The afternoon sun beats down relentlessly on the convoy as we merge with Custodian's carriages on the neutral stretch of road. I keep my head low, focusing on brushing down the horses' coats, but my eyes remain fixed on the lead carriage where Crown Prince Ardias travels.
I hold vague yet agonizing recollections of him though "vague" hardly covers the nightmares that still plague my sleep. He has the kind of face people describe as angelic: fair skin, soft curls of golden hair, and eyes the color of warm honey. But do not be deceived. If a monster had a name, you could call him Ardias.
Unknown to nearly everyone in the kingdom of Custodian, he was the true mastermind behind the assassination of his own father. For years, he played the part of the kind and gentle prince listening to the people's grievances and speaking of reform and justice. But the moment he seized the throne, he cast off that mask completely and became a tyrant worse than any ruler before him.
He ordered his armies to massacre any kingdom that refused to bow down to him.
The fear he instilled in Custodian's people was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. He made a public spectacle of beheading anyone who dared oppose him merchants who spoke out against unfair taxes, nobles who questioned his decisions, and even common folk overheard complaining in the streets. I once saw this firsthand when I was summoned to the capital for a campaign meeting. They had built a raised platform in the main square, and he stood there smiling as each prisoner was brought forward. I remember the way his honey-colored eyes glinted with pure pleasure as the crowds cowered before him.
Not even his own flesh and blood were safe. I recall the day he beheaded his younger sister, Princess Adrianna, in front of thousands of citizens. She had dared to speak against his plan to conscript children as soldiers for his endless wars. He let her finish speaking let her voice ring out with hope and courage before ordering her execution without a moment's hesitation. Afterward, he declared her a traitor to the kingdom and displayed her head upon the city gates for a month as a warning to others.
Remembering the princess's name, yet unable to clearly recall her face, brought a sudden, sharp ache to my heart. I did not understand why such pain would grip my chest.
Every illegal activity in Custodian from smuggling and slavery to the secret production of forbidden weapons had his full backing. He moved through the world like a shadow, manipulating everyone around him to serve his own ambitions. That sly little fox knew exactly how to make people trust him, how to twist their loyalty until it destroyed them.
And why did I know all this? Because I was once his loyal dog.
I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the familiar weight of shame press down upon me. I had been one of his personal guards for a time handpicked because of my skill in combat and my willingness to follow orders without question. He praised me, rewarded me, and made me feel as though I were part of something important. I stood by while he carried out his atrocities, telling myself I was serving my kingdom, that the ends justified the means. It was not until I was sent to kill a family of farmers who had hidden refugees from one of his purges that I finally saw the truth of what I had become.
A sharp voice pulls me out of my dark thoughts.
"Hey! You there stop daydreaming and get over here!"
I look up to see one of Custodian's soldiers glaring at me, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword. He is young, probably no older than I was when I first joined the army, and his eyes hold that same blind loyalty I once possessed.
"Sorry, sir," I say, keeping my voice low and respectful as I make my way over. "Just tired from the heat."
He snorts, gesturing roughly toward the lead carriage. "The Crown Prince wants fresh water and fruit brought to him immediately. And make sure it is the best you've got he won't accept anything less than perfect."
As I head toward the supply wagons to gather what he requested, I catch a glimpse of Ardias through the carriage window. He is talking to Lord Kaine, and even from this distance, I can see the way he moves his hands as he speaks gestures that look graceful and friendly, but which I know mean he is planning something cruel.
I carry the tray of water and fruit to his carriage, my hands steady despite the rage and shame burning in my chest. When I reach the door, I bow low and keep my eyes fixed on the ground as it opens.
"Set it on the table," Ardias says, his voice warm and pleasant exactly the way he spoke when he was still playing the part of the benevolent prince.
As I place the tray down, I risk a quick glance up. He looks exactly as I remember: angelic face, gentle smile, eyes that seem to see right through you. But I know what lies beneath that surface now. I know the monster hiding behind the mask.
"Thank you," he says, and to my shock, he reaches out and touches my shoulder lightly. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"
My blood runs cold as his fingers rest on my shoulder warm, gentle, completely at odds with the cruelty I know lies beneath. I keep my head bowed low, my face partially hidden by the hood of my tunic, grateful for the shadow it casts over my features. Every instinct from my time as his guard screams at me to stand straight and meet his gaze but I force myself to stay in character, to move like the common servant I am pretending to be.
Damn it. I forgot one crucial thing about Ardias.
Ardias is obsessed with beauty. Whether you are a stunning woman or a handsome man, if he lays his eyes on you, he will do everything in his power to possess you. He has this twisted fascination, and what Ardias wants, Ardias gets.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," I say, my voice deliberately rough and low practiced over weeks to sound nothing like the refined tone of Prince Vernom. "I don't think so. I'm just a servant with the Callibean convoy never even been to Custodian's capital, sir."
