Barging on the prestigious throne, are the swarm of knights led by the wicked man, Arioch, who surprisingly became their leader. Not until a hint of blood stain on the sleeve happened to grab Alderic's attention. Not so well kept, aren't you? The blade of judgment once again rises. It's time for the sinner to pay its debt. An obnoxious voice spoke up, trying to confront "You sinful demon! How dare you murder our King, our father!" An exquisite performance indeed! Applause welcomes Arioch. But, every show must come to an end. Will the executioner unveil its lie under that thick mask? The man, unmoved by the illusory act, already had his answer.

"You filthy rat!"

A grin from Arioch rested at last before the swarm of royal knights rush to where he stood. As if the hungry beasts finally got to taste the prey after so long, Alderich's eyes fly open... Now, it's time to fight back. To the silver blade gripped tightly with faith, rampage-fueled blood, muscles roaring to life. The night-sky hair falls, hiding away the flame inside those emerald pearls. The prestige sword unleashes itself. Those who dared to touch Alderic found themselves falling like autumn leaves. Arioch, for one, cannot stand by and watch in defeat and soon joins the battle against... His brother. The blade work of the duo is surely unmatched, yet for him, along with the fading strength, is the swarm of enemies. Indeed, it is only a matter of time before he dies.

Even in the darkest of the nights, there will always be a light, shimmering with its golden rays. Indeed, it is powerful enough to demolish any desperation. "Stop this instance!" Before he was a girl with hair that sparkled like gold, bravely standing between her brothers. From astonishment to fear, all painted over Alderic's pale face. Why is she here? Isn't she supposed to be protected somewhere safe? From the corner of his eyes, Alderic could see Axl appearing from the backdoor, trying to catch his breath. Surprise after another, now even Axl has chosen his side, is it another ambitious scheme of his brother? He can't think that much, especially when his dear little sister is standing in front of the death line, risking her life to save him. Gritting his teeth, Alderic throws a warning gaze at Arioch. "Evelyn, of all places, you shouldn't be here.", "Don't you dare hurt our sister!"... Not even flinching, Arioch returns with a sinister grin. Just then, he catches sight of Axl from afar. "Long time no see. Please escort the lady, Axl." No, Alderic. The only person hurting is you.

This time, things have changed.

Remaining silent, Axl kneels before Evelyn respectfully, like a knight, to everyone's surprise. "Y-You dare to betray me?" asked Arioch, in disbelief. Never could he imagine, there would be this day. The day the dog bites back at its master. The only response to his question is Axl's apathetic expression as if he were a clown in disguise. All that matters is the lady behind him. Furiously, Arioch pointed the sharp blade at Axl, intending to end this betrayal's life... his humiliation. But before he could touch even a single hair of Axl, Evelyn strongly knocks him away, sending him back down. How pathetic he is to not realize, in a split second, that the sword his sister randomly picked up from the ground was able to block his attack. For her bright will was now shining with all its might, never had he felt so weak. The sister, the same one he bathed in contemptuous love, is now a complete stranger. Not a single threat... No, she has barely said anything since the arrival. Her presence alone was enough to make every soul bow down in obedience. The aura of a ruler flowing in her veins, the destined one, finally came to light. Alderic, with one hand holding the wounds, the other patting her shoulder lightly. At last, his little sister has grown up. Together with Axl, the two become her loyal knights.

Trying to bury the fury, Arioch let out the usual kind smile. "Playtime is over. Go back to your room, Evelyn." "This is not the business of a lady." That's right, go back to your job... Being a decor. "No," she yells, "I'm not a doll." Standing in front of the throne, proudly, she has proved her worth. "I'm a proud woman who finally found my voice. Hear me, for I will never bow down to anyone else again." The imperial topaz stone glisters with her golden determination.

"I am Evelyn Leith Ashworth. In the name of equilibrium, noble hearts, and wise minds, I seek your protection."

The moment Evelyn stops, the whole room falls into silence. One after another, the generals leading the guards, kneel before her. Her will, her name, only they could understand the weight. "What are you all doing? Seize them!" Arioch yelled helplessly. An incantation seems to cover each of them, embracing them in its golden light. In respect, they kneel, creating such a magnanimous scene that no monarch had a chance to witness. "You are wrong, brother" she turns to Arioch "Our mother is the bravest woman I have known." For the first time, the smile disappears from his face, and only humiliation remains. Screaming furiously, he swore to end all their lives, crushing them to ashes.

Before his wishes are heard, Evelyn grabs Alderic and Axl's hands and storms out of the throne room. How unfortunate for the charm to last too short, with several now returned. "Chase after them!" These are the final words before the pair of doors shut tight. To their surprise, the elite knights who have a duty to protect, only responded with a respectful bow, as if silently bidding farewell. "Run! There's no time left!" Through a plethora of staircases and corridors, they finally arrived on solid ground. The main gate are now in sight.

Almost there.

It's been so long for all their dreams and goals, once thought to be impossible, to now be emerging. At last, she could escape from this cage, immersed in the colorful world out there, to... Be free, once and for all.

