The Assassin | KITTYZ

Chapter 15: A Game of Loyalties

HANNI'S POV

As the morning light seeped through the trees, I felt a deep pang of unease twisting in my chest. My father had undoubtedly sent guards in search of me, and the longer I stayed hidden with Haerin and her allies, the higher the risk became. But the thought of returning to the palace weighed heavily on me. Going back meant leaving Haerin, and there was something unfinished between us—something pulling me to stay close to her, to figure out why she acted the way she did.

We moved quickly through the forest, packing essentials and preparing to leave the temporary camp. Haerin moved with her usual efficiency, every movement sharp and focused. But this time, I noticed the strain in her eyes, the way her brows furrowed a little deeper, the subtle stiffness in her posture. She was feeling the pressure too. The palace guards were likely sweeping through the forest as we spoke, and we were running out of time.

Danielle was quiet as she packed supplies, her expression unreadable. It was hard to tell what she was thinking—whether she supported Haerin's decision to bring me along, or whether she thought it was a mistake. Hyein, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, though her sharp gaze occasionally darted my way, as if she were still sizing me up, evaluating whether I was a threat or simply a burden.

"Alright," Haerin's voice broke through the silence. "We need to get you far from the palace's reach, at least until we're sure they're not following us anymore."

I opened my mouth to protest, to insist I could find my own way back. But there was something in Haerin's tone—something urgent and final—that silenced me. I could sense this wasn't just about escaping the guards. There was something deeper going on, something she wasn't telling me. And I couldn't help but wonder what it was.

We began our trek deeper into the woods, following a trail that twisted and turned through dense undergrowth. The air around us was heavy with tension, the silence broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath our boots. I stole glances at Haerin as we walked, but her face was a mask of stone, closed off from whatever she might have been feeling. I wanted to ask her what was really going on, but the presence of Danielle and Hyein kept me quiet. They were Haerin's allies—her family—and I was still an outsider in their world.

After what felt like hours of walking, we finally arrived at a secluded part of the forest, far away from the beaten path. Nestled into a rocky cliffside was what looked like a hidden entrance, barely noticeable unless you knew where to look. Danielle approached the entrance, bending down to unlock it, and with a creak, a narrow doorway opened into what seemed to be an underground hideout.

The space inside was dimly lit, with a few rough-hewn rooms carved out of the stone. Supplies were stacked in one corner—food, weapons, medical kits—and on one wall, a large map of the kingdom was pinned up, dotted with markings and notes. It was clear this wasn't just a hideout. It was a base of operations.

"You can stay here," Haerin said, gesturing toward a small side room. Her voice was clipped, as if she wanted the conversation to end before it even started.

I stepped into the room, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. I thought I'd find answers by staying close to Haerin, but instead, I was left with more questions than before. Why was she acting so cold? Why had she saved me—twice—only to shut me out now? And why did I get the feeling that there was something much bigger at play?

Before I could sort through my thoughts, the door opened, and Danielle slipped inside. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, studying me for a moment before speaking.

"You should know," she said, her tone serious but not unkind, "Haerin's under a lot of pressure. The palace's eyes are everywhere, and bringing you here was a risk."

"I know," I said quietly, though I wasn't sure I fully understood the extent of the danger. "But why did she take the risk?"

Danielle sighed, glancing toward the closed door. "It's complicated," she admitted. "But it's not just about you. The king—your father—he's been on edge lately. There's more going on in the kingdom than you realize."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite the pit of unease growing in my stomach.

Danielle hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to tell me. Then she lowered her voice and said, "There are whispers of rebellion. Of people who want to overthrow your father."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Rebellion? Against my father? I had always known the palace had enemies, but an actual rebellion? I couldn't believe it.

"Who?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Who would want to overthrow him?"

"It's not clear," Danielle said. "But whoever they are, they're powerful. And they're gaining support fast."

I stared at her, my mind reeling. My father's kingdom—my home—was in danger, and I had no idea how bad things had gotten. Worse, I was here, in the middle of nowhere, while the situation spiraled out of control.

Danielle must have seen the worry on my face because she softened her tone. "You'll be safe here for now," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "But you need to think carefully about where your loyalties lie."

"My loyalties?" I repeated, confused.

Danielle gave me a long, searching look. "Yes," she said. "Are you loyal to the palace, to your father's rule? Or do you stand with those who want change?"

I didn't know how to answer. All my life, I had been the king's daughter, a symbol of the palace's power and stability. But now, standing in this hidden base, surrounded by people who had risked everything to hide me, I realized I was no longer sure where my loyalties lay.

That night, I lay awake in the small room, staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts racing. The rebellion, my father, Haerin—everything felt like it was closing in on me, demanding that I make a choice. But how could I choose when I didn't even know the full story?

Morning came all too quickly, and with it, the sound of hurried footsteps and hushed voices outside my door. I threw on my clothes and rushed out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest.

In the main room, Haerin, Danielle, and Hyein were gathered around the map, their faces grim.

"They're getting closer," Haerin muttered, tracing a line on the map with her finger. "The palace guards are sweeping the forest. They've already covered half the territory."

My heart sank. If they found us, it would be over. Not just for me, but for Haerin and her team.

"What do we do?" I asked, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

"We move," Haerin said firmly. "We can't stay here any longer. It's too dangerous."

I glanced at Danielle and Hyein, both of them already preparing to leave. There was no room for hesitation. I knew I had to trust Haerin's judgment, even if I didn't fully understand her motives.

As we gathered our things and prepared to leave the base, I couldn't shake the growing tension in the air. We were being hunted, and I was no longer just a princess on the run. I was a liability, a burden that could jeopardize everything Haerin and her team had fought for.

And the worst part? I wasn't sure where my loyalties lay anymore.

As we made our way through the forest, the weight of Danielle's words hung over me like a shadow. I knew I had to make a decision soon, but every path seemed fraught with danger. Should I return to the palace, to my father's protection, and risk being caught up in the brewing rebellion? Or should I stay with Haerin, who had saved me, despite the danger it brought?

The choice seemed impossible, and yet, deep down, I knew that sooner or later, I would have to make it.

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A/N

will try to publish more chaps since the semester is almost over !!