Chapter 46

Ember

As the days pass I throw myself into a routine. Reports, logs, research fill my days, and I handle each task carefully, without delay. Despite the new rhythm I find myself in I can’t help but feel that there is something amiss.

People look longer than they used to. Some are just curious. Others seem like they are waiting for me to do something wrong, to fail.

Eyes narrow when I walk into a room, conversations stop. Being the only female guard had already placed a target on my back, and my new promotion makes those same dissenters uneasy.

Nara watches closely, worried about those who would prefer to see me fail. “You need to be careful. People want to see you fall.”

Not everyone. Some are just noticing the new rank.

"You’ve received two notes. The handwriting is different. Do you think that’s a coincidence?"

I reach for the drawer, but stop. The notes are gone, burned. It doesn’t matter, I don’t need to remember the warnings contained within.

The handwriting was different. The phrasing too. But something in my gut tells me they are linked.

I debate telling Prince Kaine about the notes, but I know he has more important things to worry about. I keep trying to convince myself that two separate people with two separate motives wrote them, but the timing feels off. They are connected somehow.

I do my best to ignore the notes and instead choose to focus on the work in front of me. My promotion has come with an increase in responsibilities for me to focus on and I do just that, doing my best to carry on as usual.

Eventually, I receive an assignment saying that I am to accompany the captain of the guard on a post inspection outside the capital. It is to be a simple, routine inspection, and despite my earlier tension with the captain, I am eager to leave the palace for the day.

It is the first time we will work together since my promotion, and I tell myself that it will be fine. We are both professionals. His earlier mistrust was born out of concern for the kingdom. Still, I find myself nervous.

The inspection site is small and quiet and The Captain is already there when I arrive. He speaks with the outpost commander.

I keep my distance, waiting for him to finish up before approaching. When I do, he doesn’t greet me.

We walk through the grounds together observing drills, inspecting records, and reviewing the supply logs. He says nothing to me directly.

The guards here seem competent. The commander is efficient. There is nothing obviously wrong.

I note a few discrepancies in the paperwork, nothing critical, but still worth correcting. The Captain doesn’t acknowledge my observations. He doesn’t speak to me at all unless necessary, and when he does, his words are clipped and professional.

After the review, we walk a narrow path behind the barracks. The outpost commander falls behind us without being asked.

I keep my voice steady. “I wanted to say I respect the work you’ve done. I understand why you were cautious before. I’m not holding a grudge.”

He keeps walking. “You think this is about caution?”

“I think you were doing your job. I was doing mine.”

He stops and looks at me. “You’ve been here mere months and yet you’re seated in high-level meetings. You make think you’ve earned your position, but that is not how chain of command works.”

“I followed orders. I completed every assignment.”

“You were noticed. That’s what made the difference.”

“I never asked for attention. I’m here to serve.”

“You’re here with access the rest of us earned over years, and now I’m supposed to treat you like an equal.”

“I haven’t asked for special treatment.”

“You didn’t need to. Proximity does the work for you.”

I keep my voice even. “You think I advanced because of personal connections.”

“I think that your proximity to a certain prince has allowed you to gain an inappropriate amount of power and power is dangerous. I think it is foolish for him to place so much faith in a… novelty.”

He walks away before I can respond. I do my best control my temper. I knew that I would be challenged when I joined the guard, but I can’t help but feel stung by his words.

I stay behind for a moment, looking over my notes from the inspection. The outpost commander returns to his building, glancing at me only once. He doesn’t speak and I can’t help but wonder if it’s intentional.

I take the long route back to the main road. I think back to my conversation with the captain, looking for any mistake I might have made, before deciding it doesn’t matter. The captain’s mind was made up before I opened my mouth.

Later, back at the palace, I return to my office. I sit at my desk without turning on the lamp. The light outside is dim and cold.

I stare at the drawer where the notes used to be. The contents are gone, but the unease they brought has not left. I wonder if they are related in some way to the captain.

Nara speaks. “This has gone far enough.”

He’s not the only one who sees my promotion that way.

"Kaine would listen."

And what if he agrees with them? What if he confirms everything they believe?

"That’s fear talking."

It’s caution. There’s a difference.

Nara says nothing more. She never likes when I shut her out, but I know she is still watching. A knock sounds at my door.

“Yes?”

Prince Kaine enters. He closes the door behind him, his expression unreadable.

“You looked upset,” he says.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re lying. What happened?”

I hesitate but decide to answer truthfully. “The Captain. There was some tension during the inspection.”

His look turns sharp, “What did he say?”

“He simply made it clear that he thinks I don’t deserve my position. He feels as though my proximity to you helped me bypass the ranks.”

Prince Kaine doesn’t respond right away. I wait for a moment, trying to parse his expression before giving up. “He’s not the only one who thinks that,” I say quietly.

“You’ve taken on more than most guards do in years. That makes people uneasy.”

“I didn’t ask to be promoted.”

“No, and you shouldn’t have to keep explaining that. You were promoted because you see what others don’t.”

“He believes I want his job. That I’m already in the process of taking it.”

“Power unsettles people. Especially when it shifts quickly.”

“There’s resentment, Prince Kaine. It’s growing.”

“And it’s not going to stop.”

I meet his gaze. “What happens when someone who feels threatened also has power?”

“They use it. Especially if they think they’re being replaced.”

“That’s what today felt like.”

“You’re not wrong to be cautious. People change when they feel threatened. You need to be careful about who you trust.”

I nod, and for a moment I consider telling him about the notes. This is the right moment.

“You’re sure this is only about the captain?” he asks.

“Tell him,” Nara urges.

Not yet.

Prince Kaine watches me. When I say nothing, he gives a short nod.

“If anything changes, you come to me. Immediately.”

“I will,” I lie.

He leaves, closing the door softly behind him. I remain seated at my desk for several minutes. The light has dimmed even further outside and I feel exhaustion begin to creep into my body.

Until I know more, I will stay quiet. The person, or people who left the notes haven’t reached out again. For now I will focus on my duties.