Chapter 247: What the Hell Have I Been Sleeping with All These Years?

The moment the guards at the gate heard the king ask about Queen Snow White, their expressions twisted awkwardly. None of them knew what to say. Instead, they turned their gazes toward the execution platform, where Jon stood.

After all, he was the one parading around in the queen's name, planning this entire public execution, timed perfectly to coincide with the king's return.

The problem? Queen Snow White hadn't been seen in hours.

King Kirk followed their line of sight and frowned. His gaze landed on Jon atop the scaffold. "Who is the one being executed? Where is Snow White? Where has she gone?"

One of the guards rushed forward and stammered, "Her Majesty... she hasn't left the Iron Tower. But... but she gave the order herself. She said to wait for Your Majesty's return before carrying out the execution."

"Oh?" The king raised an eyebrow. "And who is the prisoner?"

His gaze locked onto Jon. The man smirked, then casually untied the sack in front of him.

A stunned silence swept the crowd like a deathly wave. Every breath was stolen, and even King Kirk stared in disbelief. Then, in a blink, that disbelief twisted into sheer, blinding rage. His eyes burned red, blood nearly bursting from the vessels.

Because lying unconscious on the platform was none other than Queen Snow White.

"You wretched—beast—do you—want—to—DIE!"

The king's fists clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms. Blood dripped to the stone below.

"It's... it's the queen! It's really the queen!" gasped the guards and citizens alike, stunned and horrified.

They couldn't believe what they were seeing. In their minds, Queen Snow White was beyond reproach—never in a million years would she end up on an execution platform.

"G-Gabin?! What have you done?!" one of the guards demanded, pointing a trembling finger at Jon.

"Gabin?" Jon blinked, then gave a playful snap of his fingers. Instantly, the illusion on his face dissolved, revealing his true identity.

"Wha—?! You're—!" The crowd gasped. Even the king flinched in recognition.

But Jon only shrugged and waved lazily. "Now, now, let's not be dramatic. I've got good reasons for everything I've done. Trust me, once you know the truth, you'll be thanking me."

King Kirk didn't wait for another word. With a roar of fury, he drew his sword, spurred his white horse forward, and charged straight at the platform.

"You've committed high treason! There isn't a punishment painful enough for you!"

But before he could even reach the steps, a strange energy pulsed outward. King and horse were both flung back like rag dolls, slamming into the ground. The horse landed on top of him, and blood spilled from the king's mouth.

"I told you, don't get so worked up." Jon clicked his tongue. "Honestly, so dramatic."

The king coughed up more blood, screaming in anguish. "You bastard, I'll kill you! I'll KILL YOU!"

One of the guards finally snapped to his senses. He rushed to help the king up and shouted, "We have to save Her Majesty! Everyone, with me!"

The crowd surged forward, guards, citizens, everyone. They all charged toward the scaffold, only to be violently repelled by an invisible force.

"Don't waste your energy!"

An aged voice called out. Heads turned to see a robed elder in blue flanked by younger mages.

Jon recognized him immediately, one of the high-ranking mages who had ambushed him with Snow White outside the Iron Tower.

The old man stepped forward and said calmly, "He's using a highly sophisticated spell formation. None of us can get close."

One guard stepped forward. "Master Fix, is there any way to break it?"

Fix shook his head. "The magic is incredibly pure, stronger than any magic I've ever faced. And unlike our magic, it has no obvious weaknesses. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."

"So, we're just going to stand here and watch Her Majesty be executed?!" another guard cried out.

"Be patient," the old mage replied. "If he wanted her dead, he would've done it already. Let's hear what he has to say."

Jon chuckled inwardly. Smart old man. Saved me a lot of explaining.

He cleared his throat and spoke loud and clear: "Everyone, relax. There's a reason I gathered you all here today. I want to expose a lie, a lie so massive that no one's ever noticed it, because anyone who did... was silenced by this wretch woman."

The crowd erupted in angry shouts.

"You liar! Her Majesty could never be a villain!"

"Yeah! It's you and those damned witches who are evil!"

Jon smirked and raised a glowing hand over Snow White's body, chanting a spell.

"What are you doing?!"

"Stop! Don't hurt the queen!"

A beam of flame shot from his palm. Instantly, her body ignited.

The queen screamed in agony and thrashed across the execution platform.

"Your Majesty!" the crowd cried in horror.

"HOW DARE YOU HARM OUR BEAUTIFUL QUEEN?! KILL HIM!"

The crowd rushed again—and again, bounced back helplessly.

"Seriously," Jon muttered, "how many times do I have to say it? Calm down." He snapped his fingers. "Now... look closely. Is this really your beloved queen?"

When the fire burned away, silence fell. The people stared in disbelief, not at the majesty of their queen, but at something... grotesque.

"W-What... is that?!"

"She's... human, I think. But why is she so ugly?!"

"I've never seen someone so ugly!"

"No way! That can't be Her Majesty!"

The murmurs grew louder.

And no one was more shattered than King Kirk himself.

He stared at the charred, blackened figure on the platform. His mind reeled.

"What the hell... have I been sleeping with... all these years?"

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A/N: I have published my second fanfic, Marvel: Ash's Antique Shop, I have you take a look and give me your reviews.

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