The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 12: Loyalty and Duty

Her explanation was interrupted when Kalen, the bleach-haired prince, appeared. Obene's eyes narrowed in recognition as he recalled Kalen's role as the merchant's bodyguard.

"The merchant's bodyguard," Obene remarked.

"You remember," Kalen confirmed. Obene glanced between Kalen and Lilian, his mind racing with questions.

"King Ardan wishes to speak with you," Kalen announced. Obene nodded, his thoughts drifting to Marlin's sinister instructions. He had more questions for Lilian, but they could wait.

Before following Kalen, Obene leaned in and unexpectedly kissed Lilian on the cheek. The gesture was swift, leaving Lilian blushing furiously and Kalen stunned.

Kalen's shock quickly turned to anger as he lunged at Obene, grabbing him by the collar. "How dare you!" Kalen roared.

Obene smirked, leaning closer to Kalen. "She's not yours to keep. We're bound by fate in ways you can't break so easily," he taunted.

Kalen was about to retaliate when Lilian intervened, placing her hands on his arms. "Kalen, please..." she pleaded, trying to prevent further conflict.

The prince released his grip, trying to compose himself despite his seething anger. He took a deep breath and stepped back, attempting to regain his diplomatic demeanor.

As Obene walked away, the tension lingered in the air. Kalen and Lilian stood in silence, each grappling with the aftermath of the confrontation.

"I'm sorry for losing control back there," Kalen said, his voice softer. "I was caught off guard."

Lilian shook her head, trying to reassure him. "I understand. It's just... a lot to process."

Kalen gently tucked a strand of Lilian's hair behind her ear. His touch was intimate, and he grazed her ear's tip, his gaze lingering on her. "You are different," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Lilian stood still, her eyes locked on Kalen's. The raw emotion in his eyes made her heart ache.

"I've been longing to see you," Kalen continued, his voice filled with anguish. "I was worried sick about you. It was a relief to find you, but I'm angry I wasn't there to protect you. I shouldn't have let you go."

Lilian felt a pang of uncertainty at his words. "Kalen... it wasn't your fault. There was nothing we could do at that moment. But I realized something during my capture. The other side of the kingdom isn't all bad, my prince..."

"What do you mean, little dove?" Kalen asked, his curiosity piqued.

"When Obene took me," Lilian began, "I saw the Kingdom of Lavitica as it truly is. The people there were kind and hardworking, striving for peace and abundance. They're not the monsters we imagine. You, King Ardan, and even Obene uphold honor and loyalty. Maybe your goals align more than you think. Can unity bring an end to the suffering, rather than more bloodshed?"

Kalen's expression softened. "We never wanted war. The chaos and pain it brings are what we seek to avoid. But Marlin's power is expanding, and we must protect what's ours. Even if the man you speak of is caught in a struggle of his own, being born on the opposite side makes him our enemy."

Lilian lowered her gaze, understanding the complexity of the situation. Her plea for peace felt naive, but she wanted Kalen to consider that there might be another way.

Kalen gently touched Lilian's chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "I know you mean well. Being dragged into this world against your will is difficult, and being in the middle of an inevitable war is even harder. I want things to be different too. But we must take sides. Tell me, where does your heart truly belong?"

Lilian took a deep breath, her heart pounding with the weight of the choice she faced. Did she have to pick a side? Would it sever her bonds with Ardan, Kalen, and Obene? Could she bear the burden of her decision?

Lilian stared at Kalen, her thoughts a whirlwind. At that moment, she chose to remain silent, hoping the weight of her indecision would fade with the quiet.

The attendant ushered Obene into a grand hall lined with towering bookshelves. Obene's gaze swept over the vast collection of knowledge, wondering what secrets the Kingdom of Silla held. As he ventured further, his eyes were drawn to a life-size portrait of a woman, presumably the late queen. The artist had skillfully captured every detail of the woman in the portrait—her serene expression and subtle smile were rendered with a lifelike precision that seemed to breathe life into the canvas. Her long, dark hair cascaded in perfect, graceful waves, framing her face in an elegant, timeless manner. The portrait seemed to transcend time, with each brushstroke revealing the depth and warmth of her character. As Obene stood before it, he was unexpectedly moved by the beauty and melancholy in her eyes. A pang of longing stirred within him, as though he could feel the weight of unspoken stories and lost moments.

The sudden voice that broke the silence startled him. "I see you've met my mother."

Obene turned swiftly to face the speaker, his initial shock barely concealed. He had assumed the merchant character was merely a façade, but now, facing the King of Silla, the revelation was more jarring than he had anticipated.

"We've met before," Ardan continued, his tone polite yet firm. "I am Ardan, King of Silla. A pleasure to see you again, Commander Obene, the right hand of Marlin."

Obene swallowed hard, striving to maintain his composure. "Thank you for your hospitality and the generous medical care. My wounds are healing well thanks to your aid. I am deeply grateful."

"And that debt shall be collected in due time," Ardan replied, his tone carrying a subtle edge. "Don't mistake our kindness for mere goodwill. It was Lilian's plea that spared your life, just as you once spared hers."

Obene's thoughts drifted back to the king's earlier efforts to dissuade him from capturing Lilian. The king's protection of the humans left him puzzled. Who was Lilian, and why did she hold such importance in Silla?

"Please, have a seat," Ardan said, gesturing to a chair at a circular table in the center of the hall. Obene complied, settling into the chair with a mix of wariness and curiosity.

"Let's get to the point. Why were you traveling with Lilian near our borders? Are you using her to gain access to the palace?" Ardan's question was direct.

Obene saw no benefit in denying the obvious. "I was tasked with gathering intelligence about your kingdom. King Marlin intends to break the barrier protecting your realm."

Ardan's lips tightened. How had Marlin learned of the barrier? Was there a spy among his people?

"What role does Lilian play in this scheme?" Ardan pressed.

"None," Obene answered honestly. "I brought her along to protect her. Marlin wants all survivors imprisoned, and I couldn't allow that to happen to her."

"What do you know about the barrier?" Ardan asked.

"Not much," Obene replied. "My instructions were simple: infiltrate the kingdom and break the barrier. Marlin's directives are deliberately vague."

Ardan scrutinized Obene, sensing that while he was being truthful, there was more beneath the surface. He needed to determine whether Marlin's right hand knew of the protective stone. Could Marlin have discovered its existence?

"I see through you," Ardan said, shifting the conversation. "You know only loyalty and duty. But let me ask you this: which comes first for you? Loyalty to your king or duty to your people? Will you stand by as your king commits heinous acts, or will you act on your duty, even if it means opposing him? Which are you?"

Obene sat rigidly, the weight of Ardan's words pressing heavily upon him. He wrestled with the long-standing dilemma that had plagued him for years, yet remained unsure of the path he should take.

Ardan rose and approached Obene, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it gently. "You have a choice, Obene. Choose what is right." With those final words, Ardan left, leaving Obene with a hollow feeling in his heart as the king's words echoed in his mind.