before I could react, Zylan appeared out of nowhere."What's going on here?" he asked, his voice firm.Rylan smirked. "Just having a little chat with the servant—Ava," he said.Zylan’s jaw tightened. "I don't think so," he said coldly. "Ava, come with me."I didn’t hesitate. I followed Zylan out of the room, leaving Rylan and his manipulations behind.As we walked, Zylan turned to me. "What was that all about?" he asked.I shook my head. "I don’t know," I muttered. "Rylan was just trying to manipulate me into admitting something. He twists everything I say."Zylan’s eyes narrowed. "He’s always been like that—thinks he can play with people’s minds and get away with it. But not this time."I glanced at him, surprised by the edge in his tone. "You’re really going to do something about it?""I don’t make empty promises, Ava," he said.I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thanks. It means a lot."Zylan smiled back, but there was a seriousness in his gaze. "Anytime. Just..
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 29
Ava's POV I looked at him shocked. "What is it?" I asked.Zylan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I know you're trying to avoid General Kaelen, but I think it's time we faced the music."I felt shocked and nervous . "What do you mean, master?" I asked.Zylan leaned in close. "I mean that we need to find out what's going on between you and General Kaelen," he said.I shook my head. "There's nothing going on between us," I said boldly, the tone of my voice a bit high, not minding whether or not I was heard by other warriors and entertainers close by. I was surprised to realise that even Zylan could think there was something going on between myself and the general. I thought he saw things from my lenses, but I guess I was wrong.Zylan raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he asked.I nodded. "Yes, really," I said.Zylan sighed. "Ava, I know you're not telling me the truth," he said.I felt a surge of defensiveness. "I am telling you the truth," I said.Zylan looked at me skeptically. "Fin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 30
Kaelen POV 'Why did you stop me from leaving?'I set down my spoon and looked at her. 'Because I wasn’t ready for you to go.'Her cheeks flushed a light pink, and she looked down at her hands. 'I thought I had done something wrong.''No, Ava,' I said, my tone softer now. 'You did everything right.'She nodded slowly, brushing her fingers over the corner of her apron.Silence stretched again, but this time, it was less awkward, more settled.'Do you always eat alone?' she asked quietly.'Most days,' I admitted. 'It’s easier that way.''Doesn’t it get… lonely?'I paused, then gave her a long look. 'Sometimes. But I never had much choice.''Maybe today is different,' she said softly.Her words were simple, but they landed heavy in the space between us.'Maybe it is,' I agreed, voice low.She looked up then, meeting my eyes fully for the first time since she entered the tent. Something unspoken passed between us, fragile and new.'General Kaelen,' she began, her voice timid, 'you don’t h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 31
Kaelen POV "You confuse me," she said at last."Good. You confuse me too."Her lips twitched, and for the first time, I saw the faintest hint of a smile. "You're not what I expected.""And what did you expect?""Someone cruel. Distant. Cold.""That’s what I’ve been. Until you walked in."I looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the beauty that lay beneath her reserved exterior. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light of my tent, and her skin glowed with a soft, golden light.As I stood there, looking into Ava's eyes, I felt a sense of uncertainty wash over me. I had never felt this way about a woman before. I have always been in control, always the one calling the shots.But with Ava, I felt like I was losing my grip. I felt like I was being pulled under by a force I couldn't resist.I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling. I am a warrior, after all. I was in control.But as I looked into Ava's eyes, I knew that I am only kidding myself. I am not in control. I am at th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
Bab terbaru
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
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 82
General Kaelen's POV I stood at the edge of the mountain, the wind whipping my hair into a frenzy as I gazed out at the breathtaking view below. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I had come to this mountain top to clear my head, to ponder on the situation that had been weighing heavily on my mind.I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I turned away from the view. I had decided to come here, to this mountain top, to think, to reflect on my feelings and figure out the best way forward. The only person who knew my location was Zylan, my trusted advisor, and I was grateful for that. I needed some time alone, some time to think without the distractions of the camp and the demands of my position.As I walked along the mountain path, I couldn't help but think about Ava. As General, I was used to being in control, to making tough decisions and facing challenges head-on. But this situation with Ava was different. I h
The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 81
Ava's POV As Sora made her way to Lord Arin's tent, I gave Thorne a signal, and he loudly complained about a disagreement he had with another warrior.“What do you mean you didn’t see him coming?” Thorne bellowed, throwing his arms in the air. “I told you to watch the left flank!”“I was watching the left flank, you oaf,” the other warrior shot back, shoving Thorne’s shoulder. “Maybe if you opened your eyes for once—”Their argument escalated quickly, drawing amused shouts and curious stares. Soon, a small crowd gathered to watch them squabble, clearly entertained by the unexpected drama.Meanwhile, I "accidentally" knocked over a nearby stack of crates, letting out a loud yelp as they crashed to the ground.“Sorry! My foot slipped!” I called out, stumbling backward and knocking into a barrel for good measure.The crash echoed through the camp like thunder, and a handful of nearby warriors rushed over, trying to help me collect the scattered contents.“Is everything alright?” one of
