Holly would never forget what she did to Arthur. The thing she hated the most in this world was her stupidity. That day she should have obeyed Arthur to escape.
"Pack all your things. We have to go." Arthur was busy stuffing all his things into his bag.
Duke Reloux was directly arrested after killing the crown prince the night before. That morning the news spread everywhere. Arthur didn't want to waste time. His father would be executed right then, he and Holly would be next.
Holly was still standing in the doorway, folded her arms with puffy eyes after crying all night.
"Why did father do it? The Crown Prince is a good person. Father said he is our only hope to replace that stupid King." Holly's voice was hoarse. She no longer had the energy to speak.
Arthur did not stop his work, not even glanced at Holly. "We never know what he's thinking."
Holly approached her brother and touched his hand so he would pay attention to her. "You were there. You know what happened."
Arthur stopped. He looked at his sister tiredly. It was obvious that he didn't want to talk about this anymore.
"Holly, Father killed him."
Holly fell to the floor. She shook her head, hugging her knees. "Why did father do this to us," she muttered.
Just like Felix, Holly understood how dangerous this situation was for them. Her life will never be the same again. The maids who worked for the Reloux family had left early this morning, they didn't want to be dragged down. This big house felt tenser with only Holly and Arthur.
"We can't stay here." Arthur still convinced his sister to get ready.
"Father will be executed." Holly looked at him with pleaded eyes. No matter how hateful she was toward her father, she still wanted to see her father alive.
"There's nothing we can do." Arthur's voice was shallow and full of despair. As the oldest son, he must prioritize the safety of himself and Holly. Once they get captured, the Reloux family name will vanish.
Arthur forced Holly to stand up. He took the cloak and put it on Holly. Once again, he said, "We have to go. Now!"
Holly didn't have the strength to fight back. She didn't even have time to prepare the clothes. Arthur pulled her forcefully out of the mansion. The atmosphere outside the gate of the Reloux mansion was crowded. People came with wooden sticks and fire. They were very angry with what happened to the Crown Prince.
As Holly said, the Crown Prince was the people's last hope. They were tired and fed up with the stupid King who always made unreasonable policies. On the other hand, Crown Prince was known as a smart and unpretentious person. But their hopes were dashed in Reloux's hands.
Arthur led Holly out of a secret back door, avoiding a crowd that could have killed them. Arthur grabbed Holly and pulled her to a faster pace through a quieter path.
Arthur had only one goal. Dark Forest. It was the only safe place for them. The citizens would not dare to chase them there. He was already prepared with a sword if he later met a wild animal.
Finally, they arrived at the village border safely. Holly stopped in front of the wooden fence while Arthur had already jumped over the fence.
"I want to see father one last time," she said.
Arthur firmly refused. "No!"
Their father was in front of the palace, ready to be executed whenever the King wanted. Going there surrounded by guards is suicide. Arthur wouldn't let that happen.
"Then what should we do? Go there and eaten by the beast?" Holly raised her voice.
Arthur hastily covered his sister's mouth, but Holly slapped his hand away roughly.
"There are no beasts there. It's just bullshit!"
Holly shook her head. "I need to see father."
Holly wasn't thinking straight. She made a decision she regretted for the rest of her life, running away from Arthur.
Holly ran and made her hood fall to the ground. Everyone was shocked to see her. Some chose to stay away, and some people chased them.
"Holly!" Holly heard Arthur calling her, but she wouldn't stop. She wanted to make sure if her father was really a killer. Was this all really happening? Was this real?
A man grabbed her, making her tumble and roll on the ground. "Let me go!" Holly rebelled when the man dragged her away.
Dozens of royal armies came with uniforms and swords. They dragged Holly around like trash. Not far from her, she could see Arthur was also dragged violently.
"No!" Holly kept on fighting back all the way but in vain.
They dragged her towards the palace. Along the way, people followed them, cursing and spitting.
In front of the royal palace, people gather around. Those armies threw Holly and Arthur into the crowd. Holly's eyes widened as she realized her father was in front of her, kneeling with his hands and feet tied. There was no regret on his face.
"Holly, close your eyes!" Felix said. He dragged his own body closer to Holly. His face was covered in blood and battered, but he still tried to hug his sister.
Holly opened her eyes as wide as she could. Everything didn't feel real. Her ears were ringing, and she couldn't hear anything.
An executioner approached Duke Reloux, carrying a large, heavy-looking sword. He laughed viciously, showing his sharp teeth.
Holly's heart seemed to have stopped beating when one of the soldiers raised his hand, signalling for execution. And then, her father was dead.
Holly was still frozen. A wave of shock attacked her, pulling her consciousness to the limit.
"Spare the girl!" One government official said. "That's the king's order. The girl is allowed to live!"
Everyone shouted disapprovingly. Holly was not relieved. Not when they started pulling Arthur away from her.
"You must live. Promise me you must live!" Arthur shouted as those armies dragged him towards the execution site.
"No! Please, no!" Holly screamed hysterically. She just realized what would happen to Arthur. They will kill him, like her father.
"Please spare him! Please don't kill him!" Holly cried her voice out, but no one cared.
They forced Arthur to kneel beside his father's body. The executioner raised his sword, ready to cut off his head.
"No..." Holly pleaded one last time before she lost her consciousness.
Holly would always blame herself for what happened to Arthur. If only she had followed Arthur to run away, maybe Arthur wouldn't have to die. They would meet Felix sooner. He and Arthur could live on Dark Hill without worry. Or maybe, they can join Felix in taking over the kingdom.
But everything was too late. The only thing left was regret.