Aren waited in the darkness until the moon was high in the sky, glowing like a watchful eye above the city. The jungle behind him felt alive, filled with soft animal sounds and the rustle of leaves. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool air on his face. This was it. It was finally time.
Aren pressed his back against the cold tunnel wall, counting his breaths as he waited for the right moment. Midnight finally came, and the moon climbed high above the city. Its silver light slid across the rooftops and glimmered on the palace spires.
With a last quick exhale, Aren moved. He slipped into the city like a shadow, ducking under archways and sliding past guards who stood half-asleep at their posts. Even though he wasn't from Zehara, he knew the secret tunnels better than anyone — old paths forgotten by most, twisting under the city like the veins of a sleeping giant.
As he crept closer to the main palace, his steps grew quicker, sharper. His mind burned with a single goal: reach Amira's quarters.
He wasn't there to start a war or spill blood tonight. No, Aren had something far more personal in mind. He wanted his milu gems back. And if Amira refused? He already had a cheeky threat ready in his head. He would tell her, "If you don't return my gems, the day you come asking for a kiss, I swear I'll leave you hanging. No lips for you, princess."
The thought almost made him laugh out loud, but he bit it back, shaking his head.
When he finally reached the servants' yard, he grabbed some spare clothes hanging on a line — loose brown trousers and a simple white tunic. He tossed them on quickly and tied his hair back. In the moonlight, he looked every bit a tired palace servant.
Aren stepped confidently into the palace hallways, blending in with the workers moving back and forth, carrying trays and decorations. The palace looked even grander inside, glittering with gold and lit by hundreds of candles. There was music and laughter echoing through the corridors, the sounds of a party still in full swing. It looked like they were celebrating some coronation or honoring Amira's return with the milu gems.
Aren kept his head low, careful not to draw attention. Then, luck favored him — a maid carrying a pile of folded sheets came bustling around the corner and nearly ran into him.
"Hey! You there… are you a new servant?" she asked, peering at him suspiciously.
"Yes," Aren answered quickly, nodding so earnestly that she almost dropped her sheets.
She narrowed her eyes but decided he looked harmless enough. As she started to walk past, Aren stepped forward, pretending to hesitate.
"Um… sorry, I'm new," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Could you tell me where Princess Amira's quarters are? I have an urgent message to deliver."
The maid blinked, a bit surprised, but then pointed down the hallway. "Go straight, take the second left, and then up the spiral staircase. Her room is at the very end with the golden door. You can't miss it."
"Thank you," Aren said, giving her a grateful nod before hurrying off.
As he walked away, he couldn't help smirking to himself.
"That's right, princess," he thought, his steps light despite the danger. "Give me back my gems, or no kiss for you. I'll make you beg for it."
With that playful threat echoing in his head, he slipped deeper into the palace, moving quickly but quietly toward the golden door at the end of the hall.
Tonight wasn't about revenge or fighting. It was about a game — his game. And Aren always played to win.
Aren chuckled quietly and shook his head. He fixed the servant's shirt he was wearing and took a deep breath. He looked down the long hallway, already imagining the moment he would stand in front of Amira. He would demand his gems back and maybe tease her just to see her angry face.
As he walked, he kept his steps light. His eyes moved quickly, watching for any guards. Every so often, he pressed himself into the shadows whenever he heard footsteps nearby. His heart beat faster with each turn and each stair he climbed.
Finally, he reached the east wing. The hallway glowed softly from the moonlight shining through tall windows. He counted each door until he found it: the last golden door on the left.
He raised his hand and knocked softly at first. Then he knocked a bit harder, making sure she would hear.
Tonight, he wasn't here to fight or steal. He was here for his gems, for his own pride, and maybe, deep inside, for a little bit of fun.
Aren waited, his eyes locked on the door, ready for whatever would happen next.