A Royal Obligation
Chapter 53: Tension in the Forest

Chapter 53: Tension in the Forest

The forest was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It would have been peaceful, almost serene, if not for the tension crackling in the air between the two princes.

Eirik’s eyes were locked on Kaelix, his heart pounding in his chest. Of all the things he had expected, this was not one of them. Kaelix’s accusation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, leaving Eirik scrambling for a response that would defuse the situation. But nothing he could say felt adequate.

"There’s nothing," Eirik said finally, his voice tight, strained. "Sadiki is my guard. He’s loyal to me, and I trust him. That’s all."

Kaelix’s eyes flashed with anger, his jaw clenched. He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, suffocating. "You expect me to believe that?" he demanded, his voice rising, pushing Eirik to the edge. "I see the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. It’s more than just loyalty."

Eirik’s pulse quickened, his own anger bubbling to the surface, threatening to boil over. He fought to keep his voice steady, his tone calm. "You’re wrong," he insisted, though his voice shook slightly. "Sadiki is my friend. Nothing more."

Kaelix was right in front of him now, towering over him, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made Eirik’s heart race. The distance between them, both physical and emotional, seemed to evaporate, leaving Eirik feeling vulnerable, exposed.

"You’re lying," Kaelix accused, his voice low and dangerous, cutting through Eirik like a blade. "I can see it in your eyes."

Eirik’s breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he was at a loss. Kaelix was so close, so intense, and Eirik couldn’t deny the effect it was having on him. His heart was pounding, his mind racing, and all he could think about was how to make Kaelix understand, to make him back off.

"I’m not lying," Eirik said, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him. "I swear to you, there’s nothing between Sadiki and me."

Kaelix searched his eyes, his expression unreadable, his gaze unrelenting. The tension between them was thick, suffocating, and Eirik held his breath, waiting for Kaelix to say something, to do something that would break this agonizing silence.

"You do know a relationship between you and your personal guard can get him killed?" Kaelix pressed on, his voice harsh, almost cruel.

Eirik flinched as if Kaelix had struck him. He could feel the fear clawing at him, mingling with his frustration, his anger. Kaelix’s words were a brutal reminder of the precariousness of Sadiki’s position, of the danger that loomed over them both.

"It was a nightmare," Eirik finally said, his voice barely above a whisper, as if admitting to something he wished to keep hidden. "Sadiki has always been there for me, even in my dreams. It’s nothing more than that."

Kaelix’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing further. "Nothing more than that? You expect me to believe that?"

Eirik’s heart pounded in his chest, his frustration boiling over. Why was Kaelix pushing him like this? Why did it matter to him what Eirik dreamed about, what he felt?

"I don’t owe you an explanation," Eirik snapped, his temper flaring, his voice sharp. "It was just a nightmare, nothing more."

Kaelix stared at him for a long moment, his gaze intense and unreadable. The silence stretched between them, a chasm that neither seemed willing to cross. Then, without warning, Kaelix turned away, breaking the spell. He ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders tense, as if he were trying to shake off the emotions roiling inside him.

"I don’t know what to believe," he muttered, his voice barely audible, but the words hit Eirik like a punch to the gut.

Eirik felt a pang of something he couldn’t quite name, regret, sadness, maybe even guilt. He didn’t know what had caused this shift in Kaelix, this sudden interest in his personal life, but he could see the conflict in Kaelix’s eyes, the uncertainty. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath them, and neither of them knew where they stood anymore.

Kaelix took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Let’s go back," he said finally, his voice flat, devoid of the anger that had been there moments ago. "This was a mistake."

Without waiting for a response, Kaelix turned on his heel and strode back to his horse, his movements stiff, controlled. He mounted with practiced ease, his expression closed off, distant.

Eirik stood there, his hands trembling with a mixture of anger and confusion, watching Kaelix as he wheeled his horse around and galloped off, leaving him behind in a cloud of dust.

For a moment, Eirik was frozen in place, his mind racing, trying to process what had just happened. Why was Kaelix so determined to pry into his thoughts, his feelings? And why did it hurt so much to see him leave like that, without another word?

As he turned to mount his own horse, something caught his eye, a flicker of movement in the trees, a shadow that didn’t belong. His instincts screamed at him, a warning, and before he could fully register what was happening, an arrow came shooting out of the forest, aimed straight at him.

Eirik reacted without thinking, his body moving on its own. He twisted to the side, flipping through the air with skillful poise, the arrow whizzing past him, missing him by inches. He landed elegantly on his feet, his heart pounding, adrenaline flooding his system.

A second later, men dressed in black rushed out of the forest, swords drawn, their faces hidden behind masks. They moved with deadly intent, surrounding him, cutting off any escape.

Eirik felt a surge of annoyance rather than fear, his temper flaring once more. Why did people keep trying to kill him? And why did they always choose the most inconvenient times to do it?

With a click of his tongue, Eirik readied himself for a fight he’d love if it never happened. He wasn’t in the mood for this, but if these fools wanted a fight, he would give them one they wouldn’t forget.

The assassins charged at him, their swords flashing in the light, but Eirik was faster. He moved with grace, dodging their attacks with effortless ease, his movements fluid, almost elegant. It was like a dance, each step precise, calculated.

He disarmed the first assassin with a flick of his wrist, sending the man’s sword clattering to the ground. The second came at him from the side, but Eirik was ready. He spun on his heel, slicing through the air, with the sword he took from the disarmed assassin, catching the second assassin across the chest.

Blood sprayed, and the man crumpled to the ground, but Eirik didn’t stop. He whirled around, blocking an attack from behind, his blade locking with the assassin’s. They struggled for a moment, their swords clashing, the sound ringing out through the forest like a bell.

Eirik pushed the man back, breaking the deadlock, and then he struck, his sword cutting through the air with deadly precision. The assassin didn’t even have time to react before he was on the ground, lifeless.

Eirik stood over him, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts, his heart racing. The adrenaline coursed through him, sharpening his senses, heightening his awareness. He could feel the eyes of the remaining assassins on him, could sense their fear, their hesitation.

They didn’t know what they were up against.

He raised his sword, his gaze cold, merciless. "Who’s next?" he asked, his voice calm, almost bored, as if this were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

The assassins exchanged glances, their resolve wavering. Eirik could see the uncertainty in their eyes, the fear. They hadn’t expected this. They had come here thinking they were dealing with an easy target.

They were wrong.

Before they could make a move, a sound reached Eirik’s ears, the pounding of hooves, growing louder, closer. He turned his head, just in time to see Kaelix galloping back, his expression one of shock and disbelief.

Kaelix reined in his horse, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before him. The fallen assassins, the blood on the ground, and Eirik standing in the middle of it all, his sword dripping with crimson.

"What the hell...?" Kaelix muttered under his breath, his voice barely auaudible

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