Cheapter 7: Confrontation
983 Words
Were my ears deceiving me?
The words that had left the king’s mouth just a second ago were still echoing in my mind:
“You will be executed tomorrow morning.”
My heart was pounding, but my brain couldn’t keep up. I was in shock. I had never felt so trapped, so helpless.
I had faced death many times in my life. But each time, it was on the battlefield. My sword in hand, my eyes locked on the enemy... I had always imagined a heroic death.
But now?
I would die branded a traitor, chained, a noose around my neck.
I had never considered this.
Never.
When two soldiers grabbed my arms to escort me out of the king’s presence, I still hadn’t fully processed what was happening.
Were my legs moving on their own, or were they dragging me? I couldn’t tell.
Then suddenly, a voice came from behind:
“Oh, by the way...”
The soldiers stopped me. We all turned around. The king hadn’t moved an inch.
Without taking his eyes off me, he spoke again—this time crushing my last glimmer of hope:
“For helping you... your uncle and cousin will share your fate.”
Time froze.
My throat went dry.
My eyes widened, but no tears came.
My heart clenched, then began to beat with rage.
Not just me...
He was going to kill the people I loved, too.
The weight of his words snapped me out of my trance.
It felt as if someone had whispered in my ear that this wasn’t a dream. I suddenly turned around.
“No!” I shouted. “You can’t do this! You’re making a mistake! Do whatever you want to me, but don’t touch them!”
The soldiers tried to pull me outside, holding me tightly by the arms. I resisted with all I had.
“They’re innocent!” I screamed. My voice cracked with desperation and fury.
Then I stopped. I looked at them.
“Do you even know who I am?” I asked.
Silence fell. Everyone stood still, as if waiting for a confession of treason.
But I spoke with resolve:
“I am Elya... daughter of Kain.
My father fought for this land. He lost his legs in battle. I am the daughter of a hero who bled for this country!”
I fixed my gaze directly on the king.
“And what about you, King Valen?” I said. “Whose son are you? Did your father ever set foot on a battlefield?”
The hall went ice cold.
Everyone was silent, staring at me. Because they knew I was right.
Valen’s father—King Karl—was neither a good king nor a brave warrior.
He dragged his people into wars without thought, but never once stood at the frontlines.
King Valen was now glaring into my eyes.
“You can’t accuse me of treason,” I said, voice steady, though I trembled inside.
The king stepped forward—two steps closer.
He looked furious, but was trying to control it. Then he spoke loudly and clearly:
“Everyone, leave.”
Then, pointing at me, he added:
“Except her.”
The soldiers began to lead me toward King Valen. I staggered slightly, losing balance, but my gaze remained sharp and unyielding.
A few people quickly exited, but the commanders near the king didn’t move.
“My king,” one said. “It may be dangerous to stay alone with her.”
Valen raised his voice again, this time sharper:
“I said leave!”
Reluctantly, they bowed.
“We’ll be right outside,” they said as they walked away.
It was in that moment I noticed King Valen’s youth and inexperience.
Normally, no commander would speak to a king that way.
They weren’t protecting him—they were controlling him.
As the commanders left, they kept their eyes on me.
Their threatening glares followed me to the door.
But I didn’t turn my head.
My eyes stayed locked on King Valen.
He was silent for a while.
His breathing was heavier now, but he still hadn’t said a word.
He paced a few times across the room, then returned to his throne.
He sat down. I remained standing tall before him.
I waited.
“You... are the daughter of soldier Kain?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” I replied without a tremble.
He nodded slightly.
“I never met your father. Never even saw him. But I know he was a good soldier. Most people here know it.”
He lowered his eyes.
“I didn’t know he was alive.
Especially not... in Solvenia.”
I was surprised.
After what I had said about his father, I didn’t expect him to speak in such a gentle tone.
“You said he lost his legs, right?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “Unfortunately, my father can’t walk.”
Then I paused for a moment and continued:
“After the incident, they stayed in Tiyanya for a while. But the country was in a bad state, and we had no one left here. So we returned to Solvenia—my mother’s homeland. It was somewhat better there. Her family was there too. We lived there for many years.”
He nodded slightly.
“So, you were born in Tiyanya.”
“Yes. But I don’t remember much about it. I grew up in Solvenia. I only know Tiyanya from my father’s stories.”
My words seemed to make him thoughtful. Then he looked back at me.
“This is your first time here, but you seem to know quite a lot about Tiyanya’s leadership,” he said.
His voice had changed again—cold and suggestive.
“You must know my father very well too...”
And that’s when I realized—
The real confrontation had just begun.
- Writer
