ARC 2-10: MY HANDSOME KING

CHAPTER 10: No Choice!

The King's guards storm into the room, armed with their sharp swords.

However for every guard, a Knight would enter, here for the general.

It was of course obvious why.

Knights are trained under the general. Thus they develop a bond and deep loyalty towards him.

Men of the military were usually hot bloodied. Despite them obviously betraying the King they still acted in such a manner.

They were still nervous, unsure of what the general wanted them to do.

The King's harsh laughter echoes throughout the room. "I knew it! I knew it! I can't trust anyone! Not even you Elil!!!"

The general's face seems to pale at the King's words. He looks at the knights and quickly orders them to stand down. " No wait, my King-"

"Wait!? Why wait!! Everything is so obvious!!" The King smiles cruelly. "Kill the traitors!"

The general still wanted to explain himself however, it was too late.

No matter what he says, nothing could change the King's mind. Even if he somehow did diffuse the situation, the King would always be distrustful of him forever.

The bond he treasured so much in life was now broken.

The general had tears in his eyes, as he watched his men engage in battle.

Their roars of passion resonated from their hearts. "We'll protect you general!"

"Even if we die! We'll gladly die for you!"

The King's guards on the other hand were ice cold. They were trained killers, protectors.

No words were needed for them to act.

Zia felt a headache looking at the mess before her.

If things were allowed to continue, then eventually the Knights would lose.

This is because they were surrounded. And it was also because there were more guards than knights here.

The only way for them to escape is for the general to fight. However looking at his dispirited self, she knew she had a hard task ahead of her. "The only way out now, is to kill the King."

The general's body shook, as if receiving an electric shock from her words.

She continues. "It would've come to this sooner or later. Otherwise how did you expect to save yourself?"

The general turns to the fortune teller. She was watching everything calmly. For a woman, she didn't show any cowardice at all. His fists clench as he speaks through gritted teeth. "I wouldn't have killed him. Instead I would have over powered him."

"Even if he wanted to kill you?"

The general nods. "Yes."

Zia suddenly laughs. Her laughter was loud and boisterous among the clanging of metal around them. "You're a fool!" She grins.

This is why she liked him.

So loyal.

So passionate.

However his thoughts and feelings were seen by no one.

Not unless you were the Overseer, watching all from above.

Zia glances at the blood all around them. "So will you do nothing, and stand here to be killed? Even as your men fight for your life?" Zia glances at his hardened expression.

He didn't respond. His body was becoming more tensed as time went on. Finally he couldn't endure watching his brothers die, taking their last breath for him.

He takes out his sword and aims it at the King. "I really don't want to do this, but you give me no choice!" His pupils were dilated, the heart's pain obvious on his face. Still, his bloodlust could be felt, suffocating everyone in the room.

He has decided.

His life and the life of his brothers were worth it. And to keep those lives, he would need to kill his childhood best friend, who was attempting to take his life.

He truly had no choice.

The general charges into the fray.

His men all smile as they watch him fight. Their morale boosted, making them perform better against the guards.

Now, even if they were to die, they would die happily, next to their general!

Zia watches gleefully as he fought. His movements were perfect. No excess energy was wasted.

His pure strength could hack a tree in half. The blood sputtering onto his face, only made him more attractive. He was like an angered fiend.

Not many would be able to tear their eyes away from him.

The King felt panicked seeing the situation reverse. "Guards! Guards!!" He called for more back up.

The King stood up to relocate.

Naturally this was why Zia had encouraged the general.

Because this situation was perfect. The only chance at really assassinating the King.

If they were to escape, then in order to kill the King, more effort would need to be utilised.

The general quickly notices the King's plan, and kills his way over. His eyes were bloodshot as he finally stood in front of the King.

The blood dripped off his sword, painting an intimidating sight.

"Arthur!" The general calls out his name. His sword nears the King's neck.

The general can't hesitate. Ever since he decided to fight, to pick up his sword, he had already resolved himself in killing his only friend.

With an almost crying expression, the General looped off the King's head with ease.

It was a clean cut.

The blood splatters all over concubine Gu Ran.

The doctor who was watching all of the death with an apathetic stare hadn't left.

The concubine screams in sorrow and horror.

If the King dies, how is she supposed to become the Empress!?

She looks up at the still general with anger in her eyes.

His sword hung weakly to his side as he looked at his friend's corpse.

The sword falls down to the ground with a clatter. The general himself falls to his knees crying.

The fight was over.

With the King dead, the guards stopped fighting.

With the general crying, the Knights stopped fighting.

A solemn air invaded everyone.

Concubine Gu Ran, however wasn't of the same mind.

She pounced at the general, scratching his face with her nails. "I'll kill you!"

The general looks at her with an unreadable expression. He grabs her feeble arms and restrains her.

It was too easy.

Naturally when the King dies, so does his consorts. They'll all have to die now.

Concubine Gu Ran had no more hope left in this world.

Her weeping was the only thing that could be heard.

The general's expression became still. No one could tell what he was feeling.

He picks up his sword and impales the concubine in her chest. Her breathing gets caught in her throat as her eyes roll back in their sockets.

She was dead.

He yanks his sword out from her, and watches as she slumps over expressionlessly.

The general then finally looks at Zia. "I'm alive. "

Zia nods smiling happily. "Correct."

"So now what?" He looked tired, exhausted. His eyes red rimmed either from crying or from fighting.

Zia shrugs.

Suddenly the guards point at him. "You're the new King!"

The general frowns. "I refuse!"

The knights nod. "He's our general! Not a king!"

The guards looked flabbergasted.

Then who will take over?

For some reason, everyone's eyes drift over to Zia.

Zia herself doesn't realise, but she exudes a strong aura that always attracts people towards her. She frowns under their scrutiny.

"What?"

They grin.

She'll do just fine.