Operation: Make Him Fall
AURELIA/ LEXI
It was my second day in this place, in this strange world, but I still got lost in the winding corridors. Designs on the doors to every room. It was a good thing I had my three servants with me.
I was still not used to the very high ceiling. There were carved designs that moved if I looked at them for too long. The table was made of black glass or stone, I couldn't tell, and any light that hit it sank instead of reflecting. The plates were ready when I arrived. There were no servants to be seen. Where they were, I didn't know.
My gaze first passed the king. He stopped mid-sentence. His fingers rested on his goblet. His gaze was fixed on me.
I didn't immediately lower my eyes.
"Princess," he said, his voice firm.
My gaze shifted to the queen. His smile first. I didn't know if it was genuine or studied. I don't feel it, or is it because I'm not her child?
"My child," she said softly. But it felt plastic to me, not matching her expression.
Her eyes moved over me. It was as if she was studying my posture, my steps, and the way I held my clothes as if I wasn't used to it.
There was no denying it. I felt it. The queen knew something was wrong with her child, but couldn't say it.
I passed behind Lady Seraphine. She didn't greet me even though she glanced at me. She didn't smile either. Instead, her gaze dropped to my hands, my shoulders, and the way I walked.
"You walk differently now, Your Majesty." Not accusatory, but there was a hint of doubt.
She turned around and stopped walking. "My foot hurts, so I have a hard time walking."
I didn't wait for her to say anything and started walking back to my seat. But before I could even get there, he was there. Commander Kael.
He wasn't sitting; he was standing a step behind the king. I could feel his presence even before I looked at him.
"The princess explained." Lady Seraphine's voice. "Interesting."
I glanced back slightly and noticed the strange smile on Lady Seraphine's lips. I ignored it. I looked back at Kael as she began to walk.
There he was again. He was watching me. His movements were like a stalker's.
I slowed down for a few seconds. His gaze dropped and quickly returned to my face. His expression didn't change, but I was nervous. He seemed doubtful again.
Stopping at my spot, I reached for the chair, but before I could pull it out, he grabbed it, causing me to let go. I looked at him as he pulled the chair out. It was the first time he had done this. It was strange. Was he up to something?
"You're a gentleman; yesterday you weren't." I teased the calm voice. "Isn't that every day?"
"Courtesy is given when it serves a purpose," he said flatly. "Yesterday, it did not."
I tilted my head slightly, and a small smile formed. "So, I'm a 'purpose' now?" I spoke. "Good to know I've been upgraded."
"Of course," Kael said.
He paused for a moment. "You chose me. You made that clear before the Council."
He gestured for me to sit down, so even though I wanted to answer, I stopped myself. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm the lucky one for choosing him. Hello, I am the princess, and he is just a commander. He is my lucky choice.
I sat down slowly. And immediately looked at the overflowing food on the long table. These were not the foods served yesterday; they were strange to my eyes again, and worst, they did not seem good.
Dark meat, sliced cleanly, still steaming. A bowl of thick and red, not so tasty soup, not so tasty sauce. Bread that looked burnt on the outside but was soft when I squeezed it. And a drink in a thin glass, bright purple, almost sparkling.
I hesitated.
"It's safe," someone said.
I looked up. Kael was standing across the table.
'He's staring again.'
I picked up the knife. "Well," I muttered under my breath, "if I die, at least I die full."
I took a bite. I was stunned for a moment. It tasted… good. Rich, heavy, like it melted the moment it touched my tongue. I liked him better than yesterday's food. And to think, they said those were my favorites. Geez, what kind of taste buds does Princess Aurelia have?
I glanced at him again, and it was the same; he was still watching me even while eating. I had only a little time to think that this man didn't refuse to be my mate because he had feelings for the princess, too.
Right. Operation: Make Him Fall.
The table fell silent. The king stepped back slightly; his fingers tapped the table.
"Bold… very bold," he finally said, his voice low.
The king's eyes never left Kael, but I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. He wanted to see how it would turn out.
The Queen smiled. Her lips were curved, but her eyes were… cold.
"You truly pick the most… complicated path, my daughter," she said gently.
She glanced at me, then at Kael.
Lady Seraphine raised her hand to her chin, gently stroking her fingers as her eyes sharpened.
"Interesting," she said, her voice calm. "Choosing him despite yesterday's display… you're playing a dangerous game, Princess."
Her words weren't a warning. They were a challenge to prove I could handle it.
General Varros crossed his arms tightly over his chest. His gaze flicked between Kael and me as if he were studying the direction of a weapon.
"I'll be watching closely," he said, his voice low. "Don't make me regret this, Princess."
Kael moved slightly; he didn't break his gaze from me. His gaze sharpened. I swallowed and lifted my chin. I forced my voice to be soft, even as it teased me.
