chapter 104
The entire arena fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Guinevere stood before hundreds of nobles.
Before the King.
Before the Queen.
And before her own father.
For the first time in her life—
she opposed him.
The Second Prince's smile slowly disappeared.
"...Explain."
His voice remained calm.
Too calm.
Guinevere knew that tone.
It was the voice he used before someone was punished.
She took a slow breath.
Then looked toward the nobles.
"My victory proves only one thing."
"...That I swing a sword better than Princess Flora."
A murmur spread through the audience.
She continued.
"It does not prove who deserves the throne."
The Second Prince's eyes narrowed.
"And why is that?"
Guinevere answered without hesitation.
"Because a kingdom isn't protected by strength alone."
She turned toward Flora.
The little princess still stood quietly, looking at the ground.
Guinevere's expression softened.
"Today..."
"...the Princess lost the trial of strength."
"But she won something far greater."
Everyone listened.
Even the knights.
"When the final trial asked us to choose..."
"I gave the answer that would save the most lives."
She nodded once.
"It was practical."
"It was logical."
She looked at Flora again.
"But she chose something different."
---
"'I will stay with the people who must wait.'"
---
Guinevere smiled faintly.
"I never thought of that."
"The people of a kingdom..."
"...don't simply need food."
"They need hope."
"They need someone willing to stand beside them when life becomes difficult."
---
She slowly turned toward her father.
"If one day war comes..."
"...I can protect the kingdom with my sword."
She then looked back at Flora.
"But..."
"...only Princess Flora can protect its heart."
---
Complete silence.
---
One elderly knight suddenly struck the ground with his spear.
"Well spoken."
Another followed.
Then another.
Soon—
the sound echoed throughout the arena.
Even nobles who had remained silent found themselves nodding.
---
Queen Anastasia smiled proudly.
The King laughed warmly.
"Children truly see things adults often forget."
---
Flora looked at Guinevere with wide emerald eyes.
"...You..."
"...really think so?"
Guinevere nodded.
"...I do."
Flora's eyes sparkled again.
The sadness disappeared as quickly as it had come.
She smiled.
A smile brighter than the morning sun.
"...Thank you."
---
The Second Prince's jaw tightened.
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
But before the King...
Before the Queen...
Before every noble...
He could only smile.
"...How admirable."
His voice was gentle.
His eyes were not.
Guinevere understood immediately.
She had made a mistake.
A very big one.
---
That evening—
the palace was unusually quiet.
The celebration had ended.
Servants walked through the corridors carrying lanterns.
The moon hung high above the royal gardens.
---
Guinevere quietly opened the doors to her residence.
She had barely taken two steps.
"Close the door."
Her father's voice echoed through the room.
Her body stiffened.
He was waiting.
Sitting alone.
A glass of wine rested beside him.
---
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
---
"...Come here."
She obeyed.
Stopping several steps away.
Her hands folded behind her back.
Just as she had been taught.
---
The Second Prince slowly stood.
"...Tell me."
"Who gave you permission..."
"...to embarrass me today?"
Guinevere lowered her eyes.
"...No one."
"No one?"
His voice rose.
"You called me a liar before the entire court."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"You declared that Princess Flora deserves the throne."
"She does."
---
CRACK!!
His hand struck her across the face.
The force sent her stumbling sideways.
She caught herself before falling.
Her cheek burned.
But she remained silent.
---
He stepped closer.
"I've been watching you."
His voice had become cold.
"You're spending far too much time with that girl."
---
Guinevere didn't answer.
---
"Ever since Anastasia started bringing her..."
"...you've changed."
---
Another slap.
---
"You've forgotten who you are."
---
Another.
---
"You've forgotten what belongs to you."
---
Guinevere slowly lifted her head.
Blood stained the corner of her lip.
"...Nothing belongs to me."
---
His eyes darkened.
"What?"
---
"I never wanted the throne."
---
Silence.
---
"I never wanted power."
---
"You lie."
---
"I don't."
---
"You were born to become Queen."
---
"No."
She shook her head.
"I was born..."
"...to become your daughter."
---
The room froze.
---
Guinevere's voice trembled.
Not from fear.
From years of pain.
---
"I trained."
"You told me to become stronger."
"So I did."
---
"I studied."
"You wanted perfection."
"So I learned."
---
"I never complained."
"I never disobeyed."
"I never asked for anything."
---
She looked directly into his eyes.
"...Yet..."
"...you never once looked at me like your daughter."
---
Silence.
---
"You only saw a weapon."
"A replacement."
"A tool to steal someone else's future."
---
The Second Prince stared at her.
