A Royal Obligation
Chapter 166: First Contact, First Interaction

Chapter 166: First Contact, First Interaction

Sadiki had spent the entire day guarding Prince Eirik, his mind racing with unease. Though he masked his worry behind a stoic expression, he couldn’t shake the gnawing dread that gripped his heart.

It had been days, yet he hasn’t heard anything from the people that took his mother, and the silence was driving him to the edge.

Even Prince Eirik had begun to notice the strain in his demeanor, and Sadiki had to work harder to keep his emotions hidden. The last thing he wanted was for Eirik to grow suspicious.

As the day drew to a close and his shift ended, Sadiki made his way back to his quarters, exhaustion settling into his bones. The palace was quieter at this hour, the halls dimly lit by flickering torches.

He pushed open the door to his room and stepped inside, ready to collapse into his bed. But something stopped him cold, there, lying on the bed in plain sight, was a folded letter.

Sadiki’s heart raced, his breath catching in his throat. He froze, staring at the letter. It hadn’t been there earlier when he left. His eyes swept the room, searching for any sign of disturbance, but everything else appeared untouched. The letter, however, was unmistakable, placed deliberately, easy for him to see.

Slowly, with trembling hands, he picked up the note. The paper was thick, of fine quality, far too expensive to belong to any common servant. No royal seal, no markings, just a simple, cryptic message written in sharp, hurried strokes. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears as he unfolded it and read:

"If you want to see your mother alive, meet us at the edge of the western forest tomorrow at midnight. Come alone. Any mistake, and she dies."

Sadiki stared at the words, his vision blurring with a mix of fear and disbelief.

They had contacted him. The people who took his mother had finally reached out, but this meant something far worse.

They had infiltrated the palace. His quarters, once a place of solace and security, had been violated. Whoever had his mother was powerful, with connections deep enough to slip unnoticed past the palace guards and into his private space. And they could be anyone.

A cold shiver ran down his spine. Who were these people? How far did their influence stretch?

The letter directed him to an isolated part of the western forest, a dense, shadowy area far from prying eyes. The location was perfect for a clandestine meeting. He had no choice but to go, but he couldn’t let Eirik know. Not yet. He would have to lie to the prince, something he hated doing. But this was for his mother. Her life depended on it.

When Eirik sent for him that evening, as he always did when he needed Sadiki to be near him, to hold him as he fell asleep, Sadiki forced himself to feign illness. His heart twisted painfully as he lied, watching the concern in Eirik’s eyes. But he couldn’t be with him tonight. He had to meet them.

"I’m sorry, my prince," Sadiki murmured, holding his stomach as if in pain. "I’m feeling unwell."

Eirik had looked at him with such worry, such tenderness, but Sadiki turned away quickly before the guilt consumed him. He left Eirik alone, his heart heavy with the weight of his deceit.

---

The moon was hidden behind a veil of thick clouds as Sadiki made his way through the forest that night, cloaked in shadows. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of the wind through the trees setting his nerves on edge. His hand instinctively hovered near his sword, though he knew it would do him little good if things went wrong.

When he reached the edge of the western forest, the appointed meeting place, he stopped, scanning the darkness. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline flooding his veins. The stillness was eerie, the silence oppressive. Then, out of the shadows, a lone figure emerged, stepping into the faint light cast by the moon.

Sadiki’s breath hitched as the figure came closer, his face slowly becoming visible in the dim light. When the man finally stepped forward, Sadiki’s blood ran cold.

It was Prince Carl, the Crown Prince of the Mbuzuoria Kingdom.

Panic set in immediately. The Crown Prince? This was no ordinary kidnapping. This was political. What could the prince possibly want with Valeidio? Why had they chosen him as a pawn in their schemes? His mind raced, trying to make sense of it all.

Carl, noticing the shock on Sadiki’s face, smirked with satisfaction, clearly enjoying the reaction he had provoked. His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as he regarded Sadiki with an air of superiority.

"Surprised?" Carl’s voice was low and mocking, sending a chill through Sadiki’s spine.

He remained silent, his jaw clenched, fury boiling beneath the surface. He wanted to lash out, to demand answers, but he knew he had no leverage here. Not yet.

Carl continued, stepping closer. "Your mother is alive... for now. But time is running out, Sadiki. You will follow my orders, or you will receive her body in pieces, delivered to you personally."

Sadiki’s stomach twisted violently at the thought. His hands curled into fists at his sides as he forced himself to remain calm. This man was playing with him, using his mother’s life as a bargaining chip. His mind raced, if he could just end it here, if he could kill Carl now... but he stopped himself. He didn’t know where his mother was being held. If Carl died, he might never find her.

Carl, as if reading his thoughts, chuckled darkly. "Oh, you’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Killing me here and now. It’s written all over your face." He shook his head in mock disappointment. "But that would be a mistake, one you’d regret very quickly."

As Carl spoke, more figures emerged from the shadows, stepping out from behind the trees. Sadiki’s heart sank as he saw them, Mbuzuorian soldiers, all heavily armed, surrounding the prince. They had been hiding, waiting, just in case. Sadiki was outnumbered, outmatched.

"See?" Carl smirked, gesturing to the soldiers flanking him. "Did you really think I’d come here alone? I’m not that foolish, you know?"

Sadiki’s shoulders tensed, his mind raced for a way out, but there was none. He was trapped. He swallowed the rising bile in his throat, his eyes narrowing as he locked gazes with Carl.

"What do you want from me?" Sadiki asked, his voice tight with barely controlled rage.

Carl’s expression shifted, becoming more serious, his eyes cold and calculating. "I want you to spy on Valeidio like it was written in that letter. Specifically, on any of their plans, their weaknesses. Every little detail, you report to me."

Sadiki felt the blood drain from his face. Spy on Valeidio? Betray the kingdom he loved, the kingdom he was sworn to protect?

"You’ll leave a letter with the information in a hollow tree at the edge of the forest," Carl continued. "We’ll collect it, and you’ll receive further instructions. Don’t try to contact us directly. We’ll be watching."

Sadiki’s chest tightened, his mind racing. How could he do this? How could he betray his kingdom like this? But his mother... she was all he had left.

Carl stepped back, his smirk returning as he prepared to leave. "Oh, and one more thing, don’t try anything stupid. I’ll know. And you’ll be responsible for what happens to her."

With that final warning, Carl turned and disappeared with his men.