Chapter 12
Gideon took the signed confessions to the courthouse.
With evidence and witnesses both solid, the King issued a full execution order for the whole family.
Seraphina’s public beheading was scheduled for tomorrow.
One last time, I brought her a bowl of sweet pea soup.
The woman who once seemed so elegant and charming…
Now, she was nothing more than a madwoman.
The guards said she screamed all day, cursed at everyone who got near.
“Seraphina, your favorite soup.”
I’d made it the way she used to like it.
She scarfed it down like an animal.
And I thought-if she hadn’t made me take her place in that cursed marriage…
If none of this had happened…
Maybe she’d still be my friend.
Maybe I’d still just be her handmaid.
But the world doesn’t run on maybes.
No second chances.
At noon the next day, Gideon told me they’d be executed at the city gates.
Crowds followed the wagons through the streets, furious.
They hurled rotten cabbage and eggs.
The executioner didn’t hesitate.
With two clean strokes, both their heads dropped into the basket.
My vengeance was done.
But weirdly…
I didn’t feel as thrilled as I thought I would.
The General came back, found me staring blankly.
He pulled me into his arms.
“My lady, what’s wrong? This should be your moment.”
I smiled faintly.
“I was just wondering. If Seraphina hadn’t forced me to marry in her place…”
“Or if I hadn’t caught the Snake King that day… Would all this still have happened?”
He turned me gently to face him
None of that matters now. You’re mine. Lady Benedict.
sirgta via wape a scared to sing when we first svet
que se pak pred for seng Ven traved posts and saved me
To post bati ewew this- I’ll never let you down again.”
I pored my head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat
TRIS
This was the life I fought for.
