Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 246: Fall of a king (4)

"You spoiled my fun. I had plans to kill my way through the palace guards, but I must confess, this is exciting to see," Kaden said, watching as the palace guards lowered their weapons. "Secure the palace!"

Dante rode ahead of Kaden, entering the palace to find Sebastian and Edward. "Where is the king and crown prince?" He questioned a guard.

"We were told that King Edward was killed, so now Prince Sebastian rules the kingdom. He has abandoned us to hide while we fight."

Dante looked back at Kaden and shared, "Edward is dead. Our focus is now on Sebastian and finding the other royals." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Kaden wasn’t pleased with the news. He harboured years of hate for Edward and looked forward to the moment he would kill Edward.

"You were right. They killed him. It is not the satisfaction I sought, but I will look forward to killing Sebastian. The bastard didn’t make any moves to protect the townspeople. He would have been worse than his father," Kaden said as he watched guards get to their knees.

The kingdom wouldn’t be safe with a king like Sebastian, and Kaden would rather die fighting than allow the kingdom to face another tyrant. Another king to slaughter families when he can’t get his way.

In Kaden’s eyes, the palace could have put up a better fight, which would have lasted days if it had the right leader. Sebastian was another greedy son who wanted his father’s title, but didn’t leave the responsibilities that came with it.

Dante got down from his horse. "Gather the men who have surrendered and keep them here. Send a group of men to find the other royals and bring them out front. I want all exits in the palace to be covered so Sebastian cannot escape," he gave orders.

"I know where he is going," Kaden said, leading the way inside. "Edward had a protected chamber built for a day like this. It can lead out of the palace into the market."

"I’m surprised he didn’t charge at us. Don’t look at me like that," Dante said, avoiding Kaden’s gaze. "I thought he would surprise us and charge forward, proving himself. Sebastian has always been cocky, and he gave the feeling that he was not one to back down."

Was it because Sebastian didn’t have all his allies that he did not feel confident in the fight?

Kaden chuckled. "I always thought he would be a good challenger, but I also knew he was all talk. Men like Sebastian never had to fight like you, and I had to. You were put on the frontlines to fight your family’s war. Sebastian never saw a day of war."

"Your men would give their lives for you because they knew you were fighting to the death to protect them. I am familiar with the men who march with me. I fought battles with them. I know them. Would you want to fight for a king who abandoned you the first chance he got?" Kaden asked, certain that most of the men in the palace did not support Sebastian.

"Edward wanted all the power and glory for himself. He never placed Sebastian in a position to have to test his skills. The men Sebastian trained with in his youth would lose so they wouldn’t lose their heads. His skills don’t match his ego," Dante said, his eyes scanning the palace as he walked.

"You know this, yet you are surprised he ran?"

"Sebastian thinks he is the most powerful man in the palace. He will not want to look weak when he has only just started his reign as king. He is leading us to a trap, so be ready," Dante said, listening intently to the sounds around them.

"I am ready to die-"

"I am not. I have a wife I intend to return to, and I will do so even if it means killing you. Fight as though you want to live," Dante advised Kaden. "If you want to know if Mary and her sons are well, you need to put up a good fight."

"I do not care for that woman. I was only concerned about the well-being of her sons. You must stop speaking to me, or I shall kill- What?" Kaden asked, ready to shove Dante’s hand that blocked him.

"It’s an ambush," Dante said, his guards up. His abilities were not as strong as before, but he heard the faint noise of armour colliding with other metal.

Kaden looked down the corridor. They were far from the chamber he was taking Dante to. There wasn’t a single man in sight, but still, he reached for his sword.

"How many?" Kaden asked, trusting Dante’s intuition.

Kaden didn’t know what it was that helped Dante to know when birds were passing above or to know when men were hiding at the border, but so far, it hadn’t failed them.

"It’s too quiet for me to tell, but I can hear a few of them. Around eight," Dante said, but he knew there were more. "Prepare as though it is far more."

"I’ll walk out and get them to reveal themselves," Kaden said, willing to risk his life. Unlike Dante, Kaden didn’t have anyone to return to.

After taking one step forward, Kaden was unexpectedly grabbed by Dante and pulled to stand behind a pillar. He was furious at first, until arrows came flying in their direction.

Kaden looked at where the arrows collided with the walls, and others struck men from his army, taking a few down.

Kaden laughed, happy to be still alive and to be on Dante’s side. "Crown prince, it isn’t like you to hide. Fight like a man," he spoke loudly for Sebastian to hear.

On the other side, Sebastian stood with twenty men, awaiting his chance to finally join the fight. He knew Dante and Kaden would make it inside the palace because the palace guards were useless cowards. So, he went to where he knew he could trap the pair.

Sebastian grabbed a knight and forced him to look out. "How many are there?"

"There looks to be more than thirty men behind them, Your Majesty. We are outnumbered. The others must have surrendered."

"Cowards. My offer still stands for the one who brings me their heads. You shall have a title and land-"

"Your land is burning, Your Majesty."

Sebastian examined the knights, trying to find the one who spoke up. "Who said it?"

A knight stepped forward. It seemed today was the day he would die, so he didn’t fear speaking up against a king.

"It was me who spoke up. The very land you are offering us is burning. Had we fought alongside the men you sent to the town, then this battle could have been won, but you ran inside with no plan. If we somehow win, what are we to do with burnt land?"’

Sebastian grabbed the chest plate of the mouthy guard and pulled him forward. "You are to do as I say. I am your king!" He yelled, tempted to kill the mouthy bastard.

"I am tired of putting my life on the line for kings who run. I cannot trust you to reward me with land when this is over. I surrender, Your Majesty. I choose to live."