Ava's POV As I worked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I was a part of something big, something important. And I was determined to make it a success.The next two days passed in a blur of activity. I worked tirelessly, ensuring that the general's quarters were spotless and his ceremonial attire was perfect. I helped the cooks in the kitchen, preparing delicious dishes for the feast. The air was thick with the scent of roasting meats, spices, and freshly baked bread. There were so many people bustling around, moving from one task to the next, each with a specific role to play. It was almost like a well-oiled machine, each part working together to create something grand.As I folded the fine linen that would be part of the general’s ceremonial attire, I overheard one of the other servants, Mila, talking excitedly about the festival."I hear the warriors will be performing the ancient dances again," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It’s always such a sight to see.
The crowd gasped in shock, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Rylan couldn't be serious, could he?I looked around frantically, searching for someone, anyone, to help me. But Mistress Elara's face was stern and unyielding, and Zylan's eyes were wide with shock. Even Elsie looked like she'd been turned to stone.I was on my own.General Kaelen's face was a picture of shock and anger, but he seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak. I knew that he couldn't object to Rylan's choice, not without going against the traditions of the Panja.Rylan's grin grew wider as he approached me, his eyes gleaming with triumph. I felt a wave of fear wash over me, but I knew I couldn't give in. I had to find a way to escape, to get out of this nightmare.As Rylan reached out to take my hand, I summoned up every last ounce of courage I possessed. I stood tall, my eyes locked on Rylan's, and I spoke the words that would change everything. "I refuse
"Ava, Come out now. I need to speak with you," she said, her voice loud and angry.I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. I knew was in for it. What did Mistress Elara want to talk to me about?I followed her out of my tent, my heart pounding in my chest. We walked in silence, the only sound being the soft rustling of our clothes.As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something was brewing, and I wasn't sure what it was.We eventually arrived at Mistress Elara's quarters, and she ushered me inside. The room was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering to light the space.Mistress Elara closed the door behind us, and then turned to face me. Her expression was serious, and I could sense a sense of gravity emanating from her."Ava, what exactly do you think you're doing?" she asked, her voice at a very high pitch. "You had better answer me now, before I let hell on you." She screamed at the top of her voice."Nothing ma." I said "Nothing? What was the meaning
General Kaelen's POV I sat in my tent, lost in thought, replaying the events that had transpired earlier in the day. The memory of Ava's bold refusal of Rylan's claim still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that things had turned out the way they had.Why had she refused Rylan's claim, though? It was a question that had been plaguing me since the incident. Initially, I had thought that maybe I wasn't her type, but seeing her stand up to Rylan in front of everyone had made me doubt that theory.The words she had uttered still rang in my ears: "I will not be claimed by anyone. I am not a prize to be won." There was something about her defiance that had caught my attention, something that made me want to know more about her."Why would she say that?" I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples. "No fear, no hesitation… just fire."The flap of my tent rustled slightly as the breeze whispered through, but I barely noticed. Her voice—calm, sharp, unwavering—e
General Kaelen's POV I nodded, my interest piqued. "What is it, Zylan?" I asked, my eyes locked on his.Zylan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "General, I think you should know that Mistress Elara has taken a particular interest in Ava. She's been making demands, and Ava has been refusing to comply."My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with possibilities. What was Mistress Elara's game? And why was Ava refusing to comply?"Tell me more," I said, my voice firm.Zylan nodded, launching into a detailed account of the events that had transpired between Mistress Elara and Ava. As he spoke, my anger grew, and I knew that I had to take action.Ava was a unique individual, one who didn't seem to be intimidated by the rules and expectations of our society. And I found myself drawn to her because of it.As I listened to Zylan's report, I couldn't help but think about the way Ava had refused Rylan's claim. It was a bold move, one that showed she was not afraid to stand up for herself.And t
General Kaelen's POV As Zylan left the tent, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility towards Ava. She was different from the others, and I wanted to know more about her.“What is it about her?” I muttered under my breath, staring at the fabric of the tent that still fluttered from his exit.She wasn’t just another face among the servants. She carried herself differently—like she didn’t belong in a place like this. There was something in her eyes. Fire. Stubbornness. Pride.“What kind of woman dares to look Rylan in the eye and say no?” I chuckled softly to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.I leaned back, resting my arms behind me as my mind wandered deeper into the memory of earlier today.“She didn’t even flinch,” I whispered, the corners of my lips twitching upward. “No fear. No hesitation. Just that sharp tongue and fierce gaze.”“She sure has some guts,” I said louder this time, as if speaking it out would help me make sense of the whirlwind inside me.Any other en
