Chapter 34 - Fallen Crown

As she sat there on the charred stone floor, only covered by a blanket and holding around Eolande, Lilly sent a furious and tear-filled look toward the king.

King Holtar sat with his hand covering his forehead, looking defeated. He noticed Lilly’s stare and sighed heavily.

He left the throne and walked forward, past the defenses that protected him earlier, and stopped a few meters from where Lilly and Eolande sat on the ground.

“Your majesty!” his advisors yelled in unison, unable to stop him.

Eolande sent a fierce look at him as he neared, but stopped as she saw him getting down to the ground. He sat on his knees and bowed deeply, showing both respect and remorse through his actions. His crown fell off his head, giving off a symbolic clang as it hit the ground. “I apologize for trying to deceive you, Lady Lilly. It was the only option I could find to prevent us from clashing.”

Lilly could hardly care less about his apology, convinced he was only doing so to avoid bloodshed—specifically, his own. “If you’re so sorry, explain it clearly to Elly! Then admit to all your evil schemes!” she cried, still heavily affected by emotions. She sat up and made sure to keep the blanket tight around her before wiping her eyes.

Eolande looked at the king, staying surprisingly calm despite everything. “Speak, Holtar. First, tell me Dahn is safe, then explain everything to me.”

The king nodded as he sat back up on his knees. “He is safe, still in our dungeon cell. We lured you here to play a final card we had prepared for a while, which was making Lilly believe you had been tricking her from the start. A lot of coincidences made it easier to convince her, but we still needed to capture you for the plan to work.”

Eolande looked back at Lilly, clearly still hurt by her lack of faith. “... You doubted me because of a coincidence?”

Lilly willfully shook her head, unable to stop herself from making excuses. “There was so much, Elly! The way you saved me and Selene, the way you have connections to everything that has happened, how you helped me for free in the forest, how you knew my parents, how Adelia learned of everything through Dahn, how you left right after getting the belt… You’re Eolanathel’s daughter, Elly! They said he planned for me to save Thundrel from the start, to weaken Dortfell…”

Eolande furrowed her brows while looking up to the sky. “Well, when you put it like that… I guess I could see why you would at least doubt me… Wow, that really is a convincing argument.”

“But I still stayed on your side! I imprisoned Victor after he told me, and then came here to deliver a letter asking for your release if you had been captured!”

Eolande smiled, embracing Lilly in a sitting hug. “I don’t blame you, Lilly. Anyone would feel doubt at that point. Our enemies are just more unscrupulous than we expected. Let’s kick this old man in the face, huh?” She wiped a tear off of Lilly’s face with a gentle touch.

Lilly chuckled lightly, thinking a kick would be in its place. “Let’s at least hear him out first. I’m sure he knows he’s been defeated.”

They both looked at the king, who listened nervously as they spoke. “I do know. I’ll do whatever you want, but I…” He bowed down again, with his head on the floor. “I beg you to help us win this war!”

Lilly disliked his attitude, especially after knowing how little he cared for his people. “Oh, suddenly worried for your people now? You didn’t seem to care when you sacrificed Thundrel! You’re just worried about your own skin, right?”

King Holtar shot back up. “See reason, Lady Lilly! The war would be lost if you hadn’t destroyed their fleet! What choice did I have?”

“So you lose a war, so what? You might lose your title, but what do the people care? Why should we?”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The king seemed lost for words. “Are… Is that a genuine question? This is a war of conquest; they would raid, pillage, lay sieges… They would force people into labor, and then raise taxes to unreasonable levels. People would starve without any way to rebel! And Lia would be forced into a…”

His face twisted with rage. “A despicable marriage!” he spat. “That fiend made it clear what he was after, and I’ll be dead before he gets his way!”

Lilly swallowed, not daring to imagine what he was insinuating. “Even still, sacrificing innocents for an unrealistic plot is unjust! What would you even have done after the infiltration?”

The king shook his head in remorse but still replied. “We had plans for our allies to ambush the fleet after tricking them into another attack. It would be an opportunity for us to take their ships and use them for ourselves with minimal bloodshed. In addition to all the intelligence we would be getting, giving us a clear picture of their forces.”

Lilly was impressed by his optimism, or rather, disappointed by his naivete. She scoffed at him. “So, unlike Eolanathel, you commit atrocious acts based on hopes instead of fears. How justified you must feel, with such grand ambitions.”

King Holtar stared at her, at a loss for words.

Lilly continued relentlessly. “Tell me honestly, are you happy I saved your people and weakened Dortfell? Or are you sad I spoiled your plans and gave you reason to fear the truth?”

“I am happy! I only thought I was better suited to steering this country while the war raged on… But, of course, I will give the throne to you.”

Lilly reacted immediately. “What? Hells no! I don’t want your stupid throne! I just don’t want you to be sitting in it! Adelia is a much better person for the job; give it to her.”

The king looked befuddled. “To Lia? I’m not sure she’s suited for it… And what about her older brothers?”

Lilly shook her head. “I don’t know her brothers, and she didn’t like their potential as rulers. I trust her, and we have a good friendship. I agreed to act as a distant advisor if she took the throne, with all the advantages that would have for legitimacy.”

She got up from the ground, careful to stay covered. Even if everyone already had seen all there was to see, she had to keep her dignity intact. “Now then, please take us to General Dahn.”

Eolande, despite her obvious eagerness, also had some commands to give. “Please get Lilly some clothes first. This is hardly appropriate.”

Lilly appreciated her consideration. She was getting somewhat used to flashing people because of her flame, but it was nice to have someone care for her after things calmed down.

The king hesitated a bit before nodding, gesturing to his female advisor. “You heard them. Fetch some appropriate attire for Lady Lilly and lead them to the dungeons.”

The woman hurriedly nodded and left the room, returning shortly with a set of clothes and a couple of guards. Lilly quickly dressed behind the blanket, which was held by Eolande, feeling a semblance of normalcy return. The male advisor then led the way, with Lilly and Eolande following close behind.

They walked past the two Royal Guards still lying on the ground, and Lilly briefly studied them for injuries. “You didn’t hit them a bit too hard, Elly? Concussions are pretty dangerous.”

“If I had a choice, I would have been nice, but I only have speed over these two. I don’t know how a normal confrontation would have ended. But they should be fine; they’re not bleeding.”

As they walked through the castle's dim corridors, Lilly asked, “What happened after you left? I was expecting you to at least have entered the castle by now.”

Eolande sounded a bit miffed as she responded. “This castle has such dense defenses that I didn’t dare enter. I could have, but I would have been noticed. But then I noticed you suddenly walking up to it, so I used the opening you made to enter with you. I had to know why you were here, and protect you if need be.”

Lilly furrowed her brows, recalling the moment. “I did feel a gust of wind pass me while I was… catching my breath. You didn’t think I could have handled myself?”

Eolande smiled slightly. “Well, I knew you could likely handle anything in terms of power. But once your emotions start taking over… I wanted to be there in case anything bad happened.”

Lilly glanced at Eolande with a mix of gratitude and lingering guilt in her eyes. “Thank you, Elly. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Eolande squeezed her hand gently. “It’s okay, Lilly. We’ve all had our doubts and fears. And like I said, a lot pointed against me.”

They continued down the winding staircases and narrow passages, following the silent advisor. The air grew colder and damper as they descended. Eventually, they arrived outside a dark cell guarded by two other Royal Guards.

Inside the cell, Lilly saw a surprisingly proud-looking elf, looking dignified despite his confinement. His expression lit up as he saw Eolande walking behind one of the advisors, mixed with a large dose of confusion.

“General Dahn, I presume,” Lilly said, stepping forward.