Jackie was ready to behead Vivvye. She was just waiting for Julien's command.
Vivvye felt defeated. He had done quite a lot for his kingdom but knew his position there wasn't high. His death would be insignificant and nobody would even come to his grave to pay their respects.
Vivvye did not want to die here.
He could feel Jackie's thick bloodlust and knew this person was a killer. He would not hesitate to kill him, and the only reason Vivvye was still alive was because Julien hadn't given the command yet.
Julien waited on purpose.
Moments before death, a person would have their entire life flash before their eyes.
Maybe in those memories, Vivvye had something he cherished.
Maybe he wouldn't want to lose all those and maybe he would want to live a little longer.
Julien was right on the money.
Vivvye did not want to die. At the end of the day, he was a normal living being, and every organism had an instinct to survive.
