chapter 20
The Princess's breath caught.
Princess (startled, but composed):
"Who…?"
The masked man hanging from the rope tilted his head slightly. His voice was low—careful.
John:
"…It's me."
A pause.
John:
"John."
Her fingers tightened around the marble railing. For a moment, she simply stared, as if confirming what she was seeing was real.
Princess:
"John…?"
Her voice was softer now. Not afraid—just surprised, unable to hide it.
John? Why is he here? How did he even reach this balcony…? And why now?
She straightened slightly, regaining her composure.
Princess:
"What are you doing here?"
John didn't answer immediately. He slowly pulled down his mask, revealing his face under the silver moonlight. For a brief moment, he looked uncertain.
John (softly):
"I know this probably isn't the best moment…"
He exhaled nervously.
John:
"But… tomorrow is your wedding."
The words lingered heavily between them.
The Princess didn't speak. But her silence was louder than any answer.
John noticed it—and suddenly his confidence faded.
Why is this so hard…? he thought. He had imagined this moment many times. None of those versions felt like this.
John:
"I wasn't planning to come."
A small, almost nervous laugh escaped him.
Princess (confused):
"What?"
John:
"I told myself I shouldn't."
He hesitated, then looked at her properly.
John:
"But every time I tried to ignore it…"
His voice lowered.
John:
"…I kept thinking about you."
The Princess felt something tighten in her chest. She didn't show it. Instead, she folded her arms slightly—guarded.
Princess:
"You climbed the royal palace… just to say that?"
John (dryly):
"When you put it like that, it sounds even worse."
A faint silence followed. Only the wind moved through the balcony curtains.
Then John's expression turned serious again.
John:
"Do you remember the first time we met?"
She blinked.
Princess:
"I remember."
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the distance between them felt smaller than ever.
John (quietly):
"That night… I thought you were the most beautiful and most interesting person I had ever seen."
The Princess raised an eyebrow slightly.
Princess (blushing faintly):
"What did you just say?"
John (soft smile):
"I still do."
---
The Moment Shifts
John stepped closer—not abruptly, but carefully.
His hand lifted slightly toward hers… then stopped midway, unsure.
The Princess noticed the hesitation.
What is he doing…?
John finally spoke again, quieter.
John:
"I don't even understand what this feeling is… but every time I see you…"
He met her eyes.
John:
"…something changes inside me."
The Princess's heartbeat quickened.
Princess (flustered):
"John… what exactly are you trying to say?"
Below them, the engagement ceremony had already begun somewhere inside the palace.
John nodded slowly.
John:
"That's why I had to say it tonight."
The silence stretched again.
Then—
John stepped onto the balcony railing.
Princess (sharply):
"John—what are you—"
Before she could finish, he moved.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him.
Princess:
"Wait!"
Wind rushed past them.
The palace lights blurred behind.
John looked at her, nervous—but steady.
John (quietly):
"Trust me."
For a heartbeat, she hesitated.
Then—
They fell.
---
The Fall
Air roared around them.
The world dropped away beneath their feet.
Instinctively, the Princess clutched his coat. Her breath hitched.
John held her firmly, never loosening his grip.
A moment of panic—
Then the rope snapped their descent into a controlled swing.
Their fall turned into motion.
A strange, weightless feeling replaced fear.
The palace balcony rose above them.
The garden below shimmered in moonlight.
When their feet finally touched the grass, silence returned.
John slowly released her—but hesitated, as if unsure whether to let go completely.
The Princess stood still, breathing uneven.
Her expression was controlled—but her eyes had changed.
Something softer now lingered there.
Princess:
"You are… completely unreasonable."
John let out a quiet breath of relief.
John:
"Yeah… I've been told that."
Then he looked at her.
John:
"But you came with me."
The Princess didn't answer.
Instead, she turned and walked forward.
After a few steps—
She stopped.
And waited.
John blinked… then followed.
---
The Ritual
Deep underground, firelight flickered across cold stone walls.
Dozens of children were gathered in a carved circle. Strange glowing symbols pulsed beneath them.
Some cried. Some trembled in silence.
Child:
"Please… let us go!"
Masked figures surrounded them without emotion.
At the center stood Lord Kayem.
Lord Kayem:
"The ritual is ready. Proceed."
A masked follower hesitated.
Masked Man:
"Why is this necessary…?"
Another laughed.
Follower:
"You don't know?"
Masked Man (nervous):
"I'm new here…"
The laughter stopped.
Follower (coldly):
"It's for longevity. The king's order."
Silence.
Then Lord Kayem's voice cut through sharply.
Lord Kayem:
"The king must endure. That is all you need to know."
A sword was raised.
A child closed their eyes.
Lord Kayem:
"Now."
---
Then—
A voice.
Masked Man:
"No."
Shock.
The hood fell back.
It was Marco.
A grin spread across his face as he drew his blade.
Marco:
"Sorry… but this ritual ends tonight."
BOOM—
Soldiers burst into the cavern.
Steel clashed. Chaos erupted.
Lord Kayem (furious):
"You dare—!"
The ground trembled.
From the darkness, a massive rock beast emerged.
Three times the height of a man.
Alive.
Marco (staring):
"…A monster serving humans?"
Lord Kayem:
"Kill him."
The beast roared and charged.
---
Garden – After the Balcony
Moonlight covered the garden in silver light.
The Princess exhaled slowly, arms crossed.
Princess:
"Explain. Why did you bring me here?"
John rubbed the back of his neck.
John:
"I couldn't wait until tomorrow."
Princess:
"So your solution is climbing walls and kidnapping me?"
John:
"I prefer 'urgent conversation.'"
A beat.
She almost smiled—but didn't.
John:
"I couldn't ignore it anymore."
He stepped slightly closer.
John:
"Being near you… matters to me."
The Princess stiffened.
Her heartbeat betrayed her calm face.
Princess:
"You're reckless."
John:
"Probably."
A quiet pause.
John:
"But I'm honest."
The words hung in the air.
Something unspoken passed between them.
---
Marco vs. the Giant
Steel clashed against stone.
Marco moved like a storm—fast, precise, relentless.
The monster struck again.
Marco dodged.
Again.
Barely.
Marco (gritting teeth):
"Come on!"
He struck the creature's joints, chipping stone, pushing forward despite wounds.
But the beast was relentless.
Marco staggered.
Marco (thinking):
Not here… not yet…
---
Garden – Guinevere Appears
Guinevere:
"Princess!"
She rushed in.
Her gaze flicked between them.
Guinevere:
"What is going on?"
The Princess straightened.
Princess:
"We'll talk later."
Guinevere looked at John.
Then back at the Princess.
She understood something—but didn't say it.
Guinevere:
"…Fine."
The Princess turned away.
Princess:
"Let's go."
John stood behind them, silent.
Watching them leave.
---
Final Scene – Night Pressure
The Princess walked beside Guinevere.
Her expression was calm—but her thoughts were not.
Princess:
"Where is Marco?"
Guinevere:
"No sign. If he doesn't return… the ceremony will proceed."
Silence.
The weight settled.
Behind them, John remained in the shadows.
Unseen.
Unspoken.
Unresolved.
And in that moment—
Everything was about to break.
…CHAPTER 20 ENDS…