let's run to neverland! ⤷ m.teru

xvii

One day, a royal guard stiffly stood in the middle of the plaza. All eyes, including y/n's, were focused on the man. They were curious about the guard's sudden visit.

Y/n remembered pausing her work for that time just to hear the information the man is giving.

The soldier took out a piece of parchment out of his pocket. His voice was heard throughout the plaza even if he wasn't using an amplification tool. The words that the man said were etched deep within y/n's heart. Enough to make it feel like her soul had left her body.

"Prince Minamoto had invited the king to a royal duel. The winner chosen will become the new ruler of the kingdom." There was a pause before the man continued, "The duel will be to the death."

Y/n hadn't been able to sleep at all ever since she heard the news.

The atmosphere around her was the same as wellー it was gloomy. Sure, some people hate the first prince due to the rumors circulating, but they weren't able to hide their shock when the words 'to the death' reached their ears.

Waiting for the day of the duel to come felt hideous. Every single day y/n had to fight the anxiety bubbling up inside her, it almost felt like hell.

No matter how much she tries to shove down the matter, her mind was screaming at the worst-case scenarios that could happen. She can't fathom the fact ofー

The fact of Teru leaving her completely.

When there was only one day left to the duel, Y/n dreamt of being held by a man with golden locks she has grown to love.

__________

Y/n remembered sitting on a part of the arena that's the closest to where the father and son duo are going to be fighting each other. Her feelings were running amok as if her heart was ready to jump out any second.

She remembered holding her breath as she watched Teru getting hurt from his father's endless attacks.

She remembered clenching her fists together to the point where they drew blood. Worry flooded in the more the battle was drawn out.

But on top of that, there was anger and disbelief that filled her.

"Why did you do this?" Her voice came out muffled, not enough for the people next to her to hear. E/c eyes were glued tightly to where Teru is.

Y/n didn't understand it.

Why was Teru willing to do something so dangerous just for his people? (Just for herself—) Why was he willing to start a duel with someone known to be the strongest man in the kingdom? Why had he been willing to place a bet with his life?

A curse subconsciously slipped out of her mouth.

She didn't understand how a person as good as Teru existed.

The sight in front of her made her throat dry. The prince's shield was slowly getting chipped away. Wooden pieces started to fall on the ground lifelessly. No one dared to say a thing, not when the outcome is already clear in their eyes; that their prince will die in the hands of his own father today.

Y/n was not a person who backs down for a fight. Ever since she was young, she forced herself to keep living against all odds. She only managed to survive this long because of her determination to keep breathing, to see the day where her efforts become worth it. Whenever the h/c haired girl found trouble, she'd find ways to get out of the situation. But now, now it feels like she couldn't do anything.

Y/n was stuck, sitting on the audience rows without being able to help the one she loved. Her mind spurted out hopeful thoughts for Teru to come out alive, he didn't have to win. No, all he needs is to come out standing, smiling back at her without the dangers looming over him.

Y/n felt like she's completely, utterly hopeless.

That's when time felt like it stopped. She stared wide-eyed at the sword which came crashing down on her lover.

Her everything.

E/c colored eyes closed.

At the very least, spare me from seeing him die.

Instead of a very gruesome sound of blade against flesh, what everyone heard was the sound of a blade clanging against another blade. Surprised murmurs instantly flooded the audience. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.

The scene greeting her was something unimaginable. Though it's real, it's happening.

"What the hell.." A man gaped.

"H.. Hey isn't that.." Another one questioned.

The wielder of the blade was defending with ease as if the king's mighty attacks didn't sway them at all. Y/n had to squint so she could see the person's appearance better. It was a woman with a perfectly toned body, hinting at how she probably used to be a fighter back in the days. Her grip on the sword didn't waver in the slightest. Short golden hair lightly fluttered alongside the breeze.

Finally, a man answered,

"The queen."

Yes, the one who had shielded Minamoto Teru was in fact, the queen who'd long disappeared from public eyes.

xx.

HEHE  y/n and teru's mother are both girlbosses you cant change my mind

anyways hello! i forgot to update this,, huu school has been tough o(-( also, im now writing on wattpad web so im sorry if the setup (???) or like,, the centered texts and shit arent working ㅠㅠ

this story is gonna end soon i hope! :)