Garius leaned back on his throne, his eyes fixed on Zania. Then, with a slow, deliberate tone, he announced.
"Now or never."
A heavy silence fell over the hall as everyone waited. Garius turned slightly.
"Alf."
Alf stepped forward imdiately.
"Yes, my Lord?"
Garius's voice was steady and absolute.
"Call General Hesbeirn here."
Javier flinched; Zania stiffened. Alf responded calmly,
"I believe he has already arrived at the estate gate."
Zania felt cold sweat trickle down her back. Garius tapped a finger on the armrest of his throne.
"Estimate ti until he arrives?"
Alf remained neutral, replying.
"Within five minutes or less, my Lord. If he cos with his Pekko, even faster."
Javier's stomach twisted as he looked at Zania. She was completely still, her body tense. She understood—this was her last chance.
Garius's eyes locked onto her again.
"You heard that, enemy princess?"
Zania gritted her teeth, her breathing shallow. Garius raised a hand.
"Liana. Gloria."
The two won stepped forward, smiles polite but eyes cold.
"Open the main door."
"As you command, my Lord."
Zania watched as the large doors creaked open, revealing the outside world—her escape.
Garius's voice turned deadly.
"Now, enemy princess. I have given you two choices, and now, I give you one more opening."
Zania's heartbeat pounded violently. She could run. But Garius's next words shattered that thought.
"Choose."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
Then, with a smirk, he added.
"But let warn you… the 'opening' will result in a huge problem for your kingdom and your people."
Zania's body stiffened at his words. Garius smiled slightly.
"Believe ."
Zania felt her soul sinking as he delivered the final blow.
"You can run."
A heavy pause followed.
"We will file an official complaint to our king, with evidence. You will return to your kingdom. But when the official response…"
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"I'm sure our allies won't stay silent—especially the Beastkin, Elves, and Demon Kingdom."
Zania's entire body froze. If they got involved, Amazarak wouldn't stand a chance. This wasn't just her fate anymore; it was the fate of her entire kingdom.
Her mind raced. She had to choose. Now.
But before she could speak, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the hall.
"What the—" A deep voice rang out as all eyes turned to the entrance. A towering figure stepped inside—
General Hesbeirn, broad-shouldered and clad in heavy armor, a massive greatsword strapped to his back.
His face twisted in confusion. He blinked slowly, surveying the hall until his gaze landed on Garius in royal attire, a golden cape draped over his shoulders, and a crown on his head.
Hesbeirn's jaw nearly dropped.
"What the…?!"
He blinked several tis, then addressed Garius.
"My Lord…? Since when do we have a throne room?!"
He stepped forward, eyes scanning the gilded surroundings.
"And wow… it's full of gold. Real gold."
Hesbeirn's lips curled into a smirk as he suddenly knelt.
"Your majesty, General Hesbeirn here to deliver a report!"
With a grin, he pulled out a thick scroll.
"Your majesty, here's the report."
Alf, stepping forward as the 'royal advisor,' took the report with a respectful nod and handed it to Garius.
Garius exhaled deeply, then opened the scroll, his eyes moving swiftly over the contents. For a brief mont, his golden eyes widened slightly, revealing a flicker of surprise.
Then a smirk appeared—slow and knowing.
"Is this true, Hesbeirn?"
Hesbeirn nodded firmly.
"Yes, my Lord."
Garius rested his chin on his knuckles, deep in thought. His voice echoed through the hall:
"Hesbeirn. Take this enemy princess away."
Zania froze.
"Lock her up."
Her blood ran cold. Then Garius's final words sealed her fate:
"Her Public execution will be in three days."
Javier's heart stopped, his stomach twisted, and his mind scread.
He instinctively opened his mouth, but before he could speak—
A deadly glare from Garius pierced into him. Javier's body locked up.
"Javier."
His father's tone was low and dangerous.
"Next ti…"
A heavy pause followed.
"Make your decision faster."
Javier swallowed hard, feeling powerless. He could do nothing but watch as Hesbeirn grabbed Zania by the arm and dragged her away.
Garius watched as Hesbeirn dragged Zania away, then shifted his eyes back to Javier. His voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"You chose not to kill her."
Javier flinched.
"You brought her here."
Garius's fingers tapped slowly against the armrest of the golden throne.
"But when it ca ti to make a decision…"
A heavy pause.
"You couldn't?"
Javier's throat went dry. Garius leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes piercing into him.
"Now, the girl you brought here…"
Another pause.
"Will be in a public execution in three days."
Javier gritted his teeth, his mind spinning. But before he could speak, Garius's voice turned cold.
"Your decision could have saved her before."
Javier's stomach twisted painfully. Garius delivered the final blow.
"But now?"
Silence hung heavy in the air as Javier stood frozen, his heart pounding violently. Garius's voice lowered to a dangerous, heavy tone.
"And Javier."
Javier's breath caught in his throat as Garius's unwavering gaze bore into him.
"I hate people who hesitate when they already have the power to act."
Javier's fingers curled into fists. His father's words stabbed deep because they were true. He had the chance to make a choice, but he froze.
Garius slowly stood from the golden throne, his movents calm and asured. Then, he reached up and removed the crown from his head. A heavy silence filled the hall.
He placed the crown down and his eyes swept over the room—cold and disappointed.
"Clean this ss."
Javier flinched as Garius exhaled sharply.
"I don't want to see this."
His voice was laced with irritation.
Then his next words hit harder than any slap.
"This throne… this gold… this entire thing ans nothing."
The weight in his tone made Javier's chest tighten.
Garius's eyes locked onto him.
"If my son still hesitate when it matters most…"
Javier's breath caught. His father's words dug deep into his chest. Then ca silence. Javier just stood there, motionless, a sharp pain settling in his heart.
But he couldn't say anything because he knew his father was right.
Garius turned sharply, his aura weighing heavily on the room. His golden eyes locked onto two figures.
"Liana. Gloria."
The two maids straightened imdiately.
"Yes, my Lord."
Garius's tone was final and unyielding.
"Leave this idiots to clean this ss alone."
Javier tensed, his stomach twisting. But before he could react, Garius's voice sliced through his thoughts.
"And Javier."
Javier slowly lifted his head, bracing himself. Garius delivered the final blow:
"Don't even think about using your puppet knights to clean it."
"E-Esteed Father—"
But Garius had already turned his back and walked out of the hall.
Liana and Gloria bowed politely before walking right past Javier, leaving him alone—surrounded by gold, by his own ss, and worst of all, by his father's disappointnt.
Javier just stood there, silent.
( End of Chapter )
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