The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 191: Assassination Attempt

Chapter 191: Assassination Attempt

As Eve took her oath, Gideon scanned the surroundings. He was on high alert, anticipating an enemy hidden among the crowd. He wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin Eve’s coronation today. Silvester was also assisting his master, flying around the higher areas near the royal courtyard in search of any suspicious figures.

Captain Alucard, Commander Kevin, Sera, and Caleb were also patrolling the area with their respective troops. So far, no one in the crowd appeared suspicious.

It did not take long before the elder members of the royal court brought the royal regalia to the center, presenting the crown, scepter, royal robe, and the signet ring.

"Your Majesty, please join us here," The Chancellor called upon King Solomon.

They would now proceed to the crowning. As a tradition, the former monarch, King Solomon, was going to put the crown on Eve, his successor.

King Solomon stepped forward as the official handed the Queen’s crown to him. He moved closer to Eve, staring at her intently.

’My daughter... despite everything that happened between us... I want you to know that I wish you no harm. I might have neglected you. But that’s my way of protecting you. I made a deal with Amara, ensuring your safety. But there is no need to tell you this. Because no matter what I do, I couldn’t justify my wrongdoings to you and your mother.’ King Solomon thought to himself.

"Your Majesty, you can place the crown on her royal highness’ head." The Chancellor’s voice snapped King Solomon out of his deep thoughts.

Everyone was all eyes on them, anticipating the crowning of the new Queen.

’Damn it! Gerard, you have to make a move now! After this, a proclamation will follow, making Eve the new ruler,’ Aliyah murmured as she bit her fingernail, anxiously waiting for Gerard to take action. Her patience was beginning to wear thin.

The two of them had agreed that, if possible, Gerard must kill Eve before she was officially crowned queen.

’I made a promise to my mother! Kill that bitch! Shoot her.’ Aliyah clenched her fists, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Gerard.

From her current spot, Princess Aliyah was watching Gerard. He was hiding on the second-floor veranda, holding the crossbow.

Meanwhile, Gerard also looked down, meeting Princess Aliyah’s gaze. He could tell from her expression that Aliyah wanted him to make a move.

"Sigh. I have no choice. Her wish is my command. I can’t disappoint her after the wonderful reward she gave me last night. I’m willing to take the risk, even sacrifice my life... just to fulfill her wish," Gerard mumbled, steeling his resolve. His hesitation to fire the arrow, even at the cost of exposing his location, vanished instantly.

Without further delay, Gerard finally fired the arrow, aiming directly at Eve’s head with deadly precision.

At that very moment, King Solomon was just about to place the crown on Eve’s head when Gideon caught sight of something glinting in the sunlight. A flying arrow slicing through the air, rapidly closing in on its target– Eve!

"Assassin!" Gideon shouted, his voice resounding in the royal courtyard, alerting the guards.

Without wasting a second, he launched himself toward the grandstand, positioning his body as a shield between Eve and the incoming arrow.

Swoosh!

"Argh!" Gideon groaned as the speeding arrow struck him on his right shoulder.

The royal court officials immediately scattered, seeking cover the moment they sensed the threat. Panic rippled through the crowd as gasps and cries erupted upon seeing someone wounded on the grandstand.

"Protect the Queen!" several voices shouted in unison, worrying about Eve’s safety.

Eve’s eyes burned with both fury and concern when she saw the blood seeping through his armor.

"Gideon! You are hurt!" Eve moved closer to Gideon, who was struggling to steady himself.

"I’m fine. You should go down—" Gideon hadn’t finished saying his words when his sharp eyes caught the second arrow, flying directly to Eve.

There was no time to think. He used his left hand to draw his sword and sliced the incoming arrow. He managed to block the incoming attack. That’s when he noticed the spot where the shooter was hiding.

"Go to the second-floor veranda! The front pavilion!" Gideon shouted, informing the guards to chase after the assassin. He couldn’t leave Eve behind, so he needed to send someone to catch the culprit.

To his surprise, the group of dire wolves suddenly ran in the direction of the pavilion. Aerin, the mystical fox, was leading the wolves.

