chapter23
Princess Chamber
Sunlight poured through the tall stained-glass windows, scattering gold and crimson patterns across the marble floor. The palace was alive outside—guards marching, servants rushing, voices echoing through the corridors—but inside the chamber, everything felt still.
Too still.
Guinevere stood near the door, arms folded tightly behind her back, her expression unusually tense.
Guinevere:
"Your Highness… the situation is worse than I thought."
The princess sat before her mirror, fingers slowly turning the engagement ring on her hand. The metal caught the light—but felt heavier than gold should.
Princess (calm, controlled):
"Tell me."
Guinevere exhaled slowly.
Guinevere:
"The palace is sealed. Every gate, every corridor—blocked. The king's order. No one enters, no one leaves. Not even me."
A pause.
Guinevere (lowering her voice):
"If Marco is inside Stonehaven territory… we can't reach him. We can't even confirm if he's alive."
The princess's fingers stopped moving.
Princess (quiet, sharp):
"Then every passing second matters."
A silence followed.
Guinevere:
"I think they know. The king… or the prince. Something triggered this lockdown."
The princess slowly stood.
Princess (decisive):
"Bring John."
Guinevere blinked.
Guinevere:
"John?"
Princess:
"Yes. Now."
No hesitation.
Guinevere nodded and left.
---
John Arrives
The door opened.
John stepped in.
No usual warmth. No familiar ease.
Just silence.
Princess studied him immediately—but something felt different.
He wasn't avoiding her.
He was… distant.
Princess (soft, urgent):
"John. Listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you must remain between us."
John nodded once.
John:
"I understand."
The princess watched him closely—but his expression didn't change.
That hurt more than she expected.
---
Princess (steady):
"Marco is investigating child sacrifices inside Stonehaven. He may already be in danger."
John's eyes narrowed slightly—but his voice stayed calm.
John:
"So we act."
Princess:
"Yes. Quietly. Carefully."
John turned slightly toward the door.
John:
"I'll handle it."
Simple.
Clean.
Detached.
Princess hesitated.
Princess (softly):
"John…"
But he didn't turn back.
John:
"I said I'll handle it."
And then he left.
The door closed.
And something in the princess's chest tightened.
Princess (thinking):
…Why does it feel like I lost something?
---
Marco vs the Giant – Aftermath
The cavern shook violently.
Stone collapsed.
Dust filled the air.
The giant finally fell.
Silence returned.
Marco dropped to one knee, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his armor. Beside him, the red-haired man laughed like he had just finished a game.
Chris:
"That was insane! I loved it!"
Marco gave a tired smile.
Marco:
"You're… not normal."
Chris grinned.
Chris:
"You just noticed?"
Marco looked at the unconscious cult leader nearby.
Marco:
"This mission was supposed to be simple."
Chris:
"Nothing is simple. That's what makes it fun."
Marco sighed.
Then he looked at Chris properly.
Marco:
"You're strong. Too strong to waste."
Chris shrugged.
Chris:
"I don't work under people."
Marco:
"Good. I don't need obedience. I need results."
A pause.
Marco:
"We're tracking something far bigger than this ritual."
Chris tilted his head.
Chris:
"Bigger?"
Marco's eyes hardened.
Marco:
"The body of Monessa."
For the first time, Chris stopped smiling.
Chris:
"…Now that sounds interesting."
---
Princess – The Final Step
The princess stood before the mirror.
The wedding dress flowed perfectly around her.
But her reflection didn't feel like hers anymore.
Princess (thinking):
So this is it…
A knock.
Servant:
"The ceremony is about to begin."
The princess closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
Calm.
Composed.
Dangerously unreadable.
Princess (softly):
"Let's go."
...CHAPTER 23 END...