Chapter 22
Soldier's Tent
John sat silently in the soldiers' quarters, the faint glow of lanterns flickering across his face. Around him, laughter and chatter drifted through the tent, but he barely registered it. His gaze was fixed, distant, lost somewhere beyond the walls of the canvas.
Through the window, fireworks burst across the night sky—reds, golds, and blues painting the heavens. The sound should have been exhilarating, but John felt nothing. Only a hollow ache gnawed at his chest, relentless, suffocating.
A soldier nudged him lightly.
Soldier: "Hey, John."
John looked up slowly.
Soldier: "Miss esabell is here for you."
john(surprised) : For me?" . He brushed off the dust from his uniform and stepped out, following the soldier.
Outside, the cool night air brushed against his face. esabell waited by a wooden bench, the lantern casting a soft glow over her features. They sat together, the quiet stretching comfortably—but tensely—between them.
eabell, finally breaking the silence:
esabell:"So… what happened last night with the princess? What exactly happened?"
John avoided her gaze, voice low, hesitant.
john:"Nothing… just forget about it. Do you have other business here?"
esabell tilted her head, reading the subtle tension.
esabell:"It's okay if you don't want to share," she said softly.I Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.
John exhaled, bitter.
John :"No… it's just… I think I got rejected. Maybe I rushed everything. Maybe I'm impossible. Maybe she isn't interested."
esabell blinked, concern softening her features.
esabell:"Really?"
John gestured toward the palace in the distance.
john:"You saw the engagement last night, right?"
She nodded and reached over, patting his shoulder gently.
esabell:"Don't get too discouraged. Maybe there's something you don't know,".
John frowned."What's hidden?"
esabell tilted her head thoughtfully.
"The princess… she thinks carefully about everything. Maybe the prince has his own plans. Maybe there's more going on than you realize."
John shook his head faintly.
"Better not think too much. I feel like it'll only lead to more disappointment."
esabel opened her mouth but found no words. They sat together in silence, the air heavy with unspoken truths, and the thought of tomorrow's wedding looming over them.
Princess Chamber
The candlelight flickered across the chamber as the princess twisted her engagement ring absently. The metal felt cold, heavy, a reminder of the ceremony that had just ended.
Princess (thinking softly):
"This ring… it has no meaning. I need to slide it off…"
Her mind wandered, drifting to one person alone.
Princess (thinking):
He wasn't asking for anything… he just… needed me to know.
A soft knock echoed, pulling her from her thoughts. Guinevere entered, calm but serious.
Guinevere: "Still nothing. Not a single trace."
Princess (frowning, voice calm but layered): "Nothing… at all?"
Guinevere's eyes narrowed.
"Marco's gone. No messages, no sightings. It's as if he vanished before the engagement even started."
The princess absently twisted her ring, her mind racing.
Guinevere (lowering her voice, worry edging her words):
"I can't help but fear he's in danger. Perhaps the prince… or even the king. What if they know we're after evidence? What if they've set traps we don't even see?"
Princess's expression hardened.
"It could be. After all… they don't hesitate. Killing their own kingdom's children? That's nothing to them."
Guinevere's incredulity sharpened her tone.
"Are they blind? Do they really think rituals and sacrifices make them immortal?"
Princess (reflective, calculating):
"Unfortunately, yes. And we don't even know how many lives have been taken. Every missing child… a mark of their cruelty and ambition."
Guinevere leaned in, curiosity piercing her words.
"When did you discover all this?"
The room seemed smaller, the shadows deeper, as if even the walls were listening.
Princess (calm, resolute):"This isn't my first visit to Stone Heaven. Even as a trainee, I traveled across kingdoms. Stone Heaven was one I observed closely. Then, women were protesting, their children missing. No one cared back then. Now, they still protest… but the king's authority is stronger. People are silent, fearful. That's why I sent Michael on a hidden mission."
Guinevere nodded, approving.
guinevere:"This hidden mission is crucial—to uncover the truth."
Princess (tightening her grip on the ring):
"I've tasked Marco with investigating the kingdom itself. If we find evidence, we can pressure the prince and the king… and finally break this forced marriage."
Guinevere's eyes gleamed with urgency.
"Clever. But first, we must find Marco. Quickly."
Princess:"Yes. Move fast. Every second counts."
The room fell quiet. The princess's mind flickered briefly to John before returning to the weight of their plans.
Marco vs. the Giant
The giant roared, swinging stone fists at the red-haired man.
Surprisingly, he dodged effortlessly.
Marco (thinking): Who… who is this guy?
Red-haired man (grinning, voice echoing):
"Wow… that thing's massive. Strong, too. Honestly? I'm entertained."
The giant lunged, shaking the cavern. The red-haired man flipped under a swing, snatching a chunk of stone and hurling it. The impact cracked the giant's shoulder.
Marco (thinking): His strength… timing… insane.
The red-haired man leapt across jagged rocks, landing lightly, sparks flying as his sword clashed with stone.
Marco (half-smile, thinking): This is chaotic… but precise. Like he's playing with it.
The giant swung wildly. The red-haired man ducked, spun, and struck again.
Red-haired man (mocking, shouting):
"Is that all you've got? Come on! I expected a real challenge!"
Marco struck the knee, cracking it further. The red-haired man winked, flipped backward, and kicked a shard into the giant's chest.
Marco (thinking): Together… we can do this.
Strike by strike, the giant faltered. Its movements slowed, clumsy. They coordinated—the final blow: Marco lunged at the chest seam while the red-haired man slammed the knee.
The cavern shook as stone cracked audibly. The giant staggered, reeling.
Red-haired man (grinning, exhilarated):
"Now, that's more like it!"
Marco : This… isn't over yet, but together… we can win.
next morning _
Palace Gates_
Guinevere strode toward the main gate, soldiers at her back. Two palace guards blocked her path, spears crossed.
Guinevere (cold, furious): "What is the meaning of this?"
Guard: "It's the king's order, Lady Guinevere."
Her eyes narrowed.
"King's order? Do you even know who you're stopping?"
Guard (firm): "No one may leave until the marriage is complete. The king's direct orders."
Royal Chamber_
The king sat at the head of the table; the prince held a sealed message.
Prince (grim): "I just received word from Kayan. They've run into trouble."
King: "What does it say?"
Prince (narrowing his eyes): "I suspect… the princess. She's clever. She might have noticed something."
King (cold): "Then we stay alert. No mistakes."
Prince (impatient): "We could still… solve this another way. She's in Stone Heaven… we could simply—"
King (interrupting, voice sharp, dangerous):
"Stop. Do you realize what you're saying? Killing the princess is not easy. Every kingdom will demand answers. Wars have started for less. We cannot afford that."
He leaned back, voice quieter but still menacing:
"Until the marriage is finished, we stay alert. Play this carefully… and you, do not mess with anything. Or forget the throne."
Prince clenched his jaw, nodding reluctantly.
"…Understood."
Outside, the palace bustled with preparations. Inside, the air was colder, heavier, filled with shadows of uncertainty.
...CHAPTER 22ENDS...