Gabe didn't understand why fate kept pulling him back to the King. Ever since their fateful encounter during the winter festival, it was as if the universe had tethered their paths together. Not that he hated the King but he made Gabe utterly nervous.
When he had been reassigned to serving duty, he thought, naïvely, that he would finally get some distance from the King, outside of their classes. But once again, he was proven wrong.
The morning had started off predictably enough, with their usual lessons. The King had spent the session detailing the history of Hestros and its neighboring territories, explaining how the kingdom had steadily conquered the lands surrounding it, expanding into one of the most powerful nations in the world. It was fascinating to hear, especially from his perspective, how he spoke of strategy, betrayal, and the weight of rulership, as if he had seen it firsthand which he probably had. Gabe had read about this history before, but hearing it from the King himself, in his deep, commanding voice, made it feel more vivid, more real.
Later that evening, Gabe was assigned to serving duty in the enclave entertainment chamber. He hadn't thought much of it at first. Royals often spent their evenings indulging in entertainment, and the enclave was a grand space designed specifically for their leisure. Gabe had seen the chamber before, large, opulent, and breathtakingly adorned, but only when it was empty, during his dance classes. Every vaisa in the enclave had to learn the art of performance, whether it was dance, music, or conversation, as part of their training.
However, he had never witnessed the entertainment hall in full use, filled with nobles, music, laughter, and the guests. Tonight, he would see it for the first time, and once again, the King would be there, if the Kitchen gossip was true.
Gabe, along with another maid, a quiet, middle-aged woman with striking features, almond-shaped eyes, a small pouty nose, and thick lips, pushed a heavy food cart through the dimly lit corridor leading to the entertainment hall. The wheels of the cart creaked slightly under the weight of the extravagant feast prepared for the evening's guests. Laden with ornate silver trays, crystal goblets, and platters of exotic dishes, the cart was nearly overflowing with food and drink, all meticulously arranged with an artistry that only Hestros' royal chefs could achieve.
Gabe knew that the kitchen staff took immense pride in their craft. Every dish that left the royal kitchens was not just food, it was a work of art, an experience, something that commoners would never dream of tasting in their lifetimes. He had heard whispers from the kitchen staff about tonight's menu: roasted meats glazed with honeyed spices, delicate seafood drizzled in golden sauces, fresh fruits imported from lands beyond Hestros, and wines aged longer than some noble bloodlines. Some of the ingredients he had glanced at on the serving chart made his stomach twist in discomfort, things that slithered, things with far too many legs, things that still moved when plated, but he knew better than to let his disgust show. What was revolting to him might be considered the height of luxury to the nobles who would be feasting tonight.
As they neared the entertainment hall, Gabe mentally preparing himself. He had been given specific instructions on how to describe each dish to the guests before serving them, ensuring that every detail, every rare spice, every extravagant origin, was highlighted to impress the noble audience. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. He had nobels before, and he could only hope he would not falter.
As Gabe pushed open the heavy, familiar doors of the entertainment hall, he was met with an unexpected sight, it was almost empty. The grandeur of the chamber remained, its marble floors gleaming under the glow of golden chandeliers, the walls adorned with embroidered silk drapes that shimmered with every flicker of oil lamps. But aside from the rich decor, the only people present were Gaisha, the most skilled dancer of the enclave, and two other vaisas lounging on the plush raised platforms designed for the guests.
Gaisha stood in front of a mirror, fastening a delicate golden waist chain around her hips, her toned abdomen catching the light as she adjusted the intricate jewelry. At the sound of the door opening, she turned sharply, her almond-shaped eyes glimmering with anticipation, expecting someone important, perhaps. But the moment she saw Gabe, her shoulders relaxed, and a slow smile spread across her painted lips.
"Gabe," she greeted, her voice warm and welcoming. "It's been a while. How have you been?"
"I'm great, Gaisha," he replied, maneuvering the heavy food cart to a discreet corner. "How about you?"
"Never been better." She beamed, her perfectly lined eyes flickering with amusement.
Gabe glanced around the chamber again, still expecting to see the usual crowd of nobles, but the seating area remained mostly vacant. "Where are all the guests?" he asked, frowning slightly.
Gaisha's lips curled into a smirk. "Not guests," she corrected. "Just one guest. We're entertaining the King tonight. But he isn't here yet."
Gabe blinked. "Just the King?"
She nodded, adjusting the delicate gold chains draped over her wrists. "He doesn't like sitting with other Alphas."
Before Gabe could respond, the air shifted, charged with an almost tangible authority. The heavy doors at the front of the hall suddenly swung open with a force that made them groan on their hinges. The atmosphere thickened, and every eye in the room turned toward the entrance as the King made his arrival.
The towering figure of the King stood in the doorway, his broad silhouette framed by the warm glow of the corridor behind him. His mere presence was enough to command attention, the weight of his power pressing into the room like an unspoken decree. He stepped forward with an effortless grace, his black robes trailing behind him, the rich fabric embroidered with gold catching the light as he moved.
But what unsettled Gabe the most was the way the King's piercing gaze locked onto him the moment he entered. Not Gaisha, not the other two vaisas, just him. A flicker of surprise crossed the King's face, quickly replaced by something else. Amusement? Satisfaction? Whatever it was, it made Gabe's skin tingle with heat.
He swallowed hard, acutely aware of his plain maid's uniform, the rough linen starkly contrasting with the silk-clad bodies of the beautiful vaisas around him. Gaisha and the others dripped in finery, golden jewelry, sheer fabrics designed to tantalize, yet it was Gabe who held the King's attention.
Suppressing the urge to fidget, he lowered his gaze, hoping to will away the warmth creeping up his neck.
