My Beloved

Chapter Seventeen

~KALIL~

It has been weeks since we came to Oasis. Yet I haven't had a moment alone with Kaira. I hate this. I hate that it has to happen like this. I hate going to these meetings, like the one I'm going to right now. My father's untimely death had thrown the realm into chaos, and now, as the new king, it was my responsibility to restore order. It wasn't the responsibilities that had me so tired about the role and hating these meetings already, but it was because of the people in there.

I know what's going to happen there. It has been going like this for weeks now. Kabeer met me outside the door of the meeting chamber. "Any development so far?" I ask him.

"No," he replies grimly. I nod in return and motion for the guards to open the doors to the chamber.

We entered the council room, which was full of heated whispers and accusatory glares. The air crackled with tension. The members of the council were actually representatives from every part of the Oasis, from every clan and state they came to represent, and they brought forth the issues concerning their respective clan or state. Now they had turned against each other like wolves in a pack with a wounded leader.

Taking my seat at the head of the table, I surveyed the room with a grim expression. My shoulders were squared and my heart was full of determination. I knew that maintaining order in such chaos would be no easy task, but I had been trained for moments like these, and I was ready. I commanded silence, and the room obeyed.

"We're in a mess," I said bluntly. "The king's dead, and everyone's pointing fingers. But fighting won't solve anything. We need to work together to find out who did it. We are here to serve the kingdom, not tear each other apart."

Just when it seemed like they might listen, chaos erupted again. As if my words fell on deaf ears as the blame game continued, each council member sought to clear themselves of any suspicion while simultaneously casting doubt on their fellow council members. Oberonians and Astraeians, with their long-standing prejudices, clashed intensely and were at the forefront of this blame game.

The Oberonians, with their shimmering wings and graceful demeanour, accused the Astraeians of treachery. "It is clear that the plot was against our king!" Oberonian, one council member declared, her voice ringing out with conviction. "Their jealousy knows no bounds."

Astraeians, with their sturdy wings and steadfast loyalty, bristled at the accusation. "This is preposterous!" a burly Astraeian retorted, his eyes flashing with indignation. "We would never harm our king. It is the Oberonians who have always sought to undermine us."

I listened to the accusations flying back and forth; my heart felt heavy, and I yearned for some alone time with Kaira. In these past few weeks, I

As the debate escalated, I rose from my seat, my voice cutting through the room full of arguments. "Enough!" I commanded, my tone firm and authoritative. I knew that if Oasis was to survive this crisis, unity was essential. But how could one unite a council torn apart by centuries-old grudges? Whatever the cause, I wasn't going to give up so easily. So I addressed the room once again with a voice full of determination: "We are all Aireths, united by our wings and our shared homeland. It is time to set aside our differences and work together to uncover the truth behind my father's death."

My words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the bond that connected us all. Slowly, the tension in the chamber began to ease, replaced by a sense of determination. Perhaps, Kalil thought, there was hope for Oasis yet.

Just when I thought there's hope for Oasis yet, a messenger burst into the chamber, breathless and pale-faced.

"What's going on?" I demanded.

"A body has been found in Lady Kaira's chamber," he said, his voice trembling with fear.

"Take me there," I ordered, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my heart.