General Kaelen’s POVI stepped out of my tent, the warm sun beating down on my skin as I made my way through the camp. The air was filled with the sounds of warriors and servants going about their daily business, but my focus was solely on finding Ava's hiding place. I had been thinking about her nonstop since our encounter earlier, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.As I walked, I noticed that many eyes were on me, some showing their respect with a nod or a bow, while others tried to hide their gazes behind masks of indifference. I was used to being the center of attention, but today it felt different. Today, I felt like I was being watched for reasons beyond my position as General.I navigated through the camp, asking discreet questions and gathering information about Ava's whereabouts. Some of the servants and warriors seemed hesitant to talk, while others provided me with cryptic clues that only led to more questions.After what felt like
Kaelen's POV For a moment, we just stared at each other, the only sound the soft rustling of the fabric in the breeze. I felt like I was frozen in time, unable to move or speak. It was Ava who broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here, General?" she asked, dropping a small book that she was reading before I interrupted.I took a step forward, my eyes never leaving hers. "I wanted to see you," I replied, my voice low and husky.Ava's expression didn't change, but I could sense a flicker of emotion behind her eyes. "May I ask why, General?" she asked, her voice still barely above a whisper.I took another step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. "Because I'm intrigued by you, Ava," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "You're different from the others, and I want to know more about you."Ava's gaze never wavered, but I could sense a hint of curiosity behind her eyes. "What do you want to know?" she asked, her voice still soft, but with
"Zylan, I appreciate your concern, but I think you're overreacting," I said, trying to maintain a calm tone.But Zylan's expression didn't change. His lips were pressed into a tight line, eyes steady on mine. "General, I've seen the way you and Ava interact. The way you look at each other, the awkward silences... it's all starting to add up. You need to address this before it's too late."I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the weight of his words sink in deeper than I cared to admit. "Zylan, you're acting like we're already caught in the act. It's not like that.""Then what is it, sir?" he asked, lowering his voice. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're falling for her. And everyone’s beginning to see it."I hesitated, then exhaled sharply. "It’s complicated."Zylan didn’t move, didn’t blink. "Complicated doesn't mean invisible, General. Secrets never stay buried around here."I felt a surge of frustration, knowing that Zylan was right. I was trying to ignore the p
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated at how easily she had gotten under my skin. How did she manage to unravel parts of me I had locked away for years? How did a servant girl become the one thing I couldn’t ignore?But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, and focused on the present moment. I was drawn to Ava, and I couldn't deny it.I knew that I had to be careful, that I had to keep my feelings hidden. But as I looked at Ava, I couldn't help but feel like I was taking a chance on something more. Something that could change everything.Only time would tell, but one thing was for sure: I was in uncharted territory, and I was excited to see where this journey would take me. I feel like I am taking a chance on something more. Something that could change everything._______________I stood at the edge of the training grounds, observing the warriors as they honed their skills. The sun beat down on us, casting a warm glow over the scene. But despite the pleasant weather, I couldn't s
I gave a faint, rueful smile. “Because they let me feel without breaking.”She shifted slightly on the wooden chair, her fingers smoothing the fabric of her skirt. “Esther waited through the first banquet. Held her breath through the second. All the while, knowing the fate of her people hung in the air.”“Still, she chose patience,” I murmured. “That’s a kind of strength I don’t have.”“Maybe you do,” Ava said gently. “You just haven’t needed to use it that way.”I tilted my head. “Is that what you think? That I’m stronger than I look?”“No,” she said with a slight smile. “I think you’re stronger than you believe.”I felt something shift inside me again—slow, careful, like the click of a hidden lock.“And what about you?” I asked. “Where does your strength come from?”She shrugged, almost shy. “From silence, I think. From watching when no one notices. From listening, even when my heart’s racing.”“That’s not weakness,” I said. “That’s fire hidden in still water.”Her laugh was quiet,
