Chapter 23: Problems
Chapter 23: Problems
The huge gate of the first wall pushed open and Lysa, whose head was covered with a black sack, was dragged forward by two hefty men. Her eyes darted around fearfully, but all she could see was darkness.
At this time, the citizens had heard about what had happened, and they gathered at the Town Hall waiting to witness the execution. Marina’s head lifted when she saw her being led to the Head Remover.
"Lysa." Her lips trembled violently as tears blurred her vision.
The square was already overflowing with people. Men, women, and even children had pushed their way forward to witness the punishment. Their voices filled the air in low murmurs, the sound spreading everywhere.
Some stood on wooden carts to get a better look. Others leaned against stone pillars surrounding the Town Hall.
In the centre of the square stood the Head Remover.
It was a tall wooden structure built from thick beams stained dark with age, traces of blood could be seen on some parts of it. The execution blade hung high above the frame, its cold metal gleaming faintly under the pale daylight. Beneath it waited the heavy block where prisoners placed their necks.
The sight of it alone was enough to make stomachs twist.
Lysa stumbled as the guards dragged her forward.
Without her sight, every step felt uncertain. The ground beneath her boots was rough stone, uneven and cold. She could hear the distant hum of voices all around her, dozens... no, hundreds.
They were watching.
Her breathing grew shallow inside the sack.
"What... what is happening?" she whispered hoarsely, though no one answered.
The guards tightened their grip on her arms and pulled her forward again.
The crowd parted slowly as they approached the centre. Some people stared with cold curiosity; others whispered to each other behind raised hands. A few faces held pity, but none dared step forward.
From the front row, Marina could barely breathe.
Her fingers clenched the railing so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"No... no..." she whispered under her breath.
Beside her, an old woman shook her head quietly.
"It is already decided," the woman murmured. "The heirs have already made their judgment. It is so sad this is what they have become even after the loss of their people."
Marina’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she watched the guards force Lysa up the wooden platform.
Lysa tripped on the first step and nearly fell.
One of the guards yanked her upright again with little care.
"Move," he growled.
They pushed her toward the centre of the platform.
The executioner was already waiting.
He stood tall and silent beside the Head Remover, his broad figure cloaked in dark leather. His face was hidden behind a heavy iron mask that showed nothing but two narrow eye slits.
In his hands, he held a long wooden lever that controlled the blade.
The square slowly fell silent. Even the whispers faded.
The guards forced Lysa to her knees. Her body trembled violently now.
"Please..." she choked softly. "Please, I didn’t-"
One of the guards pulled the sack from her head. Light flooded her vision suddenly, making her gasp.
Before her stretched the entire square. Hundreds of faces stared back.
Her gaze darted wildly through the crowd until it stopped.
"Marina...?"
Her voice cracked.
Marina broke.
"LYSA!" she screamed, pushing forward through the crowd as tears streamed down her face.
Several guards immediately blocked her path.
"You cannot interfere," one of them barked.
But Marina struggled anyway.
"No! Let her go! She didn’t do anything!"
On the platform, Lysa’s eyes widened helplessly as she watched Marina fight against the guards.
Then the executioner stepped forward.
Without a word, he placed a heavy hand on Lysa’s shoulder and forced her toward the wooden block.
The blade above them gleamed coldly.
And the lever slowly began to move.
Just as the blade hovered an inch above Lysa’s trembling neck, a powerful voice suddenly swept through the square.
"Hold."
The single word rang out like thunder.
The executioner froze.
The lever stopped moving.
For a brief moment, the entire Town Hall square fell into stunned silence.
Then heads began turning.
Slowly, the crowd parted as a tall figure walked toward the platform with steady steps.
Aeron.
His golden hair caught the pale sunlight, and his sharp blue eyes carried a calm authority that immediately commanded the entire square. His dark royal coat moved slightly with each step, the embroidered crest of the kingdom gleaming against the black fabric.
Behind him walked Theron, silent and imposing, his expression neutral as his gaze swept across the gathered citizens.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Prince Cassien..."
"What is he doing here?"
"Why would he stop the execution?"
The murmurs spread quickly from person to person as their eyes watched the scene before them.
On the platform, Lysa lifted her head weakly. Her vision was blurred from tears, but when her eyes landed on Aeron, they widened in disbelief.
Marina covered her mouth with both hands.
"I-it’s him..."
’The devil!’ she screamed inwardly.
The executioner slowly released the lever and stepped back, lowering his head respectfully.
Aeron climbed the wooden platform with calm, measured steps.
His gaze swept across the crowd before settling briefly on the trembling girl forced against the execution block.
Whispers grew louder among the citizens.
"Did he come to stop it? Has he discovered something?"" Someone muttered.
"How would I know?" Another answered.
The first speaker glared harshly at the person before looking away.
The murmuring became a restless wave spreading through the square.
Aeron stopped at the centre of the platform.
His sharp eyes turned toward the crowd.
"Yes."
The single word cut through the noise instantly and the whispers died.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Lysa blinked in shock.
The guards exchanged uneasy looks.
Aeron’s voice was calm, but it carried across the entire square with effortless authority.
"We wrongfully accused a servant," he said coldly, "who was only carrying out the orders given to her by her master."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then the shock hit.
"What?"
"She was only following orders?"
"Then... she didn’t do it on her own?"
The citizens began murmuring again, louder now, confusion spreading through the crowd.
On the platform, Lysa stared at Aeron as if she had stopped breathing.
Marina’s tears flowed even faster.
Surprisingly, Elowen had chosen to come over to witness the scene, and in front of her were a few council members who were on her side.
They had chosen to visit this place to gain the favour of Elowen. Even if she didn’t manage to get the throne, she could become a wife to one of their sons.
Elowen’s eyes narrowed slightly on hearing what Aeron had said.
Aeron’s gaze remained fixed on the trembling girl kneeling beside the execution block.
"She carried out a command given to her," Aeron continued. "Nothing more."
Theron stepped forward slightly behind him, his presence heavy and silent like a predator.
The crowd grew quiet again.
Every ear strained to hear what would come next.
Aeron finally turned toward the executioner.
His blue eyes were cold.
"Release her."
The executioner immediately stepped away from the machine and lowered his head.
The guards hesitated.
Aeron’s gaze shifted toward them.
The temperature of the air seemed to drop.
"Did you not hear me?" he asked quietly. Their eyes briefly went to Elowen but she didn’t bother looking at them.
The guards quickly untied the ropes binding Lysa’s wrists.
Her arms fell weakly to her sides.
She nearly collapsed, but one of the guards caught her before she hit the ground.
Lysa stared at Aeron in disbelief.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
The crowd was completely silent now.
Then Aeron turned to face the citizens once more.
"She will not be executed," he declared.
His voice was firm and absolute.
"She will not be killed for obeying the orders of her master."
A ripple of shock passed through the crowd.
Some people exchanged stunned glances.
Others looked toward the siblings with growing suspicion.
On the ground below the platform, Marina finally broke free from the guards holding her back.
She ran forward, tears streaming down her face.
"Lysa!"
Lysa turned just as Marina reached the base of the platform.
Their eyes met and she collapsed on the floor. Marina reached out to hold her, pulling her into an embrace. Lysa tried to stay awake but because of the tension and fear of dying her body went through she couldn’t stay awake.
"Shh, it’s okay child." Marina rubbed her hair gently.
Elowen’s hands clenched tightly beside her on seeing the scene unfold before her. The council members she had coaxed to follow her stole glances at her.
She huffed in disbelief, "This is how you want to win this war, brother? I will make sure you regret everything you did today."
She turned around and stormed out of the place leaving everyone behind.
