Chapter 39: A Delicate Dance

Kazi and Uriel rounded the corner into the drawing room. There in the drawing room was the royal family engaging in idle chatter. Queen Evangeline, sat at the head of a sofa, a gentle smile gracing her lips. King Eldarion, his voice momentarily quieted, sat beside her, deep in conversation with Prince Aradiel. Across the room, Concubine Coriel sipped tea with a faint smile, her gaze flickering towards Prince Akiel, who sat lost in a book by the window. Princess Athiel, however, was the first to spot them. Her eyes narrowed, a scowl replacing her previously cheerful expression.

"Uriel!" Princess Athiel marched towards them, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance. "What are you doing with K?"

Uriel flinched, before quickly going onto her knees t. "Y-Your Highness," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "We just...we bumped into each other in the hallway, and Sir K offered to walk me here."

Princess Athiel's gaze flickered to Kazi, her expression unreadable. Kazi, sensing the shift in atmosphere, stepped forward, careful to keep their voice neutral. "I simply saw Miss Uriel looking a little lost and offered her my assistance."

Princess Athiel studied Kazi for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded once. "Very well," she said, her voice cool. However, her attention quickly shifted back to Uriel. "But remember, Uriel," she said, her tone growing stern, "you are to attend to my needs first and foremost. There is no time for socializing with the guards."

Uriel bowed her head, shame flushing her cheeks. "Y-Yes, Your Highness," she mumbled, retreating a step back.

Princess Athiel, seemingly satisfied with her warning, turned her attention back to Kazi, her behaviour undergoing a complete transformation. A smile spread across her face, and she batted her eyelashes. "My, K," she began her voice overly sweet. "You are simply too handsome in that uniform! Do tell, are you always so...manly?"

Kazi gritted her teeth internally, forcing a smile onto her face. "Thank you, Your Highness," Kazi replied politely, bowing her head. "I simply try to perform my duties to the best of my ability."

Princess Athiel giggled, a sound that grated on Kazi's ears. "Such dedication! Reminds me of the unwavering devotion my father had for my mother," she continued, glancing towards Queen Evangeline and King Eldarion, who were now engaged in a seemingly heated debate. "Isn't that right, Mother?"

Queen Evangeline, momentarily distracted from her conversation, turned towards her daughter. "Indeed, Athiel, your father and I have a very...special bond," she said.

Kazi internally scoffed. King Eldarion had a concubine and had two sons with his concubine...which love was she exactly supposed to emulate? And even so, Kazi had no interest in women, let alone being married off to some rude princess.

"Oh, wonderful!" Princess Athiel gushed, her eyes sparkling. "Perhaps, K, we can forge a similar bond! What do you say?" she asked, reaching out to grab Kazi's arm possessively.

Kazi's stomach churned as Princess Athiel gripped her arm possessively. The girl was obviously used to getting her way, and the thought of being under her thumb for the rest of her life made Kazi's skin crawl. But she kept her expression neutral, forcing a smile onto her lips as she looked into Athiel's expectant eyes.

Before she could respond, a voice cut through the tension.

"Now, now, Athiel," Lady Layil spoke for the first time that evening, her voice quiet but firm. "Isn't it a bit presumptuous to assume K will be your...'special bond'?"

Kazi gave Lady Layil a grateful glance for the unexpected intervention. Princess Athiel, however, looked furious. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Layil?" she snapped, her eyes flashing. "K seems like a perfectly suitable companion."

Kazi, seizing the opportunity, offered a small smile, hoping to further diffuse the situation. "Your Highness," she began, "while I appreciate your enthusiasm, I am afraid our positions would not allow for such...closeness."

Princess Athiel blinked, momentarily confused. "What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing.

A wave of unease washed over Kazi. Had she misspoken? Before she could clarify, the room erupted in confused chatter. "Why would not you be suitable, K?" King Eldarion asked loudly.

Kazi knew she was screwed. She needed to think fast. She glanced around the room, searching for a way out of this mess...

The air crackled with tension as everyone waited for Kazi to respond. Kazi felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. Her impulsive statement had backfired spectacularly. Blowing her cover as a woman was a very real possibility now. Stealing a glance at Azrael, she saw he had an unreadable expression. Taking a deep breath, Kazi plunged forward, hoping to salvage the situation.

"Yes, Your Highness," Kazi repeated, her voice firm. " "Men. I, uh, find myself more...attracted to the company of men."

The silence continued, thick and heavy, as everyone in the room tried to process what Kazi had just said. Princess Athiel's expression slowly shifted from shock to disbelief. Princess Athiel, however, seemed the most affected. Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, and her eyes darted around the room, as if searching for a way out.

"But...but K," she stammered, her voice cracking. "You are so...handsome! And strong!"

Kazi offered a weak smile. "Thank you, Your Highness. But I assure you, my heart belongs to...men."

The tension in the room was palpable as everyone processed her words. Princess Athiel looked like she was about to explode, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson and her fists clenched at her sides. Kazi glanced at Azrael who looked at her in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.

A tense silence descended upon the room once more. Kazi could practically feel the weight of their stares burning into her back. This was not how she had planned on diffusing the situation, but desperate times called for desperate measures. She had to get out of there, and fast.

With a forced smile, Kazi bowed her head slightly. "If Your Majesties will excuse me," she said, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart, "I believe I should retire for the evening. It has been an honour to serve you and share in your company." She turned to go, not daring to meet anyone's gaze. Her ears burned as she heard the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and hurried footsteps behind her.

Kazi made her way to her chambers, as she closed the door, she sank onto her bed, her heart racing. She couldn't believe she had just said that. The thought of being exposed as a woman, when her mission was only just getting leads, was terrifying. Maybe it was a good thing...now that everyone knew K liked men, maybe she would stop getting attention and she could focus all her energy on her mission.