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Chapter 29
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2025-04-08 20:10:19
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The 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 32
Ava's POVI stood before General Kaelen, my heart racing with anticipation and a hint of fear. His words had caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by asking me to stay the night."What could be the reason behind this instruction?" I thought to myself, my mind racing with possibilities. "Is he trying to punish me for bluntly disobeying him? Does he intend to have me by all means, even if it meant forcefully?"The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard that Panja warriors were known for their honor and respect towards women. They would never force a woman to be with them against her will. But then, why was General Kaelen asking me to stay the night?I pushed aside my fears and decided to ask him politely, trying not to show any sign of weakness. "At least, can I return to my tent and tidy up a few of my unleft duties before returning by night?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.To my surprise, General Kaelen nodded, his expression unreadable
Last Updated : 2025-04-09The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 33
Ava's POV She raised her hand as if she was about to issue punishment on the spot, her mouth already curling into something cruel.But before she could speak, a calm voice interrupted. "Mistress Elara, I think there's been a misunderstanding."I turned around in surprise. Zylan stood a few feet away, his hands calmly clasped behind his back, his stance collected and firm.Mistress Elara narrowed her eyes. "Master Zylan? What does this have to do with you?"Zylan stepped forward, his tone firm but respectful. "Ava has not been derelict in her duties. She was summoned by General Kaelen himself. I was there when he gave her instructions."Mistress Elara blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Summoned? The general summoned her? Why wasn’t I informed?"Zylan’s expression remained composed. "Because the general deemed it unnecessary to go through you. His orders were direct. She is to return to him by dusk."For a moment, there was only silence. Then, whispers rippled around us—other servants
Last Updated : 2025-04-09The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 34
Ava's POV "Welcome, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "I see you're punctual."I nodded, trying to keep my cool. "I try to be," I replied, my voice steady.General Kaelen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I like that about you, Ava. You're a woman of your word."I forced myself to smile lightly, though my heart thumped in my chest like a war drum. Compliments from him always came unexpectedly, and they always left me unsettled."I believe in doing what's expected of me, sir," I said carefully."You believe in duty. That's admirable. Rare, even." He leaned forward slightly. "But tell me… do you always follow orders, or just the ones you agree with?"There was a teasing lilt in his tone, but I knew better than to laugh."Depends on who's giving the order," I replied boldly, then instantly regretted how it sounded.His eyebrows lifted, amused. "Is that so?""I meant… I follow orders when they’re fair," I added quickly. "When they serve a purpose.""And do you think stand
Last Updated : 2025-04-09The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 35
But I suppressed the urge, keeping my eyes locked on his as he stared back at me. The heat between us was becoming intense, beads of sweat trickling down my face and into my eyes. A strand of my hair slipped out of its band, and I felt a flutter in my chest.There wasn't any gap anymore between his chest and mine, his body smothering mine. It felt almost like I was bare-skinned too.He lifted up a finger, gently brushing the stray hair out of my face. Time seemed to stand still as he touched me, his eyes never leaving mine.And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he walked away. I let out a deep sigh of relief, my body feeling like it had been released from a spell.As I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but wonder what had just happened. Had he been testing me? Or was there something more to it?I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had no idea what General Kaelen's intentions were, but I was determined to stay one step ahead of him.Little did I know, t
Last Updated : 2025-04-10The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 36
Ava's POVI woke up feeling a sense of unease, like something was off. And then I remembered the message that Zylan had delivered from General Kaelen. I wasn't to come in today, or any other day, unless he sent for me. At first, I thought I would be relieved. Finally, I would be free from General Kaelen's intense gaze, from the way he seemed to see right through me. But as I went about my morning routine, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. It wasn't excitement that I felt, or even relief. It was something else, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I tried to push the feeling aside and focus on my duties. I had been assigned to help with the preparations for the upcoming festival, and I was determined to make sure that everything was perfect. But as I made my way to the festival grounds, I was ambushed by a group of entertainers. They were a group of women who performed for the warriors, singing and dancing for their entertainment. They had never been particu
Last Updated : 2025-04-10The Forbidden Gaze Chapter 37
Ava's POV "You know, I'm getting a little tired of your insults," I said, my voice firm. "Maybe it's time for you to focus on your own jobs, instead of trying to bring me down."The entertainers gasped in shock, and for a moment, they were silent. But then, one of them stepped forward, her eyes narrowing."Oh, we're shaking in our boots," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The little servant girl thinks she's tough."Another chimed in, laughing. "She’s probably hoping Kaelen will notice her if she pretends to grow a backbone.""Maybe she thinks standing up to us will get her a promotion," another one said, flicking her long braid over her shoulder.I clenched my fists. "I'm not trying to impress anyone. I just want to be treated with respect—something you all clearly struggle with."They snickered, leaning into each other as if I'd said something hilarious."You hear that? She wants respect," the first one mocked, mimicking my voice."Should we bow before you, Princess Ava?"
Last Updated : 2025-04-10
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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
