knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

Thoughts?

In the days that followed, the tension in the palace grew thicker with each passing moment. The queen's plans for the marriage moved forward with alarming speed, and it was clear that she had no intention of allowing Killua any room to escape his fate. Advisors came and went, meetings were held behind closed doors, and whispers of alliances filled the halls.

But Killua was no longer passive.

He began to gather information—anything that could be used against his mother's plans. The two of them worked in secret, speaking with palace servants, gathering intel from trusted allies, trying to uncover any weakness they could exploit. It wasn't easy, and the risks were high, but Killua knew it was the only way to take back control of his life.

Despite their efforts, the shadow of the impending marriage loomed large. The court expected Killua to fall in line, to accept his role as the obedient prince. And with every passing day, the pressure mounted.

One night, as they met in one of the hidden passages beneath the palace, Killua leaned against the cold stone wall, his arms crossed as he stared at the ground.

"This might sound crazy..." Gon began, his voice hesitant but filled with an underlying determination. His words were enough to pull Killua from his thoughts, and he turned to face Gon, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

Killua's gaze remained steady as he leaned against the stone wall, arms still crossed. He had known Gon long enough to recognize when he was about to say something that didn't quite fit with the usual straightforward way he approached problems.

"What is it?" Killua asked, his tone laced with curiosity, though his voice betrayed a hint of weariness from the endless scheming they had been engaged in over the past few days.

Gon looked around the dimly lit passageway, almost as if he were checking to make sure no one else could hear them, despite the fact that they were alone. His hesitation was unusual, and Killua's frown deepened. Gon was never one to hold back, but whatever he was thinking now seemed to weigh heavily on him.

"I'll... well—" Gon paused, biting his lip as he tried to gather his thoughts. He wasn't sure if he should say what he was thinking now, or if it was better to wait until everything unfolded. The marriage, the acceptance, the inevitable day when Killua would be standing there, about to be bound to someone he didn't love.

Maybe that would be the moment to act. But even thinking about it made his stomach churn.

Killua tilted his head, his silver eyes narrowing. "Gon, what is it? You're acting weird."

Gon met his gaze and let out a small sigh, finally deciding to speak his mind. He took a step closer to Killua, lowering his voice even though no one else could hear them. "I'm going to wait... until the wedding. Until that moment when they're accepting each other."

Killua's frown deepened, his confusion growing. "Wait for what?" He pushed off the wall, his tone sharpening. "What are you planning, Gon?"

Gon hesitated again, but this time, he pressed forward. "I'm going to object. During the ceremony. When they ask if anyone has a reason why the two of you shouldn't be married—I'm going to speak up."

Killua blinked in shock, his mouth falling open slightly. Of all the things Gon could've said, this wasn't what he expected. Objecting? During the ceremony?

"That's..." Killua's words trailed off as he tried to wrap his mind around what Gon was suggesting. "That's crazy, Gon."

"I know." Gon gave him a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it might be the only way to stop it. If I speak up, it'll cause a scene. It'll force everyone to stop and listen. Maybe it'll give you the chance to say something, to refuse the marriage yourself."

Killua stared at him, his mind racing. The idea of Gon objecting in front of the entire court, in front of his mother, was... bold. And reckless. And dangerous. But it was also the kind of thing Gon would do without hesitation—throwing himself into the fire if it meant helping Killua.

"You can't do that," Killua said, shaking his head, though his heart was pounding at the thought. "My mother would kill you."

Gon's grin widened slightly, though his eyes were serious. "I'll take my chances. I can't just sit there and watch you go through with something that's going to destroy you."

Killua's chest tightened, and he clenched his fists at his sides, trying to keep his emotions in check. The idea of Gon standing up for him like that, of risking everything in front of the court—of putting his life on the line for Killua's sake—made his heart ache. He wasn't sure how to respond.

"You don't have to do this," Killua whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "I... I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

Gon stepped even closer, his hand gently resting on Killua's shoulder. "I'd rather risk getting hurt than let you suffer through that marriage. You deserve better than this, Killua. And I'm not going to let you go through it alone."

Killua's throat tightened as he looked into Gon's eyes, filled with that same unwavering loyalty that had always been there. It wasn't just about the marriage anymore—it was about everything. Their entire lives had been leading up to this moment, this fight for Killua's future, and Gon was ready to throw himself into the fire to protect him.

"But what if it doesn't work?" Killua asked, his voice small. "What if they just ignore you?"

"They won't," Gon said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."

Killua's mind spun with the possibilities—what would happen when Gon objected, what his mother's reaction would be, how the court would respond. It was risky. It was dangerous. But it was also a chance. A chance to break free, to take control of his life. He wasn't sure if it would work, but for the first time in a long while, Killua felt like there was a way forward.

"I don't know if this will end well," Killua admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I trust you, Gon. I always have."

Gon smiled, his grip on Killua's shoulder tightening slightly, reassuringly. "Doing this for you"

Killua's heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, he allowed himself to believe that maybe—just maybe—there was hope. It wasn't a perfect plan. It wasn't even a good plan. But it was something. And right now, something was better than nothing.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Alright," Killua said, nodding. "We'll do it your way. But if things go south, we need a backup plan."

Gon nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "We'll be ready."