244 Distracted (1/2)

Sounds of screaming and thundering footsteps stirred the air of a certain noble family's mansion.

”'No! Get back!'”

”'How dare you people step into the sacred grounds of our Seo—'”

Eeeeeeek—!

Fake blood sprayed everywhere as the prop swords slashed and cut their targets.

”'Don't blame us—it is your Seo family who went against the empress in the first place. Blame your own fates for being in the way of Her Highness' path!'”

”'Nooooo—!'”

Crash!

Just as the members of the main branch was being dragged out into the courtyard to be executed, the large gates of the mansion was thrown open.

Several men rushed into the chaos, swords drawn.

”'Stop! By my power as the crown prince, I order you to stand down!'” One of the men shouted. He stood regally with his sword pointed at his enemies, looking as if he was challenging them.

”'It's the Crown Prince! Men, take him down!'”

Contrary to his expectations, the soldiers did not heed his order. Instead, they pointed their weapons at him and attacked his party.

”'Your Highness! Ryeong!'” An old man who was holding his ground as he bled in the courtyard called out. He looked at the newly-arrived reinforcements with panic and a slight hint of relief.

”'Father!'” The second male lead called out. He rushed out to help him, but was blocked by the enemy soldiers.

”'General Seo, we've come to help!'”

”'Forget about me, and save the women and children!'” He valiantly yelled.

”'Hurry and take down the general! He won't last long with those wounds!'” The enemy's commanding officer yelled.

”'Captain Tae, you...! You've betrayed the Crown! The heavens will not forgive your treachery!'” Patriarch Seo yelled back.

”'Hmph! The one who betrayed the Crown was you. If you and your son hadn't foiled the empress' plans, things would not have turned out this way.'”

”'How dare you—!'” The patriarch charged at the other man, intending to take him down.

”'General, wait—!'” The crown prince moved to stop the older man's reckless act, but he, too, was swarmed by enemies.

Schiiik—!

However, the old general was outnumbered and ended up being the one who was taken down.

”'Father! Nooo—!'” The second male lead yelled, his voice tinged with pain.

The sound of women's cries grew louder.

”'Men, leave no lives intact.'” After leaving this instruction, the evil man walked away with heavy, confident steps. He had achieved his objective, thus there was no need to stay around. After this massacre, the feud between the empress and the crown prince would be revealed to the public. There was no turning back, and he had to prepare for the war to come.

”'Captain Tae! I will not allow you to leave. On this day, I shall take your life in atonement for your sins!'” The main lead said. He slashed the soldiers left and right, attempting to reach the man.

He turned to look at his confidant and his personal bodyguard. ”'Seo Ryeong, I will leave the matters here to you. Seok, I'll leave you and a few others to assist him. The rest, come with me! I want to capture Captain Tae, dead or alive!”

”””'Yes, your highness!'”””

The fighting intensified.

Finally, it was Yeo Ri's turn to appear.

One of the soldiers dragged her out of the house by the arm as she tried to fight back. However, the man was far stronger than her, and the frail young miss could only resist helplessly.

”'Kyaaa—!'” She shrieked as the soldier tugged her towards the courtyard. She almost tripped on her skirt but the man refused to let her go even as she was half-kneeling on the ground. With slightly dishevelled hair, she was brought out into the maelstrom of swords and dust.

”'Yeon!'” The second male lead yelled as he took notice of her. His eyes widened in agitation as he witnessed his one and only sister being manhandled on her way to her impending doom.

”'Orabeoni—!'” Yeo Ri turned to the second lead with tears in her eyes, face filled with fear. She called out to him miserably.

Without meaning to, Yeo Ri broke character for a split second.

Her focus unwittingly shifted to the other man—the third male lead, Ryeon Jae Hwan—who stood with his brows furrowed, his prop weapon stained with red. With his serious, unsettling expression, he reminded her of Hyuk even more.

Clenching her teeth, she fought hard to suppress her longing. It just wasn't the same without him, and not even Gun could fill up the hole that Hyuk left no matter how hard he tried. She missed those days when it was just the three of them; always, together. It didn't feel right when either of them were gone.