knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

here

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For a moment, Killua's resolve wavered. His father's words hit him harder than any blow, but then he remembered Alluka, Gon, and everyone else who had been suffering under the queen's rule. His mother had manipulated, tortured, and driven the kingdom to the brink of destruction for her own ambition. This was no time to falter.

Killua took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he met his father's gaze. "I *do* have to do this," he said, his voice firm despite the tight knot of emotion in his chest. "I won't let her destroy everything for her own power. I won't let either of you destroy our home."

Silva's expression darkened, and for the first time, there was something resembling pain in his eyes. "You're throwing everything away, Killua. You're risking your sister, your friends... everything you've ever cared about."

"I'm *saving* everything I care about," Killua shot back, his voice rising. "This isn't about rebellion. It's about justice. It's about giving this kingdom back to the people. You're the ones who are too blinded by power to see it."

The queen, still seated on her throne, laughed softly. It was a sound that sent chills down Killua's spine. "You think you're a hero, don't you? You think you can save the kingdom from us? You're just a child, Killua, playing at being a ruler. You've always been too soft, too weak. And now, you're going to see what real power looks like."

With a flick of her wrist, the guards tightened their grip on Lady Sylva, dragging her toward the center of the room. The queen's eyes gleamed with malice as she looked down at her son. "I could end this right now, Killua. I could crush your rebellion before it even begins. But I'll give you a choice."

Killua's heart raced, his body tense with fear and anger. "What choice?"

The queen stood slowly, her presence commanding the room as she stepped closer to Killua. "You can end this charade. You can swear your loyalty to me, to your father, and continue your life as the obedient son. I'll spare your friends, your allies. I'll even allow Lady Sylva to live. All you have to do is submit."

Killua's blood boiled as he stared at his mother, the weight of her words settling over him like a shroud. Submit? After everything she had done, after all the lives she had destroyed? She wanted him to bow down, to give up the fight?

He couldn't do it. He wouldn't.

"And if I refuse?" Killua asked, his voice shaking with barely restrained fury.

The queen's smile widened, cruel and wicked. "If you refuse, Lady Sylva dies here and now. Your rebellion will crumble, your allies will be hunted down, and your sister... well, I can't promise Alluka will remain unharmed."

Killua's heart plummeted. His mother was holding all the cards, and she knew it. She was playing on his greatest fears—losing the people he loved. And now she was forcing him to choose between the rebellion and the lives of those closest to him.

His eyes darted to Lady Sylva. She stood tall, her eyes locked with his, and in that moment, there was something unspoken between them—a plea not for her own life, but for Killua to stand firm. She wasn't asking for mercy. She was asking for strength.

Killua's fists clenched, his mind racing. He couldn't sacrifice his allies, his sister, for the sake of pride or rebellion. But he also couldn't surrender to his mother's tyranny. The kingdom would never be free if he bowed now.

"I'm sorry, Lady Sylva," Killua whispered under his breath, his heart aching with the weight of his decision.

Before he could speak, the doors to the throne room burst open, and Gon strode in, his presence like a breath of fresh air in the suffocating tension. His eyes were fierce, filled with determination as he made his way to Killua's side.