Galaxy On Fire Chapter 20: 20. Seeds of misunderstanding

The air in the royal chambers was tense, yet still warm with a sense of togetherness. Kai sat on the edge of his bed, poring over ancient Zarathian texts, while Maya perched on a nearby chair, observing him with a faint smile. He had a fierce determination on his face, his golden eyes flicking back and forth across the glowing holographic pages.

She admired him, but her thoughts were heavy. Ever since Arin’s involvement in their plans had increased, Maya couldn’t shake a feeling gnawing at her insides—something wasn’t right.

“Are you sure Arin can be trusted with all this?” Maya finally asked, her voice cautious.

Kai glanced up, surprised. “Of course I am. She’s my cousin and one of the kingdom’s most loyal warriors.”

Maya fidgeted with her hands, unsure how to voice her unease. “It’s just… something about her feels off. Like she doesn’t approve of us.”

Kai frowned, setting the book aside. He leaned forward, his golden eyes locking onto hers. “Maya, what makes you think that?”

“She always looks at me like I don’t belong,” Maya said softly. “And every time she talks about the Council or the kingdom, there’s this tone… like I’m the problem.”

Kai sighed, reaching for her hand. “Maya, I know Arin can be intense, but she’s always had my back. If she’s acting distant, it’s probably because of the pressure we’re under. This isn’t easy for any of us.”

Maya bit her lip, unsure if she should let it go. But the memory of Arin’s sharp gaze earlier that day lingered in her mind, sending a chill down her spine.

\---

Later that evening, Kai was summoned to a council meeting, leaving Maya alone in the chambers. She tried to distract herself by exploring the room, but her restlessness grew. Eventually, she decided to take a walk through the castle, hoping to clear her head.

As she wandered through the dimly lit halls, she overheard voices echoing from a nearby room. She recognized Arin’s sharp, commanding tone and paused, curiosity piqued.

“...she’s a liability, Kai can’t see it,” Arin was saying.

Maya’s heart skipped a beat, and she moved closer, pressing herself against the wall to listen.

“She’s changing him,” Arin continued. “Distracting him from his duty. This obsession with a human is weakening our prince, and the Council knows it.”

Another voice, deep and unfamiliar, responded. “If she becomes a threat to the kingdom’s stability, she’ll have to be removed. Even if Kai protests.”

Maya’s blood ran cold. Her heart pounded as she struggled to process the words. Arin’s voice—calm, calculating—spoke again.

“I’ll handle it. The prince might not like it, but he’ll come to see it’s for the best.”

\---

Maya barely made it back to the chambers before Kai returned. Her mind raced, and she felt a rising panic. Could Arin really be plotting against her?

When Kai entered, he immediately noticed her pale face and trembling hands. “Maya, what’s wrong?”

She hesitated, unsure if she should tell him. Would he even believe her?

“I overheard something,” she finally said, her voice shaky. “Arin… she was talking about me. She said I’m a liability, that I’m weakening you.”

Kai’s brow furrowed, his concern evident. “Are you sure that’s what she said?”

“I’m sure,” Maya insisted. “She even said… if I became a threat to the kingdom, I’d have to be removed.”

Kai’s expression darkened, and he stood, pacing the room. “That doesn’t sound like Arin. She’s harsh, yes, but she wouldn’t plot against you. There has to be some misunderstanding.”

“There’s no misunderstanding, Kai,” Maya said, her voice rising. “I heard her with my own ears. She’s planning something, and I don’t think it’s just about protecting the kingdom.”

Kai stopped pacing and turned to her, his golden eyes troubled. “I’ll talk to her. If she said those things, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”

\---

The next morning, Kai found Arin in the training courtyard, sparring with another warrior. Her silver hair gleamed in the sunlight as she moved with deadly precision, her strikes calculated and swift.

“Arin,” Kai called, his tone sharp.

She ended the match with a quick flourish, disarming her opponent before turning to him. “Cousin,” she greeted, a hint of surprise in her voice. “You seem troubled.”

Kai didn’t waste time. “Maya overheard you last night, speaking about her. She said you called her a liability and claimed she might need to be removed.”

Arin’s silver eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained calm. “I see she’s been eavesdropping. That’s unfortunate.”

“So it’s true?” Kai demanded, his voice hardening.

Arin sighed, setting down her weapon. “Yes, I spoke those words. But you’re taking them out of context. My concerns are for the kingdom, Kai, not for personal gain.”

Kai’s fists clenched at his sides. “Explain.”

“Maya is… unique,” Arin said carefully. “Her presence here has caused unrest, not just among the Council but among the people. They see her transformation as a sign of weakness, a distraction. My words were not a threat, but a warning. If the Council perceives her as a danger, they won’t hesitate to act, with or without your approval.”

Kai’s anger simmered, but he forced himself to listen. “And you think I should just let them?”

“Of course not,” Arin said, stepping closer. “But you need to understand the stakes. This isn’t just about love or loyalty. It’s about survival—for you, for her, and for the kingdom. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose everything.”

Kai stared at her, his mind racing. He wanted to believe her, to trust that her intentions were noble, but the seed of doubt planted by Maya’s words was hard to ignore.

“I’ll protect Maya with my life,” he said finally, his voice steady. “But I won’t let you—or anyone else—undermine her place here.”

Arin met his gaze, her expression unreadable. “I hope you’re ready for the consequences, cousin. Because they’re coming, whether you’re prepared or not.”

\---

That evening, Kai returned to the chambers, his heart heavy. Maya was waiting for him, her expression anxious.

“What did she say?” Maya asked, standing as he entered.

“She admitted to saying those things,” Kai said, his voice tired. “But she claims it was a warning, not a threat. She says she’s worried about how the Council will act.”

Maya’s eyes flashed with anger. “And you believe her?”

“I don’t know,” Kai admitted, running a hand through his hair. “Arin has always been loyal to me, but I can’t ignore your concerns. I’ll keep an eye on her, Maya. I promise.”

Maya nodded, but her unease didn’t fade. Deep down, she knew the tension between her and Arin was far from over—and the battle for Kai’s loyalty had only just begun.