The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 62

Illiyas sighed inwardly, frustration and anger bubbling beneath his calm exterior. He knelt down to Princess Emerald's eye level, his tone gentle. "I'm sorry, Princess. The situation has become more complicated than I anticipated. The mean people interfered with our plans, but I promise you, we will find a way to bring your daddy back."

Princess Emerald, with tear-filled eyes, looked up at Illiyas, her small hands gripping the edge of her dress. "But you promised! You promised he would come back! Why can't you make it happen?"

Illiyas struggled to find the right words, his heart heavy with the burden of unfulfilled promises. "I did promise, and I will do everything in my power to keep that promise. But sometimes, things don't go as planned. I need you to be patient, Princess. We will find a way to reunite you with your father."

The little princess sniffled, wiping away a tear. "Okay, but you have to pinky promise this time!"

Illiyas managed a faint smile, pinky promising with the young princess. "I pinky promise, Princess Emmy. We'll bring your daddy back. Just give us some time."

As Illiyas made the promise, he couldn't shake the internal turmoil, knowing that his alliance with the Royal Vanguard had brought unintended consequences and complicated their mission to restore Princess Emerald's family.

Then after tucking the princess in for bed again, Illiyas stood guard outside Princess Emerald's room, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on the corridor walls. His partner, a fellow royal guard, approached with a concerned expression.

"What happened in there?" the partner asked in a hushed tone.

Illiyas sighed, choosing his words carefully. "The princess had a bad dream. She was upset about her father, you know, the usual. I tried to reassure her and promised her that everything will be okay."

The partner raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in their gaze. "You've been spending a lot of time with that princess. What's going on, Illiyas?"

Illiyas feigned nonchalance, his tone casual. "Nothing, just doing my duty. She's a child who lost her father; it's natural for her to be upset. I'm just trying to be there for her."

The partner nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. "Alright, just don't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. We have a duty to protect the royal family."

Illiyas nodded in agreement, concealing the truth of his involvement with the Royal Vanguard and the conflicting emotions that stirred within him. As his partner resumed their post, Illiyas glanced back at Princess Emerald's room, contemplating the web of lies that surrounded him and the potential consequences of his choices.

Under his breath, Illiyas muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet corridor. "None of this would've happened if Matsu and his team hadn't taken the king. I wouldn't be stuck comforting a grieving princess. They'll pay for what they've done, not for the royal family, but for humiliating the king."

His eyes glinted with determination as he envisioned the retribution he planned to exact upon Matsu and the New Thunderbeak Platoon. The weight of loyalty to the royal family mingled with his personal vendetta, creating a potent mix of emotions. Illiyas knew he had to tread carefully, concealing his true motives while continuing to serve the princess and the kingdom.

As he resumed his watchful stance outside Princess Emerald's room, Illiyas plotted in silence, weaving intricate plans to bring about the downfall of those he deemed responsible for the king's humiliation. The night pressed on, casting its shadows over the kingdom, and Illiyas remained steadfast in his resolve to see justice served, even if it meant stepping into the shadows himself.