Whispers of Desires: A Sense of Duty {Book 1}

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 25: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖊𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝕯𝖚𝖙𝖞: 𝕬 𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖌'𝖘 𝕵𝖚𝖉𝖌𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙

Moonlight streamed through the windows, casting a cool glow as Nia stood by the castle gates, her hand in Kiyoshi's. While she understood the urgency of his mission, a part of her wanted to cling to him, to refuse to let him go.

"I promise," he said, his voice gruff with emotion, "I'll return to you as soon as this is done. You have my word." He squeezed her hand, his grip firm yet gentle.

"I understand your duty," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "But it does not make it any easier."

Kiyoshi reached out; his touch gentle as he cupped her face. "I know," he said softly. "Every fiber of my being yearns to stay here, by your side. But I have a promise to fulfill, not just to the kingdom, but to those innocent children who cry out for help."

Nia nodded, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Just... come back to me," she pleaded, her voice breaking.

Kiyoshi pressed a kiss on her forehead, his eyes soft with love and regret. "I swear it, my heart. I will return to you. Until then, take care of yourself and know that I am always with you, even when I am not by your side."

A faint smile curved Nia's lips as she closed her eyes, severing the warmth of his touch. Suddenly, a mischievous twinkle lit up her eyes. "Wait," she said, stepping back and running down the hallway. She returned a moment later with a small, heavy bag.

"What's this?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as she held out the bag.

Nia untied the drawstring, revealing a variety of pastries, savory pies, and dried fruit, their fragrance filling the air. "These are for you," she said, her expression a mix of mischief and adoration. "Made them myself. You may not have time for a proper meal, so I thought you could take these with you."

Kiyoshi's heart melted. He had never expected such a thoughtful gesture. "Nia," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "you truly are an angel. This means more to me than you can ever know."

Kiyoshi glanced at the chosen guards, their faces grim but determined, and then back to Nia. He took the bag from her, feeling its weight in his hand. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You truly are my heart, and I will cherish this gift always." He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning away, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead.

He mounted his horse, and raised his hand, the signal for departure. With a deep breath, he urged the stallion forward, leading the small group of soldiers, covered in domes, through the gates and into the night. The air was cool against his skin, the scent of pine sharp in his nose as they rode deeper into the forest. The sound of their horses' hooves and the rustle of leaves beneath their feet filled the silence that hung between them.

Nia watched them disappear into the darkness, her heart heavy with worry and longing. She could only hope that Kiyoshi would return to her soon, unharmed and victorious. As she turned away, she tried to focus on the tasks at hand, attending to the needs of the castle and its people. But all the while, her thoughts kept returning to the man she loved riding towards danger, determined to make the world a safer place.

The days that followed were agonizingly slow for Nia. She woke each morning to the cold touch of dawn, her heart heavy with worry as she wondered if Kiyoshi had made any progress. The castle grounds were quiet, the servants and guards moving about their tasks with the weight of his absence pressing down upon them all.

Meanwhile, Kiyoshi and his men journeyed deeper into the heart of the forest, their path marked by the occasional fallen tree or overgrown bramble. The horses' hooves made little sound on the soft forest floor; their movements almost silent as they wove through the towering trees. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the occasional birdcall or rustle of leaves in the distance. The soldiers maintained a steady pace, their faces grim but determined.