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