"Good to know I've got everyone's attention," I murmured, half to myself, half to him. "Including you, Commander."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he bowed his head slightly to the king's side, acknowledging the authority of the room, but he never took his eyes off me.
"You chose me," he said quietly, flat.
I took a slow, deep breath and placed my hands on the table.
"Then I guess… We'll see if it was the right choice," I said, trying to sound casual, despite my rapid heartbeat.
The king tapped his goblet softly with his fingers. "It will be… interesting to see how you manage this, Princess," he said, his voice soft but full of intention.
His gaze shifted from Kael to me, as if he had already guessed the sparks and dangers that might ensue.
The Queen's eyes narrowed. "I hope your judgment serves more than your pride, my daughter," she said.
Lady Seraphine's gaze remained sharp. "Do not underestimate him—or yourself," she added softly.
I felt the weight of their gazes simultaneously. Kael's presence made me feel… worse. But no matter what, I had to play the part and make sure none of them suspected the real me.
I cleared my throat, trying to look calm. "Then… I suppose this will be… entertaining for everyone," I said softly, as I gave Kael the smallest and most deliberate glance. He returned it with the same unreadable expression.
-
After eating, the king and queen stood first, then Lady Seraphine, General Varros, and I followed. They walked out of the dining hall one after the other while I held back. I frowned because Kael had been left behind. Does this mean he's waiting for me? Assuming!
I straightened up a little. I smoothed my dress. As the fabric moved, the red turned black as if it couldn't decide what color it wanted to be.
I approached him. I lifted my chin and looked at him.
"Commander," I said, trying to sound casual. "Are you always this quiet, or am I just special?"
Silence fell between us for a few moments. He didn't answer right away. He just stared at me as if he was still considering whether I was worth the effort.
"I speak, when necessary," he said at last.
Ouch. I'm sorry. But it's okay, I could work with that.
I bowed slightly, pretending not to regret it yet.
"So… is this necessary?" I asked, gesturing lightly between us.
He didn't look away. "No."
I forced a small laugh. "Wow. You're really helping the situation here."
I waited for a reaction, even if it was just a little, but there was none.
God. How do you flirt with a wall?
"Then let me rephrase," I said. "We're supposed to be… working toward something, right?"
I noticed his eyes narrow as he continued to stare at me.
"There is no 'we,' Your Majesty."
What kind of creature is he? Is that horn part of his brain? My patience is wearing thin. No wonder they say he can't get along with the princess. It's infuriating. Could I twist his intestines and throat into a knot?
I leaned forward this time. "But there could be."
There. That sounds better. Self-confident. A little bold. I even gave him a small smile. Not cute, just the right amount of charm.
Kael's gaze dropped. Then it returned to my eyes.
"You are attempting to manipulate the situation," he said.
I blinked. "…Excuse me?"
"You chose me in front of the Council," he continued, voice even. "Now you attempt to change behavior to secure control."
Oh, shit! No.
Abort mission. Abort mission.
"That's not— I mean, I'm not—"
He took a step closer than I expected before I could react, and he was very close to me. I got a close look at his face. He was handsome even with horns. I didn't expect horns and a handsome face to go so well together.
"You are inconsistent," he added.
My chest heaved. "Inconsistent how?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You hesitate where you shouldn't," he said. "You ask what you already should know. And now—" his gaze flicked over me again, quick, assessing, "—this."
My face flushed. That wasn't part of my plan. Why was I blushing?
"This what?" I snapped.
"This act."
The climax was approaching, and I was losing badly.
"It's not an act," I said.
Liar.
Kael didn't react, which made me even more annoyed.
"If it is not," he said, "then it is poorly executed."
That hit.
I clenched my jaw. "You don't even know me."
"I know enough." His voice didn't rise.
The situation only got worse. Lost in the plan.
"You are not behaving like the Aurelia I was trained to observe."
I froze. The truth came out. Suspicion.
I forced a scoff. "People change."
"Not overnight."
His eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I thought he saw everything, the truth. I averted my gaze, but this was a big mistake.
"So what?" I muttered. "You're going to report me?"
"No."
I looked at him again. There was no change in his gaze. I still couldn't read it.
"But I will observe," he added.
Great. Just great.
"A guard?" I asked, trying to sound sarcastic again.
"A necessity."
I let out a breath through my nose. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"No."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence felt different now.
"Then let's make this simple," I said.
His attention remained on me. "I chose you," I continued. "That doesn't change."
"That is already understood."
"Good." I met his gaze again. "Then get used to me."
A pause.
His gait adjusted slightly. "I will," he said.
Sure. And somehow… I felt worse. Because now I knew, he wasn't falling but watching. And if I made one wrong move, I wouldn't just lose this game. I wouldn't survive it.