cenes of execution, death, violence, tor

's Point

ront of the Old Council Hall. Even before we had fully stepped out, I could

restless since we left the palace, but I made sure not to show it-my companion i

kstone Plaza-the place where the Empress was dest

za clearly because of the mas

mpanion informed me once the carria

ply n

royal guard even assisted me, carefully offe

Faenys Millora Montague-Cavendish of the Alt

after the herald's proclamation. Every head lowere

ora Montagu

mpress's name? Is that the name

f the controversial Empress who had been erased fro

ans struggled to find? Or should I be terrified because the

cheek to stop myself from

ly meet the current Emperor of Altos-the one who is praised even

It was necessary to pass through it first in order to

my shoulders. Its collar was adorned with what seemed to be dark feathers resting again

lightly as I slowly walked toward the Empe

er filled the entire Blackstone Plaza were now completely silenced,

esence or the Empress's authority that had br

tly in my ears the moment our eyes finally met-Em

formidable. His piercing pale-blue eyes locked onto

our Majesty..."

simply, trying with all m

g in our direction. Some looked curious, their eyes filled with intrigue, while o

ron door located at the sid

is hands and feet bound

n who tried to po

attempted to poison me yesterday. Luckily, it was customary here for

e servant who tasted my meal

the center of the plaza. His body was covered in bruises

esty?" asked the royal guard whom I believed to be the hi

ked calmly. I wanted to know at least a s

anyone had ordered him to carry out the act, Your Majesty. However, he refused to speak. We have

hat p

gaze to the accused. When our eyes

er..." he mou

widened

t? Does he know that I'm

et so much is already happening. My

prisoner with clear impatience written across his face, as if h

commence!" the roya

oner's arms and dragged him toward the execution platform

y of the attempted poisoning of the Imperial Empress. Accordingly, by the authority vested in this Court, he i

wd, but shock and fear were far more eviden

latform, he was forced to kneel. The chains on his wris

, but he faced the

cutioners raise

me itself had sl

press Faenys, Marigold. Remember that

cross the wooden platform in a dark, horrifying stain. A deafening silence envelop

platform as the guards moved for

ncontrollably, and sweat be

he council waiting, there is an important m

barely registe

an to leave, yet I still couldn't bring m

fully. My ears were ringing. My

a history book. A man just

akened beneath me. My vision blur

asked, but their voice sounded distant

a step forward, my le

g around

d went compl