ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

47

Guys why are you calling me chameloen and cuttlefish 🥺

I have high adaptability skills, that's all

Target for next chapter: 1410 votes and 725 comments also please read till the end, it ends with a question ❤️

***Randheeera***

CLINK CLINK CLINK

The swords clashed repeatedly as the King and I battled against each other. He hadn't been particularly kind during practice ever since I sent him to confinement, but I didn't back down either. If he wanted revenge for being confined, I had my reasons to retaliate for him risking his life.

"Any news on the case of the King's attack?" he asked between the clashing swords.

"The reports from immigration just came in," I replied.

"And?" the King pressed.

"Most of them entered the Kingdom illegally, but seven were our own citizens," I said. The King's eyes widened in shock, and he paused the battle for a moment. I seized the opportunity to knock his sword down.

"Ouch," he muttered, holding his wrist. His usual fierceness was replaced by a momentary look of childlike innocence.

"You lost, your highness," I said with an evil smile, "Time to say the magical words, perhaps."

"Your King is hurt, General," he attempted to distract me.

"It'll heal in a day, your highness," I replied "Don't use that as an excuse to get away from the deal."

Deva rolled his eyes.

"Dheera is the strongest, bravest, and most intelligent warrior of all time," he said reluctantly. I gave him a satisfied smile.

"Now," he said, slipping back into his royal demeanor, "was that just a distraction tactic, or were our citizens really involved?"

"I'd never use that as a distraction tactic, Your Highness," I replied. "Our citizens were involved."

"So what are you planning to do with them?" he asked.

"As usual," I said, "send them to Vinod."

"You can't treat our citizens the way you treat our enemies, General!" Deva said firmly.

"You're right, Your Highness," I replied coolly. "They deserve worse. I'll ask Vinod to take note of that."

"That's not what I mean," the King said, sounding frustrated. "You need to interrogate the citizens more gently."

"With all due respect, your highness, why in the world would I do that?" I asked, exasperated.

"Because they are our people," he said firmly.

"They stopped being our people the moment they tried to attack ," youI shot back. "Don't be too kind to your enemies, Your Highness. That will get you killed."

"My people are not my enemies," he retorted.

"They traded their loyalty for a few coins," I said, my frustration rising.

"Or maybe they let go of their loyalty because they think I'm a bad King and have deeply rooted grievances," he said, his voice raising for the first time. I fell silent.

"If it's the first, I don't care how you treat them," he added in a calmer tone, noticing my willingness to listen. "But if it's the latter, torturing them will only create more rebels. We're too big; our strength is our people. We can't afford to turn them against us."