Rayan adjusted his leather armor, stepped out toward the gate. As he took his post, he noticed a small commotion near the main gate. A carriage rolled into view, its polished wood gleaming, and the crest stamped on its side made Rayan's chest tighten. He recognized it instantly the emblem of the house of Vael
A figure in an elegant silver gown descended gracefully from the carriage, a sly smile playing on her lips. It was Elara Vael, Rayan's former fiancee. Her hair gleamed in the morning sun, and her eyes sparkled with mischief and superiority.
"Well, well, look who's here," she said, her voice honeyed with mockery. "The discarded Sunreign, standing guard like a commoner. How… quaint."
Rayan felt a flash of anger, but he kept his composure. He straightened his back, his hands resting lightly on his spear. "Elara," he said simply, his voice calm. "I see you're… well."
Elara's smile widened, and she took a slow, deliberate step closer. "I heard you were working here, protecting the city gates. Quite the fall from grace, isn't it? You always were better at failing gracefully than anything else."
Rayan's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He had learned long ago that arguing with nobles like her rarely ended well. He focused on his duty, hoping she would move on.
But Elara had no intention of leaving quietly. She waved her hand toward a nearby guard captain who had accompanied her carriage. "Captain, did you know the former noble Rayan Sunreign is stationed here as a gate guard? Isn't that… amusing?"
The captain raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I wasn't aware."
Elara leaned closer to him, her voice conspiratorial. "I believe this is unacceptable for someone of his former standing. Imagine if an outsider witnessed a Sunreign guarding the city gates utterly humiliating. Perhaps you should review his position."
Rayan's stomach sank as he watched the conversation unfold. He knew how fragile his position was gate guard was a lowly role, held only by those with little influence. One complaint from someone like Elara could jeopardize everything.
The captain cleared his throat, glancing at Rayan. "Rayan, is it? I suppose… perhaps a review of your duties is necessary. Standards must be maintained."
Elara's lips curled into a victorious smirk. "Of course, we must maintain standards. After all, a Sunreign's reputation is… delicate."
Rayan's fingers tightened around his spear, but he forced himself to stand tall. "If you review my performance, you'll find I fulfill my duties properly," he said evenly. "I keep the gates secure, monitor travelers, and assist merchants. I do my job with honesty and diligence."
Elara laughed lightly, a sound that carried across the gate. "Oh, I'm sure you do. But diligence isn't everything. Appearances matter. And, sadly, you simply don't… measure up anymore."
The captain nodded slowly, looking between Rayan and Elara. "Very well. We'll… make adjustments. Perhaps another position would suit you better."
Rayan's heart sank. He knew what that meant. The job he had relied upon to survive, to earn his keep, was slipping from his grasp not because of failure, but because of politics and mockery.
Elara gave one final, cutting glance. "Good luck finding a place that fits your… talents. I hope you manage, somehow." With that, she swept back into her carriage, leaving a trail of perfumed air behind her as the horses trotted away.
Rayan exhaled slowly, his hands loosening around the spear. He looked down the road, watching the city wake up, merchants calling out prices, carts creaking under the weight of goods. Everything seemed normal, but his world had shifted.
By midday, the captain approached him. His tone was formal, lacking warmth. "Rayan, I'm afraid your services as gate guard are no longer required. We will provide your final day's pay and… a letter of recommendation should you need one."
Rayan felt a cold weight settle in his chest. He had anticipated challenges, danger, and hardship, but this… this felt like a personal strike. He nodded once, accepting the letter, his expression unreadable. "Understood," he said.
As he gathered his few belongings from the small guard post, the other guards avoided his eyes. Some looked sympathetic, others indifferent. The job had been solitary, and now he felt the isolation acutely. He walked through the city, the cobblestones feeling heavier under his boots than usual.
By late afternoon, Rayan found a quiet alley near the market. He leaned against the wall, reading the letter once more. It praised his diligence and reliability but offered nothing beyond polite recognition. He crumpled it slightly in his hand, sighing.
That evening, Rayan walked back to the modest room. He sat down quietly, letting out a slow breath, making a mental note.
He knew he couldn't rely on the gate guard job anymore but for now, he had the restaurant work. Money wasn't an immediate worry.
Still, a sharp thought pricked at him if anyone discovered he was working as a chef, they might try to take even that away.
"I survived being crestless, being cast out, and losing my home… I can survive this too," he muttered to himself.
He still had his determination. That, at least, no one could take from him. Everything he built, he would protect with his own hands.