Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 331 - Three Hundred And Thirty

Derek let out a quiet, relieved breath. "I’m happy he didn’t listen to me," he thought. Ian’s disobedience had just saved their lives.

Liam saw the red flare. The arrogant smile vanished from his face instantly. He knew exactly what a red flare meant in the capital. It meant a high-level military emergency. It meant the royal army was being mobilized.

Liam looked back at Derek. He got extremely angry. His hands gripped his bow until his knuckles turned white.

"Derek, you were indeed scheming," Liam spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and hatred. He realized he had been played.

Derek gathered the last remaining shreds of his strength. He gently pushed Marissa aside. He stumbled forward, dragging his heavy legs, until he stood in front of Marissa again. He refused to let her protect him. He was her husband. He was her shield.

He leaned on his sword, looking Liam straight in the eyes.

"Liam," Derek said. His voice was rough, but it carried absolute certainty. "Everything you have done is known by His Majesty. The fake ledger meant nothing. The real proof is already in the King’s hands."

Liam’s eyes widened in horror.

"You will pay for your crimes," Derek declared. "The King’s guards are on their way to arrest you right now. It is over."

Liam stared at the Grand Duke. He had lost his spies. He had lost his secret army. He had lost his crown. His entire world was collapsing around him in a matter of minutes. The only thing he had left was his hatred for the man standing in front of him.

"Then I will just have to kill you," Liam replied. His voice was dead and hollow. If he was going down, he was taking Derek with him.

He reached behind his back. He dragged the bow and pulled out a different arrow from his quiver. This arrow had a bright green tip. It was a highly poisonous arrow. One scratch from it meant a painful, certain death.

He placed the arrow on the string and pulled it back, aiming directly at Derek’s chest.

Derek saw the green tip. He knew he was too weak to lift his sword to block it. His arms were completely numb. He stood tall, accepting his fate. He had secured the safety of his country and his family. He had done his duty.

Derek, weak and fading fast, spoke.

"If I die today," Derek said calmly, looking at the deadly arrow, "tomorrow you will lose everything too. My death will not save you, Liam."

Marissa looked at him. She saw the pale color of his face. She saw his arms shaking. She knew he could not defend himself.

Tears began to fall down her dirty cheeks, glistening at the corner of her eyes in the red light of the flare. She had spent two lifetimes fighting for this life. She would not let him die alone in a dirty alleyway.

"Derek," she said softly.

He tried to look back at her, but his neck was stiff.

"Listen to me carefully," Marissa whispered, her voice filled with an absolute, unbreakable love. "No matter what, I am willing to live or die by your side. I will not leave you."

Liam’s red eyes filled with pure malice. He hated their love. He hated that Derek had won.

He tightened his fingers on the bowstring. He released the arrow.

Twang.

The poisonous green arrow flew through the small space between them, aimed perfectly at Derek’s heart.

Marissa did not hesitate. She did not think about the pain. She moved purely on instinct.

She threw herself forward. She wrapped her arms around Derek’s waist, pushing herself firmly between him and the flying arrow. She shielded him completely with her own body.

Thuck.

The sound was terrible. The poisonous arrow hit her back, sinking deep into her flesh.

The force of the impact pushed her forward against Derek’s chest. She let out a soft, surprised gasp. Her eyes went wide, and then slowly began to lower itself as the deadly poison instantly entered her blood.

Derek’s eyes widened in absolute shock and horror. The numbness in his body vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp terror.

"Mari..." Derek spoke in a weak, broken voice. "Mari!"

He dropped his sword. It fell to the snow with a loud clang. He wrapped his arms around her waist, catching her as her legs gave out.

Marissa fell completely into his arms. Her head rested against his shoulder. Her breathing became very shallow. She was getting weak quickly.

Liam lowered his bow. A sick smile returned to his face. He reached for another arrow to finish the Grand Duke.

Suddenly, the loud sound of heavy marching boots filled the alleyway.

Dozens of soldiers wearing the bright gold and red armor of the King’s personal army rushed into the narrow street. They held large shields and sharp spears. They completely blocked the exit, trapping Prince Liam inside.

The captain of the King’s guard stepped forward. He pointed his long, sharp sword directly at Prince Liam’s chest.

"Your Highness," the captain declared in a loud, booming voice. "You are under arrest by the King’s order for high treason against the crown."

Two guards rushed forward immediately. They grabbed Liam’s arms roughly, twisting them behind his back. They snatched the bow from his hand and threw it into the snow. Liam struggled, screaming curses at the guards, but they held him tight. They dragged him away forcefully, pulling him out of the alley and into the street.

Derek did not look at Liam. He did not care about the arrest or the King’s guards. He sank to his knees in the cold snow, bringing Marissa down with him.

He sat on the ground, cradling Marissa gently in his lap. He held her face with his shaking, bloody hands. Her skin was turning very pale. Her lips were turning blue from the poison.

"Mari, stay with me," Derek whispered, tears pouring freely down his cheeks. He rocked her slowly. "Please, do not close your eyes."

He looked up at the King’s guards standing at the entrance of the alley. His face was a picture of pure, absolute agony.

"Get help!" Derek shouted. His voice tore through the quiet, snowy night, filled with desperate, heartbreaking pain. "Get help! Now!!!"