Aren stood at the golden door, his hand hovering just above the handle. He took a deep breath,..
He pushed open the door quietly and stepped inside.
Amira stood with her back to him, looking out the window at the moonlit courtyard below. Her hair glowed silver under the lantern light, her robe shimmering like water.
She didn't turn around, didn't even seem to notice him. To her, he was just another servant.
Aren cleared his throat loudly and lowered his voice, acting as if he had a serious errand. "Your Bigness," he began, bowing low and deep like a trained palace attendant. "I bring a message from the forest. It's for the one and only… Laughing Blade."
Amira's shoulders stiffened a little, but she still didn't turn to face him. She kept her hands folded calmly in front of her, as if waiting for him to continue.
Aren took a step closer, still holding the serious act. He reached for the edge of his servant's robe and slowly started pulling it off. Underneath, his real clothes hugged his lean, strong frame, and the smiling sword glimmered faintly at his side.
Once the robe was fully off, he stood tall, tossing it aside like a useless rag. A sly grin spread across his face.
"Surprise," he said lightly, his voice dripping with mischief. "Guess the Laughing Blade doesn't need a written message after all."
Amira finally turned, her eyes going wide the moment she saw him. Her mouth opened as if to call for the guards, but no sound came out.
Aren held up a finger playfully. "Ah-ah! Let's keep this between us, shall we? I just stopped by to pick up my little milu gems. You know, the ones you 'borrowed' without asking."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze sharp as a blade.
He tilted his head and chuckled. "Listen, Princess… if you don't give them back, I might refuse you something very important one day. Let's say, you ask for a kiss — I'll say no. No kisses for you."
Her face turned red, a mix of anger and shock. For a second, she looked like she might actually laugh too, but she caught herself, swallowing it back down.
Aren stood in front of Amira, his grin fading as he caught her sharp, cold stare.
"Where are my milu gems?" he asked again, his voice still playful, but his eyes burning with seriousness.
Amira lifted her chin proudly and crossed her arms. "They're gone," she said flatly. "Already moved to the royal treasure vault. You won't find them here."
Aren blinked, then let out a small, empty laugh. He took a slow step forward, his boots echoing against the marble floor.
"Oh? So you really think I'll just leave quietly, like a lost puppy?" he teased, tilting his head slightly.
Amira didn't budge. "Leave now before the guards come," she ordered, her voice icy and firm.
Aren sighed and looked down. Slowly, he reached behind his cloak and pulled out his whispering dagger. Its blade shimmered strangely, as if it carried a voice of its own in the light.
He twirled it lightly between his fingers, the blade gliding smoothly. "I guess I'll have to use a bit of force then," he said softly, his tone turning cold. "Despite all my jokes… you should know, Princess, you can never truly beat me."
Amira's eyes darted to the dagger, her fingers twitching near a small dagger on the table — but she didn't grab it.
Aren watched her carefully, then let out a long breath. He lowered the whispering dagger, holding it loosely by his side.
"You know what?" he said suddenly, his voice breaking into a softer tone. He looked up, his eyes surprisingly gentle. "I don't want to fight you. Maybe… it's because I actually have feelings for you."
Amira froze, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.
Aren stepped forward again, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath. "I'll make this easy," he continued, his voice low and quiet. "Give me a kiss right now, and I'll leave in peace. No fighting, no damage."
He paused, his eyes turning dark. "But if you refuse… I'll sneak into your secret treasure base myself, take back my milu gems, and then… I'll burn this entire kingdom to the ground."
Aren tilted his head, watching her face closely. "And after that… I'll take you as my slave. You won't enjoy it, trust me."
Amira stood still, her heart pounding so hard it almost hurt.
Aren raised the whispering dagger, but not to attack ; he just let it rest against his shoulder, as if waiting for her answer.
"So… what's it going to be, Princess?" he whispered, leaning in so close she could barely breathe. "A kiss… or chaos?"
Amira's eyes flashed with fear, anger, and a hint of something she couldn't understand.
Aren smirked, though there was a softness hiding behind it, a hidden plea she almost missed.
"Your move," he said again, his voice so quiet it felt like it was meant only for her.
...
Amira watched Aren closely, her eyes sliding down to the dagger in his hand. She tilted her head slightly and smirked.
"You came all this way… with a dagger?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Not even a sword? You know I could get you eliminated in seconds. What were you thinking, Laughing Blade?"
Aren chuckled, his shoulders shaking. "Oh? You really think this is just a dagger?" He lifted it, pointing it straight at her chest. "Hey, Smiling Blade! Do your magic!"
Nothing happened.
Amira's smirk widened.
Aren's eyes darted around the room, and he coughed awkwardly. "Okay… hold on, let's try that again. Hey! Smiling Blade! Transform, you lazy piece of metal!"
Still, nothing. The dagger just sat there, dull and silent, as if mocking him.
Aren scratched the back of his head and gave Amira an embarrassed grin. "Well… it usually talks. I don't know why it's behaving like this today. Must be shy around you."
Amira burst into laughter, her voice ringing through the room like music. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Oh, Aren… you're such a fool," she said, shaking her head.
She stepped a little closer, her expression softening just slightly. "You know… I finally understand it now. You came all this way not just for the gems… but because you have feelings for me. You realized it too late, didn't you?"
Aren's smile wavered for a moment, but then he forced it back, leaning against the wall casually. "Oh please," he joked. "If I wanted to, I could've taken your head clean off, grabbed my gems, and vanished like a morning mist. But I didn't."
Amira laughed again, her eyes bright. "Exactly! That's your weakness, Laughing Blade. You act tough, but your heart betrays you."
Aren shrugged, pretending to look hurt. "Ouch. You know, I don't think I can recover from that roast."
They both stood there, facing each other, the tension thick but tinged with a strange warmth neither wanted to admit.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door.
"Who's there?" Amira called, her voice instantly turning formal.
"It's Daddy… may I come in?" The King's voice rumbled through the door.
Aren's face drained of color. His eyes flew to Amira's, wide with panic. If the King saw him here, there would be no escape.
Amira turned to him slowly, her mind racing. She looked at his whispering dagger still hanging uselessly by his side. Then she looked into his eyes, seeing the raw fear and the vulnerability hidden under all his jokes.
She took a deep breath, her mind already working out what to do next.
Aren leaned forward, whispering urgently. "Please… don't let him in. If he sees me…"
She raised a finger to her lips, signaling for him to stay quiet.
Aren swallowed hard, his jokes gone now. For once, he stood completely still, waiting for her next move.