The Young Lady Whose Engagement Was Annulled Decided to Observe What Would Become of the Kingdom thereafter - Chapter 23

The soldiers held their weapons with trembling hands, their pale faces scanning their surroundings in fear. Despair flickered in their eyes. Countless enemy troops had surrounded the royal capital, and faced with that tightening net, the soldiers stood stiffly, as if waiting for the end.

“Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?”

The commander’s voice was as cold as ice, stabbing into my heart like a blade. I could see a trace of contempt flickering in his eyes.

“We will defend this castle to the death.”

I gave the order, trying to appear calm. I forced strength into my voice so it wouldn’t tremble, but inside, I had already made up my mind. We had no chance of winning if we continued fighting like this.

“Will Your Majesty also take up arms?”

There was a hint of mockery in the commander’s voice.

“No, I have other critical commands to issue. I leave this place to you.”

I turned on my heel and hurried back to my private chambers, as if fleeing from the soldiers’ stares. Once inside, I shut the door tightly and locked it. I quickly tore off my lavish royal garments. The gold-embellished robes fell to the floor—once a symbol of glory, now just discarded cloth. In their place, I put on plain clothes and threw a large cloak over my head.

This should hide me, for now.

I met up in the hallway with a small group of bodyguards I had summoned beforehand. They were also in disguise.

“Are you ready?”

The leader of the guards nodded silently. There was no emotion in his eyes. We were about to run—abandoning this capital, this kingdom. My heart pounded with fear. I couldn’t be found—not by enemies, not by allies.

“Let’s go.”

We took a deserted corridor, moving quickly. The very same corridor I once walked with pride now felt endlessly long. I just wanted to survive. I wanted to live. I didn’t want to die. That thought spun round and round in my mind.

We exited through the back of the castle. In the distance, I could already hear shouting and the clash of metal—battle had begun. I shuddered.

“Hurry.”

I urged the guards, moving along the shadows of the castle walls. If we could just find a horse or wagon somewhere, we could escape this kingdom. One day, I would return and reclaim the throne. But for now, I had to survive.

“Hide in the shadows of the building.”

Following the guard’s instructions, we moved between buildings, sticking to the shadows. There were no wagons to be found—escape on foot was our only option. Still, if we could just make it outside the capital without being seen…

“Hey, you there! What are you doing?”

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind. My heart froze and then flared with panic. I turned to see soldiers wearing different crests—enemies.

“Damn!”

Reflexively, I shoved my guards forward.

“Be my shield! Stall them so I can escape!”

The guards exchanged glances for a split second. In that moment, I tried to flee. But then—

“Zain Cardinal is here!”

“What?! Zain?!”

One of the guards, who had remained silent until now, suddenly shouted out.

“W-What!? Shut up! I told you to shut up!”

I shouted, trying to stop him, but it was too late. The enemy soldiers began charging at me all at once. The sound of their armor clattering against the stone echoed like the footsteps of death.

“W-Wait! I—I was forced by this man! I have no will to fight!”

One of the guards suddenly threw down his weapon and raised his hands, signaling surrender.

“M-Me too!”

Another guard immediately followed suit, dropping his weapon. Not a single one of them was willing to fight. My own guards—none of them had any intention of protecting me.

“What are you doing!?”

Protect me! I screamed in my mind, but they only stepped away, showing clear cooperation with the enemy soldiers. Traitors, all of them!

“Surrender. You have no escape.”

“W-Wait!”

One of the enemy soldiers declared coldly. Several of them lunged at me and quickly subdued me. My arms were pulled behind my back, and cold iron shackles clamped tightly around my wrists.

“L-Let me go! I am Zain Cardinal, King of Grantzweil! You can’t treat me like this…!”

But my words no longer held any power. The dignity of a king meant nothing now.

“Please… I beg you…”

My voice grew weak without me realizing it, crushed under the weight of despair. But I still didn’t want to die. I wanted to live. Even if I lost everything else—just let me keep my life.

“I no longer care about the throne. Not one bit. I promise—I’ll go far away from here and live quietly. So please… please let me go!”

I begged in tears. My former dignity was long gone; I was now just a coward pleading for his life. But no one listened. They silently bound me, their ropes sealing my fate as tightly as their silence sealed my pleas.

Even after all I’ve done!

The guards were also captured, but none of them showed the slightest intent to help me. They stood on the enemy’s side, looking down on my pitiful figure with cold eyes. In their gaze, I saw contempt—and resignation—for the man who used to be their king.