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

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 28: 𝕬 𝕻𝖆𝖈𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝕻𝖎𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘: 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖇𝖊𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖎𝖔𝖚𝖗

Then the door burst open, and Captain Loran walked in, his face a mask of concern. "My Lord," Loran bowed, his voice low. "Urgent news. Prince Daemon... he has left the kingdom."

Kiyoshi felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely audible above the thundering of his heart.

"He is gathering his belongings, sire. It appears he is departed for good." Loran paused; his expression grim.

"Find out where he is gone, Loran. Immediately."

"Of course, my Lord." Captain Loran bowed and hurried away, leaving Kiyoshi and Nia alone in the chamber. Nia looked at her husband, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"Nia," he began, his voice heavy with a mixture of anger and despair, "there's something I need to tell you." He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the revelations to come.

Nia's eyes widened. "What is it, Kiyoshi?"

"It is about the truth behind everything that is happening – the attacks, the rumors, the accusations," he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "It all leads back to someone... someone close to us."

Nia's breath caught in her throat. The fear in her eyes turned to shock and disbelief. "Who, Kiyoshi?" she whispered.

"My brother, Daemon." Kiyoshi's voice was barely audible. "He has been working with the enemies of our kingdom, secretly plotting against me and aiding the disappearing children."

"But... why?" she whispered; her voice barely audible. "I do not understand. Why would he do such a thing?"

"I do not have all the answers yet," Kiyoshi admitted, "But I believe he has been driven by ambition, a twisted desire for power." He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the pain of betrayal. "I recently learned...confirmation that..." he hesitated, unsure how to reveal the involvement of Uncle Hikaru.

"Learned what, Kiyoshi?" Nia asked, her voice barely audible. He ran a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words.

"There was an advisor, a man named Hikaru...my uncle, who was exiled years ago. He recently revealed to me..." he trailed off, his face etched with a struggle.

Nia, sensing his hesitation, gently took his hand. "What did Uncle Hikaru reveal?"

Kiyoshi looked at her, his eyes filled with a turmoil of emotions. "He revealed that Daemon...he framed him as a traitor. It seems it was all part of a larger scheme, a twisted ambition for power that has been growing inside him for years."

"What now, Kiyoshi?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What are you going to do?"

Kiyoshi met her gaze, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. "I must confront him, Nia. It is my duty as king, and as his brother. I cannot allow him to continue with these treacherous acts." He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "I will expose his treachery and bring him to justice."

"But what if he... what if he fights back?" Nia whispered, fear filling her voice. "What if he tries to come back and take the throne from you?"

Kiyoshi took her hands in his, his grip firm but reassuring. "He will," Kiyoshi acknowledged. "But I will not falter. I owe it to the kingdom, to the missing children and to you to end this. I will do whatever it takes to protect our people and restore peace to our realm. I need you to be strong, Nia. I need you to trust me."

He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of doubt, any hint that she was still questioning his resolve. "Kiyoshi," she said softly, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. "I do trust you. I will stand by your side, no matter what comes." Her hands tightened around his, offering him her unwavering support.