THE BEAUTY THAT LURED FOES AND SHATTERED LOYALTY

Once upon a time, in a vast and prosperous kingdom, there reigned a king named Alaric. Alaric was known for his wisdom and valor, having ruled with a fierce commitment to his people and an unbreakable sense of justice. However, what set Alaric apart from other rulers was his wife, Queen Lyra, whose beauty was said to surpass any woman in the known world. Her loveliness was matched only by her grace and kindness, and she quickly became the jewel of the kingdom, beloved by all. Kings and noblemen alike admired her from afar, but their admiration often turned into envy, jealousy, and sometimes, dangerous obsession.

The more time passed, the more King Alaric noticed the undercurrents of envy. He found himself drawn into battles and skirmishes with neighboring kings who hoped to claim his kingdom or, more likely, his queen. With every victory, he defended not only his kingdom but also the sanctity of his marriage. Yet, each conquest seemed only to invite greater threats. Concerned about the persistence of these attacks, King Alaric sought counsel from one of his wisest and most trusted advisors, a man named Zaku.

"Why is this happening, Zaku?" Alaric asked one evening after another exhausting battle. "Why do others persist in seeking what is mine?"

Zaku gave him a gentle, knowing look. "Your Majesty," he said, "precious things attract many seekers. A ripe mango, hanging high on the branch, will always attract stones thrown by many eager hands. Your queen’s beauty is as undeniable as your power, and thus, others long for what they cannot have."

Alaric pondered Zaku’s words, knowing there was wisdom in them. But little did he know that even as Zaku spoke, his most trusted counselor himself was nursing a forbidden desire for Queen Lyra. Beneath the loyal exterior, Zaku harbored a deep-seated longing to claim her beauty for himself, a longing he kept buried in shadows and secret thoughts.

Some time later, news arrived of another battle on the horizon. A coalition of neighboring kings, more determined than ever, was planning to besiege Alaric’s kingdom, and he knew he had to prepare for war. Concerned for his queen’s safety in his absence, he ordered that she be locked in a castle deep within the mountains. This castle was impenetrable, and only Alaric himself had the key. Just before he left for war, he called Zaku to his side.

"Zaku," Alaric began, his expression somber, "I am entrusting you with something dearer to me than my own life." He handed Zaku the key to the mountain castle, his gaze intent. "This key opens the door to Queen Lyra’s chamber. Guard it with your life. Do not open the door, and do not give this key to anyone. If I do not return in ten days, then – and only then – you may consider me dead. Only in that case may you unlock the door and… take her under your protection.”

Zaku took the key solemnly, bowing low, hiding the flicker of greed that momentarily lit his eyes. "I will not fail you, my king," he promised.

King Alaric mounted his horse and rode off to lead his army. The night before the battle, he set up camp at the edge of the battlefield, his mind occupied by thoughts of his queen and the solemn trust he had placed in Zaku. He wondered if, perhaps, he had been too cautious. But it was better to be safe than to put Lyra at risk.

In the early hours of dawn, just as the battle horns sounded and Alaric prepared to lead his army forward, he noticed a rider galloping toward him with alarming speed. He squinted, recognizing Zaku on the horse. Surprised and suspicious, Alaric ordered his men to halt as Zaku rode up, breathless and waving to get his attention.

“My king! Please, stop!” Zaku shouted as he approached.

King Alaric dismounted, curiosity and apprehension prickling his senses. “What is it, Zaku?” he asked, his voice tense. "I told you to stay with the queen’s key, to protect her."

“Yes, my king,” Zaku stammered, “but I had to come… you see, I believe you gave me the wrong key.”

The wrong key? Alaric’s eyes narrowed as suspicion bloomed in his chest. "And how did you discover this, Zaku?"

Zaku faltered, the color draining from his face. “I… I… I wanted to ensure I was prepared in case…”

But Alaric’s piercing gaze held no mercy. The realization hit him hard: Zaku had defied his direct order. He must have tried to unlock the queen’s door to confirm the key worked. The depth of betrayal stung Alaric, for this was his most trusted friend and advisor, a man he had relied on for years.

Alaric’s jaw clenched, his heart a mixture of rage and disappointment. “You betrayed my trust, Zaku. I commanded you not to touch that door, yet you could not resist. How long have you harbored these thoughts of disloyalty?” His voice was filled with a cold fury that made Zaku tremble.

“Your Majesty, please… forgive me,” Zaku stammered, realizing the gravity of his mistake. “It was foolishness, I swear, just a moment of weakness…”

Without a word, Alaric turned from Zaku and mounted his horse. The battle could wait. Nothing was more pressing than the safety of his queen. He ordered his men to fall back, and they quickly turned around, abandoning the battlefield. Zaku was ordered to ride ahead of the troops, knowing that he had lost the king’s trust forever.

When Alaric returned to the castle, he made his way to the mountain fortress where Lyra was secured. He took the key from Zaku, who had been waiting outside the gate, head bowed in shame and fear. Alaric entered the chamber and found his queen safe, unharmed, and blissfully unaware of the danger that had nearly befallen her.

Alaric spent the evening alone, reflecting on what he had learned. He realized that loyalty was a fragile bond, easily broken by jealousy and desire. No matter how much he had thought he could rely on others, true trust was a rarity that required constant vigilance.

From that day forward, Alaric kept his council small, choosing only those whose loyalty was unwavering. He no longer granted access to those who sought favor or power for their own gain, understanding now that only a fool entrusts his most valued treasures to others.

In the years that followed, he became known as a wise and discerning king, wary but not unkind, tempered by the knowledge of human weakness. And as for Zaku, he was dismissed from his role and vanished from the kingdom, forever marked by his betrayal.