Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with the important matters. ~ Albert Einstein
_______
In the dimly lit chamber, the fourth prince was apprehended, tied, and visibly distressed. The guards stood watch, their faces impassive as the prince cried out for help, a desperate plea echoing through the cold, unforgiving air.
"Now tell me the truth, prince," the stern minister demanded, his patience running thin.
"I know nothing," the prince replied, fear and confusion etched on his face.
The minister's resolve hardened, and he picked up his tools, a grim determination in his eyes. Blood gushed as nails were plucked, and the prince screamed in agony. Queen Liora, pregnant and emotionally strained, averted her gaze, unable to bear witness to the brutal interrogation.
"I'll tell the truth," the fourth prince finally cried, his pain and desperation evident. "The second prince was the one who poisoned the king. I had no knowledge of how my chain ended up in the room. He intended to implicate me to secure the throne."
Tears streamed down the prince's face as the torment continued, the truth ripping through the veils of deception. Queen Liora, fueled by a fierce desire for justice, demanded, "Tell me where to find the secret hall the second prince used for your treasonous meetings."
"I'll speak the truth," the prince stammered through his tears. "It's an underground room in the west corridor of the palace, unguarded by any sentinels since the king's demise."
"Continue!" the minister ordered, pushing the boundaries of human decency in pursuit of the truth. The queen, her heart heavy with the burden of her decisions, and the minister exited the chamber, leaving behind a scene of suffering and betrayal.
the kingdom stands at the precipice of unraveling the intricate web of deceit and betrayal that has entangled the royal family. The stakes are higher than ever, and the truth, though painful, is the only way forward. With each revelation, the shadows of doubt inch closer to the light, and the moment of reckoning draws near.