Lantern of Dusk

Chapter 1

Jasmine's gaze swept over the line of young soldiers standing at attention, their wooden staffs gripped tightly in their hands. The morning sun cast sharp shadows across the training ground, highlighting the nervous energy radiating from the recruits. Her dark hair, tied back in a high ponytail, swung with each calculated step she took, her stern face unflinching as she inspected their stances.

"Keep your feet grounded," she instructed, her tone firm. She stopped in front of a soldier whose stance was wavering. With a quick tap of her staff against his shin, she adjusted his footing, and he straightened, his eyes widening under her watchful gaze.

Jasmine herself was a sight to behold—slim, yet with the honed build of a warrior, her limbs lean and toned from years of training. Her beauty was undeniable but tempered by a hardened, no-nonsense expression. She looked every bit the seasoned warrior she was: a figure of control and focus, her stern gaze able to silence even the rowdiest of recruits.

"Strength is only useful if it's controlled," she called out, demonstrating a swift, precise series of strikes with her own staff. "If you can't master yourself, you'll fall before you even meet your enemy."

The soldiers watched her, mesmerized, and a flicker of satisfaction passed over her as they adjusted their movements, determination sparking in their eyes.

"Lady Jasmine."

She turned to see a young maid hurrying across the training ground, hands clasped tightly in front of her, her face flushed and anxious.

"The king has summoned you," the maid said, a little breathless.

Jasmine's expression remained impassive. This wasn't the first time he had called for her, and she knew well enough what his summons often meant. She gave a curt nod to her soldiers.

"Continue your drills," she commanded, her voice steady and unyielding.

Turning on her heel, she followed the maid without hesitation, her thoughts calm but focused. The king rarely summoned her without a purpose, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her shoulders. She suspected this meeting would lead to another mission—another test of her loyalty and skill.

As she left the training grounds, the disciplined clatter of wooden staffs faded behind her, replaced by a deepening sense of duty and resolve.

---

Jasmine entered the grand hall, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. The king sat at the far end of the room on his gilded throne, his robes draped elegantly over his frame. His gaze rested on her as she approached, sharp and assessing, his lips curling into a faint smile.

She stopped a few steps away, bowing her head in respect. "Your Majesty."

"Ah, Jasmine," he greeted, his voice smooth, lingering on her name. The king leaned forward, his gaze sliding over her with a look that was both approving and possessive. "You've never failed me, have you? Always so willing to follow my commands, no matter what they entail."

He reached out, brushing a hand lightly along her shoulder, his touch lingering a moment too long. Jasmine held her ground, her expression unchanged, though a faint tension settled within her. She knew all too well the king's way of asserting control, his reminders of her loyalty and obedience.

"You are my most trusted warrior," he continued, his tone soft but with an edge that hinted at his expectations. "The only one I can rely on completely." His hand moved down her arm, his grip firm as he looked into her eyes. "And you would never betray that trust, would you?"

"No, Your Majesty," Jasmine replied, her voice steady. "I live to serve."

Jasmine kept her face carefully composed, awaiting his words with the patience she had honed over years of service.

The king's expression softened, though his gaze remained calculating. "There is a matter that demands your... particular skills," he continued, his voice low. "A mission that only you can execute with the precision I require."

Jasmine inclined her head, her mind already focused. "I am at your service, Your Majesty. Tell me what you need done."

The king's smile grew, a glint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Excellent. I knew I could rely on you."

She nodded, suppressing the urge to pull back under his touch. This was part of her duty, the role she had played countless times before. She would not waver now.

---

The king's gaze darkened as he leaned forward, his expression hardening. "The Kingdom of Meru," he began, voice laced with contempt. "Their arrogance knows no bounds. They've always thought themselves superior—purer blood, nobler lineage. They've spoken of our kingdom as little more than savages, fit only to serve their whims."

He clenched his jaw, eyes flashing with anger. "And now, they plan to crown a new heir. The enthronement ceremony will be held under their sacred rites, with all their nobility in attendance. This new prince, this symbol of their supposed strength, must not see his throne."

Jasmine's expression remained impassive, but she absorbed every word. She knew the longstanding tension between the two kingdoms, though it was rare to see the king speak with such venom.

"You will enter Meru undetected," the king continued, his voice soft but sharp. "You'll take your place among the servants attending the ceremony. Their guards will be tight, their defenses strong. But in their arrogance, they won't expect someone like you."

He paused, considering his next words. "To ensure success, you must arrive in Meru well before the enthronement. You'll need time to blend in, to gain their trust. An outsider appearing just before such an event would draw suspicion."

The king's eyes bore into hers. "Win over those around you—learn who trusts whom, who holds influence in the palace, and who guards the prince. Learn their routines, their weaknesses. Make them see you as one of their own, invisible and dependable."

"Then, during the ceremony, when their attention is on the new prince, you will strike. It must look like an accident—a tragic fall into the sacred flames, perhaps, or an injury that goes unnoticed until it's too late. I want Meru to mourn their loss, not search for a culprit." He held her gaze firmly. And it must be flawless, Jasmine. Meru must never know this was our doing. 

The king leaned back, his expression one of cold satisfaction. "This prince is the heart of their future. By ending his life, we weaken them, crush their spirit. And you, Jasmine, are the only one I trust to carry out such a task."

Jasmine nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "I will ensure it is done, Your Majesty. Meru will know no peace."

The king's smile returned, colder and sharper than before. "Good. Make sure he is gone by dusk after the ceremony. Our people will remember this as the day Meru began to fall."