Alley
Keanne was about to thrust his sword when a hand grabbed it. "A righteous man doesn't raise his sword to an innocent soul", Charles quoted. The man in the hood scurry off and knelt in front of Charles.
"Mercy. Sir. I beg for mercy. I have no idea what he is asking me of".
It was a broker from the black market. Keanne went there since the level of poison used was expensive and can knock off a person within an hour if drunk in large volumes. His face was all bruised due to Keanne's continuous punches. If the Royal Guards haven't roamed in the area, he would have been dead by now. The guards kept pushing each other to stop the prince. Fortunately, Charles was also there to monitor.
"You are free to go", Charles allowed. Keanne looked at him with a glare. "Are you not worried about your daughter?", Keanne clenched his fist.
"She's my precious daughter and you accuse me of such words", Charles kept a straight face but his lips bled trying to keep his calm. "And yet, there is a proper way to let her out of the prison. That is... To prove her innocence. Your Highness, your brother, the Crown Prince had already ordered the aid of the Council, Merchants, and Palace Servants to search for the poison's source. We just have to do our parts as well", Charles bowed.
Prison Cell
15th day of being imprisoned. I wonder what Dad is doing right now. His Majesty said that he is not allowed to enter the Palace premises.
If he goes berserk, he might kill everyone in the Palace. That's what His Majesty was thinking of.
"Have you grown accustomed to the scent and the cold cement?", Aileen entered with a lamp.
"You've been visiting me lately. Could it be that you miss me?", Eleanor chuckled. "How can you be so calm? Anytime soon, an assassin might sneak in and take your head", Aileen stood in front of the iron bars. "Be killed eh?", Eleanor stretched her limbs. "That is indeed a tragic way to die", Eleanor sighed.
"Aileen. Since you're here, want to stay and listen to my story?", Eleanor faced her. Aileen didn't respond.
"In my dreams, I also died. It wasn't a tragic one though. I died as a hero. One person tried to jump off a very high place, I happened to be in the same place. I grabbed her hand and lifted her so that she can reach the ground. In my effort of doing so, I pushed my way down and ended up being the one falling", Eleanor stood up and walk towards Aileen.
"It was so realistic. I felt the warm blood mixed with the water where I was drowning. I'm losing oxygen and my arms are too weak to move. It was dark and soon, water enters my nose and my mouth. I was suffocating myself from panicking. After a long struggle, I finally accepted that there's nothing else I could do", Eleanor held onto the iron bars.
"I wonder if you will wake up from another dream once your head will get chopped in the guillotine", Aileen said after listening. "Ahk. You really know what to say", Eleanor smiled. "How can you smile in the midst of this...", Aileen gave up and turn around.
"I just wasted my time here. I was expecting to see you crying. That would have entertained me", Aileen started to walk away.
"Hehe. Sadist", Eleanor saw Aileen smiling as well.
"At least, I just want at least someone to know that stupid dream of mine", Eleanor said before Aileen stepped out.
Prince's Office
Claudia broke in panting. "You cannot be here", the guard grabbed her arm. "You Highness, I beg of you. Please release Ellie", Claudia knelt down.
"Council Eleanor will be put into trial", Xylan said while scanning into some reports. He wasn't able to sleep well after seeing Eleanor faint in front of him.
"I know some people are just trying to stage it. Your Highness, please. There's no way Ellie would have done it", Claudia cried. "Leave us", Xylan looked at the guard. They all left except Liam. Xylan knelt to match Claudia's level. He took her hand and assisted her to stand.
"There's only one way to save Council Eleanor. That's by proving that she's innocent", Xylan gave a smile. Claudia felt her chest tighten.
"That will be difficult. Are there any ways to clear the suspicion between her, the Prince, and the merchants?", they heard some guards outside. Liam face palmed. "They should keep my brother out of this", Xylan clenched his fist. Someone knocked on the door. It was Oliver. "Your highness, it's time for your training", Oliver informed. "Train...", Claudia looked at the sword hanging from his side. "It was my brother whom they trained when he was younger. I need to catch up or else I won't be able to protect myself and also... Others", Xylan seemed to get in her thoughts.
Training Ground
"You're too soft, Xy!", Theo shouted as he passed by. What can he do? He was babies for 18 years. He never even saw a real battle. The empress locked her inside the Prince's Residence, a few meters away from the main Palace. It was created to keep him safe and to teach him all about politics. The Empress never thought of allowing her son to learn self-defense and how to hold a sword. She believed that the Emperor should always be protected.
"If I tell you that the woman in that prison cell is to be executed tomorrow, what will you do?", Theo's words made Xylan thrust his sword fast and caught some of Oliver's hair. "That's what you call the instinct to kill, son", Theo scoffed then left.
Oliver watched as Xylan wipes his own sweat. If he recalls, he was never interested in his niece. Why did he react that way?
"I have heard that you already made a move on having our lady be proven innocent. From the depth of my heart, I am grateful that the Crown Prince will even pay attention to that niece of mine", Oliver knelt and bowed his head.
The Next Day
Prison Cell
"Your execution is scheduled for tomorrow. If the Crown Prince won't be able to find proof, your head will be displayed outside the gates", Theodore watched Eleanor carving a line on the wall.
"I see. I have no regret at all", Eleanor stood up and looked at the proud Emperor.
"I thought you trust the Crown Prince", Theodore crossed his arms and looked away.
"I do. I believe he is searching but then... It's okay. It just feels reassuring to have someone believe in me", Eleanor smiled.
"Keanne, that idiotic son of mine broke into the council room to beg for your innocence. Of course, I had your father kick him out. He's spending his sweet time in his room. Did he break 2 limbs?", Theodore shrugged and peeked at the lady's reaction. "Your Majesty", Eleanor bowed very low. Unlike before, she's displaying such a humble demeanor. Unlike before she's now wearing sackcloth as another punishment to strip her of the position she worked for.
"I won't ask for you to believe that I am innocent since right now, I have nothing to prove my innocence. But, please, with your power, save Prince Keanne from any more pain that he might feel", Eleanor raised her head.
"Since I will be executed tomorrow, please let some thoughts run through my mind. Your Majesty", Eleanor stood properly. Theodore nodded and faced her once again.
"For you to strip him of the position of being the next Emperor, it might have hurt him but... Your Majesty, I think there is nothing more painful than feeling that you are abandoned. I can't help but see constant fear in the Prince's eyes", Eleanor looked Theodore directly in the eyes. "That's a good reaction. If he lacks fear, he will not survive in this Kingdom", Theodore returns a glare. "But your Majesty, it will not hurt to assure him that he has someone behind him", Eleanor heard the door opening and saw the Royal Guards but Charles wasn't there.
Chapter end.