"I said step aside!" Hagian yells back, inching closer to Hakian. "Are you going to defy me?" he drawls, tension crackling between them.
Cirdan straightens his poise, face turning serious. He had intended to merely observe, but it seems Hagian might harm the innocent ladies.
Bayan glances at him. "Don't meddle. You can't help."
"Then I'll find someone who can," Cirdan responds before somersaulting off the dais.
Hagian notices his departure. "Where are you going?" he demands.
Cirdan turns, arms crossed. "What," he cocks his head.
"No one leaves here."
"You forget I don't take orders from you," Cirdan's gaze cuts to Hakian. "Unlike your obedient little brother," he adds before continuing on his way.
Hakian's jaw tightens at the barb while Hagian watches Cirdan leave. He decides to focus on the ladies first and deal with Cirdan later.
Erya evades the soldiers' sword strikes with a fluid spin. She retaliates with a lightning-fast jumping side kick, precisely striking a few. One soldier crashes down, taking another with him. Their swords clatter to the ground. Mid-air, Erya twists, using her knees to subdue another soldier, knowing him to the ground. Seizing his sword, she uses the hilt to knock him unconscious. She continues battling the rest with the seized weapon.
Bayan watches the fight now with utmost interest. He hadn't anticipated such skill from the lady, nor had the others.
"You should stop this now, they are not her match," he warns Hagian.
Hagian smirks. "Why stop when the fun has only begun."
Hakian arches a brow then notices Hagian's personal guard stealthily approaching Erya.
Erya grabs one of the soldiers by the neck, arching him backward with her sword pressed against his throat. Instead of slitting his throat, she releases the sword and retrieves a hairpin from her hair. She punctures the soldier's chest with the hairpin, ensuring it avoids his heart, then kicks him to the ground. The soldier cries out in agony.
Yetsune gasps, shaken by the blood. As Erya prepares to strike again, she feels cold steel against her neck. Her gaze lowers cautiously to find a gleaming long sword aimed menacingly at her throat.
"Erya!" Yetsune cries, rushing forward, but Erya halts her with an outstretched arm. "Stay back!"
"Coward," Erya hisses. "You don't dare face me directly?" She recognizes the sword from the brawl at the House of Fragrance.
"You are no match for me," the guard says with arrogant confidence.
"Why don't we put that to the test?" Erya retorts, her eyes shifting to Hagian, challenging him through his henchman.
Yetsune glances at Hagian, seeing ill intent clearly written on his face. Panicked, she pleads, "Let Erya go. I'll do whatever you want, just let her go."
Hagian's laughter cuts through the air. "Anything?" A sinister smile plays across his lips.
"Don't be foolish!" Erya snaps at Yetsune, wincing as the guard presses the blade closer.
"Fine!" Hagian snaps his fingers. "Here is something you can do. Why don't you stand be my archery target?" he suggests with a twisted sense of thrill in his voice.
Shock paralyzes their faces, struck-dumb by Hagian's absurd proposition. Fury blazes in Erya's eyes. "Have you lost your mind?"
"You must stop now," Hakian warns, still doubting Hagian would go this far, however reckless he may be.
But Hagian ignores them, his gaze remains on Yetsune. "Now, let's not waste any more time," he urges.
Yetsune turns back to look at Erya, her neck is bleeding from the sword pressed against it. Erya shakes her head vehemently, silently imploring Yetsune to refuse.
"Stand before the target and I'll shoot three arrows," Hagian continues. "If I hit the target, you're lucky. But if I hit you, then…"
"You beast!" Erya screams her insides out, outraged. She disregards her life and rushes toward Hagian but the guard swiftly steps before her, aiming the sword at arm's length.
"Another move and she watches you die," he threatens coldly.
Yetsune's eyes dart back and forth, torn between concern for Erya and fear of becoming Hagian's target.
"Alright!" She agrees, voice quavering. "I…I'll do it. But you better keep your word and not harm Erya."
Hagian nods, smirking as he gestures towards the target at a distance from the dias. Bayan watches Yetsune in disbelief, Hagian is crazy but she is foolish for obliging just to save another.
Yetsune gives Erya a reassuring smile, masking the fear gnawing at her own heart. They both clings to the hope that Nalan will return with the Noble Consort before Hagian carries out his sadistic act.
She begins to walk towards the target, each step heavy. Her mind is a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, and a burning determination to protect Erya at any cost. She casts a final glance back at Erya, silently promising her that she won't let anything happen.
"You are going too far, Hagian! If you dare to harm her, Father won't let you off," Hakian warns again, genuine concern replacing his earlier frustration.
Hagian ignores his brother. As Yetsune reaches the target, she turns, fists clenched tight. Her heart pounds like a trapped bird, every instinct screaming to flee. But she stays still, refusing to show any sign of weakness. That is what Yettiri would do if she were the one in this situation. She's betting on Hagian's sanity, hoping no sane prince would risk the Emperor's wrath by killing without cause.
Hagian notches an arrow, drawing back the bowstring with steady hands. A hushed silence falls, eyes on the arrowhead. The target—or is it on Yetsune?
Erya starts to desperately pray for Nalan's swift return with the Noble Consort before this mad prince releases the arrow.
Hagian releases the arrow. It whistles through the air, hurtling towards Yetsune with terrifying speed. She instinctively shuts her eyes. The arrow thuds into the straw target.
Yetsune's eyes flutter open, finding the arrow embedded frighteningly close to her face. Her legs weaken.
"Woah!" Hagian celebrates, applauding himself while others stare, flabbergasted.
He notches a second arrow, drawing the string. Tension mounts as Yetsune braces herself, keeping her eyes open this time. The arrow whistles past, striking the opposite side of the target. Impotent anger swells in her chest, realizing he's deliberately aiming too close.
Hagian applauds himself again. "One more." His expression turns sinister as he draws the bow a final time.
Hakian's eyes narrow suspiciously, dread twisting his gut as he notices the eerie glint in Hagian's eyes. He traces the subtle shift in aim, realization dawning.
"Hagian!" He screams, reaching for the bow.
But it's too late. With a sickening twang, the arrow is released.