chapter 21
Guinevere's Words
Guinevere: "You may have no choice. The ceremony… it could start tonight."
A shiver ran through the Princess—not from fear, but from frustration… and the ache she refused to show.
Behind her, John lingered in the shadows, unseen. His chest felt tight, heavy with something he couldn't name. Unspoken words pressed against his throat, refusing to come out.
In that moment, something settled over all of them—misunderstanding, timing, distance—like a quiet weight pressing down on their hearts.
As they walked back toward the palace, the night itself seemed heavier. Even the air felt different now, as if the world had already chosen its path.
--- Marco vs the Giant
Marco lunged again, driving his blade into the monster's knee.
Crack.
Stone fractured—but the creature didn't fall.
It roared.
Marco stumbled back, breathing hard, his body screaming in protest. Still, he didn't retreat.
Then—
A deep rumble rolled through the cavern.
Not from the beast.
From deeper within the shadows.
Dust shifted along the walls. A strange wind swept through the cavern, carrying the scent of burning iron.
And then—
A figure stepped forward.
Red hair blazed under the flickering torchlight like fire given human form. His eyes were sharp, almost bored… as if the battlefield itself was an inconvenience.
He tilted his head, hands in his pockets.
Red-haired man (casual, amused): "Huh… what's going on here?"
He walked slowly, observing the chaos like it was a passing performance.
Red-haired man: "Interesting…"
He leaned lightly against a broken rock.
Red-haired man: "...But not really my problem."
The moment he turned—
The giant moved.
A massive stone fist tore through the air.
BOOM.
The wall exploded beside him.
For the first time, the man's eyes widened slightly.
Then he crouched low, fingers brushing the ground.
A grin formed.
Red-haired man: "…Okay. Now it's my problem."
---
Soldier's Tent — John's Collapse
Inside the dim soldier's tent, lantern light flickered softly.
John lay on his cot, armor half-strapped, boots discarded beside him. The smell of leather, sweat, and dust lingered in the air—but he barely noticed.
His chest felt empty.
Not pain exactly.
Something worse.
Silence.
His mind replayed everything again and again:
The princess's smile.
The prince beside her.
The applause.
The engagement.
A world celebrating—
While something inside him quietly broke.
John (thinking, bitter): Was that… a rejection?
His hand covered his face.
John (thinking): Did I cross a line…? Was I too late?
His grip tightened on the wooden cot.
John (thinking): Did it already end… before I even realized it?
The tent felt smaller.
Colder.
The world outside—fires, voices, distant laughter—felt like it belonged to someone else.
And he just… lay there.
Letting the emptiness take him.
---
The Ballroom — The Engagement
Golden chandeliers bathed the grand hall in warm light.
Silk dresses shimmered. Nobles whispered. Goblets clinked softly. Every gaze kept drifting toward the massive doors.
Waiting.
The Prince stood at the front.
Perfect posture.
Controlled expression.
But his eyes betrayed impatience.
Then—
The doors opened.
Silence.
The Princess entered.
The Prince stepped forward immediately.
Prince (cold, sharp): "Where were you?"
A pause.
Prince: "You just disappeared. Where were you?"
The Princess blinked slightly, caught off guard.
Princess (composed, but unsure): "Sorry… I had some matters to attend to."
The Prince's eyes narrowed.
Prince: "What matters?"
Before the tension could rise—
Guinevere stepped in smoothly.
Guinevere: "Kingdom affairs. Nothing that needs discussion right now. The ceremony is waiting."
A beat.
The Prince exhaled through his nose.
Prince: "…Yes. Everyone is waiting."
Silence returned.
Too many eyes.
Too much pressure.
The Prince offered his arm.
She hesitated.
Then took it.
They walked.
Each step echoed through the hall like a final decision being carved into stone.
Whispers followed them like shadows.
But the Princess… wasn't listening.
Princess (thinking): Was he serious… John?
Her grip tightened slightly.
Princess (thinking): What were you trying to say…?
---
The Ring_
They reached the dais.
The officiant spoke.
The world felt distant.
For a moment—
She paused.
Just a fraction of hesitation.
Unseen by everyone except her.
Princess (thinking): Even if this doesn't last… why does it feel like this?
Then—
She extended her hand.
The ring slipped on.
A memory flashed.
John's voice.
John: "I'm not asking for anything. I just… needed you to know."
___
The hall erupted.
Cheers. Applause. Celebration.
A perfect moment.
A perfect lie.
The Princess smiled.
Because she had to.
Not because she felt it.
Outside the palace windows—
The sky exploded.
Fireworks lit the night in gold, red, and blue.
The kingdom celebrated.
---
Soldier's Tent — John's Silence
John saw the fireworks through the tent opening.
Boom.
Light flooded the sky.
Beautiful.
Distant.
Unreal.
His chest didn't react.
No joy.
No anger.
Only emptiness.
A quiet that swallowed everything.
John (thinking, hollow): …So that's it.
The fireworks continued above—
While inside him…
Something finally went silent.
...CHAPTER 21ENDS...