30. This is distressing.

Selene didn't know what to do; her desperate cries left the guards just as distressed. They were torn between helping the king and keeping the bandits imprisoned. The assailant had fallen to the ground once again, as if he had fainted due to his exertion. However, they couldn't afford to let their guard down, just as they had learned.

Moisture trickled from Frederick's side down to his leg. The pain felt like scorching hot coals, and he placed a hand on his side as his vision began to blur. Would he die? Was this how his life would end? The pain left him breathless, and Frederick didn't want to close his eyes. He fought to stay awake, especially for Selene, but with each passing second, that task became increasingly impossible.

"Frederick," Selene's voice was torn by pain and anguish. Her face was bathed in tears, and her heart was pierced by thousands of daggers.

"My Lady," one of the guards called, touching her shoulder. Selene recoiled at the guard's actions and cried out in despai