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I had fallen for Avaritia’s tricks and been captured, then thrown in jail. It seemed the royal family members were kept in separate cells to prevent any secret conversations, so I couldn’t see them. Even if I had wanted to talk secretly, I couldn’t—our mouths were sealed shut.

I wish I didn’t have this gag, but I understood it was used to prevent us from using magic. I knew they intended to kill me tomorrow, so there was no reason to feed me. And so, I would never speak again.

◇◇◇

The next morning, the royal family was assembled in the castle square. There was I, the queen, and our four children, excluding Topersion. All of us had our mouths covered and our hands shackled. When my eyes met Riegers’, he looked down in shame.

He must have felt ashamed for failing to fulfill his life’s duty. Normally, I would have scolded him, but this was not the time. I had more to be scolded for than he did.

In the square, there were pillars prepared for each of us, and we were lined up in front of them. First, our hands were tied above our heads. Then our legs were bound to the posts. Finally, we were blindfolded.

In the darkness, I could hear only the sound of footsteps fading away. I wanted to scream at them for the disrespect they were showing the royal family, but my screams would achieve nothing. We had been defeated and captured to be executed. Any outburst here would only entertain them.

The footsteps faded, but I knew it wasn’t over.

Soon, I began to hear footsteps again, far more than before. Were they planning to show the people this sight, to prove that the royal family had truly fallen? It was humiliating. But if it had come to this, perhaps it was better I couldn’t see anything.

That thought didn’t last long.

“You destroyed my village… This is for my father!”

I heard a boy’s voice, and then something hard struck me on the head. Moments later, something equally hard hit me again in a different place. There were no words, but I could hear groans. I knew I wasn’t the only one—my entire family was being beaten.

Each blow wasn’t unbearable. But it never ended. Just when I thought it was over, another blow would come.

What humiliation. How pathetic the royal family had become.

After being struck so many times that there wasn’t a single place on my body free from pain, a terrible feeling filled my chest.

What had I done? I had only tried to protect the people—protect Fraus. So why was I being blamed?

My blood drained, and my clouded mind couldn’t think anymore.

Why? Why? Hadn’t I always thought of the people? I had ruled the nation just like the kings before me. So why did they blame me?

The people had received the spirits’ blessings just like the rest of us. They had no right to blame me.

As royalty, we had to make sacrifices—cut down the few to protect the many. Why couldn’t they understand that? Was letting the kingdom slowly rot away the right answer?

No matter how much I pondered over everything, the stones kept raining down.

Stop, stop, stop! There was nowhere for them to go, even if they followed Avaritia. Their powers would be stripped away, they’d be exploited, and the weakest would die first. Were they really okay with that?

They had all been deceived!

◇◇◇

I didn’t know how long it had been, but all I felt was pain. It felt like something precious to me had broken. I no longer remembered what it was. All I could think about was the world’s collapse.

How pleasant it would be if that girl’s foolish story turned out to be true. The nation of Fraus had been a farce since the beginning. Fools, traitors, Avaritia. All of them would vanish.

It brought me joy. Genuine joy.

Why had I been so stubborn? It was simple. I shouldn’t have clung to the role of royalty. This kingdom no longer wanted a royal family. What pride was there in royalty? What good had it done to protect it?

I was a public figure, and being thrown out was the end of me.

Still, I would likely resent and curse them for this. And in the afterlife, I would laugh at them as they brought the world to ruin.

My blindfold was removed, and my legs were free to walk. Then I was laid on the decapitation table. So many people surrounded me—it felt like the whole capital had gathered here.

I understood then—there were many people for me to hate.

I couldn’t imagine how much I’d have to laugh in the afterlife. But I would laugh. I would laugh at how absurd it all was. At how arrogant it all had become. No matter how it turned out, they were all heading toward death.

Now then! Kill me quickly! Then tremble in fear until your last moments. Be exploited till your last breath. Ridiculous. How utterly ridiculous. This world is laughable.

“Behold the royal bloodline that deceived God and cast the world into chaos! But today, we have unmasked their true nature and captured them like the wretched cowards they are! Of course, as you all know, the price of this victory has not been small. Some among us—our comrades, our kin—were poisoned in vile, underhanded ways and lost their lives today. Thanks to their sacrifice, we were able to reach this moment. Our moment. So let this day be a celebration. Let us honor the fallen by offering up the heads of these cursed royals as a tribute to their bravery and blood!”

Are you going to blame everything on the royal family? Fine. Do as you please. Blaming us won’t change where you end up. Avaritia’s revolting speech ended, and death came closer with every second.

The wind stirred softly, as if mourning what was about to come.

Ah… I want to liv…