The Guards raised their crossbows.

“STOP!” Alessa stepped out from behind Forst to glare at the guards. Her clothes were marred by blood to the point that the yellow dress looked mostly orange. “You don’t take orders from him!”

“My Queen!” Arkun held out his hands and moved towards her like he was going to give her a hug. “You’re alive!”

My cousin picked up a discarded sword and held it to his throat. “Arkun Everess, you are guilty of conspiring against the crown.” She looked over at the guards who had partially lowered their weapons and were looking back and forth between the pair.

Alessa focused on the traitor. “The penalty for this is death and there is plenty of evidence to sentence you now.”

“You can’t be serious!” Arkun looked over at the guards. “Shoot HER!”

“They don’t answer to you.” The air started crackling around my cousin.

“They will once you’re dead, now SHOOT HER!” Arkun began jabbing his finger at her.

“HOLD!”

The guards partially turned to look at the newcomer. I didn’t have to look. I knew that voice. It was Galaden.

The pompous Elf had on none of his finery. His usually polished armor was dirty and speckled with blood. There were even a few tears on his sleeves that looked like he had ripped them off himself.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The captain of the guards took out his sword as he walked towards Alessa. Forst growled as Vin moved in between them. The WereCrocodile moved behind her.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!” Arkun grabbed a sword off the floor.

Galaden stopped in front of my brother, took a deep breath, knelt down, and held up his sword across both hands. “My Queen.”

Alessa put her hand on Vin to guide him out of the way. She reached out and touched the handle of the sword as the Regent charged.

Vin was to her left, which was the wrong side to protect her. Forst started to move, but Alessa was faster and with a quick flick of her wrist, she disarmed Arkun, then followed up the motion by stabbing him in the chest.

My cousin pulled out the blade and Arkun staggered backwards.

“No…” The Regent fell on his hands and knees, then rolled out of the window into the bay.

Alessa wiped the blue blood on the sleeve of her dress. The entire thing was beyond ruined. She straightened herself as she walked back over to Galaden, who was still kneeling. My cousin flipped the blade over and held it out handle first towards him. As her gaze swept the room, the others of the Golden Guard hit their knees as well. My father dropped to a knee, which triggered the entire crew to do so as well.

I couldn’t help the smile as I realized that I was the last one to bow. As I started to kneel, Alessa moved over and caught my arm with her free hand.

“Sectum…” She shook her head as she pulled me back to my feet. “You never have to kneel in front of me.”

I was trying to figure out what to say when she wrapped me in a hug.

“Thank you.” She lowered her voice so that only the two of us could hear.

I hugged her back. “I love you Sa-sa.”

She smiled as she pulled back so I could see the tears flowing out of her blue eyes. “I love you too.” She hugged me again. “But you’re the only one who gets to call me that.”

I chuckled as we stayed like that for probably too long. But I didn’t care. We’d won.