Chapter 11: Public Execution
605 Words
At dawn…
The people gathered in the central square, drawn by a sudden call for public judgment.
Theresa stood atop the execution platform, dressed in a sleek black dragon robe that shimmered like oil. Her crown gleamed beneath the rising sun.
She waved for the guards to take down the high priest, but he struggled in retaliation.
"What do you mean by this insolence, your highness?" His voice shook with rage.
"I have proof that you are planning an attack on the kingdom."
"Impossible! I have never been a traitor since your mother sat on the throne and you deem me a traitor." He turned to Ivy and bowed, "Your majesty, your daughter..." She raised a hand impatiently and said, "My daughter is now the queen, relay your grievances to her!"
The high priest looked at the angry faces of his friends and felt satisfied. That's right. He still had the support of his friends!
Suddenly, a voice sounded by his ears. "Shall I tell them about your plan to kill me or you would surrender yourself peacefully?"
He turned his head in panic and saw the enlarged face of Theresa in his view. He hadn't noticed when she crossed the threshold and got so close to him. All his attention had been on Ivy. He stammered, "Y..your highness.."
She smiled a knowing smile without a word.
The High Priest knelt before her, bound and shaking.
“Do you deny it?” she asked loudly.
His lips trembled. “My Queen, I...”
“I asked,” she cut in, her voice cold as iron, “do you deny it?”
He stammered. “No.” He reckoned that it might be better to admit to the crime. She might even forgive her. She was, after all, just a woman and had a soft heart. He almost high-fived himself for his brilliant move but outwardly, he kept a repentant look on his face and lowered his head at her feet.
The crowd gasped.
Theresa stepped forward.
She unsheathed the ceremonial blade.
“Then may your gods forgive you, because I won’t.” His head snapped up in confusion and saw the sword coming towards him very fast. His eyes widened.
Slice!
The crowd roared as his head rolled off his shoulders.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
She didn’t look away, not even as his blood pooled beneath her boots.
In the shadows above the square…
Poison Ivy sipped wine and watched. She squinted her eyes and regarded this girl carefully. She watched her closely. She knew her daughter was kind-hearted. Who could have poisoned her mind? No, maybe people do change once power is handed to them. She looked at Theresa carefully.
So the girl had taken her first true step.
Public bloodshed. Not bad!
Calculated cruelty.
She smiled for real this time.
“Now,” she whispered, “you’re almost ready.”
But deep in her chest, a flicker of unease stirred.
Theresa had learned too quickly.
And that made her dangerous.
Meanwhile, beyond the city walls…
Leonard met with a cloaked figure beneath the scorched trees.
“Did she follow through?” the stranger asked.
Leonard nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. Then we move to phase two.”
Leonard looked up, jaw clenched. “You’re sure this will break Ivy?”
“Nothing breaks a mother faster than seeing her daughter crowned… only to lose her to the same flames she lit.”
Leonard didn’t smile.
Because he wasn’t fighting for Eltherra.
He was fighting for Theresa.
And if Ivy wanted war?
She was about to choke on it. He smirked coldly.
- Writer
