บททั้งหมดของ The Forbidden Gaze: บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

I felt a surge of gratitude towards him. No one had ever shown me such kindness and concern before. "I'm fine, Master Zayne," I said, trying to sound brave. "Just a little... overwhelmed."Master Zayne nodded, his eyes locked onto mine. "I know how you feel," he said. "But I want you to know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, Ava."I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Master Zayne. I had thought the Panja warriors had no emotions in them. This is my first. It was as if he understood me in a way that no one else did."Thank you, Master Zayne," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Master Zayne smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Ava," he said. "Now, let's get out of here. I think you've had enough of this place for one day."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I closed my book and stood up, brushing off my tattered gown. As I walked with Master Zayne, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if I had finall

“Be careful.” The words echoed in his head. There had to be more to this. Someone was trying to keep Ava safe—or perhaps warn her about a threat. Was the note a sign that someone knew what was coming? "Someone knows something," Rylan thought, and it made him feel uneasy. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but there was still so much that didn’t add up.His steps slowed as his thoughts shifted back to Zayne. “What if Zayne was the one who wrote it? No, that’s too obvious. He’s too careless for that. But who else might be watching Ava? And why are they warning her?"The more Rylan thought, the more questions seemed to pile up. He had to get to Ava before Zayne did. It was clear now that Ava was part of something much bigger than he had originally thought. She was involved in something—someone—was trying to protect her, or maybe stop her from discovering something. But what?Rylan’s mind raced, but there was no time to waste. He needed answers, and he needed them fast. “Ava… y

Ava's POV But as I bent to pick up a discarded cup, I caught sight of General Kaelen standing across the room.Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his sharp golden gaze. It was as if he could see right through me, to the very heart of my being. And then, in a voice that commanded without question, he issued a simple order:"Lift your skirt."My stomach clenched, my heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. I knew what the Entertainers did, how they existed to serve the warriors. But I was not one of them. I was a servant. A worker. And I would not submit like the others.I refused.The room fell silent, the only sound the soft whisper of the Entertainers' shocked gasps. No one refused Kaelen. No woman had ever dared to deny him what he asked. The Entertainers exchanged horrified glances, their faces pale with fear.Mistress Elara, the woman who managed the Entertainers, stepped forward, her voice low and urgent. "Ava, stay away from

Ava's POVI thought that refusing General Kaelen would be the end of it. I expected anger, maybe even punishment, but instead, he did something far worse—he refused to let the matter drop. At first, his interest was subtle. A glance in my direction when I entered a room. A lingering gaze when I worked. But as the days passed, his attention became more deliberate. He ensured I was always in his line of sight, his presence a constant, oppressive force. I began to feel like I was living in a fishbowl, with Kaelen's eyes always on me.He started testing me, pushing me to my limits. My tasks became harder, more grueling. I was assigned to haul heavy water barrels, scrub the filth from warrior tents, and endure long hours with little rest. It wasn't an outright punishment, but it was clear that Kaelen wanted to see if I would break. If I would yield to the pressure."You're a hard worker, Ava," Kaelen said one day, as I was hauling a heavy water barrel across the camp. "I'll give you that."

Ava's POV As the days turned into weeks, my determination only grew. I worked tirelessly, my body honed from the hard labor. I walked with my head held high, my eyes flashing with defiance.And Kaelen, watching me from afar, couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration. I was a worthy opponent, one who would not back down without a fight.The game was on, and I was ready to play.As the days passed, my presence in the camp became more pronounced. I was no longer just a servant, but a symbol of defiance against General Kaelen's authority. The other women looked up to me, whispering among themselves about my bravery.But Kaelen was not one to be swayed by sentiment. He saw my defiance as a challenge, a test of his dominance. And he was determined to prove his superiority.One day, as I was hauling a heavy water barrel across the camp, Kaelen appeared beside me. His eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing."You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" he said, his breath hot against my ear.I