knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

Issues

"We should probably head back," Gon said softly, breaking the quiet stillness that had enveloped them.

Killua tensed at the words. His body stiffened, and for a moment, he felt the familiar weight of dread settle over him. The reality of what awaited them back at the palace—the stern gaze of his mother, the pressure of his royal obligations, and the looming specter of the arranged marriage—crashed over him like a tidal wave.

He didn't respond right away, his mind racing with all the things that still felt unresolved. Part of him wanted to stay hidden in the forest, in this quiet, forgotten cabin, where he could pretend that the world outside didn't exist. But he knew that wasn't possible. Running away wouldn't solve anything.

Killua let out a long sigh, rising to his feet with reluctance. He wiped at his eyes one last time before nodding at Gon, though the tightness in his chest remained. "Yeah... I guess we should," he muttered, his voice low, the usual fire in his tone dimmed by the weight of what awaited them.

But as they made their way through the forest, Killua found himself lagging behind, his steps slow and hesitant. The closer they got to the palace, the more his nerves frayed. He wasn't ready to face his mother, not after everything. She would no doubt be furious, but it wasn't her anger that frightened him—it was the control she held over his life. No matter how much he tried to resist, her influence always felt inescapable, like chains tightening around his neck.

As the palace walls came into view, towering over them in the distance, Killua's stomach twisted with dread. He fell in behind Gon, not wanting to see the palace, not wanting to confront the reality of what awaited them. Gon glanced back at him, sensing the tension, but didn't say anything. He understood.

Killua's mind was filled with thoughts of what would happen next. His mother would demand explanations, and she wouldn't hesitate to punish him for his rebellion. She would tighten her grip, reminding him once again of his place, of the future she had chosen for him. And worse, she would likely punish Gon as well—whether for failing to keep him under control or for aiding him, even if unintentionally.

As they walked, Killua found himself wishing that things could be different, that he could escape this life once and for all. But the reality was that he couldn't just run forever. His mother would find him, no matter where he went. She always did.

"Killua." Gon's voice broke through his thoughts, and Killua looked up, meeting Gon's warm gaze. "I know you're worried. But whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Killua swallowed hard, nodding even though his heart was still racing. Gon had always been his rock, the one person he could rely on when everything else fell apart. And yet, as much as he wanted to lean on Gon, there was a part of him that felt guilty for dragging him into this mess. Gon didn't deserve to be caught in the middle of his family's power games.

Still, Killua found comfort in Gon's presence. As they reached the palace gates, the guards stationed there gave them cautious glances but made no move to stop them. It was clear that word of Killua's disappearance had spread through the palace like wildfire.

They walked in silence, the heavy atmosphere of the palace closing in around them. The grand halls, once familiar, now felt like a cage. Every corner seemed to hold shadows of his mother's influence, and the weight of expectation pressed down on Killua's shoulders with every step.

Finally, they reached the throne room.

Killua's heart pounded in his chest as the massive doors loomed before them. He stayed behind Gon, not wanting to face the inevitable encounter with his mother, not wanting to see the look of cold disappointment in her eyes. He hated that look. It was worse than her anger because it reminded him of how small and powerless he felt under her control.

But Gon didn't hesitate. He pushed the doors open with a steady hand, and together, they stepped inside.

The throne room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the large windows that stretched up to the ceiling, casting long shadows across the floor. At the far end of the room, seated on her throne, was the queen—Killua's mother. She was as regal and poised as ever, her expression unreadable, but Killua could feel the cold fury radiating from her even from across the room.

Her gaze fell on him immediately, sharp and piercing. The silence in the room was suffocating.

"Killua," she said, her voice like ice. "You have some explaining to do."

Killua felt a shiver run down his spine, and instinctively, he moved closer to Gon, using him as a shield, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. "Mother," he said, forcing his voice to stay steady, though it cracked ever so slightly.

"You ran from your responsibilities," the queen continued, her tone dripping with disapproval. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions? The shame you've brought upon this kingdom with your childish rebellion?"

Killua's fists tightened at his sides, but he kept his gaze lowered. He wanted to fight back, to tell her that he didn't care about the kingdom or her plans. But he knew it would do no good. She wouldn't listen.

"Your place is here, as prince, as future king," his mother said, her voice growing colder. "You will not defy me again. And as for this arrangement—" She paused, her gaze flickering to Gon for a brief second before settling back on Killua. "You will go through with it. The marriage will secure our future."

Killua's blood boiled at her words. Every part of him wanted to scream, to tell her that this wasn't what he wanted, that she couldn't control his life forever. But instead, he remained silent, biting his tongue, his heart pounding in his chest.

But Gon wasn't silent.

With a deep breath, Gon stepped forward, standing between Killua and the queen. "With all due respect, Your Majesty," Gon said, his voice steady but firm, "Killua deserves a say in his own future. Forcing him into a marriage for political reasons—it's not fair."

The queen's eyes narrowed dangerously, and the air in the room seemed to drop several degrees. "And who are you to speak of fairness?" she asked, her voice venomous. "You are his guard, nothing more."

Gon's jaw clenched, but he didn't back down. "I'm his friend. And I care about his happiness."

Killua's heart swelled at Gon's words, but at the same time, fear gripped him. He knew his mother didn't take kindly to being challenged, especially not by someone she considered beneath her. And while Gon's loyalty meant everything to him, he didn't want his mother's wrath to fall on him.

The queen rose from her throne, her gaze dark and menacing as she approached them. "Happiness?" she repeated, her tone mocking. "Happiness is a luxury, one that this kingdom cannot afford. Killua's duty is to his people, to his crown. His personal desires are irrelevant."

Killua felt a surge of anger at her words. He wanted to scream at her that she was wrong, that his life mattered, that his happiness wasn't something she could just cast aside. But he couldn't. He couldn't do it.

Before he could say anything, however, Gon spoke again, his voice soft but determined. "I understand duty, Your Majesty. But I also know that Killua deserves to live his own life. To make his own choices."

The tension in the room was palpable, and for a moment, it felt as though everything hung in the balance. The queen's cold gaze shifted between them, her expression unreadable. Then, with a dismissive wave of her hand, she turned her back on them.

"Enough," she said coldly. "This conversation is over."

Killua stared at her, his heart pounding, but he knew there was nothing more he could say. Nothing more he could do. His mother's decision was final, and no matter how much he resisted, no matter how much Gon stood by him, her grip on his life was as tight as ever.

With a heavy heart, Killua turned and followed Gon out of the throne room, his mind swirling with emotions he couldn't quite put into words. As they stepped back into the palace halls, the weight of the encounter settled over them both.

Gon turned to him, his expression soft but concerned. "We'll figure something out, Killua," he said quietly. "I won't let her take your life away from you."

Killua nodded, but the fear and frustration in his chest remained. The battle against his mother's control wasn't over—not by a long shot. But at least, with Gon by his side, he didn't have to face it alone.