knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

Nightmares

The days leading up to the wedding were agonizing. Killua felt like he was living in a dream, watching everything unfold from a distance. The palace was a flurry of activity as preparations for the grand ceremony were finalized. The court was buzzing with excitement, the nobles whispering about the political implications of the union, the alliances that would be strengthened through the marriage.

But for Killua, it felt like the noose was tightening around his neck.

Gon was always close by, watching over him like a silent guardian. They didn't speak much about the plan after their conversation in the passage. They both knew what needed to be done, and talking about it wouldn't change anything. But the tension between them was palpable, a quiet understanding that they were walking a dangerous path.

The queen, of course, was in her element. She was more focused, more calculating than ever. She had sensed Killua's growing defiance, but her confidence in the inevitability of the marriage made her blind to the rebellion brewing right under her nose. She thought she had won—that her plans were unstoppable.

But Killua wasn't going down without a fight.

The night before the wedding, Killua stood alone on the same balcony where Gon had confessed his feelings to him just days before. The stars were bright, twinkling against the dark canvas of the sky, but they offered no comfort tonight. His heart was heavy, and the weight of what was about to happen pressed down on him like a boulder.

He could still feel Gon's words from that night echoing in his mind. I love you. It was a truth Killua had wanted to hear for so long, and now that he had it, he was terrified of losing it. He knew that once Gon made his stand at the wedding, everything would change. There would be no going back.

Killua's fingers curled into fists, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Would this plan work? Would they really be able to stop the marriage, or would it only make things worse? What would his mother do when Gon stood up in front of everyone and spoke out against her?

His chest tightened with fear, but beneath the fear was something else—a flicker of hope. He wasn't alone in this fight. Gon had made sure of that. And as long as they were together, Killua knew he had a chance.

The next day would decide everything.

The day of the wedding dawned with a heavy, oppressive air. The palace was filled with guests dressed in their finest attire, the grand hall decorated with flowers and banners celebrating the union. The atmosphere was one of celebration, but for Killua, it felt more like a funeral.

He stood in his chambers, dressed in the elaborate robes befitting a prince on his wedding day. But the fabric felt suffocating, the weight of the crown on his head like a shackle around his neck. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, trying to find the resolve he needed to go through with the plan.

Gon stood behind him, silent but present. Killua could see the tension in his friend's posture, the way Gon's hands were clenched at his sides as if he were preparing for a battle. And in a way, he was.

"You ready for this?" Gon asked quietly.

Killua took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "No. But let's do it anyway."

Each day before the wedding seemed to stretch on forever, and with every sunrise, Killua felt the weight of his impending fate grow heavier. The tension was palpable, not only within him but also in the palace, where whispers about the political implications of the marriage and its importance filled every corner. For the courtiers and advisors, this was a momentous event. But for Killua, it was a slow march toward his own undoing.