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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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