The engagement hall was grand.
Crystal lights hung from the ceiling.
Elegant decorations covered the stage.
Guests from powerful families filled the room.
Everyone was waiting for the ceremony to begin.
At the center of the stage stood Keifer and Ion.
Keifer looked calm.
Too calm.
Like someone who had already accepted his fate.
Ion stood beside him in a beautiful engagement dress.
Smiling politely at the guests.
But her eyes were cold.
The priest began speaking.
"Shall we proceed with the ring ceremony—"
"STOP!"
The loud voice echoed across the hall.
Every head turned.
The large doors of the hall had burst open.
Jay stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Behind her were Ella, Freya, Grace, Rakki, and Percy.
The entire hall fell silent.
Keifer's eyes widened.
"Jay…?"
She walked straight toward the stage.
Ignoring the whispers around her.
Ignoring the shocked guests.
Ion's smile slowly disappeared.
Jay stopped in front of Keifer.
Her eyes were red.
But determined.
"You're not doing this."
Keifer immediately stepped down from the stage.
"Jay… you shouldn't be here."
Jay shook her head.
"I know everything."
Keifer froze.
"What?"
Jay's voice trembled but stayed strong.
"About Ion."
"About the threat."
The entire hall started murmuring loudly.
Ion's expression hardened.
Keifer looked angry now.
He grabbed Jay's arm gently.
"You need to leave."
Jay pulled her arm back.
"No."
Keifer lowered his voice urgently.
"Jay listen to me."
"I'm doing this for you."
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
"I never asked you to!"
Guests watched the scene in shock.
Ella and the others stood near the stage ready to support her.
Jay continued,
"You think I can live peacefully knowing you destroyed your life for me?"
Keifer's voice became sharp.
"This is not your decision!"
Jay stepped closer to him.
"Yes it is!"
Their voices echoed in the hall.
Ion watched them silently.
Her eyes growing darker.
Jay looked straight at Keifer.
"I love you."
The entire room gasped.
Keifer froze.
Jay continued, her voice breaking.
"I loved you even when I didn't realize it."
"And I'm not letting you marry someone else just to save me."
Keifer shook his head.
"You don't understand the danger."
Jay replied firmly,
"I don't care."
The room went quiet again.
Ion slowly stepped forward.
Her voice cold.
"So dramatic."
Everyone looked at her.
Ion's smile returned.
"You ruined my engagement ceremony."
Jay looked at her.
"You threatened him."
Ion shrugged.
"I protected my interests."
Keifer moved slightly in front of Jay.
"Enough."
Ion's eyes suddenly became dangerous.
She pulled something from her sleeve.
A knife.
Gasps filled the hall.
Before anyone could react—
Ion rushed forward.
Straight toward Keifer.
Everything happened in a second.
Jay saw it.
Her heart stopped.
Without thinking—
She stepped in front of Keifer.
The knife plunged forward.
Keifer shouted,
"JAY!"
The blade pierced into her.
Jay gasped softly.
The knife had gone into her stomach.
The entire hall erupted in screams.
Ion stepped back in shock.
The knife falling from her hand.
Keifer caught Jay before she collapsed.
His hands shaking.
"Jay…"
Her body was trembling.
Blood slowly spreading across her dress.
Ella screamed.
"CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
Freya and Rakki rushed forward.
Grace was already dialing emergency services.
Jay looked up at Keifer weakly.
Her lips trembling.
"I told you…"
A small painful smile appeared on her face.
"I wouldn't let you ruin your life."
Keifer's eyes filled with tears.
His voice shaking.
"You're not allowed to die."
Jay slowly reached up.
Touching his face weakly.
"You're still my king…"
Her hand slipped.
Her eyes closing slightly.
Keifer held her tighter.
His voice breaking completely.
"Jay stay with me!"
Sirens could already be heard outside.
But in that moment…
Keifer felt like his entire world was slipping out of his arms. 💔