The captured attacker sat on the ground with his hands tied and an expression that said he regretted all his life decisions, including being born.
Kereg stood behind him like a wall made of muscle and bad moods.
Arslan paced slowly in front of them, calm and focused. He looked like someone who could extract information simply by breathing.
Ayisulu admired his strategic brain.
She did not admire the way her heart kept reacting to him.
Temir, meanwhile, stood off to the side eating bread like it was a spectator sport.
Kanykei hovered nearby, arms crossed, glaring at Ayisulu for existing.
Perfect stage for chaos.
---
The Interrogation Begins (and Immediately Goes Off Script)
Arslan finally stopped pacing and crouched in front of the attacker.
"Name."
The man pressed his lips shut.
Arslan nodded, almost politely.
"I wasn't really expecting honesty. Let's try something else."
He straightened and glanced over his shoulder.
"Kereg?"
Kereg cracked his knuckles so loudly that Temir dropped his bread.
The tied man instantly spoke.
"R—Rulan!"
Arslan smiled slightly. "Excellent. You see how cooperation benefits us both?"
Ayisulu whispered to Temir, "He didn't even threaten him."
"He didn't have to," Temir said. "Kereg's knuckles did the talking."
Arslan continued,
"Who hired you, Rulan?"
Rulan stared at the dirt.
"I can't say."
Kanykei stepped forward elegantly.
"Because you fear them more than us?"
"No," Rulan muttered. "Because I don't know who they are!"
Arslan lifted an eyebrow. "You were sent to kill a prince without knowing who paid you?"
Rulan swallowed.
"Look, money is money—"
Ayisulu snorted before she could stop herself.
Arslan turned to her instantly.
His eyes softened. "Something funny?"
The change in his tone was subtle but enough to make Kanykei twitch.
Ayisulu coughed. "Nothing. Just… he doesn't seem very loyal."
Arslan's gaze rested on her for a moment longer than necessary.
"Your insight is appreciated," he said softly.
Kanykei nearly exploded on the spot.
---
The Unexpected Hint
Arslan returned his attention to the attacker.
"Show me the sigil you were given."
Rulan, trembling, pulled a small token from his pocket. Kereg snatched it and handed it to Arslan.
Arslan studied it carefully.
Ayisulu stepped closer, trying to peek.
Arslan noticed… and angled it in her direction.
Not toward Kanykei.
Not toward Kereg.
Toward her.
Ayisulu blinked.
The token bore a stylized hawk.
Her chest tightened.
Hawk. The same bird from her dream, circling above the caravan road.
She inhaled sharply.
Arslan saw.
"Ayisulu," he murmured, lowering his voice for her alone, "do you recognize it?"
Kanykei's head snapped toward them.
Temir nearly choked on his bread.
Ayisulu forced her face neutral.
"No. But… the bird is a symbol of someone who likes dramatic entrances."
Arslan's lips tugged at the corner.
"Insightful as always."
"Stop praising her," Kanykei snapped. "It encourages her."
Ayisulu smiled sweetly. "I'm easily encouraged."
Arslan coughed to hide a laugh.
It didn't really work.
---
The Emotional Ambush (Worse Than the Real One)
The interrogation ended quickly after that—the attacker knew little. He was paid through intermediaries, ordered to create chaos, nothing more.
Arslan dismissed him to be taken under guard.
Ayisulu turned to leave—
"Wait."
His voice stilled her.
Arslan stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough to push every normal heartbeat she had out of rhythm.
"Ayisulu."
Her name in his voice always sounded like a problem she didn't know how to solve.
"You saved my life today," he said quietly. "Twice."
"It was… nothing."
"No," Arslan said, eyes locked on hers. "It was everything."
Ayisulu exhaled, trying to keep the ground stable under her feet.
"Anyone would have done the same."
"No," Arslan said again. "Not anyone."
His gaze softened.
Dangerously so.
"Ayisulu… when I saw you on that cliff—"
"Prince Arslan!"
Kanykei swept in like an annoyed storm cloud.
Arslan stepped back at once, regaining his composure, his distance, his prince-mask.
Ayisulu felt her own walls snap back into place.
Kanykei smiled too sweetly.
"Your Highness, perhaps next time you avoid nearly dying. It causes trouble."
Arslan nodded politely.
"Of course."
But before he walked away, he said softly—not to Kanykei:
"Ayisulu. Stay close."
Her pulse jumped.
Kanykei looked like she might set something (or someone) on fire.
Temir muttered, "I give them three days before they lose their minds."
Kereg muttered, "Three hours."
Ayisulu muttered, "Both of you stop talking."
But inside her chest, something warm and terrifying settled in.
Not love.
Not yet.
But something that could become it
if she wasn't careful.
And Ayisulu was many things—
—but careful was rarely one of them.