His expression slowly twisted into anger.
---
"And Princess Flora..."
---
A faint smile appeared on Guinevere's face.
"...She never looked at me that way."
---
"She never cared about the throne."
---
"She only wanted..."
---
"...a sister."
---
The Second Prince's fist slammed into the nearby table.
The wood cracked.
"You pathetic fool!"
---
"That girl has stolen everything from you!"
---
"Your future!"
---
"Your crown!"
---
"Your destiny!"
---
Guinevere quietly reached into her satchel.
She removed a folded parchment.
Then placed it onto the table between them.
---
"I've already signed it."
---
He frowned.
"...What is this?"
---
"My enlistment papers."
---
"I've applied to join the Royal Military."
---
Silence.
---
"When I turn sixteen..."
"...I'll leave the palace."
---
The Second Prince's eyes widened.
"You what?"
---
"I don't want this life anymore."
---
"I'll serve the kingdom as a soldier."
---
"I'll protect people."
---
"Not wear a crown."
---
"You cannot leave!"
His voice thundered through the chamber.
---
"You are a princess of this family!"
---
"You belong here!"
---
Guinevere slowly shook her head.
For the first time...
there wasn't even sadness on her face.
Only exhaustion.
"...No."
"I never belonged here."
The room fell into a suffocating silence.
The Second Prince stood frozen for a moment.
Then—
his expression twisted.
Rage.
The Second Prince
"...Say that again."
Guinevere did not move.
"I said I never belonged here."
The air snapped.
The Second Prince grabbed the edge of the table and slammed it.
CRASH!
Wood cracked under his grip.
His voice dropped.
Dangerously calm again.
"You think you can walk away?"
"You think you are nothing?"
He stepped closer.
"You are everything I made you."
Guinevere looked at him.
And for the first time—
there was no fear in her eyes.
Only emptiness.
"...No."
"You made a weapon."
Not a daughter.
Silence.
---
His hand rose again—
But a knock came at the door.
Knock. Knock.
A pause.
A servant's voice.
"...My Lord. The Queen requests Lady Guinevere immediately."
---
The Second Prince stopped mid-motion.
His hand slowly lowered.
His eyes darkened.
"...Leave."
He did not look at Guinevere again.
"...We are not finished."
---
Outside the Room
The door opened.
Guinevere stepped out silently.
The corridor felt colder than before.
Her cheek still burned.
But she did not touch it.
She simply walked.
---
The door shut behind her.
Click.
---
Only then—
her shoulders loosened slightly.
Not relief.
Just exhaustion.
---
The Queen's Chamber
A maid was waiting.
"Lady Guinevere. Please come with me."
She obeyed.
---
When she entered—
Queen Anastasia was already standing.
But something was wrong.
The Queen looked… strained.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
Her hands were clenched tightly.
---
"...Guinevere."
Her voice was soft.
Too soft.
---
Guinevere bowed.
"...Your Majesty."
---
Anastasia hesitated.
Then spoke.
"...I need to ask something of you."
---
Guinevere straightened.
"...Yes."
---
The Queen closed her eyes briefly.
When she opened them—
there was resolve.
---
"...A massive monster outbreak has occurred near the northern border."
"The King is dealing with another conflict."
"The knights are stretched thin."
A pause.
"...We cannot afford internal panic."
---
Guinevere listened silently.
---
Anastasia continued.
"I will leave the capital for a short time."
"...To handle it personally."
---
Guinevere's eyes widened slightly.
"...Your Majesty should not—"
---
"I must."
The Queen cut her off gently.
Then softened her tone.
"...But I cannot leave Flora alone."
---
Silence.
Anastasia stepped closer.
"...I trust you more than anyone in this palace."
"...Protect her."
---
Guinevere did not hesitate.
"...Yes."
---
The Queen studied her.
Then spoke again.
"...Guinevere."
A pause.
"...You understand what she is."
Guinevere froze for a fraction.
Then nodded.
"...The Blood of Peace."
Anastasia's gaze softened.
"...Yes."
"But more than that..."
She stepped forward.
"...She is just a child."
That line hit differently.
Guinevere's expression shifted slightly.
The Queen continued quietly.
"...The world will try to turn her into something else."
"A symbol."
"A weapon."
"A political tool."
She looked directly at Guinevere.
"...Do not let that happen."
---
Guinevere's voice was steady.
"...I won't."
A long silence.
Then—
for the first time—
Anastasia smiled fully.
---
She stepped forward.
And hugged her.
---
Guinevere froze completely.
Her body went rigid.
She didn't know how to react.
---
"...Thank you."
