"How can I feel good by torturing you? You being in pain means I'm in pain. So what's the point?" Arthur turns around when he hears that weak familiar voice. His gaze falls on Madin, whose half-open eyes reflect exhaustion and sorrow.
"You… you've woken up…" Arthur whispers, his voice breaking. He drops to his knees and instinctively lifts Madin's upper body, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry," Arthur murmurs, tears threatening to spill. He clings to Madin as though letting go would break him completely.
"What is going on here?!" The king's thunderous voice cuts through the intimate moment, jolting Arthur to his feet.
Arthur spins around, standing protectively in front of Madin.
"This is unbelievable!" the king exclaims, his face twisted with fury. "I will not tolerate this any longer!" Without hesitation, he grabs the sword Arthur had dropped earlier and steps toward Madin.
"Father, no! Stop!" Arthur cries out, his voice filled with desperation.
"I should stop?" the king spits, his tone dripping with disdain. "I gave you a chance to fulfill your promise, Arthur. Time and time again, I've waited for you to prove yourself. But it seems you are incapable of doing what must be done, so I'll handle it myself!"
He raises his hand, signaling the guards. "Take him away and lock him in his chambers!"
Eight guards step forward, closing in on Arthur. But their prince is faster and fiercer than they expect. He lashes out, striking them down one by one with precision and force.
The remaining guards hesitate, exchanging nervous glances, but reinforcements arrive, and soon over ten men restrain Arthur.
"Father, please!" Arthur shouts, struggling against the iron grip of the guards. His voice is raw with desperation. "Don't kill him! I'm begging you! He is innocent, he was forced to do it, you heard general."
"What has gotten into you, Arthur?" the king roars. "Even after learning that he is a man, you still plead for him? What now? Do you still wish to marry him? Have you completely lost your mind? Since when has it been acceptable for a man to marry another man?!"
"I didn't say I still wish to marry him, father!" Arthur yells, his voice echoing through the dungeon. "But So what if he's a man? I don't think I loved him because I thought he was a girl. And I don't think I love him now because he's a boy. I love him! Just him! It's not about gender. It's not about anything else. It's just him—without reason, without logic. I love him!" All these Arthur had spent the last night figuring out because of how afraid he felt at the thought of Madin dying just like that.
The queen enters, followed closely by Princess Loretta and the younger prince. The queen's face is pale with shock, but Loretta steps forward, her voice firm.
"Father, so what if he loves him?" Loretta says boldly. "If he's happy, why does it matter?"
"Happy?!" The king's voice booms. "Everyone in this palace has gone mad! Guards, take him to the dungeon! Let him reflect on his choices. Perhaps time in solitude will bring him back to his senses!"
"No, Father!" Arthur cries, struggling harder against the guards. "Please, don't do this! Don't hurt him! If you have ever loved me as your son, don't do this!"
The king turns his back, dismissing Arthur's pleas. "I am not killing him—yet. But if you continue down this path, you'll leave me no choice. Let him go, and when you've come to your senses, you'll understand."
"Your Majesty!" the queen protests, stepping forward. "You cannot imprison our son like this!"
"My decision is final!" the king snaps, storming out of the dungeon. The queen follows, her protests echoing down the halls. Loretta and the younger prince glance at Arthur, their faces etched with concern, before reluctantly leaving as well.
When the dungeon falls silent again, Madin lifts his head weakly. His voice is quiet but resolute. "Was I cursed or something? What plans do the heavens have for me? Why couldn't they have let me die instead of enduring this?"
He pauses, his eyes softening as he thinks of Arthur's desperate pleas. "But… how can I be cursed when the prince loves me this much? Even after everything, he still fights for me. Arthur, just how much do you love me?"
Madin's gaze hardens with newfound determination. "If you're willing to fight for me, then I promise—I'll fight for us, too. I won't let you bear this alone anymore. I'll protect our love, no matter what it takes."
○
That night, Arthur sits silently in his cell, refusing the food brought to him. He hasn't spoken to anyone, but his mind is restless. Worry for Madin consumes him—has he recovered? Is he safe?
Finally, he addresses the guard stationed outside his cell. "I need to see him."
The guard hesitates. "Your Highness, the king—"
"The king won't know if no one tells him," Arthur interrupts firmly. "I just need to see him for a moment. I need to make sure he's okay. I am your prince—will you deny me that?"
The guard sighs, torn. "As you wish, Your Highness."
He leaves briefly and returns with a set of guard uniforms. "Put this on. It'll help you blend in."
Arthur quickly changes into the disguise, and the guard leads him to Madin's cell. The dungeon guard stationed there is fast asleep, snoring loudly. They slip inside without a sound.
Madin sits on the cold stone floor, staring blankly at the darkness around him. The guard lights a torch, illuminating the room.
Arthur approaches cautiously, his heart aching at the sight of Madin's tear-streaked face and hollow eyes. He kneels in front of him. "Madin, are you okay? How do you feel?"
Madin looks at him, his voice hoarse. "It's you? What are you doing here?"
Arthur places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm getting you out of here. It's not safe for you. My father could…" He trails off, unable to finish the sentence.
Madin shakes his head. "But—"
"No buts," Arthur interrupts, his voice firm. "You're coming with me."
At that moment, the guard returns with another uniform. Arthur hands it to Madin.
"Put this on," Arthur says. "We're leaving."
Disguised as guards, they make their way through the palace unnoticed. The sentries at the gates wave them through, assuming they are part of the nightly patrol.
As they step into the cool night air, Arthur takes Madin's hand, gripping it tightly.