THE KING'S MAN

rs were quiet now, but her mind was not. She thought of the day's events - her argument with Thaddeu

o her evening robe and left her chambers quie

aint scent of lavender filled the air, a trick her maid Arla used to lull the prince into peaceful slumber. Nyra

s palace, her reason for enduring the cold marriage and the rigid expectations placed up

k on the nursery door. Nyra turned to see Ar

, is everythi

eded to see him. Go res

, the flicker of torchlight casting long, eerie shadows on the walls. She thought of the

the distance. Nyra turned a corner and came face-to-face with Darius.

," he said, b

lieved. "Captain Darius. I di

same, Your Maje

, her voice steady. "With the breach you m

, I assure you, Prince Amaru is well-

quiet confidence in his tone. "Thank you,

s words. "I came to ensure both you

off guard. "That's.

voice low but firm. "It'

th stir within her. There was something in the way he l

Allow me to escort you

ut nodded. "If i

ts. As they reached her door, Darius paused. "You should r

t smile. "I will. T

en stopped. Without looking at her, h

felt a shiver run down her spine as she watched him walk away. The

nst it, her mind racing. That brief exchange h

turning to the queen. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the memory of her fear, her worry. He had felt

ake the sense that this was only th

of the palace, a shadow moved, uns

*

morning. Her elegant gown trailed behind her, and her head was held high. She had spent the early

space for men - where decisions were made, disputes resolved, and the kingdom's f

eir expressions betrayed their unease; the queen's presence here was still an a

, their conversations halting mid-sentence. King Thaddeus sat on his throne a

sed. "Good morning, Your Majesty, lords, and min

d curtly. "You may remain, as long as

listened intently as cases were presented - disputes over land, trade agreements, and the enforcement

ances exchanged among his council did not go unnoticed, nor did

is movements sharp. He didn't look at her

*

vy drapes drawn against the midday sun. Thaddeus st

ries, Nyra," he said w

replied evenly, standing

authority. "Your part is to support me, to strengthen this thro

it upsetting the court to care for the people of Zuri

napped. "I do what I must to keep this kingdom strong.

ress. The people are restless, Thaddeus. They need hope, and that

together, Nyra. Strength will. Discipline will. If you persist in meddling whe

he stood her ground. "Are y

y out of the court unless summoned. Focu

d final. Nyra's heart pounded, but

t, her voice cool. "If that

her head held high, but the

sharp eyes immediately picked up on the flicker of her emotions - her anger, her frust

ed briefly, his voice st

felt his presence, not just as a security officer, but a

e replied, he

g. He had read her emotions immediately

arius added, his gaze unwaverin

how to respond, but something in his words ling

said at last, her voice be

e knew what had transpired, and though he remained silent, he was more certain than ever th