Author POV:
The strike from Max Roy came like a bolt of lightning... It was unexpected and ruthless. Romania Kingdom had little time to prepare. King Hae-in, though shaken, did not falter. With unwavering resolve, he gathered every soldier, every knight, and every willing hand to defend his land. It wasn't easy rallying support from other kingdoms would take time, and time was a luxury he no longer had.
Taehyung had returned to So-Land, and messengers were dispatched at once to him and to trusted allies across the borders. But for now, Hae-in stood alone, guarding his kingdom against Max Roy's relentless forces. The sky was darkened not just by storm clouds, but by the shadow of war.
And so, the war began....
King Hae-in stood tall, surrounded by his loyal knights and brave soldiers. Across the battlefield, Max Roy sat proudly on his black horse, wearing a smirk full of pride and arrogance.
Max Roy: I hope you understand the consequences of this war. By the end of it, everything you have.... your land, your people... will belong to me.
Hae-in (calm but firm): King Max Roy… I thought you were different. Smarter than your father, more thoughtful. But I was wrong. You're not just like him… you're worse.
Max Roy (grinning coldly): Then allow me the honor of showing you how brutal I can be. I do what I want, and no one stops me.
Hae-in (stepping forward): You're nothing but a puppet, your father's puppet. Do you know who the first puppet was? Your mother.
Max's face turned pale.
Max Roy (shouting): What nonsense are you saying?!
Hae-in: Have you forgotten? Your mother was from Romania..the kingdom you're attacking now. Or did your father never tell you? He killed her. And now, it's your turn to carry out his cruelty.
Max's hands tightened around the reins. His jaw clenched. Rage boiled in his eyes, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned his horse sharply and rode back to his army in fury.
Commander Devid (raising his sword): All troops, prepare to strike!
He pointed forward and shouted the final word that echoed across the field-
Devid: Attack!!
The Romania army charged with fierce cries. Indila's forces, strong and many, rushed forward like a roaring storm. Swords clashed, arrows flew through the sky, and the ground shook with the thunder of war.
Blood began to spill... crimson on the green battlefield. Indila's army was overpowering. They were stronger, faster, and larger in number. Hae-in fought bravely, but deep down he knew, he could not win this war alone.
Hae-in's POV:
I swung my sword with all my strength, but it felt like striking waves with bare hands. Indila's soldiers kept coming, strong and endless. My men were falling… the cries of pain surrounded me. I had never felt so helpless.
We were defending our land, our people… and yet we were breaking. Was this the end?
Still, I held my ground. I had to. For my kingdom. For the innocent lives behind me. And for her.
I couldn't lose.
०
०
०
Max Roy's POV:
Every blow I struck… every command I gave… I felt the pain burn inside me.
Lotus.
If only she knew the truth.
I wasn't fighting Hae-in's army just to take over Romania. I was doing it because I had no choice. Because my father threatened to destroy everything she loved. Her people, her home… her life.
He said if I wanted to be with her, I had to conquer Romania and bring it to his knees. Otherwise, she'd be the next target.
So I fought. Not for power. Not for pride.
But to protect her… even if it meant she would hate me.
I led my army with a heavy heart, my blade cutting through the chaos not with joy, but with pain. I made myself a villain in her story, so she could live safely in it.
This war wasn't about land.
It was about love.
And I was ready to lose everything… just not her.
०
०
०
Author POV:
As the message from Romania Kingdom spread to nearby kingdoms, they began to gather their armies. So-Land Kingdom, after receiving the urgent news, quickly sent messages to Mani, Kami, Seop, and La La Kingdom, asking for support.
Meanwhile, Romania was nearly destroyed. Their soldiers were either injured, captured, or gone. The battlefield was soaked in blood, their flag barely standing, and hope fading fast. But the call for help was out, and the war was far from over.
The battlefield had changed.
It had been two long days since the war began. The skies remained dark with smoke, and the cries of pain echoed across the valley. Romania had nearly fallen... its soldiers wounded, their spirits crushed. But just when it seemed like all hope was lost, the sound of horns rose from the hills.
One by one, banners from different kingdoms began to appear.
The army from So-Land Kingdom arrived first, led by their king, Taehyung. Right behind them came the mighty forces of Mani Kingdom with King Seok-Jin, Kami Kingdom, Seop Kingdom, and La La Kingdom. Their soldiers marched with strength and determination, standing beside Romania in their time of need.
Together, they brought a storm of courage.
Now, the battle had turned.
Max Roy's army, once overwhelming, started to fall back. Indila Kingdom's soldiers were tired and scattered. Many had already fallen. The advantage was no longer with them. And now, it was Romania's turn to strike.
Hae-in and Taehyung stood together, on the battlefield.
Hae-in: You came just in time. I thought we had no chance...
Taehyung: (with a faint smile) I couldn't let it end like that. Romania stood for us once. Now it's our turn.
Hae-in: Thank you. I won't forget this. Neither will my people.
They shared a nod, a silent promise of unity.
But down on the field, Max Roy watched with a sharp gaze. His men were struggling. His heart was heavy... not with fear of losing the war, but fear of losing her. He knew what this war was about. Not just power, not just territory… but her safety, her future.
And just as his army began to fall back, Max Roy raised his sword... not in anger, but in announcement.
