𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟵𝟭; queenslayer

THE PALACE COURTYARD BUZZED WITH ANTICIPATION AS A SEA OF FACES GATHERED TO WITNESS A MOMENTOUS EVENT — THE EXECUTION OF THE QUEEN DOWAGER. Rumours had spread like wildfire, carrying tales of her treachery and the harm she had inflicted upon Jieun, the beloved consort of King Riki. The people yearned for justice, and today, their desire would be fulfilled.

Riki stood tall on the elevated platform, flanked by Jieun, her face bearing the scars of the Queen Dowager's assault, and a council of trusted advisers. The air crackled with tension, the collective anger of the masses palpable. They hungered for retribution, for an end to the tyranny that had plagued their kingdom for far too long.

Dressed in regal attire, the Queen Dowager stood at the centre of the courtyard, shackled and surrounded by guards. Her once-imposing presence had waned, her arrogance replaced with a realisation of the dire circumstances she faced. Her eyes darted around, searching for a way out, but the weight of her misdeeds bore heavily upon her.

Riki stepped forward, his voice commanding and resolute, echoing across the courtyard. 'People of our noble kingdom, today we gather to witness the judgment that fate has decreed upon the Queen Dowager for her heinous crimes. Her actions have brought pain and suffering upon innocent lives, and we shall not tolerate such transgressions any longer.'

The crowd roared in agreement, their voices blending into a thunderous chorus of unified condemnation. They yearned for justice, for the restoration of peace and the eradication of corruption.

Jieun stepped forward, her voice carrying a quiet strength that resonated with the onlookers. 'My fellow citizens, I stand before you as a symbol of resilience and defiance. The Queen Dowager sought to break me, to extinguish my spirit, but I stand here today, unbowed and unbroken.'

Her words struck a chord within the hearts of the gathered crowd. They saw in her the embodiment of their own struggles, a reminder that no one was beyond redemption, and that justice would prevail.

As the tension reached its zenith, Riki raised his hand, signaling the executioner to step forward. The silence that befell the courtyard was deafening as the executioner approached the Queen Dowager with measured steps.

The Queen Dowager's gaze flickered between her accusers, her defiance waning with each passing second. Her voice trembled as she uttered, 'I did what I believed was necessary to protect the crown, to secure our future.'

Riki's eyes bore into hers, filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. 'Your misguided intentions have brought pain and suffering to those we hold dear. The crown does not warrant the sacrifice of innocence. You shall face the consequences of your actions.'

As the executioner prepared to carry out the sentence, Jieun stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tense silence. 'I do not seek vengeance, nor do I revel in this moment. But justice must be served, and the Queen Dowager must answer for her crimes.'

With a swift motion, the executioner's blade fell, severing the ties that bound the Queen Dowager to this mortal realm. The crowd held its breath, a mixture of relief and solemnity washing over them. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air, the consequences of their actions echoing through Riki's mind.

As the life force left his mother's body, a rush of conflicting emotions surged within Riki. Guilt gnawed at him, whispering accusations of being responsible for the deaths of both his mother and father. The weight of the titles bestowed upon him — kinslayer, kingslayer, queenslayer — pressed upon his conscience, threatening to engulf him in doubt and self-loathing.

But before his thoughts could spiral further, a pained gasp from Jieun snapped him back to reality. He turned to her, his heart wrenching at the sight of her wincing in pain, her hand pressed against her wounded waist. In that moment, all-consuming guilt began to intertwine with a fierce protectiveness within him.

Riki's gaze shifted from Jieun's injured form to the lifeless corpse of his mother, the one who had caused her suffering. The conflicting emotions within him clashed like opposing forces. He felt a twisted sense of reassurance, as if justice had been served, and yet, the burden of his actions weighed heavily on his shoulders.

As his eyes met Jieun's, he saw the resilience that burned within her, the unwavering determination to rise above the pain and darkness. It was then that he realized the complexity of his emotions. He couldn't deny the relief he felt, knowing that the Queen Dowager would no longer be able to harm Jieun or anyone else. But he also could not escape the guilt that tainted his soul, a constant reminder of the price paid for their freedom.