"We need to catch the man who tried to harm our master!" Aerin instructed the dire wolves through a growl as she ran alongside them.

On the other hand, King Solomon and Prince Stefan rushed to Eve’s side, instinctively moving to shield her from further harm.

"Eve, we need to get you inside the palace. You’re not safe here!" Prince Stefan urged, extending his right hand toward his sister.

But Eve stood her ground and shook her head firmly.

"No one is leaving! Everyone should stay and finish the ceremony," she declared in a cold, resolute voice.

King Solomon, Prince Stefan, and the royal court officials were stunned by her defiance and stubbornness.

"Your life is in danger," King Solomon retorted. "We can resume the coronation once the palace is secure and the assassin is captured."

But Eve couldn’t afford any delay. She knew that if she postponed the ceremony because of the attack, it would only prove that the enemy had succeeded in shaking her.

"No!" she snapped. "We’re finishing the ceremony today. If I back down now, then I’m handing victory to whoever is behind this. This is exactly what they want! To disrupt my coronation and sow fear. I won’t give them that pleasure."

Everyone fell silent. The majority of them were reluctant to follow her command.

"But the people are panicking and running out of the palace. What if there are accomplices hiding in the crowd?" Prince Stefan tried to reason with her.

However, nothing could change Eve’s mind. She was so determined to continue the ceremony. Wanting to control the chaotic scene in front of her, she closed her eyes and summoned Zephyr through their mind link.

"Zephyr, I need you here. Please come to me."

A few minutes later, the panicking crowd froze in place as a deep, thunderous flapping echoed across the sky. They instinctively turned upward, their eyes widening in shock and awe.

A massive shadow swept over the courtyard.

"Oh my God... is that a dragon?!" someone cried out, their voice trembling.

The huge magical creature was flying just meters above them, its wings beating the air with a force that sent dust and wind swirling through the palace grounds. The people had mixed reactions upon seeing the dragon descend into the courtyard, just near the grandstand.

They didn’t know whether to be amazed by the magical creature or be terrified by the danger it might pose.

"Why is a dragon here?"

"Are we all going to die here?"

"Is the dragon attacking our Queen? We have to protect her! Buy her some time to escape."

The people from the slums immediately rushed toward the grandstand to stand by Eve’s side. They believed the dragon had been summoned by an enemy who wanted to kill her. The ordinary citizens of the slum village were determined to protect Eve from the dragon, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.

"Your Highness, go and leave now! We will shield you from this creature."

Eve was touched by those commoners who were willing to sacrifice their lives for her. She appreciated them.

"Everyone! Listen to me! Stop panicking! No one is going to harm you. And I will make sure to protect you with my power. I am the master of this mighty dragon. I summoned Zephyr here. No one can touch me in front of my guardian."

A deafening silence fell upon them after hearing Eve’s announcement. None of them had expected that Eve was the master of the majestic dragon.

Upon calming the chaotic crowd, Eve approached Gideon. "You need to be treated right away. You don’t have to worry about my safety. Zephyr and Aerin will take care of those assassins."

Gideon was about to refuse, but he stopped when he saw the intensity in Eve’s gaze. She wouldn’t allow him to be stubborn.

"Alright, I’ll be down there. I’m not leaving you here alone. I’ll keep watch until the ceremony is over. Don’t worry too much. My wound is not severe."

Eve nodded in agreement, still worried about Gideon’s wound.

"Summon the royal physician here," Eve commanded the nearby royal servant.

Then Eve faced the crowd and the members of the royal court.

"Now, shall we continue the crowning ceremony?" Eve said, her lips curling up in a faint smile.

With Zephyr’s presence, no one would try to disobey Eve.

"Y-Yes, your Highness... Let’s continue the ceremony!" The Chancellor replied, sweating profusely.

Among the crowd, Princess Aliyah clenched her fists, frustration evident on her face. Gerard had failed in his first attempt to kill Eve, and now he was being chased by the guards.

’Damn it! Forget it. I’ll do it myself!’ Aliyah thought to herself, determined not to give up.