I Rejected My Mate, The Prince

Chapter 5

**Clarissa’s POV**

Today, an unsettling gossip has come to my attention.

The Prince has issued orders for the execution of three prisoners. While I remain ignorant of their identities and crimes, the mere thought weighs heavily on my conscience. I approach Athena, urging her to discreetly investigate the nature of their offenses, as well as their genders, ages, and familial ties. My intention is to ascertain whether I hold the power to pardon them, depending on the gravity of their misdeeds. It feels like my duty as a princess, even though I'm unsure of where to begin. I need to make a difference.

Becoming a princess demands training and practice, yet there is no sign of my royal instructor's arrival. The responsibilities thrust upon me grow increasingly overwhelming with each passing day. There is no confidant, no one to share my fears or problems with. I can't voice my concerns to my husband, communicate with my wolf, or form bonds with the palace staff or guards.

I am utterly alone, and the isolation gnaws at my soul.

Lunchtime arrives, and I dine alone at the grand table. The Chef stands ready to assist, but I can't extend an invitation to anyone. Learning the rules of royalty is an arduous process.

Athena enters the dining area and whispers in my ear, "My Lady, the prison inspector is here. He requests a private audience with you."

"Has His Grace returned to the palace?" I inquire.

"No, My Lady," Athena replies.

Dismissing the nearby Chef, I converse with Athena. "Send the prison inspector to my apartment. I'll meet with him there."

"Too many prying eyes, My Lady. His Grace will surely discover our meeting. It's safer to speak with him in the infirmary. It's less likely to arouse suspicion."

"Very well."

Athena guides me to the infirmary, where the prison inspector kneels upon sight, greeting me fervently. "My Lady! Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. It's an honor."

Worry etches lines on his face, and it's evident that something troubles him deeply.

"You have something to discuss. Please, go on."

"My Lady, it concerns the impending execution of the prisoners. It's scheduled for dawn, and my younger brother is one of them. He's innocent, My Lady! Please, save my brother; he truly hasn't committed any wrongdoing deserving of death."

"Why is he incarcerated if he's innocent? Do you possess any evidence to exonerate him?"

The man meets my gaze with teary eyes. "I lack evidence to prove his innocence, but Matthias would never lie to me, My Lady. He's an upright person."

"Matthias?" My heart skips a beat, then races. "Are you referring to Matthias Crackers?"

"Yes, My Lady, that's him—my brother."

"Why is Matthias in prison? Who authorized his arrest? And how long has he been detained?"

"It's been three days. The prince issued the order for his apprehension. But he doesn't deserve to die, My Lady. The King possesses the authority to halt an execution, yet we mere servants will never be granted an audience. You're our only hope, My Lady."

"Take me to the prison. I wish to meet the prisoners and hear their pleas."

"Of course!" The man rises, gratitude in his mutterings, and leads the way.

Athena and I follow him all the way to the dungeon.

The west prison houses more than thirty prisoners, a somber congregation of lost souls. Most of them were arrested for petty crimes involving theft, slander against the royal family, and other minor infractions that, under different circumstances, could have been dismissed. As we pass the cells, a procession of weary faces watches us, and it pains me to see their despair, knowing that I am powerless to set them free.

Finally, we reach the last cell where the three prisoners are confined. Matthias, despite his grim circumstances, is the first to stand up upon recognizing me. He hurriedly discloses my identity to the other two prisoners, who appear clueless about who I am. It's a sobering reminder that not everyone within the palace knows of my status as the new princess.

Matthias beams at me, his face marred by dirt and fatigue. "Glad to see you, My Lady." His voice carries a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

"Matthias, tell me what happened. Why did the prince have you locked up for three days?"

Matthias slightly nods his head, the weight of his ordeal evident in his eyes. "I didn't anticipate that His Grace would react so furiously to the library incident."

"I'm so sorry. It happened because of me."

"No, please don't blame yourself, My Lady. Whatever befalls me, you bear no responsibility."

"Nothing will happen to you. I promise that I will appeal to the King, and I will do everything within my power to secure your release."

"Me too, My Lady," the other prisoner adds, his voice tinged with desperation. "Please, save our lives. We don't deserve to die like this."

"What did you two do?"

"We were caught stealing from the royal storage room. My name is Henry and Dan here is my accomplice, but I'm the one who persuaded him to commit the crime. He has a wife and a child, My Lady. He doesn't deserve to meet his end like this. None of us deserve to face execution. Please, listen to our pleas.”

I look at the two prisoners, Henry and Dan, their eyes filled with fear and desperation. I can't help but empathize with their plight.

"I will listen to your pleas," I say calmly, trying to maintain a composed demeanor despite the turmoil inside me. "Tell me everything. What drove you to steal from the royal storage room?"

Dan, the older of the two, takes a deep breath before speaking. "My Lady, I don't make excuses for what we did. Times have been tough, and I couldn't bear to see my wife and child go hungry. Henry here, he's been like a brother to me, and he convinced me it was the only way. We didn't intend harm to anyone; we just wanted to provide for our families."

Henry nods in agreement. "My Lady, I take full responsibility for involving Dan in this. I knew it was wrong, but desperation clouded my judgment. I wanted to help my mother as well."

Their voices tremble with sincerity, and it's evident that they regret their actions. My mind races as I consider their words. While stealing is a crime, their motivations were driven by desperation, not malice.

"Please understand, My Lady," Dan pleads, tears glistening in his eyes. "I have a wife and a young child waiting for me. They depend on me. If I'm executed, their lives will be shattered."

I can feel the weight of their desperation and the gravity of their situation. These are lives hanging by a thread, and I am their only hope.

"I promise you this," I finally say, my voice steady and determined. "I will do everything within my power to ensure a fair investigation. If you truly meant no harm, there may be a chance for clemency. But you must cooperate fully and provide all the information you have. Trust that I will fight for your justice."

The relief on their faces is clear, and they express their gratitude profusely. I can't allow myself to show too much emotion in front of them, for I must maintain the facade of a composed princess. But inside, my heart swells with empathy for them.