King ► N.RK

19

The aftermath of the battle felt surreal as the dust settled in the once-grand palace chamber. Hera already calm a little .

Ni-ki's gaze shifted to the second prince, now subdued and shackled, a mixture of fury and disbelief on his face. Sunghoon had rallied the loyalists, and they worked quickly to restrain him, binding his hands with iron chains forged from the palace's once-proud armory. The council members who had sided with him were also being rounded up, their expressions a blend of confusion and regret.

"Take him to the dungeons," Sunghoon ordered, his voice steady but filled with the weight of their recent victory. The guards nodded and dragged the second prince away, his protests echoing off the stone walls.

Hera felt a pang of sadness as she watched him go. Despite everything, he was still the one whom she made as the main character before "Do you think he will survive on that dark place?" she asked Ni-ki softly, her heart heavy even though she knows Jake is a betrayer.

Ni-ki sighed, running a hand through his hair, his eyes filled with determination. "Maybe
, but now he's too consumed by ambition. He's made his choice." He looked at Hera, his expression firm. "We must focus on the future. This kingdom needs a leader who will protect it."

As the guards led the second prince down the hall, the tension began to lift from the remaining council members. They gathered near Ni-ki, many of them still in shock at the turn of events.

Ni-ki stepped forward, his voice resonating with authority. "You all witnessed the chaos that ambition can wreak. This kingdom cannot be ruled by fear and betrayal. It must be governed with honor and loyalty. I will serve as your king, and together we will restore what has been lost."

A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Hera felt a swell of pride in Ni-ki. He was ready to embrace the weight of the crown, and she would stand beside him as his loyal advisor.

"From this day forth," Ni-ki continued, "I Nishimura RIki will gonna be the king, a king that will serve not just for myself, but as a voice for the people. Together, we will ensure that every decision made reflects the will of the kingdom."

Hera's heart skipped a beat. She had never imagined with just simple words from Riki her heart would flutter much,. He was such a brave character , he might be a villain on my story but then it changes now that I met him.

The assembly nodded in agreement, and a sense of unity began to blossom among them. They had faced darkness together and emerged stronger, ready to forge a new path.

As the council began to discuss the rebuilding of the kingdom, Hera noticed Sunghoon watching from the side, a knowing smile on his face. She approached him, her voice low. "What will happen to the second prince now?"

Sunghoon's expression turned serious. "He will face trial for his crimes. We cannot let him escape justice, even if he is family. The kingdom must see that actions have consequences."

Hera nodded, understanding the necessity of this harsh reality. "And what if he tries to sway the council during the trial?"

"We'll ensure he remains in the dungeons until the day of his trial. His influence is dangerous, but we have allies who stand firm with us," Sunghoon reassured her.

As the council meeting continued, Hera found herself reflecting on the events of the past few days-the betrayal, the chaos, and now, the hope that flickered like a candle in the darkness. With Ni-ki as king and her by his side, they could build a kingdom based on loyalty and strength.