The King strode toward the throne positioned at the far end of the chamber, his movements as fluid and confident as ever. As he reached it, he slouched back against the plush seat, draping himself over the armrests with the effortless dominance of a man who owned everything in sight, including the air they breathed.
The women and the omega vaisa slithered closer to the King, their movements slow and deliberate, like silk gliding over smooth skin. Their hands, adorned with delicate golden rings and chains, found their way to his broad chest, pressing lightly against the thick fabric of his robe. Fingertips trailed down the embroidered designs stitched into the material, tracing the patterns with a practiced touch. One of them leaned in, her lips ghosting near his neck, her breath warm against his skin, while another pressed against his side, her fingers teasing at the collar of his robe.
Gabe couldn't help but wonder if the King could feel any of it through the thick layers of his ceremonial attire. Did their touch stir anything in him? Or was he merely indulging them out of habit?
But what unsettled Gabe the most was that, despite the attention lavished upon him, the King's gaze hadn't wavered, not once. Those piercing golden eyes remained locked onto him, watching, assessing, waiting. The weight of that stare sent a shiver down Gabe's spine, making him shift uncomfortably. A flicker of irritation crossed his mind, a ridiculous thought urging him to ask, no, demand, that the King stop looking at him like that.
As if sensing his unease, the King smirked, the corner of his lips curving in that familiar, taunting manner. He was enjoying this, watching Gabe squirm under his attention.
"Start the show," the King commanded, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Gaisha, standing poised in the center of the room, gave a graceful bow. Without a word, she turned toward the musician seated in the dimly lit corner, a shadowy figure hunched over the guzheng, fingers poised above the strings. At her signal, the first notes of the instrument rang out, a hauntingly beautiful melody filling the chamber. The sound resonated off the walls, wrapping around them like an enchanting spell.
Gaisha's body came alive with the music, her movements fluid and hypnotic. The silken layers of her robe fluttered with each twist and turn, shimmering like water catching the light. Every motion was a perfect balance of power and grace, her hands carving through the air in precise, elegant gestures. She was the best dancer in the enclave, and tonight, she was proving why.
Gabe had never seen her perform before. He had heard whispers of her talent, of the way her dance could captivate even the most hardened of men. But seeing it firsthand felt almost like a privilege, like witnessing something otherworldly.
The older maid nudged Gabe gently, pulling him from his awed daze.
"The food," she whispered urgently.
Snapping back to reality, Gabe nodded and carefully lifted the first serving tray, his hands steady despite his racing pulse. As he approached the King, the rich aroma of the Pearl Caviar & Smoked Cream filled his senses, making his stomach tighten involuntarily. He set the tray down with practiced grace.
"Harisha fish eggs, paired with velvety cream infused with smoky flavors," Gabe announced formally, keeping his voice even. "Would you like a serving, Your Majesty?"
The King regarded him lazily, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. A slow smirk curled his lips.
"Looks tasty," he murmured. "Would you mind feeding it to me? My hands seem to be... occupied."
Gabe's gaze flickered to the King's arms, which were draped leisurely around the shoulders of the vaisa at his sides. The two nestled closer, their delicate fingers idly tracing his tunic-clad chest.
Gabe bit back a sigh, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He wouldn't dare, especially not here, not when the consequences of disrespect were unknown. Instead, he silently plated a small portion, scooping up a spoonful before extending it toward the King's lips.
The King held his gaze as his mouth closed around the spoon, his full lips wrapping over the silver utensil with slow, deliberate ease. Gabe felt warmth crawl up his neck.
The King chewed languidly, his sharp jaw working in an almost hypnotic rhythm. The low hum of approval that followed sent an unexpected shiver through Gabe's spine.
Gabe quickly tore his gaze away, focusing instead on taking another spoonful, telling himself that this was just a duty, just a meal, just a King, and definitely not anything more.
As Gabe raised another spoonful to the King's lips, the monarch tilted his head slightly, parting his lips to take the offering. The gesture, unintentionally intimate, sent an unexpected flutter through Gabe's chest. His stomach twisted with a sensation both foreign and alarming, as though his body had momentarily forgotten that this was merely duty. For a split second, the scene played out like something far more personal, as if the King were leaning in for a kiss rather than a simple meal.
But before Gabe could process it further, the King pulled back.
"Let's move on to the next dish," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.
Gabe swallowed hard and nodded, eager to redirect his focus. He turned on his heel, ready to retrieve the next course, when movement caught his attention. The middle-aged maid accompanying him was already stepping forward with a covered tray in hand.
Something felt off.
Then he saw it, a sharp glint of metal peeking from beneath the tray.
His pulse spiked. His brows furrowed as his mind raced to register what he was seeing. A dagger.
Before he could even react, the woman's posture shifted. Her grip on the tray adjusted, her other hand moving fast.
Gabe didn't think.
His body moved before his mind caught up, pure instinct driving him forward.
He lunged between the King and the attacker just as the dagger arced downward. A sharp, searing pain tore through his shoulder as cold steel lodged deep into his flesh.
Gasps filled the chamber. The metallic scent of blood thickened in the air.
The King was on his feet in an instant. With a single commanding gesture, a wave of unseen force sent the woman hurtling backward, slamming her against the opposite wall.
Gabe staggered, his legs buckling. His vision blurred at the edges. The pain was numbing and sharp all at once.
Strong hands caught him before he collapsed.
"You absolute fool," the King's voice was strained, unsteady. His grip was firm, grounding.
Gabe blinked up at him, his body growing heavy. "She was going to stab you..."
"So you decided to throw yourself in the way?" The King's tone wavered between fury and something else, something that sounded dangerously close to panic. "When will you learn, "
The room was spinning now. The last thing Gabe saw was the King's frantic expression, the gold of his eyes burning with something deeper than anger.
"Call the healer!" the King roared.
Then, everything went dark.
***
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