How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

I screamed at the top of my lungs, but Hezekia’s flames had already begun to erupt. A violent wind scattered the fire in all directions. The towering blaze swallowed both the flagship and the enemy fleet that had surrounded it.

In an instant, the sky and sea alike were transformed into a sea of fire. The merciless flames twisted violently as they engulfed all five enemy ships. At the very center of that molten inferno stood Hezekia’s flagship, and Tristan was there.

From the beginning, Tristan had planned to use himself as bait and self destruct. In exchange for his life, he intended to hold the enemy in place and save us. It was a plan that was unbearably foolish, cruel, and merciless.

“No! Tristan!”

I wailed madly and ran toward the railing of the deck. But the third ship did not stop its advance and continued to move silently away from the flames.

Even as such a horrific sight unfolded before my eyes, all I could do was remain aboard a safe ship and abandon him. My heart pounded as if it would burst. My chest hurt as though it were being torn apart into pieces.

The flagship, now wrapped in fire and smoke, slowly began to tilt. The bow, which had risen upright at a near right angle, disappeared completely beneath the sea. The rear deck of the ship, reduced to little more than wreckage, also began to sink while shedding fragments into the water.

Then, beyond the raging flames, I caught a faint glimpse of Tristan standing there.

It seemed as though he slowly turned his head to look this way. He was already far too distant for his face to be seen clearly. Yet in that moment, his gaze undoubtedly reached me. Tristan’s eyes met mine across the void.

Tears burst forth uncontrollably. I stretched out my arms and called his name with desperate longing.

“Tristan, please… no…”

From afar, he seemed to form a faint smile. Then he slowly raised one hand and gave me a final salute.

That was the end.

The savage flames surged like a violent storm, completely engulfing Tristan and the entire flagship. The tremendous heat swallowed the ship’s wreckage and every enemy vessel surrounding it. At last, the flagship plunged into the deep, cold sea and vanished together with the raging fire.

And nothing remained upon the vast ocean. Only traces of flame and faintly rising black smoke lingered.

I screamed his name until my throat felt torn apart. But at some point, no sound came from my voice anymore. Even my final cry for him was scattered uselessly into the sea wind, swallowed by the flames themselves.

❖ ❖ ❖

The sails, heavy with sea wind, flapped dully. In the distance, the port of Hezekia began to come into view. The murmuring voices of the people gathered at the harbor drifted in on the long wind. Everyone seemed to sense that something was wrong. That was only natural.

Nowhere could Hezekia’s flagship, bearing the banner of the Grand Ducal House, be seen. What caught the eyes of the domain’s people who had come to greet the returning fleet was only a single third ship, barely making its way into port with holes left unrepaired across its hull.

Once the anchor was lowered, Sir Mildred, who had held temporary command and led the return, crossed the gangplank first. The ashen pallor of his face and the weight of his steps cast a dark shadow over the expressions of those watching.

“Where did the flagship go? Why did only one ship return…”

“I do not see the Grand Duke. Why are only the Grand Consort and the Crown Prince’s heir here? What on earth happened…”

Ignoring the anxious voices, I kept my lips tightly sealed. I stepped forward slowly, one step at a time. One by one, the people fell silent. A grief heavy silence gradually seeped through the crowd.

Then, the young voice of Constantine, who had been holding my hand tightly, reached my ears.

“Grand Consort. Uncle still not here? When is the flagship coming?”

“…”

The child, who had been looking around at the densely packed pier, asked with wide eyes. I could only bite down hard on my lower lip, unable to answer. Constantine tightened his small hand around mine and leaned his body back stubbornly as he began to protest.