The news of Runis State had fallen was expected to those who were aware of the origins of the Deco Parade.

Elen and several big figures of supporters agreed on a solid plan to overthrow King Remis. The loan army was to attack the southern fort as Deco Parade, drawing attention of the main army. Then, Elen's small force would storm the castle from within. Their goal was to apprehend Remis or worse-case scenario, killing him. There were already palace guards and servants who swear loyalty to Elen, willing to act for their princess.

The time was near! Elen's group consists of Kirin, Johl, and 50 other elites. They arrived at a wine cellar below the kitchen, using one of the few hidden passageways. A cook was already present and relaid to the group that Remis was currently in the throne chamber.

With that, everyone dashed to the throne chamber. The palace guards who decided to involved themselves, followed the princess once she shown herself. There were barely any resistant or surprised from ... anyone.

Kirin's fox ears twitched. As she was running alongside Elen, Kirin tugged on Elen's sleeve.

"What is it?" Elen said lowly.

"Something is not right," Kirin whispered back.

"I know." Elen squeezed the hilt of her sword. This was going too smoothly. Even if the staff knew her and wished her no harm, there wasn't one person yelling 'intruder!' or 'capture her!' No one was sounding the alarm.

This is too unsettlin, Elen thought.

She left all the monsters that Kei summoned to attack the southern fort. She also ordered them to minimized casualties, since they were her own countrymen. The monsters' lives were expendable, since they were summoned.

She didn't want to bring any one of them! They're odd, unusual, and ... she couldn't trust them. What if Johl's right? That Kei was playing games with her and this was just a ploy. But, Kei's actions were straight forward. Was he even capable to strategize or being deceitful? It would be Bridget's expertise if that was the case.

Elen can feel the tension rising in her heart as she grew closer and closer to the throne.

***

There it was. The solid double doors was pulled open and everyone rushed inside, preparing for battle!

"Uncle!" Elen yelled the top of her lungs. She pulled her sword and covered it in mana, she stood several feet from the throne.

The men that followed her also pulled their swords. Elen looked back at them and then looked at Remis. He was a slim man with long blonde hair and autumn eyes.

Remis clapped. His clap echoes the hall and filling everyone's ears.

Elen gripped her sword with both her hands and yelled out loud: "Remis vol Eluven! You are hereby dethroned and arrested for treason, conspiracy with foreign powers, regicide, and FRATRICIDES!"

The throne room was silent and Elen's breathing was haggard. No nobody made a move. Once Elen started to look around the room, there was all the councilmen and other high-ranking officials. Most of them were her supporters! She contacted them beforehand through their messengers. Few she met face to face.

Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder. Elen turned her hand and it was Johl. He said, " Put down the sword. It's not what you think." Elen started to sweat.

Elen still holding her sword upright and Kirin froze when she stood. Kirin didn't know what to do in this situation. Was it all hopeless? 

Then Remis spoke: "So. My niece have finally return. I didn't plan on harming you back then, but you ran before I could even speak to you. But ... Welcome home." Remis sat there like he belonged there. His voice wasn't very authoritative. He sounded like a misunderstood, caring person. But Elen wasn't having it.

He continued: "Yes, I did kill my brother and sister in-law, your parents. But you didn't understand the cirumstances back then like they have." Remis got up and slowly walked towards Elen. 

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Remis raised his voice. "You think I wanted to kill my family!?"

"Then why did you killed them!?" Elen couldn't hold back. "Murdering them can't be justified!"

"Maybe not. But did you know? That your parents agreed of their deaths?"

"That's ridiculous! They planned to die! Absurd! Did you think I'm a fool!"

One of the councilmen stepped out of the pack and said: "Princess Elen, the circumstances back then was very dire. The human nations that surrounded us pressured us. King Remis made a pact with the Runis State for their protection in exchange -"

"For mana stones. A lot of it." Remis finished the councilman's sentence.

But it still didn't explained the death of her parents but then Remis gave a letter to Elen.

Elen swiped it from him and it was ... from her father. Her hand was shaking uncontrollably. She stared at the letter and back at Remis. Remis nodded his head and moved a bit further from her.

So, Elen read the letter.

