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  The warmth of the campfire still lingered in the air as Kael stood from the stone where he had sat, his delicate features shadowed beneath his hood.

  “I’ll be back in a moment,” Kael murmured, voice soft yet resolute. “I need to wash my face.”

  Quin stood immediately. “I’ll go with you—”

  But Kael gently raised his hand. “No need, Quin. I’ll be alright.”

  A hint of concern flickered in Quin’s brown eyes, but he respected Kael’s wishes with a reluctant nod.

  Before Kael could take more than a few steps, Serenn suddenly stood up with a casual air. “Coincidentally… I need to wash my face too.”

  Liu, who had been sharpening his blade nearby, looked up with a playfull smirk looking at Serenn. “Make that three.”

  Before Kael could protest, Serenn had already looped an arm around his. “Come on, little bird,” Serenn teased lightly, pulling him along. “Don’t make me drag you like some noble maiden.”

  Kael blinked beneath his cloth covered eyes, startled by the sudden force of Serenn’s enthusiasm, but followed nonetheless, his soft chuckle almost escaping. His wooden pole remained beside Quin, forgotten in the moment as Serenn gently tugged him along like a mischievous older sister dragging two reluctant brothers behind her. Liu trailed slightly behind, casting protective glances around them.

  They arrived at the riverbank, the moonlight casting shimmering silver over the flowing water. The gentle sound of the current mingled with the soft rustle of trees, a lullaby only nature could compose.

  Kael reached up and undid his cloak, folding it carefully and placing it on a nearby rock to avoid the hem getting wet. He knelt and removed his boots and stockings, his pale feet meeting the cool earth. One by one, he rolled his pants up to his knees and stepped slowly into the river’s edge, the water lapping against his skin like a soft whisper.

  Liu and Serenn followed suit with quiet ease.

  Kael’s back faced them as he reached into the cloth, carefully untied the cloth that bound his eyes. The moment it was removed, he slid it into his pocket, then cupped the water with both hands and brought it to his face. His long, braided black hair shifted forward, and a silver ornament slipped into the water with a soft plop, its bell-like chime dancing with the ripples.

  Liu’s eyes widened as he instinctively stepped closer, gently gathering Kael’s hair and lifting it behind his back to keep it from tangling further in the current.

  “Thank you,” Kael said softly, eyes still closed.

  Liu didn’t answer. He simply stared.

  When Kael slowly straightened and opened his eyes, Liu froze. The soft moonlight caught Kael’s face — and his eyes.

  Stormy gray. Familiar. Deep. Asael.

  Liu’s breath hitched.

  Before he could speak, Serenn had moved with fluid urgency, placing a hand firmly over Liu’s mouth.

  “Shh!” Serenn hissed, wide-eyed, looking from Liu to Kael, trying not to make a sound. Serenn who knew about how loud Liu's tone of volume when speak make a quick act.

  Kael turned his head slightly toward them, water still dripping from his lashes as he calmly wiped his face with the edge of his cloak and moved to sit upon a smooth river rock. His bare feet lingered in the water.

  Beneath the moonlight, his eyes glimmered with calm clarity. No longer hiding.

  “You’re right,” Kael said softly, his voice carrying through the quiet. “My eyes… they’re the same color as Asael Kian Ravenwood.”

  Liu’s hands trembled.

  “But,” Kael continued with a faint, bittersweet smile, “unfortunately… I am not him.”

  His words were gentle, deliberate — but behind them, a deeper truth trembled unspoken. That he was Asael. In spirit, in memory… in soul. Just not in flesh.

  Liu slowly lowered his head, his expression conflicted, searching, haunted.

  Kael lifted a single index finger to his lips and shook his head slowly.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Keep it a secret.

  Liu hesitated, but then nodded silently.

  Serenn exhaled a long, slow breath. “You’re cruel, little bird,” he whispered under his breath. “And far too calm for someone dropping truths like stones into water.”

