Chapter 1
At the victory banquet, the golden lights of the royal palace cast a pale glow over the face of the King, Rhett Powell.
Though blind, he, guided by his attendants, personally handed the scepter, the symbol of Floretino's military command, to my sister, Katherine Langston.
"Katherine risked her life to save me and repel the enemy. For her great service, she is hereby granted the title of Protector of the Realm and a reward of a thousand gold coins," Rhett announced.
His voice was gentle, with a softness I had never heard when he spoke to me.
Katherine curtsied with a bashful grace, her skirt brushing the steps.
As she rose, her gaze suddenly turned sharp, and she pointed at me, kneeling below, smudged with soot and battered from battle.
She said, "Your Majesty, Isabella is petty and jealous. Seeing me favored by you and honored, she stole my old training armor and disguised herself as a soldier to claim credit for herself.
"She even secretly shoved me, trying to sabotage my rescue. I beg you to punish her severely to set an example."
Her tearful accusations were all lies, and she had forgotten I had dragged her out of the hellish battlefield and allowed her to claim the glory for pacifying the border and saving the palace.
Rhett, who once held my hand and promised to marry me with a grand procession after I pacified the realm, whom I had fought so hard to protect and help secure his throne, didn't give me a chance to defend myself.
He didn't even care to hear my side or notice the tremble in my breath. He waved his hand, his voice as cold as winter snow. "Your hands are unclean.
"You are jealous and tried to harm a hero. So, have your hands and feet snapped, and you'll be sent to the Tower of Sinning. You are never to come near me again."
The guards swarmed forward, pinning my battered body down. The cold blades sliced through my wrists one after another, the sharp snap of tendons mixing with searing pain that shot through me.
Warm blood spurted out, splattering onto the cold gold bricks and blooming into bright red flowers. My hands went limp, unable to even clench into fists.
I trembled with pain, cold sweat soaking through my clothes, but I didn't cry out.
I stared at the familiar yet distant figure on the throne, swallowing the metallic taste in my throat, my voice hoarse but clear.
"Thank you for your grace." Before the words were out, I used the guards' pressure to tense my arms, clamping the object in my arms with all my strength.
Even if my hands were ruined, I would do this last thing with absolute resolve.
Gritting my teeth, I tensed my arms, using every ounce of strength to pull out the death-exemption decree from my embrace, which Rhett had given me.
It was a symbol that could spare me from execution and let me defy his orders. It was the glory I had earned through countless bloody battles, fighting to keep Floretino safe.
*****
The death-exemption decree was soaked in my blood, stinging my eyes. With reckless determination, I suddenly raised my arm and hurled the decree at Rhett's feet.
The sharp sound drowned out the whispers in the hall, and even the soul-crushing pain in my ruined hands.
I shouted, "I've protected Floretino for ten years, crushed the enemy in a hundred battles, and saved you three times. I have never betrayed Floretino, and I have never betrayed you, Your Majesty."
Bracing myself against the ground, I slowly lifted my head. The loyalty and love in my eyes were gone, replaced by a bone-deep chill.
I added coldly, "But from today on, I won't protect this kingdom of Floretino and this foolish King anymore."
My blood in the decree spilled, crawling toward Rhett's boots.
His brows furrowed slightly, the thick metallic scent of blood hitting his nose and making him instinctively take a half-step back.
"Isabella, are you threatening me?" His voice was cold and hard, tinged with offended displeasure.
Katherine let out a sharp cry, cowering against Rhett and clutching his sleeve for dear life.
She said softly, "Your Majesty, be careful. Isabella dared to toss the royal decree. This is treason. She's turning against you."
Katherine's voice shook, but as she hid behind Rhett, her eyes flashed with a poisonous, victorious delight.
I slumped to the floor, my hands dangling uselessly at my sides. The agony twisted everything before my eyes into a blur.
"Treason?" I let out a laugh, bloody froth choking my throat.
I sneered, "If I really wanted to rebel, Rhett, do you think you'd still be sitting on that throne, letting this woman poison your ear with her schemes?"
"How dare you!" Rhett slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.
Even though he was blind, the force of his years as King made the whole court go dead silent.
He shouted, "You stole credit for the victory, tried to harm Katherine, and now, you dare to call me by my name!"
He fumbled for the cup on his desk, then, following the sound of my voice, hurled it hard at my forehead.
Smash! The cup splintered, and blood and flesh burst open across my brow.
Warm blood streamed over my left eye, but I couldn't muster the strength to wipe it away.
"Stealing credit for the victory?" I locked my gaze on his blind eyes, my voice hoarse and broken, like fabric torn apart by the wind.
I retorted sharply, "Rhett, three years ago, on the tundra of Averivlle, who carried you for three days and nights, evading a hundred assassins?
"Two years ago, when chaos erupted in Bozasom, who single-handedly reclaimed the Great Seal for you from thousands of enemies?"