The afternoon sun beats down on the convoy as we merge with Custodian's carriages on the neutral stretch of road. I keep my head down, focusing on brushing down the horses' coats, but my eyes are fixed on the lead carriage where Crown Prince Ardias is traveling.
I have vague, painful recollections of him—though "vague" doesn't begin to cover the nightmares that still plague me some nights. He has the kind of face people describe as angelic: fair skin, soft curls of golden hair, eyes the color of warm honey. But do not be deceived—if a monster had a name, you could call him ARDIAS.
Unbeknown to nearly everyone in Custodian's kingdom, he was the one behind the assassination of his own father. For years, he played the part of the kind, gentle prince—listening to the people's grievances, speaking of reform and justice. But the moment he took the throne, he cast off that mask completely and became a tyrant worse than any who'd ruled before him.
The fear he inflicted on Custodian's people was unlike anything I'd ever seen. He made a point of publicly beheading anyone who dared oppose him—merchants who spoke out against unfair taxes, nobles who questioned his decisions, even common folk who'd been overheard complaining in the streets. I once saw it firsthand when I was summoned to the capital for a campaign meeting. They'd built a platform in the main square, and he'd stood there smiling as each person was brought forward. I remember the way his honey-colored eyes had glinted with pleasure as the crowds cowered before him.
Even his own flesh and blood weren't safe. I remember the day he beheaded his younger sister, Princess Adrianna, in front of thousands. She'd dared to speak against his plan to conscript children as soldiers for his endless wars. He'd let her finish speaking—let her voice ring out with hope and courage—then ordered her execution without a moment's hesitation. Afterward, he'd declared her a traitor to the kingdom and had her head displayed on the city gates for a month as a warning to others.
Every illegal activity in Custodian—from smuggling and slavery to the secret production of forbidden weapons—had his backing. He moved through the world like a shadow, manipulating everyone around him to serve his own ambitions. That sly little fox knew exactly how to make people trust him, how to twist their loyalty into something that would destroy them.
And why did I know all this? Because I once became his loyal dog.
I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the familiar weight of shame press down on me. I'd been one of his personal guards for a time—handpicked because of my skill in combat and my willingness to follow orders without question. He'd praised me, rewarded me, made me feel like I was part of something important. I'd stood by while he carried out his atrocities, telling myself I was serving my kingdom, that the ends justified the means. It wasn't until I'd been sent to kill a family of farmers who'd hidden refugees from one of his purges that I'd finally seen the truth of what I'd become.
A voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "Hey! You there—stop daydreaming and get over here!"
I look up to see one of Custodian's soldiers glaring at me, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He's young, probably no older than I was when I first joined the army, and his eyes hold the same blind loyalty I once had.
"Sorry, sir," I say, keeping my voice low and respectful as I make my way over. "Just tired from the heat."
He snorts, gesturing toward the lead carriage. "The Crown Prince wants fresh water and fruit brought to him immediately. And make sure it's the best you've got—he won't accept anything less than perfect."
As I head toward the supply wagons to gather what he's asked for, I catch a glimpse of Ardias through the carriage window. He's talking to Lord Kaine, and even from this distance, I can see the way he moves his hands as he speaks—gestures that look graceful and friendly, but that I know mean he's planning something cruel.
I carry the tray of water and fruit to his carriage, my hands steady despite the rage and shame burning in my chest. When I reach the door, I bow low and keep my eyes on the ground as it opens.
"Set it on the table," Ardias says, his voice warm and pleasant—exactly the way he spoke when he was still playing the part of the good prince.
As I place the tray down, I risk a quick glance up. He looks just as I remember—angelic face, gentle smile, eyes that seem to see right through you. But I know what lies beneath that surface now. I know the monster hiding behind the mask.
"Thank you," he says, and to my shock, he reaches out and touches my shoulder lightly. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"
My blood runs cold as his fingers rest on my shoulder—warm, gentle, completely at odds with the cruelty I know lies beneath. I keep my head bowed low, my face hidden by the hood of my tunic, grateful for the shadow it casts over my features. Every instinct from my time as his guard screams at me to stand straight, to meet his gaze—but I force myself to stay in character, to move like the common servant I'm pretending to be.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," I say, my voice deliberately rough and low—practiced over weeks to sound nothing like the refined tone of Prince Vernom. "I don't think so. I'm just a servant with the Callibean convoy—never been to Custodian's capital, sir."
