The next morning dawned, casting a somber light over the palace. The maidens resumed their duties, their whispers hushed as they glanced at the execution ground. Guards stood at attention, their faces stoic.
In the center of the courtyard, a sturdy gallows stood, its wooden beam weathered to a dull gray. A noose hung ominously, swaying gently in the morning breeze. The executioner's platform was draped in black cloth, a symbol of mourning.
King Erian's heart weighed heavy with sorrow as he gazed out his window, his eyes fixed on the gallows. How could he bear the thought of losing Lili? His mind racing, he searched for a solution.
Ministers from various offices began arriving, their footsteps echoing through the palace corridors. They walked in pairs, their hushed conversations laced with tension.
"...abomination must be eradicated," Minister Xander Burroughs said, his voice firm.
"...but the queen's fate is tragic," Minister Xia countered, shaking his head.
In the dungeon, the sound of clanking metal echoed through the dimly lit corridors. Three bodyguards stood outside Queen Lili's cell, their faces expressionless.
"Bring out the queen," one guard ordered, his voice devoid of emotion.
The iron gate creaked open, and two guards entered the cell. They grasped Lili's arms, helping her to her feet.
"My lady," one of the guards whispered, his eyes filled with pity.
Lili's gaze remained fixed on the floor as they led her out of the cell. Her chains dragged against the stone floor, the sound echoing through the corridor. Just as they reached the hallway, a guard sprinted toward them, his breathing urgent.
"Wait!" he exclaimed. "Message from the king! The queen's execution is delayed until further notice."
The guards halted, releasing Lili's arms. She turned, her eyes locked onto the messenger.
The guards bowed, their heads lowered. Lili walked back into her cell, her chains clanking against the floor. The door creaked shut behind her, the lock clicking into place.
As the guards departed, their whispers filled the corridor.
"Delayed, but for how long?" one guard wondered.
"The king's heart is torn," another replied. "But the ministers won't relent."
Lili stood in her cell, her eyes fixed on the door, a glimmer of hope flickering within.
The ministers were summoned to the courtroom with urgent haste. As they gathered, murmurs filled the air, their differing opinions palpable.
"...the king's decision is madness," Minister Arin the sage whispered to Lord Ravenswood.
"...perhaps he's found a way to pardon her," Lord Stormwind countered.
Eunuch Theophilus cleared his throat, his voice booming through the courtroom.
"His Majesty, the King enters. Silence everyone, please."
The room fell silent as the ministers bowed, their heads lowered.
King Erian entered, his regal presence commanding attention. He strode to his throne, his movements deliberate.
"Rise, my lords," the king said, his voice calm.
The ministers stood, their eyes fixed on the king.
Lord Ravenswood stepped forward, his voice laced with curiosity.
"Your Majesty, if I may inquire, what prompted the delay in the queen's execution?"
The king's expression remained serene.
Minister Xander Burroughs spoke up, his tone adamant.
"The law is clear, Your Majesty. The queen's actions warrant death. Delaying her execution only sparks unrest."
Lady Nightshade nodded in agreement, "yes, the people demand justice. The queen's betrayal cannot be tolerated."
The king's calm demeanor remained unwavering.
"I understand your concerns, my ministers. However, have you forgotten the law's nuances? Commoners may face swift justice, but those of royal blood or household are entitled to 30 days of confinement for further investigation before sentencing."
The room erupted into whispers and murmurs. Ministers exchanged skeptical glances.
One of the ministers spoke up.
"But, Your Majesty, the queen's crimes are treasonous. surely, an exception must be made."
King Erian's voice remained firm.
"I will not bypass the law, thirty days will provide ample time for reflection and investigation."
The king's words sparked a cacophony of opinions.
"...this is folly!" Minister Arin the sage exclaimed.
"...the king's wisdom is questionable," Lord Ravenswood whispered.
"...perhaps there's more to this than we know," Lord Stormwind mused.
The debate raged on, but king Erian's resolve remained unshaken.
King Erian's voice cut through the murmurs in the courtroom.
"Guard!" He called out.
A nearby guard hastened to the king's side.
"Relay a message to the execution ground: dismantle the gallows, and remove all preparations. The execution is postponed indefinitely."
The guard nodded, his face expressionless.
"Yes, Your Majesty." With urgency, the guard sprinted out of the courtroom.
King Erian stood, his movements deliberate.
"This meeting is adjourned," he said.
Lady Nightshade followed the king out of the courtroom, her eyes scanning the departing ministers.
Minister Ravenswood's voice trailed behind.
"This is a grave mistake, Your Majesty. Mark my words."
The ministers dispersed, their whispers echoing through the corridors.
In the dungeon, Queen Lili paced her cell, desperation etched on her face. Three days had passed since her imprisonment, and the king's visit was sorely absent.
Food arrived, but Lili's appetite had vanished. The once-sumptuous meals now lay untouched.
Rumors of the queen's treason spread like wildfire throughout the land. Lili's parents, received the news with heavy hearts.
*****************************
"No visitors," the dungeon keeper growled, turning away Susan, Emma, and close relatives.
Susan, released a day after Lili's imprisonment, had withered away. Her once-vibrant complexion now seemed sallow, her eyes sunken. Emma's condition wasn't faring better.
As night descended on the dungeon, Lili's exhaustion finally claimed her. She fell into a fitful sleep, her dreams turbulent.
In her dream, Lili found herself walking alone at night in a desolate landscape, the sky above a deep, foreboding shade. Hunger and thirst gnawed at her belly.
The moon was crescent and under the dark sky, four stars in the distance caught her attention. They shone brighter, growing larger than the others.
Transfixed, Lili watched as one star burst into tiny flames, another sparkling into water. Swiftly, they merged.
The sight took Lili's breath away. The four stars coalesced, descending toward her.
Fear propelled Lili to her feet. She sprinted across the dark landscape, but the stars kept pace.
As they drew closer, Lili stumbled, falling to the ground. The stars entered her stomach, and she screamed.
Lili jolted awake, her voice echoing off the dungeon walls.
"Ahh!"
Panting, she sat up, her heart racing. The darkness closed in around her, a stark reminder of her reality.
Just a dream, she told herself, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
But the memory of those four stars lingered, haunting her.