The Queen whispered.
"...For being the only one who sees her as a person."
Guinevere slowly lowered her gaze.
Her voice came out quietly.
"...I will protect her."
---
The Queen pulled back.
"...Good."
Then she added something softer.
"...You are a good child, Guinevere...Thank you ."
---
That word—
child—
stayed with her.
---
Before Leaving
The Queen turned toward the window.
"...There is something else."
---
Guinevere listened.
---
"...People will start calling her 'Blood of Peace' more openly now."
"The prophecy is becoming harder to hide."
---
She turned back.
"...Do not tell Flora."
---
Guinevere nodded.
"...I understand."
---
Anastasia studied her again.
Then spoke gently.
"...You carry too much weight for someone your age."
---
Guinevere answered simply.
"...Someone has to."
The Queen closed her eyes briefly.
Then smiled sadly.
She turned away.
"...Be careful."
"And stay close to her."
As Guinevere left—
the Queen whispered once more.
"...Thank you for choosing her."
---
After Days — The Collapse Begins
The palace changed.
Fast.
Too fast.
---
A new messenger arrived one morning.
Breathing heavily.
He dropped to one knee.
"...The Queen's expedition..."
Silence.
"...She has been critically injured."
---
The world stopped.
---
Queen Anastasia — Return
When Guinevere arrived at the royal hall—
it was chaos.
Doctors rushing.
Knights shouting.
Flora crying.
---
Inside the chamber—
the Queen lay motionless.
Her body was pale.
Immobilized.
Barely alive.
---
Flora held her hand tightly.
"...Mother...?"
"...Mother please wake up..."
---
Guinevere stepped forward slowly.
Her breath caught.
"...Your Majesty..."
---
Anastasia's eyes barely opened.
---
She saw Guinevere.
And smiled faintly.
"...You came..."
---
Guinevere knelt beside her.
"...I'm here."
---
The Queen lifted her hand slightly.
Barely touching Guinevere's cheek.
"...Take care of her..."
---
Guinevere's voice cracked slightly.
"...I will."
---
Flora sobbed harder.
"...Don't leave me..."
Anastasia looked at her daughter.
Her eyes softened completely.
"...Flora..."
"...you will be strong."
Then—
her gaze returned to Guinevere.
"...Promise me."
Guinevere nodded.
"...I promise."
The Queen exhaled slowly.
Then—
her eyes closed.
But she did not die.
She simply… stopped responding.
Aftermath — The Empty Throne
The King returned shortly after.
But it was too late.
The Queen was paralyzed.
The kingdom destabilized.
And war pressures increased.
Flora broke down.
Completely.
Guinevere stood beside her every day.
Silent.
Present.
Unmoving.
Then — The King Dies
It happened without warning.
A report.
A battlefield ambush.
No body returned intact.
---
The throne room fell silent for the second time in months.
Flora collapsed.
Guinevere caught her.
For the first time—
she didn't feel like a weapon.
She felt like a shield that was breaking.
The Second Prince Takes Power
The day after the funeral—
he stood before the court.
Smiling.
Controlled.
Perfect.
---
"...With the King gone."
"...and the Queen incapacitated."
"...the kingdom requires stability."
His eyes drifted toward Flora.
"...The Princess is too young."
A pause.
"...I will assume temporary control."
No one opposed.
Not out of agreement.
Out of fear.
Flora stood frozen.
Trembling.
Guinevere stepped slightly forward.
But stopped.
Because she understood—
this was politics now.
Not swords.
Not training.
Something far worse.
Marco Arrives
Weeks later.
A new knight entered the palace.
Marco.
He bowed before Flora.
"...I served under Queen Anastasia."
"I have returned to fulfill my promise."
Flora blinked.
"...Promise?"
Marco looked at her.
Then at Guinevere.
"...To protect you both."
Guinevere studied him quietly.
She remembered him.
Not closely.
But enough.
Flora sniffled.
"...Then… stay."
Marco nodded.
"...I will."
And for the first time in months—
Flora was not alone.
That night,The palace garden.
Three figures sat beneath the moon.
Flora.
Guinevere.
Marco.
Silence.
But not empty silence.
Flora leaned slightly against Guinevere.
"...Everything changed."
Guinevere replied quietly.
"...Yes."
Marco looked at both of them.
A pause.
Flora wiped her eyes.
Guinevere nodded.
The wind moved through the garden.
And for a brief moment—
the broken kingdom felt whole again.
Not safe..Not stable..But together.
And far above them—
the palace lights flickered.
As if even destiny itself was unsure what would come next.
...CHAPTER 104ENDS...