[Dear Elen,

If you are reading this letter, then your mother and I pass on. Please, I know this is hard to accept but this was not your uncle's fault. This was a collective decision consisting of myself, your mother, and the councilmen.

The Runis State demands for their services were high, more than just mana stones. They ask for easy access to our lands, elven slaves, and your hand in marriage for one of their princes. It disgusts us.

Your mother and I became very mellow over the years. If we did not accept their demands, would Eluvia be in the worst state than now? We would become the second demon race if human nations join forces. We need to be replace with a competent ruler, someone who would show that he is a force to be reckon with. That is how your uncle, Remis, became that person.

Of course, we couldn't just hand the throne. Remis must play the role of a greedy, ambitious man. Remis must gain the trust of the negotiators from Runis State and stage a coup. Our deaths are consequential to allow Remis to show his merit and determination to Runis State. All of it was for the sake of our kingdom.

We hope that this plan succeed for Remis to lower their demands without cowardice, like us.

We understand that this is a lot to take in. We wish that you would take the throne once you are wise and strong enough to carry a heavy burden. 

We----------]

Elen can't read another word, she tored the letter apart! She tored it to pieces and once all of it was on the ground, she stomped on it.

Tears fell from her eyes but her eyes were filled with rage. "This letter is a sham! My parents ain't cowards! They die because of a stupid reason!? Such nonsense! And all of you are traitors!" Elen pointed her finger at the group of people who she thought were her allies. Elen ran towards Remis and swung her sword at him!

Remis pulled his sword by instinct and blocked her attack. He yelled: "You're not thinking rationally! I'm upset to what happened too! Don't think you are the only victim!" Both of them were still pushing each other with their swords. Remis was more experience than her, despite Elen being a prodigy. "Runis State is gone! A new threat have emerge!"

Remis inbued himself in mana, giving him an extra boost. He pushed with his full strength that Elen flew a few inches off the ground and landed several feet away from him. Elen landed on her feet and glared at him.

Remis pointed his sword towards the throne and said: "If the throne is what you desire, there it is. You are the rightful heir."

Elen stared at the throne and then back at Remis's eyes. Her mind was chaotic, she continued to attack Remis. Kirin and Johl didn't want to intervene when Elen was in a frenzy. Both Elen and Remis continued to swung swords at each other.

"I have enough of this." Another councilman walked closer to the battle and shouted: "Sleep!" A mist shot out from his hand and hitted Elen's face from the side. She inhaled the mist and she felt weak.

Elen suddenly dropped her sword and downed on her knees. Her eyelids were slowly closing. She couldn't resist it!

Then she laid on the floor, asleep. Remis can't help but shake his head. He didn't expect Elen would go crazy, at least she didn't used magic. He would've gave his all if that was the case.

Remis walked passed Elen's unconscious body and made a slight bow towards Kirin. "How are you doing your highness. I apologize for my niece's ugly display."

Kirin didn't respond. She forgot all about courtesy and ran towards Elen's lying body.

The chamber was quiet and Remis ordered the guards and Johl to bring Elen and Kirin to Elen's room.

After the two left, a white robed, female human came out of the shadows and said: "Well now. Not the turn of events you expected your highness."

"Yes. Not what I expected," Remis replied.

"But, I still need to speak both of them about this person named, Kei."

"They had a long journey. Please, give them a day to recuperate Bishop Kelen." Remis gave a bow to the bishop, hoping to not offend her.

She gave a chuckle. "A day is fine. The Holy Knights will be busy eradicating those digusting monsters." She then gave a sour look. "We will find him and end him. That repulsive death goddess worshiper."

***

The loan army/Deco Parade's numbers were slowly dwindling. They continued assaulting the fort while fending off the main army. Their orders were to minimize casualties, so they weren't as aggressive as they want to be.

The fort was about to be broken into until several figures from the sky causing clouds of dust to arise.

It was within the dust cries were heard, the lizard humanoids escaped the dust cloud and the danger within.

Once the dust settles, there were several white figures standing with corpses scattered around them.

One of the elf soldier pointed towards north, at the distance and shouted: "There!"

A group of people were marching towards the battle. Upon closer inspection, they were wearing white armour with the symbol of the life church on their chest.

It was the Holy Knights.