Unexpected Royal Love!

Chapter 18

I gazed up at the vast expanse of the night sky, feeling the weight of my impending fate crush my spirit. My body sank to its knees, unable to bear the burden of the life I never asked for, which was now hurtling towards its inevitable conclusion. As I looked up, the heavens seemed to mock me, their perfect beauty a stark contrast to the impending doom that awaited me.

The sky was a canvas of celestial wonders, adorned with countless stars that twinkled like precious diamonds. The ethereal glow of the Milky Way cast shimmering reflections upon the surface of the nearby lake, transforming it into a breathtaking spectacle of light and beauty. It was a sight that, under different circumstances, would have filled my heart with joy and wonder. But now, it only served as a cruel reminder of the life I was about to lose.

I closed my eyes tightly, desperately trying to summon memories of a time when my life was not dictated by the horrors of battle. Images of a simpler existence, one where I roamed freely among the fields and embraced the warmth of the sun, flooded my mind. A life where the worries of the world seemed distant and insignificant, and where the only battles I faced were the occasional skirmishes with mischievous woodland creatures.

But as I opened my eyes, reality crashed down upon me with brutal force. The guards, clad in their armour, stood before me, their weapons gleaming ominously in the moonlight. One of them, a menacing figure with a sword clenched tightly in his grip, stepped forward, breaking the eerie silence that enveloped us.

The sound of the unsheathed sword pierced through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. The cold, metallic chime echoed in my ears, a chilling reminder of the imminent danger that loomed over me. I could feel my body instinctively cringe, my muscles tensing in anticipation of the pain that was to come.

At that moment, as I knelt there, defenceless and alone, a surge of despair washed over me. I realized that there was no escape from this harrowing predicament, no one to save me from the clutches of this cruel fate. The weight of hopelessness pressed upon my chest, threatening to suffocate me.

The odds were stacked against me, I vowed to fight, Not just for my own survival, but for the countless others who shared my fate. I did not want the selfish desires of those in power to snuff out the lives of innocent farmers and the impoverished. I wanted to become their voice, their shield against the cruel injustice that plagued our world, but I was outsmarted. I was foolish and naive to trust the one person who I knew would never help me.

I felt the cold touch of the sword against my neck, a chilling sensation that sent shivers down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest as I closed my eyes, preparing for the inevitable. One last tear managed to escape my shut eyes, betraying the fear that consumed me in that moment.

"I'm sorry," I whispered into the frigid air, my voice barely audible. I braced myself for the strike that would end my life, accepting my fate with a heavy heart. But just as despair threatened to consume me completely, a cacophony of loud voices shattered the silence.

The sound was akin to a battalion of soldiers falling to the ground, their armour clinking and weapons clashing in a symphony of chaos. Confusion washed over me as I cautiously opened my eyes, expecting to meet my demise. However, what I witnessed was a sight that defied all rationality.

The guard who had held his menacing sword against my throat lay sprawled on the ground, his lifeless body a stark contrast against the cold cobblestones. The air crackled with energy as arrows rained down from the sky, their deadly trajectory finding their mark with deadly precision. The guards, once so stoic and powerful, now writhed in agony as the arrows pierced through their hearts.

I watched in awe and horror as the assailants, hidden in the shadows, revealed themselves with each shot they took. They moved with a grace and skill that was uncanny, like ethereal beings dancing with death. Their faces were obscured by hoods, leaving only their piercing eyes visible, filled with determination and a hint of something more.

The chaos around me intensified as the guards, outnumbered and outmatched, fought desperately to defend themselves. But their efforts were futile, for the enemy had the advantage of surprise and strategy. Panic and fear consumed the once-dominant guards as they fell one by one, their anguished screams echoing through the night.

I was frozen in place, unable to comprehend the unfolding spectacle before me. Who were these mysterious assailants? Why had they come to my aid? Questions swirled in my mind, but the urgency of the situation demanded my immediate attention. With the guards incapacitated, I had a chance to escape this grim fate that had been thrust upon me.

Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I broke free from the grip of fear that had held me captive. I sprinted through the chaos, weaving between crumbling bodies and evading the arrows that continued to rain down from above. My heart pounded in my ears, fueling my desperate bid for freedom.

As I reached the outskirts of the battle, I risked a glance back. The assailants their mission accomplished, swiftly melted into the darkness, leaving behind a scene of devastation and despair. I couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of gratitude and apprehension. Who were these enigmatic beings, and why had they chosen to intervene on my behalf?

I was on the verge of sprinting towards the towering castle that loomed in the distance, ready to face the unknown that lay within its walls. But just as I was about to take off, a firm grip wrapped around my arm, halting my movement. Startled, I turned to see who had halted my escape. It was Julia, the enigmatic sister of Prince Edward.

I still gasped for air and felt the lingering grip of fear tightening its hold on my body. My mind raced with questions, desperately seeking answers that only Julia could provide.

"W-was it... I mean, did you?" I managed to stammer out, my voice barely above a whisper. I couldn't bring myself to utter the words that lingered on my tongue

"Come," she said urgently, her voice tinged with urgency. "There is no time to waste. Edward is waiting for us."