I feel his eyes studying me, even though I can't see them. I know he's looking for any sign of recognition, any hint that I'm not who I claim to be. He's always had a knack for seeing through lies—one of the reasons he's been so successful at eliminating his enemies. My hands are clenched tightly at my sides, nails digging into my palms to keep them steady.
Ardias's hand lingers for a moment longer before he pulls away. "Strange," he murmurs, leaning back in his seat and steepling his fingers. "I have this strange familiarity feeling. As if we've crossed paths somewhere before… though I suppose that's impossible if you've never left Callibean."
He pauses, and I can almost see the calculating look in his eyes—just as I did countless times when he was planning his next move. "Tell me—are you happy serving the Callibean royals? They seem like decent enough people, but they're so… soft. They talk about peace and unity as if those things can protect a kingdom from those who'd seek to take what's theirs."
I finally dare to lift my head just enough to meet his gaze briefly before dropping it again. "They treat us well, Your Highness. Give us enough to eat, don't ask us to do things that go against our conscience."
A slight smile plays at the corners of his lips—cold and sharp, nothing like the warm expression he shows to others. "Conscience is a luxury most people can't afford. If you are tired of being a Callibean servant, you can come with us. I have this feeling you could achieve something under my wing—you have the look of someone who knows how to get things done, who doesn't let sentiment get in the way of what needs to be done."
My heart hammers against my ribs. He sees something in me—something of the soldier I once was, the loyal dog who followed his orders without question. The temptation to say yes, to infiltrate his inner circle completely, crosses my mind. But I know better. He'd never truly trust me, not when he senses there's something I'm hiding. And if he ever found out who I really am… what I really know…
"I'm grateful for your offer, Your Highness," I say carefully, keeping my tone humble and grateful. "But I've served the Callibean family since I was a boy. They've been good to me. I couldn't leave them now, not when they're traveling so far from home."
Ardias studies me for a long moment, then gives a small nod. "I understand loyalty—it's one of the few virtues I truly respect. Though I think you're making a mistake. Callibean's days of peace are numbered, and when the time comes, I'd rather have someone like you on my side than against me."
He waves his hand dismissively. "You may go. But remember my offer—should you ever change your mind, my doors are always open to those who have the strength to do what's necessary for their kingdom."
I bow deeply and back away from the carriage, my legs feeling weak as I make my way back to the supply wagons. When I'm far enough away, I lean against a wooden wheel and take a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair.
"Are you alright?"
I look up to find Cael standing beside me, his face pale with concern. He must have seen the exchange from the royal carriage.
"I'm fine," I say, straightening up and forcing a calm expression. "Just… he's more dangerous than I remembered. He saw right through my act—almost."
"Have you met him before, Your Highness?" Cael asked.
My mouth opens before I can stop myself. "I served under him—" I cut myself off sharply, my eyes wide with panic as I realize what I almost said. I clear my throat and rephrase quickly, "I mean… I've read so much about him in our military archives that it feels like I know him. His tactics, his way of thinking—it's all there in the reports."
Cael looks at me for a moment, his expression thoughtful, but he doesn't press the issue. "I see. That makes sense."
"What did he want?" he asks instead, glancing toward the Custodian carriages.
"He offered me a place in his service," I reply quietly, grateful for the change in subject. "Said he felt like we'd met before. We need to be more careful from now on. Ardias doesn't miss anything."
As the convoy begins to move again, I keep my eyes on the lead carriage, watching as Ardias's figure remains visible through the window. He's already turned his attention back to Lord Kaine, gesturing animatedly as he speaks. But I know he hasn't forgotten about me—that he'll be watching, waiting to see if I'll change my mind. I can almost feel his eyes on the back of my head, even as we pull away.
The road ahead is getting more dangerous by the mile. And with Ardias so close, every step we take must be carefully calculated. Because I know now that he's not just here to attend a wedding—he's here to assess his enemies, to find their weaknesses, and to plan his next move. He'll be looking for any sign of division in our alliance, any crack he can exploit to break us apart before we can even stand together.
And I won't let him catch us unprepared. I'll have to be even more careful with my words, my actions—even my thoughts. Because around someone like Ardias, even the smallest slip could cost us everything we've worked for.