A Kingdom's Vow

CHAPTRE 1- ELAYLA

I taste blood—blood and dirt. My left leg feels broken, though I can still manage to step on it. Taking a deep breath, I swing with my right leg, but he blocks it effortlessly. Before I can react, I’m on the ground, a dagger pressed against my throat. Silas looms over me, his deep brown eyes locked on mine, his breath ragged.

"And here you are… dead," he says, pinning me to the floor.

I smile despite the blood trickling down my cheek.

"I know. In fact, I’d have been dead in the first minute if you hadn’t gone easy on me."

Silas chuckles and steps back, offering me his hand. I take it, wincing as the pain in my leg and back flares up. I ignore it—pain is temporary.

"That’s enough for today," he says, his tone light yet firm. "You’d better leave before your father gets back."

Wiping the blood and dirt from my face, I smirk. "See you next session, Silas. How about Wednesday?"

He hesitates, his usually calm expression faltering. His narrowed eyes soften as something flashes across his face—regret, maybe?

"Silas? Are you okay?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

He shakes his head, sheathing his dagger.

"Elayla… listen. Your father…"

I tense. "My father? What about him? Speak, Silas!"

With a sigh, he picks up another dagger from the dirt.

"He told me to leave. No more training. No more sessions."

Anger bubbles up inside me. "What? Why would he do that?" I demand, stepping forward.

Silas shrugs, continuing to gather his weapons. "He said you’re grown now, that you don’t need me anymore. That you should focus on other things—on your future. Fighting, he said, isn’t something that’ll benefit you."

I laugh bitterly. "And whose words are those? Yours or his?"

He tilts his head back, gazing at the darkening sky. "I wasn’t even supposed to be here today. I just wanted to tell you myself."

"And why the hell does he think you should leave?"

He meets my eyes briefly before turning away. "He didn’t fire me, Elayla. He simply said my role here is over. You’re twenty-one. You don’t need me to hold your hand anymore."

"You don’t hold my hand or wipe my ass , Silas! You come here every three days, we train, and that’s it!" My voice rises in frustration.

He shakes his head again, stepping away. "Goodbye, Elayla."

I chase after him. "Silas, please! You don’t have to listen to him!"

"He’s the one who pays me. He owns this house," Silas replies without looking back.

"Then I’ll pay you!"

He pauses but doesn’t turn around.

"Silas—"

"Elayla!"

My sister’s voice cuts through the night, sharp and demanding. I glance toward the balcony to see her waving at me.

"It’s dark! Get inside!" she calls.

I sigh, turning back to where Silas stood moments ago, but he’s already gone.

---

By the time I reach my room, I’m filthy—sweaty, bruised, and reeking of dirt. I toss my daggers and sword onto the floor before collapsing onto the bed. The door creaks open, and my sister, Athena, steps inside.

"Layla… Father’s calling for you," she says softly, settling onto the sofa near the door.

"Good session with Silas? I heard he left," she adds, her voice cautious.

I sigh heavily, unzipping my jacket and throwing it onto the ground. "I know. I’ll talk to him about it."

As I rummage through my closet for a nightgown, I feel her gaze on me. Turning, I raise an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?"

She smiles, standing and walking over to me. "No, I just wanted to check on you. You always need care after your training."

Her teasing tone makes me chuckle. "I do need medical care, actually. I think I broke my leg," I say with mock seriousness.

She bursts out laughing, her cheeks flushing pink. "If Father finds out, he’ll lose his mind."

"Exactly. So I’ll deal with him first, then visit the nurse," I reply, grinning.

Athena shakes her head, her laughter fading into a warm smile. "Alright. I need some rest, though. Goodnight, sister."

"Goodnight," I say, kissing her cheek before she leaves.

After a quick shower, I slip into a simple white dress with a black corset. The scalding water made my injuries throb, but it also numbed the pain enough for me to move. I head to Father’s office, knocking softly on the heavy wooden door.

"Come in," his deep voice commands from within.

I step inside to find him at his desk, surrounded by piles of papers. He removes his glasses, his piercing gaze locking onto me.

"Elayla. Where were you?" he asks coldly.

"I was in my room, Father," I lie, keeping my voice steady.

He raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Gesturing for me to come closer, he leans back in his chair. I obey, stopping just short of his desk.

"I’ll forget this lie… once. Do it again, and there will be consequences."

I bite my lip but say nothing. His eyes narrow as he studies me in silence before speaking again. Lying to my father and getting caught wasn't something he usually let slide.

"Tomorrow, we’ll be attending a royal dinner at the castle. Be ready by evening. Wear something appropriate."

I nod in acknowledgment.

"You may leave," he says dismissively.

I turn on my heel and leave the office, my heart pounding. My nerves don’t settle until I reach the hallway, where I spot two familiar figures—my brother Ian and his best friend, Tyler. My secret boyfriend.

"Good evening, gentlemen," I greet with a polite bow.

Ian kisses my forehead, a gesture of affection between siblings. Tyler, meanwhile, smirks, his ocean-blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Layla, it’s late. Get some rest," Ian says, shaking Tyler’s hand before leaving.

The moment Ian is out of sight, Tyler steps closer, pinning me against the wall. His lips crash onto mine, and I melt into the kiss, my hands tangling in his hair.

He pulls back slightly, his breath warm against my skin. "Damn, I’ve missed you."

"I missed you too," I whisper, though I glance nervously around. "But not here—someone might see us!"

He chuckles, pressing kisses down my neck. "I don’t care if they see. I want them to see."

A soft groan escapes me before I gently push him away. "You’re going to get me in trouble."

His hand lingers on my jaw, his thumb brushing my lips. "Will I?"

I laugh softly, ignoring the heat in his gaze.

"You got this cut during training, didn’t you?" he asks, his concern evident.

I nod.

"Well," he says with a sly grin, "I’ll see you at the royal dinner tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you in a beautiful gown—and maybe take it off later."

I roll my eyes, giving him a quick kiss before hurrying off to the nurse's office.