Ethereal

“Let me go! …let go of me!” Ethereal struggled, twisting her arms and kicking in the air as she was dragged down the streets of heaven by two hefty men and a thin man with a black robe strolling ahead of them, leading the way… The cold morning air gushed through her luxurious hair as she twisted and turned, fighting the two hefty men that held her against her will. Heaven's road, as you'd expect, was as beautiful as you could imagine… streets of gold, endless pearlescent sky, fluffy solid clouds and gold harps floating all around… “Let go of me…” Ethereal still hadn't given up on her struggle; she continued kicking and twisting her wrists despite how red they were getting as she kept echoing in heaven, the golden streets burning up under her and the harps sounding like a warning to her all of a sudden … “Your Majesty…” the thin man in black who had been leading the way said as he pushed the pearly gates open “What is the meaning of this abrupt nonsense…Lucifer,” the king's voice deepened as rage filled his face, He was having a meeting with his council when Lucifer had interrupted him “You dare to interrupt my council meeting without permission...!” He slammed his hand on his throne handle; clearly, he didn't have time for Lucifer's games as his unbridled wrath continued to grow “Your majesty…” Lucifer continued; he gave a mocking bow with a side grin creeping onto his face “I am sorry to interrupt, but…I have brought some very important news you may want to hear”... The king glared at Lucifer, who stood there boldly and confidently, obviously having a big surprise; the king's curiosity piqued… although Lucifer was a deceitful skimmer, he also had the most reliable gossip and whispers in all of heaven and somewhat caught the king's attention,... The king dismissed his council, confirming Lucifer's thought, as he gave a weak smirk and a low bow that felt like a threat “Bring her forward…” Lucifer said calmly as the two hefty men lifted Ethereal, who had given up on struggling, and threw her to the floor. “Ugh…!” Ethereal groaned, biting her lip hard, with the taste of blood and stardust that came with it “What is the meaning of this madness!!” the king thundered, his voice filled the room as he jerked up from his throne…the lights dimmed “Release the princess immediately!!” Pure rage scattered in his voice as he echoed inside and outside the room, scaring all the doves that lurked around “Your Majesty…” Lucifer gave that mocking bow again… “Do not be in a haste, my king, for we…have caught the princess in bed… He hesitated for some time … with another man… …and as the rule states… has to be punished” Lucifer didn't rush to the point, seeing as he had the king in his grasp… The king, sharply turned to Ethereal, who lay weakly on the floor, “Explain yourself…” his voice had dimmed like a proud cat who had been humbled “Your Majesty…" Her voice wavered. A bit shaky. Her innocence written all over her face Still on the floor. “I deny all claims to those allegations”, Ethereal said softly, like she was whispering “Lucifer… …I am sure you are aware of the consequences of your actions if the princess is not convicted as guilty” The king said slowly, as if he had already started to have his doubts “Yes, Your Majesty, I am well aware, and that… is why I have brought witnesses”, Lucifer said with a grin crawling towards the corner of his mouth as lords from the king's court trouped in How had Lucifer managed to have the king's court at his fingertips Everybody just stared wide-eyed The lords marched in slowly, Lord Sterein came first Followed by lord Camrig Then lord Pasco They all slowly lined up in a symmetrical manner, as if it was intentional Lord Pasco, though the last to come in, was the first to speak; he was an old man and the richest of the king's council, His grey hair scattered on his head and pale skin as dry as an old earthy man He looked up at the king; disgust filled his eyes “My king, what Lucifer speaks is true” He paused and turned to Ethereal “This woman has betrayed the whole of heaven”, he continued The lords concurred from the back “My king…” eyes red like roses soaked in tears She wasn't just begging — she was breaking. Her mouth opened like she wanted to scream, to tear the air apart, but nothing loud came. It came out as a whisper, thin and shaking, shredded by tears. Her shoulders heaved, her chest stuttered with every breath, and her voice cracked in between sobs. The veins on her neck and forehead stood out, tight and conspicuous, pulsing with every desperate plea. Her eyes were swollen, her hands trembling, clasped together like prayer — like if she held on tight enough, someone would finally listen “ I may not have any witnesses, but I do know that I have been faithful to my husband and have been with him all day…. I know nothing about what they speak about”... She continues screeching “Liarrr!!” lord Camrig echoed from the back He was the last leaf of a dying tree. His hair was thin and white as cobwebbed silver, his beard neatly trimmed but his scalp spotted with age. His face was a map of wrinkles — deep lines carved by seventy winters of wars, betrayals, and whispered counsels in cold stone halls. His eyes... pale grey, watery with age. When he looks at you, you feel judged His back is bent, but he refuses a cane. He walks slowly, deliberately, his heavy velvet robe dragging slightly on the floor The king turns to the prince; clearly, he didn't believe it yet and needed one last conviction The prince had mixed himself among the king's guard all this while… “Is this true?” The king turned to the prince and asked calmly, The prince was hesitant. He finally opened his mouth “Yes, Your Majesty,” He paused. “It is true”.... He turned to Ethereal. Eyes sad like a little puppy Yet he pulled it all in and continued “The allegations are true…” “Ethereal lies”... He slowly bowed. Ethereal turned to face the prince, wide-eyed. He knew it wasn't true; why would he do this…?? The king, having his final conviction, turned to Lucifer and the lords …with a rekindled rage and said “ Let all bear me witness this day that Princess Ethereal, daughter of Athena, having betrayed the royal family and committed this heinous sin, is hereby…sentenced to death by beheading” “Your Majesty…” Ethereal tried to come forward, trying one last time to seek an audience “Take her away…” Lucifer ordered… Tears filled her eyes again, as if it couldn't get any worse A lump in her throat. “It's not true, Your Majesty… please… please,” she began struggling again, twisting and turning with all her might Screaming “ It's not true…you know it's not true….Skye, tell them…please…please…” she screamed, her veins distinctly standing out, tears rolling down her eyes as the two hefty men dragged her out… Sly Lucifer slipped by. Whispering, “I told you heaven wasn't always beautiful”, with a huge grin on his face “Please…” “Skye…” Ethereal screamed, begging as she struggled one last time, watching her last string of hope fade away as she looked at her husband Skye stood there, like she didn't even exist and wouldn't dare look at her Ethereal kept begging till she was out of the palace light and thrown into the cold, dark dungeon, ringed with rusted irons and old prayers.