In a kingdom torn by power struggles and political intrigue, Jieun, the rightful heir to the throne of the East, finds herself sidelined as her brother, Jungwon, takes control. Determined to reclaim her birthright, Jieun seeks alliances and forms a...
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JIEUN STOOD AMIDST THE DESOLATE LANDSCAPE, the remnants of the once vibrant free islands reduced to charred ruins. The air hung heavy with the scent of smoke and destruction, and an eerie silence enveloped the scorched earth. As she took a hesitant step forward, her gaze scanned the ashen ground, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had unleashed.
A small breath escaped her lips, filled with a mix of regret and realisation. The magnitude of the devastation she had wrought settled upon her, stirring conflicting emotions within her soul. The path she had chosen, fuelled by grief and righteous fury, had left a trail of destruction in its wake. The cost of vengeance was steep, and she now grappled with the consequences of her actions.
Before Jieun could fully process the weight of her emotions, Riki's voice cut through the heavy silence. He stood by her side, his eyes fixed upon the ruins, his voice filled with a firm conviction. 'They deserved this,' he stated, his words laced with an unyielding resolve. It was a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by those they had sought to vanquish, the pain inflicted upon innocent lives. In his eyes, their retribution was a necessary and just response.
Jieun turned to face him, her gaze searching his eyes for answers, for solace. Conflicting emotions warred within her, torn between the desire for justice and the overwhelming grief that consumed her. She understood the weight of their enemies' actions, the suffering they had caused. Yet, the toll it had taken on her own soul left her questioning the righteousness of her path.
'They deserved this, Jieun,' Riki reiterated, his tone firm and resolute.
Slowly nodded, she fixed her gaze on the remnants of the once-thriving civilization. 'They did, didn't they?' she whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and conviction.
'They killed her.'.
Jieun's voice trembled as she spoke, her guilt weighing heavily upon her. 'I killed her,' she confessed, her admission punctuated by a painful realization. 'If not for me, she would have been alive.'
'It was a choice she made,' he argued. 'A choice driven by her own sense of duty and loyalty.'
'But that duty, that loyalty, was tied to me,' she protested, the weight of her responsibility crushing her. 'I bear the burden of her sacrifice.'
Riki's gaze softened as he reached out to gently grasp Jieun's hand, offering her a small measure of comfort. 'Her death was not in vain,' he insisted, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. 'Look around us, Jieun. The pirates that once haunted these islands are gone. We have an opportunity to establish a stronghold here, gaining control over the pitched sea.'
'But at what cost?' she murmured, her gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape. 'It would take years for the vegetation to regrow. No one would be able to live here for a while.'
'Good,' he asserted. 'That means the east cannot claim this land. It becomes a strategic advantage for us, a testament to the sacrifices made.'
A wistful smile graced Jieun's lips as she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. 'Jiho would have done this if I were in Lady Kim's shoes,' she confessed, referring to her late older brother. Jiho had been a wise and revered figure in their family.
'Then Jiho was a wise man,' he acknowledged, his words carrying the weight of respect.
Jieun's voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting to the past. 'He was,' she murmured, her words laced with bittersweet remembrance.
Riki leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Jieun's temple. It was a tender gesture, a silent reassurance that he was there for her, offering support and love amidst the devastation that surrounded them.
Sunghoon and Jake approached the captive pirate king, their expressions hardened with determination. The pirate king, battered and bruised, struggled weakly against their grip, his taunts turning into desperate pleas for mercy.
'You think you can defeat us?' the pirate king sneered, landing on his knees in front of Jieun, his voice strained. 'You're just a puppet queen, surrounded by your loyal lapdogs. You think you've won, little queen? Your precious Lady Kim met her end because of your folly. Her blood stains your hands.'
Jieun stood tall, her eyes fixed on the defeated pirate king before her. His feeble attempts to fight back only served to highlight his powerlessness in the face of their victory. She felt a mix of anger and grief welling up within her, fuelled by his disrespectful words and taunts about Lady Kim's tragic demise.
Riki, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward, his voice firm and commanding. 'Enough,' he declared, his gaze piercing through the pirate king's defiance. 'You stand before the rightful queen of these lands. Show some respect or face the consequences.'
The pirate king sneered, his face contorted with malice. 'Queen or not, you're nothing but a murderer,' he spat, his words laced with venom. 'Your precious Lady Kim paid the price for your ambition.'
'Lady Kim's sacrifice was her own choice, and her legacy will live on,' she retorted, her tone icy and unwavering. 'But you, pirate king, will face the consequences of your actions. Your reign of terror ends today.'
He spit again. 'Fuck you Riki and your cunt of a wife.'
As the pirate king's vile words lingered in the air, Riki's patience reached its limit. In one swift motion, he unsheathed his sword and struck down the captive pirate king, severing the source of their torment. Blood stained the ground, a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who dared to challenge their resolve.
Jieun's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively covering her mouth to stifle a gasp. The reality of the moment hit her with full force, the brutal act unfolding before her eyes. The mixture of horror and disbelief etched across her face, momentarily paralysing her.
Riki, sensing her distress, swiftly turned to embrace her, his strong arms enveloping her trembling form. He whispered soothingly into her ear, his voice a gentle balm against the storm of emotions raging within her. 'My sweet Jieun,' he murmured, his words filled with unwavering support. 'I will always protect you, no matter the cost.'
She clung to him, finding solace in his comforting presence. His actions, though jarring, were a testament to his unwavering loyalty and his commitment to ensuring their safety.
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