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

But when has the world ever worked in our favor? Under Arioch's command, the main gate immediately closes, cutting the string of hope. What's left to do? Surrounded are the guards, with their blades not keen on letting them go. Alderic and Axl stand before Evelyn, waiting to strike at the slightest movement. Soon, the figures of the two disappear into the crowd, leaving only the sound of metal brutally tearing the air. The meaningless battle drained every last drop of their energy, countless wounds blooming on their fractured bodies. Yet they still fight tirelessly. "No, I must find a way," Evelyn run up to the gate, hoping she could somehow open it. The long dress stumbled on her steps, sending a sudden pain in the knees. Clenching her teeth, she rips off the dress harshly to free herself from being attached. Her hand was placed on the heavy door, she tried to open. But as to the solid door, how could her strength make any difference? Pushing till her hands blushed the color of autumn leaves, till the arms wore out, she still stubbornly tried to crack open. From behind, she could still hear their sounds. Their desperate sounds tore apart her broken soul. Is all of this the right choice? With the soul of a fighter, she poured all the power left into the push.

Then, all of a sudden, a small crack appears before her, leaking light. The sound of the gate quickly increases the tension of the battle as Alderic and Axl start to recede in the gate's direction. "Evelyn!" Looking up at the sight of Gerald pulling the gate's pulley. It was him, the one saving her every time she fell. The gate started to open wide enough for one person to get out. "Join us! Let's get out of here!" She shouted aloud. There were so many things she wanted to do. And all of them... Have his vivid presence.

A sharp blade, fast as light, appears behind his back. A surprise ambush that was thought to end his efforts "No! Gerald!" With his hands still clinging to the heavy pulley, stronger than ever. The rain of stabbing fell down his back, the same back dyed in the soft sunlight of her longing, the same back sharing her burdens. The delicate hands devoted to art are now consecrated to each of its last minutes for her, even the flow of blood running down as tears in a cruel color. Each of the blades fell down, and each piece of her heart followed. Her golden eyes blurred in the midst of tears, leaving only his faint figure in sight. No matter how hard she shouted, how hard she begged... The artist she loved was still taken away in the sorrowful reality.

As if time had been stopped, there was no violence, no blood... Only them. In his very last seconds, there was no grief, no regrets. Not even a whimper of pain escaped through his soft voice. All that's left is a gentle smile, just like the first day they met. Colored by sacrifice, he gifted her the last painting of his life. The painting of freedom. They said the eyes of an artist are far more complex and colorful than any other, that they will find beauty in such surreal elements. To him, all beauty in this world is... Dedicated to her. Even now, in tears and melancholy, she still shines like gold in his tired pearls.

Evelyn, my muse, my life.

Color this beautiful world with your charms.

He smiled at her one last time, his hands still holding onto the pulley. If he could go back in time, next time... He would come sooner... He would try harder. And if there was a second time... He would free her from this place.

Next time, let's finish the painting together... Can we?

The thread of his life came undone.

Evelyn can't hear anything, can't do anything. All she knows is that Alderic dragged her away from him, ignoring her struggle to run to his side. She couldn't even say goodbye, couldn't even hold him in her arms. Hopeless, she runs.

Soon, they could see Joshep waiting at the edge of the forest from afar. "Follow me!" he shouted. The way out is within their reach... Just a few more steps. Until again, they are surrounded by the guards. The trick she used is useless. Weapons point at them. Forcefully, they have to obey Arioch's command. For not their lives but their families will be at stake. "Give up your little hope. There's no place to run." Arioch, now able to catch them, laughed victoriously. Now that they are in his hands, he will make sure to make them pay all the price. To the father raising her up, lying in the blood puddle. To the only one seeing her as a whole, loving her as who she is, sacrificing for her sake. Too much pain for tears to fall. All she wanted was to cry out loud, but that simple wish could never be fulfilled. She has gone too far to go back.

"Since when the castle has become a laughable scene like this?" Iris Sylvester, Queen of Hyram, their mother, has come. Seeing her presence, some of the guards start to falter. Her gentle eyes scan through Arioch, high above the stairs, to Alderic messily from brushes, then rested at Evelyn. The moment she sees the ring, a relief sign hints at her smile. "Please don't interfere, mother. They are murderers." Arioch throws a sharp look. He never allows the prey to escape. "Capture them!" Iris Sylvester yells strongly. "Back down. This is the Queen's order!" She pointed the velvet fan at her arrogant son, " How can you tell they are murderers when your father's corpse is still warm? What if you are the culprit himself?" This is her fault. Her weak self has accidentally created a monster. Turning around to Evelyn and nods, telling her to run. This is all she could do. With the power of the Queen, the guards have no choice but to watch the three escape. From a distance, she could still hear the voice of her daughter calling for her name in agony.

Evelyn, my sweet daughter, even though we are just nominally.

You are now and will always be my daughter.

The only light in my life.

Forgive this useless mother

This is the only way I can protect you.

"You know you are choosing the wrong option, right, Mother?" Arioch threatened.

"No, this is the best one I have made." The magenta iris falls down from its branch to the cold ground. Easefully saying farewell to this world.

Arioch, my child. I pray for a day you will be saved.