THE PRICE OF WAR [Taka x Reader]

XXXIX. The Fall

The turret fell shortly afterwards. The entire west wing of the castle collapsed in a matter of seconds, burying everyone nearby. Dryon's corpse was found in the rubble by several soldiers. It didn't take long to decide what to do with it. He was insulted, beaten and beaten by hundreds of soldiers and animals until he was completely decomposed, to the point that his remains were mixed with the mud of the battlefield. It was a more than humiliating ending for the worst leader this world has ever known. Today there is no plaque in his memory. Only the history books mention it on one page, but Dryon's name has long since disappeared from the world. Some even forbid mentioning him and prefer to refer to him as the "Unwanted", thinking that the only thing that causes him to pronounce his real name makes his memory stay alive.

What they do try to keep alive, and also at all costs, is the victory that took place that day. Many worshipers come to Emmeldris to see with their own eyes the site of the most famous battle in recent history. And, if they are lucky, to be able to observe the Kings greet from their balcony.

"Long live Queen Aalyn!"

That praise echoed throughout the city that afternoon. Dragons and animals ended up destroying the walls and the soldiers ran to lay siege to the castle and destroy the few remaining soldiers of Dryon that were still alive. You landed in the middle of the battlefield with a bloody side, but stable. Dozens of soldiers came to your aid instantly, and amid shouts, cheers and applause, they took you inside the castle to assist you. The animals withdrew, ready to spread the news throughout the kingdom that it would not take long to make itself known. Taka and the others tried to go after you, but the crowd prevented them from seeing where they were taking you and it took them a long time to get inside the castle. Once inside, they asked at least a dozen men about you and their answers led the five of them to a room guarded by three soldiers, tall and strong as a closet. By their appearance, the three came from the Elevin Islands, famous for the height and complexion of its inhabitants.

"Stop right there!" all three exclaimed.

A score of soldiers prayed around them, begging God to heal soon from your wounds.

"Let us pass, please" asked Taka.

"No one can see the Queen now" replied one of the soldiers.

"Please, she knows us" Yrion replied and Taka nodded.

"And who says that?" another of the soldiers laughed.

"She..." Taka said "She needs to see me... Please let us pass. I beg you "

"What Your Majesty needs now is to rest. Don't force us to kick you out of here" the same soldier threatened him as the other two reached for their swords.

"They are right, Taka..." said Toru placing a hand on his friend's shoulder "She will be exhausted, she needs to rest"

"But..."

"Wait just a little longer" Yrion told him.

Taka looked at him. Despite everything they all had lived through so far, he had never trusted him enough. Knowing that you had been in love with him made him nervous. But it did not make him less right. Taka looked back at the guards.

"Please let her know that we have come to see her" he said before leaving.

"Sure, sure ..." the guards laughed after a few seconds.

The following weeks were very confusing. Little by little, the bodies were removed from the battlefield and more and more people came to Emmeldris attracted by the news. Every day, cars and more cars arrived with tens, hundreds of people. The castle was reserved for you and the visits of diplomats, politicians and architects who were supposed to speak with you. That of course did not include Taka and the others, who settled in a dilapidated house near the entrance to the castle. Emmeldris was the largest city they had ever seen, and seeing so many people together was certainly a sight for them. Taka couldn't stop thinking about you. He still hadn't been able to get to talk to you. You must be overwhelmed. And who would not be, after being captured and tortured, living a battle, discovering being the heir to the crown, and suddenly being forced to move a country in ruins forward? It was obvious that you didn't have time for him. He felt a twinge in his chest. Have you forgotten him? He hadn't done anything for you. He hadn't helped you at all since you found out you were the Queen. Everything had changed since then. He no longer had any role in your life. You had gone from being a villager to a monarch in less than a year. And him? He was still the same as ever. Same old coward. The one who abandoned his family, his future wife, and the one who now abandoned the only woman he had loved unconditionally as a tear welled up in his brown eyes and he gazed at the banners that hung from the castle towers, announcing the future coronation of the future Queen Aalyn I.