The forest was too quiet.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
The king's horse came to a sharp halt as his eyes locked onto the figure ahead—
A body… suspended from a tree.
"Insu!"
The king dismounted instantly, rushing forward.
Insu's body hung weakly, his hands bound tightly above him, his face pale but still conscious.
"Your Majesty—!" Insu's voice came out strained, desperate. "You must leave! Now!"
The king ignored him, already reaching for the ropes.
"This place—it's a trap!" Insu shouted, panic rising in his voice. "They're here to kill you!"
The king's jaw tightened as he worked quickly.
"Then I came at the right time."
"Your Majesty—!"
A voice cut through the air.
Cold.
Amused.
"So… you finally came."
The king's movements stilled.
Slowly, he turned.
A man stepped out from the shadows, his face unfamiliar—yet his presence carried undeniable danger.
"I was certain you would," the man continued, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A king driven by loyalty is the easiest to lure."
The king's eyes darkened.
"Release him," the man added calmly. "It will make this far more entertaining."
The king said nothing.
Instead, he cut the final rope.
Insu dropped—but before he could hit the ground fully—
A sharp sound pierced the air.
An arrow.
Fast.
Deadly.
It was aimed straight at the king's heart.
"Your Majesty—!"
Without hesitation, Insu shoved him aside.
The arrow struck.
A sickening sound followed.
The king staggered back, eyes widening.
"No—!"
Insu's body went still for a brief second… then collapsed.
The arrow had buried deep into his chest.
Blood spread rapidly.
The forest seemed to freeze.
The king rushed to him, dropping to his knees.
"Insu—! Stay with me!"
Insu's lips trembled slightly.
His eyes, though fading, remained fixed on the king.
A weak smile formed.
"This… is my last loyalty to you… my king…"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Then—
Silence.
His body went limp.
The light in his eyes disappeared.
Gone.
For a moment—
The world stopped.
The king remained there, unmoving, his hands stained with blood.
Then slowly…
Tears filled his eyes.
Not of weakness.
But of rage.
Carefully, he laid Insu's body on the ground.
Gently.
Respectfully.
Then he rose.
The air around him shifted.
His gaze burned with something far more dangerous than grief.
"Attack."
The single word fell like a death sentence.
⸻
War in the Forest
Steel clashed.
The silence of the forest shattered instantly as the king's guards charged forward.
Hidden enemies emerged from every direction.
Blades met blades.
Arrows cut through the air.
Blood stained the earth.
The king moved like a storm unleashed.
Every strike he delivered carried fury.
Every swing of his sword—vengeance.
Men fell before him one after another.
But the enemies kept coming.
They had prepared for this.
They had been waiting.
And far from the palace—
A war had already begun.
⸻
Within the palace walls, chaos unfolded in silence.
A figure walked through the corridors—
Dressed in the king's royal robe.
His face partially hidden beneath shadow.
The king's uncle.
His expression was calm.
Almost pleased.
Guards rushed toward him.
"Your Majesty—!"
They never finished their words.
His sword moved swiftly.
Ruthless.
One strike.
Two.
Bodies fell before they could even react.
Anyone who stood in his way—
Died.
Blood stained the palace floors as he walked forward without hesitation.
His destination was clear.
The Queen Dowager's chambers.
⸻
The doors burst open.
The Queen Dowager stood still.
Waiting.
Her eyes locked onto him.
There was no fear in them.
Only understanding.
"I should have known," she said coldly.
"That it was you behind all of this."
The man stepped forward slowly.
The faintest smile touched his lips.
"You hid well," she continued. "Behind foolish smiles and false loyalty."
Her gaze hardened.
"While plotting treason against your own blood."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
He spoke.
"You should have spoken earlier."
His voice was calm.
Deadly.
"Told him the truth about his mother… before he discovered it himself."
The Queen Dowager's expression shifted slightly.
Not fear—
But regret.
"Your time has come," he finished.
He raised his sword.
But even then—
She did not move.
Did not beg.
Did not resist.
The blade flashed.
And in a single, merciless motion—
Her life ended.
⸻
The forest burned with battle.
The palace drowned in blood.
The king stood surrounded by enemies—
Unaware that behind him—
Everything he once protected…
Was already falling apart.
⸻