The palace was restless.
Messengers moved quickly through the corridors, their footsteps echoing against stone walls. Guards stood more alert than usual, hands resting near their weapons, eyes sharp with unease, everyone has heard about the deadly beats.
The throne room doors opened.
A soldier stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"My king."
The room fell into silence.
Seated upon the throne, the king watched him with a steady, unreadable gaze.
"Speak."
"The reports from the outer forest have been confirmed," the soldier said. "The creature… has been identified." catching his breath hhe continued.
"It is believed to be a Questing Beast."
Murmurs spread across the room.
General Lysender's expression darkened.
"That's not possible," one of the nobles muttered.
"Those creatures haven't been seen in decades."
"And yet ten people are dead," Lysender replied coldly.
The room fell silent again.
Captain Rowan stood near the front, his posture firm, his attention fixed on the king. Beside him stood Lyra, her gaze sharp, calculating.
"And the number has risen," the soldier added.
All eyes turned back to him.
"Five more were found this morning." Heavy silence followed. "Ten in total."
The weight of it settled across the room. The king leaned slightly forward.
"Then we will not allow it to continue."
His voice was calm and absolute at thesame time.
His gaze shifted. "Kaelen."
The prince stepped forward without hesitation.
"Yes, Father."
"You will lead a unit into the forest at first light," the king said. "Find the creature… and end it."
A brief silence followed.
"Yes, my king."
The king nodded once and continued speaking.
"You will choose seven soldiers to go with you."
Kaelen didn't hesitate. "Captain Rowan," he said first.
Rowan inclined his head.
"Always ready, Your Highness."
Kaelen's gaze moved across the room, selecting carefully.
"Sergeant Vale."
A tall, broad-shouldered soldier stepped forward.
"Arin Kestrel."
A lean archer with sharp eyes nodded once.
"Bren Talor."
"Dunc Venn."
"Torin Hale."
"And Jorik Dane."
Each stepped forward in turn, forming a line behind Rowan.
A strong unit that was carefully chosen.
Before the king could speak again Lyra stepped forward.
"I will go as well."
The room shifted.
Kaelen's jaw tightened slightly.
"Lyra... "
"I am more than capable," she said, her voice steady. "I've trained for this. I won't stand here while others face it."
General Lysender stepped forward immediately.
"No."
The word was firm and final.
Lyra turned to him, frustration flashing in her eyes.
"Father... "
"You will not go," he repeated. "This is not a training exercise. This is a hunt."
Her gaze hardened. "And that is exactly why I should be there."
The king raised a hand. Silence fell instantly.
"You will remain," he said.
His voice left no room for argument.
Lyra held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then slowly, she stepped back.
But the tension in her expression didn't fade.
Not even slightly.
By the time Kaelen left the palace, the sun had begun to set.
The city was quieter now, but far from peaceful.
There was an unease in the air. A tension that hadn't been there before.
Without thinking, his steps carried him toward the healer's district. Toward her.
Elara stood just outside the cottage when she saw him.
Her breath caught slightly. She hadn't expected him.
Not now.
Not after everything that has happened and still happening.
"Kaelen?"
He stopped a few steps away from her.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
"I heard about the beast," she said finally.
He nodded. "I'm leaving tomorrow."
The words were simple but they carried weight.
Elara's chest tightened slightly. "I thought so," she said softly.
"And comeback in one piece?"
Kaelen let out a faint breath. "I'll try."
That wasn't reassuring they both knew it.
An uncomfortable yet familiar Silence settled between them again.
"I should go back inside," Elara said after a moment, turning slightly toward the cottage.
"Good luck, Kaelen."
She meant every word.
She took a step, Then suddenly.. her wrist was caught.
Before she could react Kaelen pulled her back and tightly wrapped his arms around her.
For a moment, Elara didn't move. Didn't breathe.
Her heart pounded against her chest.
"Kaelen.. "
"I don't know what's going to happen out there," he said quietly.
His voice was low and honest.
"And I didn't want to leave without…"
He didn't finish. He didn't need to.
Elara's hands slowly lifted resting lightly against his chest.
"This isn't right," she whispered. "We shouldn't be doing this."
"I know." His answer came immediately.
But he didn't let her go.
Instead, he pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her. His gaze softened.
Something unspoken lingering there.
Then he gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
His fingers lingered just a second too long. Elara's breath hitched.
Everything felt too close and real.
Kaelen leaned in slowly, closing the distance between them.
Elara's heart raced.
For a moment, She didn't move or think.
As if remembering something she suddenly turned her head. stopping him from what he wanted doing.
The moment froze between them.
"We can't," she said softly.
Kaelen exhaled slowly. His forehead resting briefly against hers.
"I know," he repeated. He stepped back leaving a wide space between them.
For a second, it felt like he might say something else but he didn't.
Instead, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Elara stood there, Watching him go.
Her chest tight. Her thoughts tangled.
And somewhere deep inside, she knew she felt something not just emotions. Longing perhaps or something she tried to ignore. Something she didn't understand.