Unbreakable Duty

In the Stillness of the Night 1

In the days that followed, Earn tried to move on, but her thoughts kept drifting back to those brief seconds when Fahlada's mask had slipped. She cannot shake that image, that glimpse of something deeper, something real. "Is it just an illusion? Ugh! Earn! Shake it off, she's not interested in you.", Earn keeps on reminding herself.

Fahlada was as distant as ever, her demeanor unchanged. She carried out her duties with the same focus, never once letting her guard down. To all appearances, she was the same unflinching protector, dedicated only to her task.

Yet, when Earn was not looking, the captain allowed herself to watch her with an intensity that bordered on longing. In the quiet moments between the crazy parties and chaotic nightlife with her friends, Fahlada would find herself drawn to Earn's laughter, her radiant but sometimes naughty smile, and the way she carried herself with confidence and grace. It was a silent yearning. A crush if you may say. One that she buried deep within her heart, knowing that it could never be fulfilled.

When Earn danced with others, flirted with admirers, or enjoying the attention of those around her, Fahlada remained at her post, expressionless and calm. But inside, she felt a sharp sting of envy, a desire she could never act out. She was a soldier first, sworn to protect, not to indulge in personal feelings.

Everytime Earn brushed past her, every fleeting touch, every glance, Fahlada felt her resolve waver, just for a moment. But she always reminded herself of her duty, of the line she could never cross. Her loyalty to General Sanithada, her commitment to the mission-it all comes first. It had to.

But when night fell and the world around them grew quiet, Captain Fahlada allowed herself a brief moment of weakness. She would stand in the shadows, watching Earn as she slept. Her heart aching with a longing that would never be fulfilled. It is tormenting for the young captain, one she endured with the same discipline she applied to every other aspect of her life.

Yet even in those moments, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. Something darker. Something she couldn't control.

There were some news that reached Fahlada, whispers of unrest, of old enemies of General Sanithada who had been waiting for a chance to strike the general. She knew that Earn's father had many opposers, some of whom would stop at nothing to hurt him where it wound him the most: his daughter. Fahlada had been vigilant, watching every shadow, every stranger. But her instincts tells her that danger is near each day.

One evening, as Lada stood guard outside Earn's room, her hand hover over her holster. The stillness of the night felt too heavy. Too quiet for her liking. Her instincts screamed that something will happen. Something sinister is just around the corner.

A faint rustling sound caught her attention. It comes from the far end of the hallway. Fahlada tensed, every muscle in her body coiled, ready for action. She moved silently, hiding into the darkness, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.

Then, a soft beep echoed through the corridor. A signal. A warning. Fahlada's breath hitched. She knew what that sound meant: the security perimeter had been breached.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted back towards Earn's room. She had seconds to act, to get to earn before anyone else. But as she reached the door, it was already ajar, swinging open slightly.

Fahlada burst into the room, her gun drawn, her eyes sharply scanned the room for any threat. but there was no one. Just the sound of howling wind through the open balcony door. Earn was still asleep, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked over her penthouse.

Fahlada approached the balcony. Her senses on high alert as she peered into the night, searching for any signs of danger. But all she saw was the twinkling lights of the city below.

She turned back to Earn, her gaze softening as she watched the girl sleep. For a moment, just a moment, Fahlada allowed herself to imagine a different life. A life where she could protect Earn not just with her body, but also with her heart.

But things are far from what she imagined. Her attention came back to reality as a faint sound reached her ears. Footsteps. Footsteps too soft for anyone but her to hear, moving swiftly through the penthouse. She silently counted the steps walking outside the room. "Two, no three.. more are coming! Tsk!", she thought.

Captain Fahlada's grip tightened on her gun, her heart racing. Anticipating what will happen in a few seconds. she had no choice but to wake Earn and get her to safety. She reached out to touch Earn. Earn stirred, her eyes opened in confusion.

"Lada?" Earn whispered groggily, her voice tinged in confusion.

"Shhh..", Fahlada replied, her voice barely above a whisper, her tone urgent. " We ned to move. Now."

Earn sat up. Her eyes were wide with fear as she sensed the tension in the captain's voice. She nodded, slipping out of bed, and followed Fahlada's lead.

But as they moved towards the door, a shadow crossed the threshold, blocking their path. A figure emerged from the darkness, clad in black, a gun glinting in the dim light.

Fahlada's heart pounded as she positioned herself in front of Earn. Her gun pointed to the intruder. She had seconds to react, to protect the one person she had sworn her life to.

But before she could pull the trigger, the figure spoke, their voice cold and menacing.

"Nice to see you, Captain Thananusak. Please send General Phongpipat my regards.", the person sneered. Their gun aimed directly at Fahlada.

A/N:

Phew! Almost a thousand words! Okay, I think this can't be a one-shot anymore. XD
What do you think will happen next? Chapter 3 is in the works. I hope you like where this story is going. The action scenes are next, promise. Thanks for reading!