Her heart ached with the weight of her decision. She had always imagined her first time would be with someone she knew and trusted, not a stranger locked away in the dungeon. Yet, there was something about Kingston that made her believe in his innocence, despite the accusations.
Meanwhile, in the dungeon, Kingston was equally troubled. He couldn't believe what had transpired. "I wish I could leave this place," he muttered to himself. "But with what Lynn and I have shared, maybe she will help me. Could we ever have a future together?"
He knew the odds were against them, but the memory of their shared passion gave him a glimmer of hope. If Lynn could find a way to prove his innocence, perhaps they could defy the fate that awaited him.
Princess Lynn stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. "I can't believe I gave my virginity to a stranger," she whispered to herself. "What is wrong with me? What have I done?" She sighed deeply, her thoughts swirling. "But I can't deny my feelings for him. I won't let him die. I'll do everything in my power to save the man who took my innocence."
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called out.
Her maid, Clara, entered the room. "My princess, the king has sent for you."
Princess Lynn felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. "What does he want now?" she muttered. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."
As Clara left, Princess Lynn took a deep breath. "It's all about executing Kingston. Tomorrow is the day," she said to herself, rising to her feet and making her way to her father's chamber.
"Long live your majesty," she greeted as she entered.
"Princess Lynn," King Aiden acknowledged her with a nod. "The elders have gathered to hear your progress on the investigation of the spy in the dungeon."
Princess Lynn stood silently, unsure of what to say. "Am I not speaking to you? Did you not hear me?" the king demanded.
"Father, from what I can tell, he is not a spy. He spoke the truth; he is a traveler," she replied hesitantly.
Oscar, one of the king's advisors, laughed derisively. "A traveler without a home?" he scoffed.
"Yes," she insisted.
"My princess, some of the elders and I have investigated his claims, and none of them hold up," Oscar said. Princess Lynn felt a sharp pain in her heart. "What have I done?" she thought to herself, her mind racing with fear and confusion.
Princess Lynn stood with a bit of confusion, her mind racing. Her father, King Aiden, noticed her hesitation. "Princess Lynn, is there something you are hiding from us? Speak before we get into trouble."
"It is nothing, Father. I am fine. But I seek a favor," she replied, trying to steady her voice.
"What could that be?" the king asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her.
"I need just an additional week to investigate him further. I need to be sure before I give you my final words," she demanded, her voice firm.
"That is not possible," the king retorted. "Don't you know his gang might come against us? That man is a traitor and must be treated as one."
"Your Majesty, there is no time to wait. We need to act immediately," Oscar, one of the king's advisors, interjected.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, I would like to speak to the princess privately," Queen Isabella requested.
"Better, because I am left with just a few hours to declare his execution," the king added, his tone final.
Queen Isabella led Lynn to her room, leaving the young Prince Richard to sit in the meeting. Once they were alone, the queen turned to her daughter. "Is there something you are hiding from us? Speak," she demanded.
"Mother, I sense he is innocent," Lynn answered, her voice trembling.
"But the elders have found him guilty of being a traitor. Do you have feelings for him?" the queen asked, her eyes piercing.
Lynn was taken aback. "What if I do? Is it so wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and defiance.
"Don't dare me with such a question," the queen warned.
"I love him," Princess Lynn declared, her voice steady and confident.
Queen Isabella was provoked. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice rising.
"You heard me, Mother. Do your worst," Lynn replied confidently.
In a fit of rage, Queen Isabella slapped Lynn hard across the face. The force of the blow sent Lynn reeling, but she quickly regained her composure and stormed out of the room. She marched straight to the king's chamber, her heart pounding with determination.
"Father, I love Kingston," she declared, her voice echoing through the chamber. The king's face turned pale, and he clutched his chest, almost collapsing from the shock.
"Father! Father!" Lynn called out desperately as everyone rushed to help the king. After a few tense moments, King Aiden regained his composure, though his face was still pale.
"That traitor must be killed immediately," the king declared, his voice weak but resolute.
"Then kill me along with him," Lynn added defiantly, her words plunging the room into chaos.
The elders and advisors exchanged shocked glances, unsure of how to proceed. The kingdom was thrown into confusion, the air thick with tension.
Seeing the turmoil she had caused, Princess Lynn knew she had to act quickly. She couldn't let Kingston die, and she couldn't let her kingdom fall into disarray. Summoning all her courage, she stepped forward, her voice strong and clear.
"Father, I beg you to reconsider. Give me one chance to prove his innocence. If I fail, I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit," she pleaded, her eyes locked onto her father's.
King Aiden hesitated, the love for his daughter warring with his duty as a king. Finally, he nodded. "You have until dawn. If you cannot prove his innocence by then, he will be executed."
Lynn bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you, Father. I will not fail you."
As soon as she left the chamber, Lynn sprang into action. She knew she had to find a way to save Kingston, and she had to do it quickly. She donned a simple cloak to disguise herself and slipped out of the castle.
She made her way to the dungeon, where Kingston was being held. The guards, recognizing her, allowed her entry. She approached Kingston's cell, her heart pounding.
"Kingston, we need to leave now," she whispered urgently. "I can't prove your innocence in time, but I won't let you die."
Kingston looked at her with a mix of hope and confusion. "Leave? How?"
"I have a plan," she said, her voice filled with determination. "Follow me."
She led Kingston through a series of hidden passages she had discovered as a child. They moved silently, avoiding the guards and slipping out of the castle unnoticed. The night was dark, and the streets were empty, but they pressed on.
They reached the stables, where Lynn quickly saddled two horses. "We need to ride fast and far," she said, handing Kingston the reins of one horse.
"Are you sure about this?" Kingston asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I am," Lynn replied firmly. "We have no other choice."
They mounted their horses and rode out of the kingdom, the wind whipping through their hair. Lynn felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. She was leaving everything she knew behind, but she was doing it for love.
As they rode through the night, Lynn couldn't help but glance back at the castle, its silhouette fading into the distance. She knew their journey would be fraught with danger, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would find a way to clear Kingston's name and build a new life.