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Finis then said plainly, “It’s about time, so goodbye,” and left just like that. Afterward, the jailer who had woken up glared at me, but I hadn’t done anything. And he must have known that quite well.

In the end, perhaps because I hadn’t tried to escape, he didn’t say a word and simply returned to his watch. I no longer had any intention of running. I had shut my heart, ready to accept everything.

◇◇◇

Blindfolded, I was led outside. Even then, anyone barely spoke—only a quiet, detached explanation of what was to come. Without resisting, I was bound to something—crucified.

I could sense a crowd around me. I heard voices: “She’s here,” and “Now we can be saved.” Then came Avaritia’s voice, “Those who have grievances may throw stones. However, you must not kill her.” Immediately, a thunderous roar of cheers and shouting echoed all around.

And then, the rain of stones came. Each one wasn’t large enough to kill, but in numbers, they brought pain sharp enough to make me want to groan. Even so, I did not let my expression change. As royalty, I could not allow myself to appear shaken.

So many voices shouted.

“Traitor!”
“You deceived us!”
“W̲h̲o̲r̲e̲!”
“The kingdom’s enemy!”

Verbal abuse. Insults. They were enough to make one want to cover their ears. As though everything I had achieved until now had never existed—twisted into evil, erased. I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming. As royalty, I could not show that kind of weakness.

These people may no longer even be citizens of the Fraus Kingdom. But precisely because of that, I couldn’t show my frailty. I had to simply and solemnly accept their anger.

Surely, my father had done the same. I didn’t know if my siblings had been able to follow through as well, but I was certain my parents had met their end in a way that brought no shame to our royal blood. In the confusion, I hadn’t seen clearly—but the heads that were displayed must have held proud expressions.

So I would endure this too. As royalty, I would accept the people’s fury. I would hide the body that aches from pain and the heart torn apart by cruel words.

—But still… my heart grows cold.
—Even knowing this is the punishment I deserve, dark emotions begin to seep up from the depths of my stomach, from my very core.
—Cover them all up.
—Let at least the surface remain composed.

◇◇◇

After killing my heart and ignoring my aching body, the rain of stones eventually came to an end. My whole body burned with pain. Even the slightest movement sent shocks through me. I could not possibly walk—but I was ordered to walk, and so I did, driven by sheer will alone. Even if my destination was the execution platform where I would be killed, I could not allow myself to look pitiful.

Still blindfolded, my hands and neck were bound. This was the guillotine. Only then was the blindfold removed.

What I saw were countless citizens. Their expressions varied widely. Some cheered with joy, some pressed their hands together in prayer, some trembled with anger, and others stared with bloodshot, crazed eyes. Some looked relieved. Some gazed at me with pure, unwavering focus.

What they all shared was a desire for my death. I clenched my teeth and endured this moment.

If I let my guard down even a little, I felt like I would fall apart.

“Well then,” Avaritia said, “do you have any final words for the people, Princess Topersion? Or perhaps I should say, Queen Topersion.”

His tone was mocking. But at this point, I no longer cared.

“If, in this crumbling world, my death can bring the people even a moment of peace, then I will gladly offer my head.”

This was the final duty I could fulfill as royalty. Even if it did not come from compassion, even if the people who found comfort in my death were no longer truly citizens of Fraus, it was at least a form of atonement.

Perhaps displeased that I hadn’t begged for help or broken down in my last words, Avaritia clicked his tongue and gave a curt order, “Do it.”

In that moment, I burned the final view into my eyes. The stage of the guillotine, designed so all could witness the execution, offered a wide, clear view. The townscape of Fraus hadn’t changed much—but here and there, signs of collapse had begun to show. It was heartbreaking. Even the expressions of the people were no longer as calm as they once had been.

As I passed my final moments like that, I saw the heads of the royal family displayed. They weren’t close enough to see clearly, and yet somehow… I could see their expressions in perfect detail.

My older and younger brothers, my younger sister, and my mother. And the face of my father, the king—Ah… I’m so very tired.

Before long, my consciousness faded.