  When they were done, the three slipped back into their boots. Kael, with familiar precision, draped his cloak back over his shoulders, pulled his hood into place, and retrieved the cloth from his pocket, tying it over his eyes once again. Though the cloth covered them, something had already shifted — a secret had been shared, and silence had become sacred.

  The walk back to camp was quiet.

  Kael moved carefully, returning to Quin and Quirl’s side — but just as he neared, two men who had been deep in hushed conversation were standing off to the side. One of them pushed the other playfully, unaware of Kael’s presence. The impact sent Kael stumbling sideways with a gasp, caught completely off guard without his pole for balance.

  He braced for the fall.

  But it never came.

  Instead, he collided with something firm — warm and steady. Two strong arms wrapped around his waist, halting his descent. His body trembled slightly from the sudden shock.

  Kael unconsciously clutched at the fabric of the person’s tunic, inhaling the faint scent of cedarwood and cold steel.

  Then—

  “Next time, be careful.”

  The low, authoritative voice froze the air around them.

  Killian.

  The two men who had caused the shove straightened at once, eyes wide with guilt. “Y-yes, my Lord!”

  Kael’s breath caught. Still in Killian’s arms, he turned his face beneath his hood toward the familiar voice.

  Killian slowly released him, his touch lingering just a moment too long before it fell away.

  “Are you alright?” Killian asked, tone softer now, despite they misunderstanding earlier.

  Kael nodded slowly, but his voice wouldn’t come. He swallowed. His cheeks, hidden beneath his hood, burned with warmth.

  He managed a barely audible, “Thank you…”

  As he turned to go, his cloak caught beneath his heel. He stumbled forward with a gasp, silver ornaments chiming softly from the sudden jolt. As he unconsciously rubbing his nose.

  Killian’s eyes widened slightly.

  He’s the same... just like Asael when flustered. Clumsy. That habit…

  The thought struck like lightning, but Killian shook his head sharply, chasing it away.

  Kael quickly regained his balance and hurried to Quin and Quirl’s side, his head lowered. His heart was pounding like a war drum in his chest.

  Killian stood where he was for a moment longer, his gaze following Kael — searching. Then he turned away.

  What neither of them realized was that nearly everyone in the envoy had seen the interaction. And already… whispers had begun.

  “Did you see that?”

  “Was Lord Killian… worried?”

  “I think I saw Sir Kael blushing—”

  “Could it be…?”

  Serenn and Liu exchanged a single glance. No words needed.

  And Kael?

  He kept his head low, silently chanting in his mind: Calm down… calm down… it was just a coincidence…

  But even he couldn’t deny that his heart refused to listen

  The soft rustling of tents being taken down and the low murmur of voices pulled Kael gently from slumber. His head rested against Quin’s shoulder, unmoving through the night as if he had found rare comfort in that stillness. A hand lightly brushed against his arm, stirring him slightly.

  “He’s awake,” someone said in a hushed voice nearby.

  Kael hummed sleepily, eyes still closed under the cloth. The morning chill brushed his face, and the scent of damp earth and smoldering embers lingered from the previous night’s fire.

  He cracked one eye open beneath the cloth and looked ahead groggily, seeing Quirl in conversation with Killian a short distance away. Both men nodded solemnly to one another, the gravity of something quietly exchanged between them.

  Kael slowly straightened, his movements unhurried as he listened to the camp around him coming to life. He could hear someone mentioning something about the envoy splitting into two groups.

  “I’ll go wash my face,” Kael murmured softly, mostly to himself, his voice still coated in sleep.

  Quirl turned at the sound, catching Kael mid-rise. “Ah, Kael,” he called gently. “Some of the group will depart earlier than the rest… are you sure you’re up to joining the first party? You don’t have to rush.”

  “I want to go,” Kael said without hesitation, his tone soft but resolute. “There’s something I need to find in the capital. The sooner, the better.”