As Ava continued to speak, I found myself getting lost in her words. I was transported to a different time and place, a place where I could be myself, without the weight of my duties as a Panja warrior.But as the moments passed, I knew that I had to snap back to reality. I couldn't let my feelings get the better of me, not yet. I had to keep my cool, and pretend like everything was normal.But as I looked at Ava, I knew that it was going to be hard. She had awakened something inside me, something that I couldn't ignore. And I knew that I would have to confront it, sooner or later.“So… what happened next?” I asked, clearing my throat, trying to sound composed.Ava smiled gently, her hands folded neatly in her lap. “The king extended his scepter to Esther, sparing her life. She invited him and Haman to a banquet… not once, but twice.”“Twice?” I leaned forward slightly. “Why delay the request?”She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Perhaps she wanted to create suspense. Or maybe she need
General Kaelen's POV "Kaelen, what's come over you?" I asked myself, pacing slowly near the center table. "Are you trying to say you want to woo a servant?" The words felt strange in my mouth, but the truth was unavoidable. I knew deep inside—I was already in the process of wooing her. And if my instincts were right, she felt something too. There was a softness in her gaze lately, a warmth that wasn't always there.I checked the time. Just a few minutes before Ava was due to arrive and begin her usual cleaning. But tonight, I had other plans. I straightened the scattered tools on the table, brushed the dust from the nearby chair, and prepared myself—not just for her work, but for her presence.My heart thudded with anticipation.When the door creaked open, Ava stepped in, eyes dropping respectfully as always. Her hair was pulled back, a few strands slipping free around her cheeks. I cleared my throat, suddenly tense."Put the tools away," I ordered, softer than usual. "Then come and
General Kaelen's POV I woke up from my bed quite early, feeling a sense of restlessness that I couldn't shake off. My mind kept drifting towards Ava, and I couldn't explain the feelings that were stirring inside me. As a Panja warrior, I was trained to be emotionally numb, incapable of joy or excitement – detached from the world around me. But Ava had somehow managed to break through that barrier, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to her.I got out of bed and instead of getting ready for the day, I began pacing around my quarters, my mind racing with thoughts of Ava. I couldn't understand why I felt this way, but I knew that I couldn't ignore it. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. I was used to being in control, but when it came to Ava, I felt like I was losing my grip.I stopped near the window, the early light casting faint shadows on the stone floor. “Why her?” I murmured to myself, rubbing the back of my neck. “Why now?”The silence in the room was deafening, pressing agai
Ava's POV But as I worked on the torn dresses, my mind kept wandering back to General Kaelen. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we were discovered. Would we be punished? Would we be able to escape?"I shouldn’t even be thinking about him," I muttered to myself, threading the needle with trembling fingers. "This is madness."Across the room, one of the other girls glanced at me, raising a brow."Did you say something, Ava?"Startled, I shook my head quickly. "No. Just talking to the fabric," I said with a strained laugh.She snorted. "You better not let Mistress Elara catch you mumbling to yourself. She’s already on edge today."As if on cue, I felt a sharp gaze prick the back of my neck. I didn’t have to turn to know it was her. Mistress Elara.I focused harder, stitching faster, but my hands were clumsy. The thread snapped."Damn it," I whispered."Language," the mistress's voice rang out sharply across the room.My heart skipped. "Sorry, Mistress," I said without look
The Mistress called everyone's attention back to the lesson, her voice firm and commanding."Alright, enough chatter," she snapped, her sharp tone slicing through the room. "You all seem to be enjoying yourselves a bit too much. But remember this—" she raised a finger, her eyes cold and steady, "The Masters are not your companions. They are not your friends. They are not here to save you."A heavy silence fell across the room."They will give you immense pleasure," she continued with a dark smile curling on her lips, "but just as easily, they will give you pain. Never forget your place."There were a few nervous gulps around the room. I kept my head down, trying to avoid her gaze, but I could feel the heat of her stare settling near me.Someone from the back raised a hand hesitantly. "But what if a Master—""I don’t care what you think a Master feels!" Mistress Elara snapped, cutting the girl off mid-sentence. Her voice echoed across the room. “I don’t care if he smiles at you, speaks
As the day went on, I caught glimpses of the general from afar. He was busy with his duties, but every now and then, our eyes would meet, and I could feel the tension between us.It was like a spark of electricity had been lit, and it was only a matter of time before it ignited into something more.I knew that I had to be careful, that I had to keep my feelings hidden, at least for now. But I couldn't help the way I felt, and I couldn't help but wonder what might happen if the general and I were to act on our feelings.The possibilities were endless, and I was afraid to think what the future might hold for us if we chose to act on it. But for now, I had to keep my feelings hidden and continue with my duties as if nothing was out of the ordinary.It was a delicate balancing act, but I was determined to see it through. I was determined to keep my feelings hidden, while at the same time, exploring the possibilities of what could be.As the day continued, I couldn't help but feel a sense