The Court Maiden's Prince

The Crown Falls

Without uttering a word, the Crown Prince raised his sword and drove it into the old man’s shoulder.

Steel tore through flesh.

Lim Do-Yung shrieked, his voice breaking into a wail as he staggered back, clutching the wound. Seo-Joon pulled the blade free, his breath already unsteady, and raised it again—

—but an arrow struck him.

It punched deep into his chest, forcing the air from his lungs.

A second arrow followed.

Then another.

Each impact drove him back until his strength gave way and he dropped to his knees.

For a moment, the world blurred.

Seo-Joon forced his head up.

In the distance stood a lone masked archer.

Watching.

Waiting.

Behind him, Lim Do-Yung dragged in a ragged breath and forced himself upright. His hand found his sword.

“You should have killed me when you had the chance,” he rasped.

He staggered forward, then steadied himself, his steps growing firmer with each breath. When he reached the prince, he did not hesitate—

He drove his sword into Seo-Joon’s chest.

Steel sank deep.

Seo-Joon’s body jerked, but no cry came.

Lim Do-Yung leaned closer, his voice low, shaking with fury.

“I will find your little brother… and I will make sure your father lives to see what becomes of him.”

“Never!”

With the last of his strength, Seo-Joon moved.

His blade swung in a sudden arc—

and cut deep into the old man’s throat.

Lim Do-Yung dropped his sword instantly, both hands flying to his neck as blood poured between his fingers. He gurgled, choking, his eyes wide in disbelief—

then collapsed face-first onto the ground.

Still.

Seo-Joon swayed where he stood.

His breathing came in shallow, broken pulls.

With trembling hands, he gripped the arrows embedded in his chest—hesitated only a moment—then snapped them.

Pain surged through him, nearly stealing his balance.

Still—

he turned.

The masked archer had not moved.

Seo-Joon took a step forward.

Then another.

The archer drew and released.

An arrow struck.

Then another.

Seo-Joon staggered, his body threatening to give in—but he kept moving.

Closer.

Closer—

Until he was within reach.

With a final effort, he raised his sword and slashed across the man’s neck.

The archer fell without a sound.

Only then did Seo-Joon falter.

He turned slowly, his strength fading with each step, until he reached Yoo-Na.

He knelt beside her.

For a moment, he only looked at her face.

Then, carefully, he lowered himself beside her.

From the trees—

Young-Sik ran forward.

Eun-Ae’s hand slipped from his eyes as he stumbled toward his brother, falling to his knees beside him.

“Brother—!”

His hands shook as he reached for him.

“You’re… you’re fine, aren’t you? You’re all right…”

Seo-Joon opened his eyes.

A faint smile touched his lips.

“What are you still doing here?” he murmured weakly. “You stubborn little rascal…”

Young-Sik shook his head, trying to lift him.

“Come on—get up! We need to go—we have to reach Grandfather’s house—Father needs us—”

“Just go ahead without me,” Seo-Joon said softly.

“I’m… very tired.”

“No,” Young-Sik said quickly, panic rising. “No, this isn’t the time for jokes—please, brother—get up—please—”

Seo-Joon’s hand lifted weakly and rested against him.

“Listen… to me…”

His voice was thinner now.

Fading.

“You made a promise… don’t forget it…”

Tears streamed down Young-Sik’s face as he nodded, unable to speak.

“Be strong… no matter what comes,” Seo-Joon continued, each word heavier than the last. “Protect our family… with everything you have…”

Behind them, Eun-Ae stood frozen, her hands clenched as tears silently fell.

Seo-Joon’s hand shifted, searching.

Young-Sik understood.

With shaking hands, he took Yoo-Na’s hand and placed it into his brother’s.

Seo-Joon’s fingers curled weakly around it.

“My time is near…” he whispered. “You must go… before they return…”

“NO!” Young-Sik cried, grabbing him. “I won’t leave you! You have to live—you have to take the throne—”

Seo-Joon gave a faint, breathless chuckle.

“I was never meant for the throne… only to protect the one who is…”

His gaze softened.

“I love you, my brother…”

A pause.

A final breath—

“I wanted to see… the man you would become…”

His hand stilled.

His chest no longer rose.

“Brother…?”

Young-Sik shook him.

Harder.

“Brother—get up… please… stop joking… please…”

Nothing.

The silence answered him.

Then—

He broke.

Young-Sik collapsed over him, crying uncontrollably, clinging to him as if he could pull him back.

“Your Highness…”

Eun-Ae’s voice trembled.

“We have to go…”

He didn’t move.

“They might come back,” she said, more urgently now. “We cannot stay here.”

Still—

he clung to Seo-Joon.

Desperation took over.

Eun-Ae grabbed him, pulling him back.

“No—!” he struggled, reaching for his brother.

She covered his mouth, holding him tightly as he fought against her.

“We have to leave,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “We have to go… please…”

At last—

she dragged him away.

Step by step.

Into the trees.

Into the darkness.

Moments later—

the masked archer stirred.

His fingers twitched.

Slowly—

he opened his eyes.

He reached up and removed the mask.

Lim Do-Yun.

He touched the wound at his neck, his expression tightening slightly.

“…Not deep enough.”

He pushed himself up unsteadily—

then froze.

His gaze snapped toward the fallen body nearby.

“Father…”

He rushed forward and dropped to his knees, gathering Lim Do-Yung into his arms.

The body was limp.

Unmoving.

A sound escaped him—low at first, then rising into something raw and broken.

Grief twisted his expression—

then hardened.

Slowly, carefully, he laid the body down.

Then he stood.