A Royal Obligation
Chapter 165: Guilt & Love

Chapter 165: Guilt & Love

Sadiki re-read the words in the letter, over and over again in his mind. As if hoping the meaning would change, but it didn’t.

"If you ever want to see her alive again, you will do exactly as we say. Keep a close eyes on Valeidio kingdom, Report every thing to us down to the very detail. And your mother might live."

The walls of the house, once so warm and filled with life, now seemed to close in on him. He looked around, trying to process the mess. The neglected state of the home was so unlike his mother. She had always kept everything in perfect order. Now, the place was a ghost of what it once had been.

His chest tightened as guilt and fear swirled inside him. He should have been here. He should have visited more often.

But being Prince Eirik’s personal guard meant he was always by the prince’s side, always protecting him. And now, the same loyalty he had for Valeidio and Eirik was being used against him.

Who could be holding his mother? Why him, of all people? He was nobody special, just a guard in the prince’s service. His stomach twisted at the thought.

Maybe that was precisely why they chose him. He had access to Prince Eirik, could be manipulated, forced to betray one of the few people who treated him like more than a soldier.

Sadiki clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Whoever had taken his mother clearly thought they could manipulate him. They thought they could force him to betray his country, his prince. His lips trembled as he looked down at the mess around him.

He needed to clean this place. He needed to do something, anything, to calm the storm raging in his mind.

Sadiki set to work, gathering up the scattered plates and utensils, wiping down the dust-covered surfaces. As he cleaned, his mind raced with questions and dread. Every swipe of his rag across the table, every dish he returned to the shelves, felt like an attempt to regain control, to bring back some semblance of order to the chaos that had invaded his life.

Sadiki wasn’t just cleaning the house; he was trying to scrub away his guilt, the overwhelming feeling that he was being pulled in two directions, toward love and loyalty on one side and fear for his mother on the other.

Memories of his mother washed over him. He could still see her sitting at the hearth, her soft hands sewing patches onto his worn clothes, her voice humming old lullabies as the fire crackled. But now, those moments felt distant.

His hands moved mechanically, but his thoughts were consumed by the letter’s words. He couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever had taken his mother was watching him, waiting for him to make his move. And what would that move be? How could he betray Prince Eirik, the man who trusted him, the man he was falling for, and still live with himself?

Once the house was as clean as he could manage, Sadiki collapsed into the chair by the hearth, staring at the dying embers in the fireplace. He had no answers, no solutions, just a gnawing fear that his mother’s time was running out.

The next day, Sadiki donned his uniform and made his way back to the palace, he tried to bury the turmoil in his chest, had to pretend nothing was wrong, had to be the strong, loyal guard that Eirik knew.

Anything less, and he would risk not only his mother’s life but his own as well. He couldn’t let anyone sense his fear.

Each step echoed through the corridors, the polished floors reflecting the bright morning light. He clenched his fists, trying to calm his racing heart.

When he reached Prince Eirik’s chamber, he knocked softly, waiting for the familiar command to enter.

"Come in," Eirik’s voice called, light and melodic as ever.

Sadiki stepped inside, immediately noticing Eirik’s two loyal servants, Lila and Amara, tending to the prince. They were seated on either side of him, braiding his long white hair, the strands gleaming like silver in the sunlight that poured through the tall windows.

Eirik’s back was to Sadiki, but he saw the way the prince tilted his head slightly to give them better access, his posture relaxed.

"Sadiki, you’re back?" Eirik asked, glancing at him through the mirror in front of him.

"Yes, my prince," Sadiki replied, standing at attention not far from Eirik and his servants. His gaze fell on Eirik’s hair, mesmerized as always by the way it cascaded over his shoulders, thick and luxurious. The two servants, Lila and Amara, were always obsessed with it.

Lila chuckled softly, weaving the intricate braids with practiced ease. "Your hair is longer than mine, Your Highness. I don’t know how you manage it."

Eirik smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It’s not so bad. I suppose I enjoy the attention too much to cut it off."

"You do realize it takes half the morning to get it right," Amara added with a grin, tightening a braid before fastening it with a delicate clasp. "And yet, here we are, still pampering you."

"It’s worth it," Eirik said playfully, running his hand through the loose strands. "You both do such excellent work, I’d hate to disappoint."

Lila’s fingers danced through the final braid. "You could wear it down for once. It’s already beautiful on its own."

Eirik chuckled, the sound light and teasing. "Oh, but then how would you spend your morning? No, no, I think we’ll stick to tradition."

Lila giggled as she carefully wove the braid together. "I swear, my prince, I think you love your hair more than any of us."

Eirik grinned. "It’s not love. It’s care. One must always present themselves in the best light, especially as a prince. Wouldn’t you agree, Sadiki?"

Sadiki forced a chuckle, though his heart wasn’t in it. "Of course, my prince."

As Lila and Amara continued their work, Sadiki’s mind drifted.

He watched them fuss over Eirik, their hands moving expertly through the long strands of hair. He remembered how he used to enjoy these moments, watching the prince in his relaxed state, listening to his lighthearted banter.

But now, it felt distant, as though Sadiki was watching from behind a glass, detached from the world around him.

Finally, Lila and Amara finished the intricate braid, tying it off with a silver ribbon. Eirik inspected their work in the mirror, turning his head from side to side.

"Perfect, as always," he said with a smile.

The servants bowed before taking their leave. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Eirik turned to Sadiki, his eyes lighting up. He crossed the room in two swift strides and threw himself into Sadiki’s arms.

"Gods, I missed you so much," Eirik whispered against his neck, his breath warm and familiar. His arm wrapped tightly around Sadiki as if he feared letting go.

Sadiki chuckled, a soft sound, but his heart was heavy. "I was only gone for a day, Eirik."

Eirik pulled back slightly, pouting in that charming way he often did when he didn’t get his way. "A day is too long. Didn’t you miss me at all?"

Sadiki’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. "Of course I did. Every moment."

Eirik studied him for a moment, his violet eyes sharp and perceptive. "You don’t seem yourself today, Sadiki. Is something wrong?"

Sadiki’s heart skipped a beat. For a second, he thought his secret was laid bare. But he quickly forced a smile, leaning into the role he had no choice but to play. "Everything’s fine, my Prince."

Eirik tilted his head, unconvinced. How is your mother? Is she well?"

Sadiki’s stomach twisted into knots, as he tried to keep his face neutral. "She’s fine," he lied smoothly, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue. "She’s doing well, thank you for asking."

Eirik’s eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, as if he sensed something was off, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he smiled softly and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Sadiki’s forehead.

"Good. I’m glad," Eirik whispered, resting his head on Sadiki’s shoulder again. "I was worried, that’s all."

Sadiki’s heart ached as he held Eirik close, guilt gnawing at him from the inside. He hated lying to the prince, hated keeping secrets from him. But what else could he do? If he didn’t do as the message demanded, his mother’s life was at stake.

Eirik’s hand found his, squeezing it gently. "You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?"

Sadiki swallowed hard, his smile strained. "Of course."

That night, as they lay together in Eirik’s bed, their bodies tangled in each other’s warmth, Sadiki stared up at the ceiling, wondering when he would hear from the people who took his mmothe.

Eirik murmured something in his sleep, and Sadiki’s heart clenched. He turned, wrapping an arm around the prince, pulling him closer.

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