I feel his eyes studying me intensely, even though I cannot see them. I know he is looking for any sign of recognition, any hint that I am not who I claim to be. He has always had a knack for seeing through lies it is one of the reasons he has been so successful at eliminating his enemies. My hands are clenched tightly at my sides, nails digging into my palms to keep them steady. He must be wondering why someone as striking as me is merely a servant.
Ardias's hand lingers on my shoulder for a moment longer before he finally pulls away.
"Strange," he murmurs, leaning back in his seat and steepling his fingers. "I have this distinct feeling of familiarity. As if we have crossed paths somewhere before… though I suppose that is impossible if you have never left Callibean."
He pauses, and I can almost visualize the calculating look in his eyes and the dark, lustful gleam behind them just as I saw countless times when he was planning his next move or craving his next desire.
"Tell me are you happy serving the Callibean royals?" he asks. "They seem like decent enough people, but they are so… soft. They talk about peace and unity as if those things can actually protect a kingdom from those who would seek to take what is theirs."
I finally dare to lift my head just enough to meet his gaze briefly before dropping it again, feeling a wave of disgust rising in my throat.
"They treat us well, Your Highness," I reply. "Give us enough to eat, and they never ask us to do things that go against our conscience."
A slight smile plays at the corners of his lips cold and sharp, nothing like the warm expression he shows to the public.
"Conscience is a luxury most people cannot afford," he says smoothly. "If you are tired of being a servant in Callibean, you could come with us. I have a feeling you could achieve great things under my wing. You have the look of someone who knows how to get things done, who doesn't let sentiment get in the way of what needs to be done… and besides, you are far too pretty to remain just a servant."
My heart hammers violently against my ribs. He sees something in me a trace of the soldier I once was, the loyal dog who followed orders without question. And the fact that Vernom is naturally attractive only feeds his interest.
The temptation to say yes to infiltrate his inner circle completely crosses my mind for a split second. But I know better. He would never truly trust me, not when he senses I am hiding something. And if he ever found out who I really am… what I really know… I also understand clearly that this man only desires Vernom's body, nothing more.
"I am grateful for your offer, Your Highness," I say carefully, keeping my tone humble and respectful. "But I have served the Callibean family since I was a boy. They have been good to me. I couldn't leave them now, not when they are traveling so far from home."
Ardias studies me for a long, uncomfortable moment, then gives a small, slow nod.
"I understand loyalty it is one of the few virtues I truly respect. Though I think you are making a mistake. Callibean's days of peace are numbered, and when the time comes, I would rather have someone like you on my side to celebrate victory than against me, wasted on people who do not understand the real world."
He waves his hand dismissively. "You may go. But remember my offer should you ever change your mind, my doors are always open to those who have the strength and beauty to do what is necessary for their kingdom."
I bow deeply and back away from the carriage, my legs feeling weak as I make my way back to the supply wagons. When I am far enough away, I lean against a wooden wheel and take a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair to steady myself.
"Are you alright?"
I look up to find Cael standing beside me, his face pale with concern. He must have seen the entire exchange from the royal carriage.
"I'm fine," I say, straightening up and forcing a calm expression. "Just… he is more dangerous than I remembered. He saw right through my act almost."
"Have you met him before, Your Highness?" Cael asks curiously.
My mouth opens before I can stop myself. "I served under him "
I cut myself off sharply, my eyes wide with panic as I realize what I almost revealed. I clear my throat and rephrase quickly.
"I mean… I have read so much about him in our military archives that it feels like I know him. His tactics, his way of thinking it is all there in the reports."
Cael looks at me for a moment, his expression thoughtful, but he does not press the issue. "I see. That makes sense."
"What did he want?" he asks instead, glancing warily toward the Custodian carriages.
"He offered me a place in his service," I reply quietly, grateful for the change in subject. "Said he felt like we had met before. We need to be even more careful from now on. Ardias misses nothing."
As the convoy begins to move again, I keep my eyes locked on the lead carriage, watching as Ardias's figure remains visible through the window. He has already turned his attention back to Lord Kaine, gesturing animatedly as he speaks. But I know he has not forgotten about me that he will be watching, waiting to see if I change my mind.
I know Ardias well: if he desires someone, it does not matter if they come to him willingly or not he will force them to belong to him. I have to be extremely careful.
The road ahead is growing more dangerous with every mile. And with Ardias so close, every step we take must be carefully calculated. I realize now that he is not just here to attend a wedding he is here to assess his enemies, to find their weaknesses, and to plan his next move. He will be looking for any sign of division in our alliance, any crack he can exploit to break us apart before we can even truly stand together.
And I will not let him catch us unprepared. I will have to be even more guarded with my words, my actions even my thoughts. Because around someone like Ardias, even the smallest slip could cost us everything we have worked for.