Max Roy: This war may stop for now, but I will not give up so easily. When I give with one hand, I take with the other…
He paused, then spoke clearly, his voice echoing across the fields.
Max Roy: My demand… is Princess Y/N of Mani Kingdom. Send her to Indila.
Gasps spread through the ranks. Soldiers from the other kingdoms looked at each other in disbelief. But Max said no more. He signaled his troops.
And slowly, the Indila army began to withdraw, their banners retreating toward their kingdom. The field fell into silence. The war, for now, was paused.. but it was far from over.
०
०
०
Taehyung's POV:
The air was heavy with smoke and blood. The cries of the wounded still echoed around him. Two days of brutal war had drained even the strongest warriors.
Taehyung stood beside Hae-in, his sword still in hand, his armor scratched and smeared with dirt and sweat. They had finally pushed back Indila's forces with the support of allied kingdoms. It felt like a small breath of victory.
But then… Max Roy's final words shattered the silence.
"I won't give up that easily. When I give by one hand, I take with the other.
I want the Princess of Mani Kingdom…
I want Princess Y/N."
Taehyung froze.
The words struck him like an arrow. His fists clenched, jaw tightening.
Taehyung: What… did he just say?
He looked at Hae-in in disbelief, but Hae-in's stunned face confirmed it.
Hae-in: He's asking for Y/N… like she's a prize.
Taehyung's breathing grew heavier. His heart pounded, not from the war, but from the fury boiling inside him.
Taehyung: He destroyed Romania… now he dares to lay a finger on Y/N? Does he think we'll stay silent?
His grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles turned white.
He looked toward the horizon where Indila's army slowly retreated, leaving behind destruction and death… and a message soaked in arrogance.
Taehyung: He thinks we're done… but this was just the beginning.
He turned toward his men.
Taehyung (commanding voice): Send a message to Mani Kingdom. Protect the Princess at all cost.
If Max Roy wants war… he'll get a storm.
His voice cut through the battlefield like thunder. The soldiers behind him stood taller, sharper, fueled by his rage.
He wouldn't let Max take Y/N. Not while he stood. Not while he breathed.
०
०
०
Author's POV:
The wind was cold, brushing against her face as she stood near the window of the old stone corridor. Her hands were trembling, the letter from the battlefield clenched tightly in her fist.
She read it again. And again.
Each word stabbed her heart deeper.
"Princess Y/N of Mani Kingdom... send her to Indila."
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her lips parted, but no sound came. Her heart was aching in ways she had never known. Was this what he meant when he said he'd protect her? Was this his way of saving her?
Lotus couldn't believe it.
The man who once promised her a quiet life near a river… a garden, a future...was now the same man who burned down a kingdom and demanded another woman.
Lotus collapsed onto the floor. Her shoulders shook as she cried quietly. Her voice, low and broken, whispered through the silence.
Lotus: Why, Max… why are you doing this? This isn't you…
Every memory of his smile, his hands wrapped around hers, his whisper of love, now felt like illusions. Was all of it fake? Or was this his way of protecting her again choosing the wrong way for the right reason?
But whatever it was, it hurt. And it tore her from the inside.
And right on the other side
Laughter echoed through the grand chambers of Indila Palace. Lord Vexar Roy lay back on the velvet cushions, his frail body half-covered in royal robes, but his spirit alive with victory.
A servant bowed low, repeating the words delivered from the battlefield:
Man: Indila's forces retreated with pride, and Max Roy demanded the Princess of Mani Kingdom.
The old man clapped his hands with delight.
Lord Vexar Roy: That's my son! Hahaha! Finally, he shows what real power looks like! Look at them all burning, falling, begging. Just like they should.
His eyes glimmered with cruel satisfaction.
Lord Vexar Roy: They said he was soft. A weak heart ruled by a woman. But now he destroyed Romania, made every kingdom kneel, and snatched their jewel. That's the blood of a real Roy.
He coughed, but even the pain in his chest didn't shake the smile on his face.
Lord Vexar Roy: He's learning well. Soon, he'll rule over all of them. And no one... no one will dare stand against Indila ever again.
०
०
०
Y/N's POV:
I froze.
The moment Max Roy said those words… "I want the Princess of Mani Kingdom-Princess Y/N"… it felt like my lungs forgot how to breathe.
No… no, this isn't happening.
This is the exact line. Word for word.
Just like in the book.
Everything is happening exactly as written.
My hands trembled. I gripped the edge of the wall to steady myself. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. My head was spinning, memories of the book flashing page by page. Every event, every word, every war it's all the same.
Tears welled in my eyes. I can imagine Taehyung, standing strong and calm on the battlefield, but I knew him too well now. His clenched fists. His stiff jaw. His anger. His fear.
Because he didn't know the end.
But I did.
The ending of that book...
He dies.
He dies trying to protect me.
What if that was never fiction? What if it was a warning?
I pressed my hand tightly to my chest. The book that brought us here. The same cursed story that might take him away from me forever. My knees gave in and I sank to the floor, breathing hard, whispering to myself like a broken chant-
"This can't happen. Not again. I won't let this happen."
________♡________
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter 🦢💗
Don't forget to vote and comment 🌟
Borahae 💜