Chapter 4-Run! Run!! Run!!!

Juno's POV

It was like Deja vu because once again the rays of the sun woke me up, but this time I was tied to a stake, my hands were spread and hung separately with my legs spread apart, and there was a crowd cheering for my execution. Fear gripped me when I saw the situation I was in. Kyrous and his family stood in the upper chamber of the execution ground as they watched what was happening. I was crying and screaming my lungs out, but no one could hear me because of the loud noise from the people.

“Kill her!! Kill her!!

The people of Drakonia didn't even want to hear my side of the story; they didn't care if I was innocent or not. The executioner came forward and read out my offence. People were already throwing stuff at me, like rotten apples, rotten tomatoes, and so many other horrible things, that I had to put my head down so it wouldn't affect my eyes. The executioner read out my offence, and the final judgement was death. It was signed by Kyrous, who stood and watched with amazement. Varick stood beside Kyrous, but when I lifted my head, I saw the worry in Varick’s eyes. He was worried about me; he was the only person who looked concerned about me, and he wished there was a way he could save me.

The executioner was going to strike me with a sword, as agreed by the council of elders. I was shaking and crying; my heart was heavy and broken, and I prayed to my late father.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I know I betrayed you, but it wasn't my intention to. Please give me a second chance at life. I promise to use it wisely and make better life decisions. Please save me, Daddy.

I couldn't stop crying; I saw death, and I was too scared to die. I was a good person and didn't deserve to die; my hair was unkempt; my coat smelt bad because I hadn't had a bath for over a week; I was looking pale because I was barely eating; I was fed like a rat; I lifted my head and I saw Kyrous kissing the lady standing beside him; she wore a diamond in her middle finger and she was flaunting it. When I looked closer, I saw that it was my mother’s ring. Kyrous took it from my mom the day he killed her. I was bristling with rage; I was flying off the handle; I was trying to shake my chains but they were tight; and when Kyrous saw me, he smiled in mockery.

It was time for my execution. I knew it was over for me. The executioner lifted his sword to strike me, and I closed my eyes so I could have a peaceful rest, but a voice stopped everyone.

“Stop!! She is innocent; I did it; I killed the king!! It was me who poisoned him.

I opened my eyes to see who it was, and I was knocked down with a feather when I saw Susan. She stood before the executioner with tears in her eyes.

“What are you doing, Susan?

Susan turned to the crowd and spoke in my defence.

“Princess Juno is innocent; I did it; I killed the King.

Kyrous was caught unawares; his hands were on the shoulder of his fiancee, but he put it down to understand what was happening. There was confusion everywhere, and people were murmuring. The executioner walked towards the elders for a brief meeting about the recent development, and they discussed it with Kyrous. Kyrous was frowning, his jawline was strong, and he wasn't happy with the conclusion, but it looked like there wasn't much he could do.

The guards removed me from the stake, and I fell to the ground because I was weak. They captured Susan immediately and placed her where I was brought out. I tried my best to talk Susan out of what she was doing before the executioner returned, but she was strong-willed.

“You don't have to do this, Susan; please stop this madness this minute!!

“I made a vow to your parents that I would protect you at all costs; I cannot stay and watch them kill you. You are the future of Astoria, and you are the only person alive from your father’s lineage. Please stay alive for your people.

The executioner came at this point, and the guards forcefully pulled me away from Susan.

“Susan Theodore Amadeus, you’ve been found guilty of the murder of King Achilles Frances VII. You are hereby sentenced to death.

"No, no, no!! She didn't do it; she is lying.

I couldn't stand to watch them kill Susan. I tried to move closer to her, but I was pulled backwards, and in a twinkle of an eye, Susan was struck with a sword and her head bowed. I rushed towards her and lifted her head.

“For Astoria,” Susan muttered under her breath; her voice was barely above a whisper. Those were her last words before she took her last breath, and tears dropped from her eyes. I was grabbed by the guards and taken back to the dungeon. One could hear my voice cry in the dark room; my voice roared like a rumble of thunder. I cried until no tears were coming out. I lay on the floor and wondered what would become of me. I was in my thoughts when I heard the cell door open. My heart skipped. I thought it was the guard that had come back to take me, but surprisingly, it was Varick. He was dressed in a coat, and he wore a mask so no one would recognise him. With my creaky voice, I called out his name, but my voice was barely audible.

“Your Highness.

“Quiet; I am here to help you. Kyrous is holding a secret meeting with the council of elders, and they have decided that you should be killed. Take this lamp. I will show you a tunnel that will lead you outside the palace. You have to run as fast as your legs can carry you.

“Why are you doing this? Why do you want to help me?

“There is no time for questions, but my mother, the queen, cannot sleep a wink; she asked me to come to get you; your mother was kind to her, and she cannot bear to see you die; besides, I don’t know what it is, but I like you, and I cannot watch you die. Now go this way; do not look back; run as fast as your legs can carry you; when you get to the mouth of the tunnel, turn off the lamp and run without looking back; now go!!

I collected the lamp from Varick, and I ran for a few seconds and stopped to say thank you. My voice was low, and Varick nodded in acknowledgement of my appreciation. I couldn’t tell if he stood and watched until I faded out of sight. I wouldn’t know because I didn’t look back. I got to the mouth of the tunnel, and as I tried to turn off the lamp, it fell on the ground and caught up with dried leaves, and before I knew it, it was burning fast.

“No! No! No! This cannot be happening!!

I started running again, but everywhere was bright because of the flames behind me, and the guard keeping watch from above the tower saw me, rang the distress bell, and alerted everyone. The bell was so loud that one could hear it from miles away, and before I knew it, Kyrous’s horsemen were chasing after me.