  Quirl hesitated only a second longer before nodding, “Very well. Quin will accompany you.” He gestured toward Quin, who offered Kael a smile and a thumbs-up.

  Kael bowed his head slightly before walking toward the riverbank. The wind played with the ends of his long braided hair, causing the soft silver ornaments to chime with each step. His cloak trailed behind him like a silken shadow, brushing through grass and earth. He stumbled slightly as the edge of his cloak tangled near his foot, but he recovered with practiced grace, continuing without a pause—unbothered, unfazed.

  At the riverbank, the world was quieter. Mist clung low to the water, and the sky above was soft with morning light. Kael removed the cloth tied behind his head and placed it carefully upon a smooth rock. He leaned down, cupping water in his gloved hands and letting it run across his cheeks, washing away the remnants of sleep.

  The cold nipped gently at his skin, grounding him.

  He wiped the remaining droplets with his sleeve and retrieved the cloth, tying it back over his eyes with care. Just as he reached to pull his hood back up, footsteps crunched softly behind him.

  He turned—his head tilting slightly—and found Liu and Serenn standing a few paces away, faces painted with concern.

  “You’re sure you want to leave with the first group?” Serenn asked gently, his brow furrowed.

  Liu nodded in agreement, “It’s sudden.”

  Kael gave them a faint, serene smile. “I’m sure. I have something important to do in the capital.”

  The two exchanged a glance but didn’t protest further. Despite the briefness of their acquaintance, something between them had naturally settled—an understanding forged in quiet moments and shared awareness.

  “Then… safe travels,” Serenn said, his usual cheekiness replaced by sincerity.

  Kael dipped his head politely. “Thank you.”

  The three returned to the heart of the camp where the first group was preparing to depart. Packs were being fastened, horses saddled, final checks made.

  Kael offered his farewells, clasping Liu’s hand briefly and nodding once to Serenn. Then his attention shifted to a short distance where Killian stood, overseeing the final preparations of the second party. Without a word, Kael bowed slightly in Killian’s direction, when Killian turn his head into Kael's direction.

  Killian, surprised by the gesture, blinked—then inclined his head in return, a quiet acknowledgment.

  Kael turned around, and his long braid swung gently with him, catching the morning light. The silver ornaments chimed softly, delicate like wind chimes.

  He approached his horse, its reins already prepared by one of the aides. He stroked its neck with familiarity, murmuring something only the horse could hear. Then, with fluid movement, he mounted.

  Quin stood nearby, arms crossed, a proud smile on his face. “Nice,” he said, grinning as Kael settled effortlessly into the saddle.

  Kael’s cloak draped elegantly behind the horse, and his hood swayed slightly in the breeze. The wooden pole that usually guided him was now strapped safely to Quin’s horse.

  When all was ready, the riders looked to one another and gave affirming nods. Kael, though blindfolded, moved with intuitive confidence, his body attuned to every sound and subtle motion.

  Then Quirl’s voice rang out, warm and resolute, “Safe trip.”

  Kael raised one gloved hand slightly in acknowledgment while his other hand held the reins. It was enough—quiet assurance that he would be alright.

  The group rode off, hooves soft against the morning dew-covered earth.

  Behind them, the second party resumed preparations. Liu watched Kael's form growing smaller, his silhouette framed by golden morning light. Serenn stood beside him, arms loosely crossed.

  “He’ll be fine,” Liu said with calm certainty.

  Killian, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the direction Kael had gone, spoke without looking away. “Since when were you two closed to him?”

  Liu blinked, pretending to think. “Hmm… about a day and a half ago?” he said cheekily.

  Serenn cleared his throat, suddenly busy inspecting his gloves. “Yeah… we’re just fast learners.”

  Killian raised a brow. “Right.”

  The two younger men casually avoided his gaze, trying to look innocently distracted, while Killian sighed quietly to himself—his thoughts lingering longer on Kael than he intended.

  To be continued...don't forget to comment and follow :)