ZAVIER
I was in the midst of training, my muscles straining with each precise movement. The head of my warriors, General Darius, approached me with a solemn expression. His report on the training progress over the past few weeks was thorough, but my mind kept wandering back to Aria. Her recent encounter with one of my warriors still irked me.
“Your Majesty,” Darius began, “the warriors have shown remarkable improvement. Their skills—”
“Excellent,” I interrupted. “But remember, Darius, keep the warriors from wandering around the palace after they get off duty.”
Darius’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, but he nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
He had no idea my order stemmed from that incident with Aria. I couldn’t risk her safety or the rumours that might spread. It was better this way.
“I h
