CHAPTER 9 - The King's Shadow
The first night at the Evermont Residence was quiet.
The wind whispered softly through the gardens. Dim lights glowed along the corridors.
Keira stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the wide courtyard below.
Cassian leaned against the doorway, watching her without speaking.
"Not sleeping?" he finally asked.
"Not yet."
Quick footsteps echoed from the corridor.
An Evermont guard stopped at the doorway.
"Your Grace, Duke, there is a visitor from the palace."
"Who?" Cassian asked.
"Sir Kael," the guard answered shortly.
Silence fell.
The front courtyard of Evermont was lit by torches.
Sir Kael stood straight in his royal knight uniform. His posture was rigid, his gaze disciplined as always.
He bowed respectfully when Cassian, Keira, and Daniel approached.
"Your Grace, Duke Evermont."
Then to Keira,
"Your Highness."
Keira did not return the title.
"I did not invite anyone tonight."
"I was sent by the King."
The name settled softly in the night air.
Daniel let out a quiet sigh.
"Of course."
Cassian folded his hands behind his back.
"For what purpose?"
"To ensure Her Highness's safety."
Keira's gaze hardened.
"My safety?"
"The King is concerned," Kael replied briefly.
Daniel crossed his arms.
"So the best solution is to send an additional guard?"
Kael glanced at him, calm as ever.
"I am not an additional guard. I was assigned personally."
Cassian did not smile.
"Evermont has its own soldiers."
"I do not doubt that, Your Grace."
"Then?"
Kael looked directly at Keira.
"The order is clear. I am here to guard Your Highness."
Keira crossed her arms.
"Is that an order?"
The night air suddenly felt heavier.
Daniel stepped half a step forward.
"She is not a prisoner."
"I would never treat Her Highness as such."
Keira studied Kael for several seconds. Her sharp gaze seemed to search for something behind the man's calm expression.
"I'll ask again," she said coldly.
"Is this truly the King's order?"
Kael was silent for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"Not entirely."
Silence fell.
Cassian frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Kael straightened his back.
"The King did give me the order to become Her Highness's guard, but…"
Everyone's eyes were now on him.
"This was a request I made to His Majesty myself."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"You asked for this assignment?"
Kael nodded once.
"I requested permission to remain at Her Highness's side and ensure her safety."
Keira stared at him longer now.
"Why?"
The question was simple.
But sharp.
Kael answered without hesitation.
"Because I failed once."
The night wind blew harder.
"And I have no intention of failing a second time."
Cassian understood what he meant.
On the night Aelirra died, Kael had been in the palace.
Silence lingered for several seconds.
Keira finally spoke.
"So this isn't the King's order."
"No."
"Just the request of a knight burdened with guilt?"
Kael did not look offended.
"If that is how Your Highness wishes to call it."
Daniel exhaled quietly.
"At least he's honest."
Cassian finally stepped forward.
His gaze was cold but controlled.
"If you stay here," he said calmly,
"you stay as a guest of the Evermont Residence."
He paused briefly.
"And while you are within my territory, you follow Evermont's rules."
Kael bowed his head.
"I understand, Your Grace."
Keira added nothing more.
She only looked at Kael for a moment, as if weighing something in her mind.
Then she turned and walked toward the great doors of the residence.
Daniel followed beside her.
Cassian remained standing for a few seconds longer before finally walking after them.
In the torchlit courtyard, Kael remained where he stood.
His eyes followed Keira's back as she walked farther away.
His expression changed.