Auren's POV:
The night was silent, but in the small, dimly lit room, the sound of Auren's quill scratching against parchment was loud in the stillness. The papers in front of him were scattered and disorganized, evidence of the chaos in his mind as he tried to make sense of everything. His fingers trembled slightly as he wrote, every word coming with a weight heavier than he expected.
He had finally captured everything. Every last detail of what Lord Valen had confessed. The names of the nobles involved in the Queen's plot, the locations, the timing. It was all there, written out in his neat handwriting, just as the system had instructed him.
"Mission Completed."
But there was more to it than just finishing the mission. Auren sat back for a moment, staring at the words before him. His hand brushed over the pages, feeling the slight grain of the paper beneath his fingers, almost as if he were searching for something more.
His eyes drifted over to the journal that the system had given him. The one that was now filled with his observations, his thoughts, and everything he'd learned about this world. A journal that was more than just a simple record. It was the one thing he could give Kael.
Auren closed his eyes briefly, and a wave of emotion washed over him.
"I need to protect him."
It had taken him a while to truly grasp the full scope of the danger Kael was in. He had been so focused on the missions, on his role in them, that he hadn't allowed himself to fully feel the weight of Kael's world. But now, as he thought of all the things Kael had done for him, all the ways he had been there, when Kael had held him, supported him, and loved him- it all clicked into place.
Kael wasn't just a powerful man.
He was vulnerable, too. In his own way. There was a tenderness to him that Auren had come to see beneath the tough exterior, and it made him realize how much Kael had done to protect him. All the things he hadn't seen- Kael's fear of losing him, his protective instincts, and his struggles to make sure Auren was safe.
And now, with everything he'd uncovered, it was Auren's turn to protect him. Kael had his enemies, and Auren was determined to make sure none of them ever reached him.
He picked up the journal again and continued writing. His quill moved swiftly, as if there was no time to waste. He described every single detail of Lord Valen's confession. The names of the nobles involved, the locations where the Queen planned her next move. Auren didn't hold anything back. The ink flowed, and with it, his resolve hardened.
He had done his part. He had completed his mission.
But now, it was time for Kael to know everything.
Auren's heart pounded in his chest as he finished the final sentence, feeling the weight of the book in his hands. He placed the journal on the desk, staring at it for a moment, his mind racing.
He needed to go to Kael. The sooner, the better. He could feel it in his bones. Kael was coming back soon. The thought made his stomach flutter.
The anticipation. The excitement. And the fear of everything that was about to unfold.
He rose from his chair, his body suddenly feeling heavier than before. He had completed the task. But the next step, the next challenge was going to be even more difficult. He had to make Kael understand everything that was at stake. He had to make him see that the Queen's plan wasn't just about the kingdom, it was about Kael's very life.
But before he could take a single step toward the door, the system's voice rang out, sudden and sharp in his mind.
[System Notification]
Mission Update!
Objective: Safeguard the knowledge you've uncovered.
Objective: Deliver the completed journal to Kael for immediate action.
Auren blinked, the voice cutting through his thoughts like a blade. He could feel the tension building inside of him. No time to waste.
With one last glance at the journal, Auren hurriedly gathered it, clutching it to his chest. His heartbeat quickened as he moved swiftly through the hallway, past the guards, past the castle's labyrinthine corridors. His mind was laser-focused on the task ahead, on Kael.
The journey from the archive room to Kael's private chambers felt like an eternity, but Auren didn't slow down. The echo of his footsteps was the only sound in the silent halls, but it did little to distract him from the turmoil inside.
He had to protect Kael.
He knew there was a risk, there always was with Kael. The man was a force of nature, an unstoppable power, but the enemies Kael made were just as ruthless. The plotters and schemers, the men who were trying to tear his kingdom apart. Auren had already seen how far they'd go. He couldn't allow that to happen.
He wouldn't let Kael be torn down by the very people he had fought so hard to protect.
Finally, Auren reached the door to Kael's room. His hand hovered over the handle, but before he could turn it, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
"Auren."
The voice was deep, familiar.
Auren turned quickly, his heart skipping a beat. Standing in the doorway was Kael.
He was back.
Auren's breath caught in his throat. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Kael stood there, looking just as powerful as ever, but his eyes softened when they locked onto Auren.
"You've been busy," Kael said, his voice a low murmur. There was a glint of curiosity, of something more in his gaze. His presence was overwhelming, and Auren felt his knees weaken just a little bit.
Auren couldn't find his words at first. He just stood there, staring at Kael, feeling his heart race.
"I have," he finally said, his voice quiet but steady.
Kael's lips curled into a faint smile. "Come here," he said, stepping toward Auren.
The world around Auren seemed to blur for a moment. He felt his chest tighten, his pulse thumping loudly in his ears as Kael closed the distance between them. When Kael was close enough, he reached out and pulled Auren into his arms. The warmth of Kael's embrace was like a balm to Auren's frayed nerves.
Auren could feel the tension in Kael's body. His own, too. They both understood the gravity of the moment. Auren's hands tightened around the journal he still held, the physical weight of it pressing into his chest, but it was nothing compared to the weight of the secret it contained. The mission was over, but the consequences were just beginning.
Kael's hands slid down Auren's back, pulling him closer as if to erase the distance that had lingered between them for far too long. The heat between them surged, and Auren's breath caught in his throat as Kael's lips brushed against his ear.
"Show me everything," Kael murmured.
The intensity in his voice sent a shiver down Auren's spine.
As Auren began to pull away to hand over the journal, the weight of the moment hit him fully. He was no longer just a pawn in someone else's game. Kael had already protected him more times than he could count. Now, it was his turn to stand by Kael's side and ensure that nothing would tear them apart.
He would fight for Kael, no matter what.