A Dangerous Proposition

The days that followed were eerily quiet. Thomas avoided any direct contact with Alexander, keeping his focus on his knightly duties and training the new recruits. But no matter how hard he tried to immerse himself in his work, thoughts of the king gnawed at him. Their last conversation had stirred something inside him, something he wasn’t sure he wanted to confront yet.

Alexander, for his part, remained distant, keeping himself busy with affairs of the kingdom. However, despite the physical distance, Thomas couldn’t escape the awareness of Alexander’s presence. It was as though the king was always there, watching, waiting—giving Thomas the space he had asked for but still lingering just out of reach.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Thomas returned to his quarters, exhausted. He had been pushing himself harder than usual, desperate to outrun his thoughts. But as he stepped inside his chambers, he froze. A figure stood by the window, silhouetted against the fading light of the setting sun.

It was Alexander.

“What are you doing here?” Thomas asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Alexander turned slowly, his face partially hidden in the shadows. “I came to see you.”

Thomas clenched his jaw, closing the door behind him. “You’ve never come to my chambers before.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Alexander said, his voice calm, almost casual. But there was a tension in his posture, a subtle edge to his tone that Thomas didn’t miss.

“What do you want?” Thomas asked, moving further into the room but keeping a careful distance between them.

Alexander’s eyes followed him, dark and intense. “I need your help.”

That was unexpected. Thomas frowned, crossing his arms. “My help? With what?”

“There’s a growing threat to the kingdom,” Alexander explained, stepping away from the window and moving closer to Thomas. “One of my rivals—Lord Sebastien—has been gathering support among the nobles. He’s planning a rebellion.”

Thomas’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you telling me this?”

Alexander sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Because I can’t fight this alone. I need people I can trust, people who are loyal to the crown.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow. “And you think I’m loyal to you?”

A flicker of something crossed Alexander’s face—pain, perhaps, or regret. “I know you don’t trust me. Not yet. But this isn’t just about me, Thomas. This is about the kingdom. If Sebastien succeeds, there will be chaos. Innocent people will suffer.”

Thomas remained silent, studying Alexander carefully. There was something different about the king tonight. He wasn’t wearing his usual mask of arrogance and control. Instead, he seemed vulnerable, almost desperate.

“And what exactly do you want me to do?” Thomas asked, his voice cautious.

“I want you to go to Sebastien’s stronghold,” Alexander said, his tone serious. “I need someone on the inside. Someone who can gather information, find out what he’s planning, and report back to me.”

Thomas stared at him in disbelief. “You want me to spy for you?”

“I want you to protect the kingdom,” Alexander corrected. “Sebastien is dangerous, and if he gains enough support, he could plunge the entire realm into war.”

Thomas shook his head, pacing the room. “Why me? You have plenty of spies and informants. Why not send one of them?”

“Because Sebastien knows all of them,” Alexander said, his voice tight with frustration. “He won’t trust anyone from my court. But you—you’re different. You’ve been a knight, respected by both sides, long before this marriage. Sebastien knows your reputation. He might see you as someone he can manipulate or win over.”

Thomas stopped pacing, turning to face Alexander. “And what if he does? What if he offers me something better than what you’ve given me?”

Alexander’s gaze darkened, his expression hardening. “Then you’ll have to make a choice, won’t you?”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them crackled like a storm about to break. Thomas could feel the weight of Alexander’s words pressing down on him, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air.

“I’ll think about it,” Thomas finally said, his voice quieter now.

Alexander didn’t look satisfied, but he nodded. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

He turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, he paused, glancing back at Thomas. “One more thing.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“If you do this,” Alexander said, his voice low and serious, “be careful. Sebastien is ruthless, and if he finds out what you’re really up to, he won’t hesitate to kill you.”

Thomas met Alexander’s gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. “I can handle myself.”

“I know you can,” Alexander said softly. “But I don’t want to lose you.”

With that, the king left, the door closing softly behind him.

Thomas stood there for a long moment, staring at the door. His mind was racing, his emotions a tangled mess. He didn’t know what to make of Alexander’s request. Part of him wanted to refuse, to walk away from this dangerous game. But another part of him—one he didn’t fully understand—was tempted by the challenge.

And then there was the other part—the part that was beginning to see Alexander not just as a king, but as a man. A man who, despite his cruelty and flaws, seemed to genuinely care about him.

Shaking his head, Thomas moved to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. He didn’t know what his decision would be, but one thing was clear: whatever he chose, it would change everything.

For better or for worse.

To Be Continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***