They always said the roses of the imperial court were the most beautiful in the empire.
They lied.
The roses in the trial hall were blood red. The kind that bloomed best when watered with betrayal.
I stood at the center of the grand court, my wrists bound in silver shackles, the floor beneath me cold as the grave I had yet to enter.
The nobles whispered from their balconies. Some feigned sorrow. Others feigned outrage. None spoke truth.
At the highest seat sat the man I had once loved.
Crown Prince Auren Thalor.
He did not wear a crown today.
He wore judgment.
He did not meet my eyes as the high justice read the charges—treason, conspiracy, attempted assassination.
All lies. Lies my sister whispered behind closed doors with tears in her eyes and poison on her tongue.
And yet… not a single protest from him.
Not even a question.
"Lady Elara Vael, you stand accused of high treason against the Empire," the justice declared. "How do you plead?"
I did not speak.
What was the point?
Auren would not believe me. Not anymore.
He hadn't touched me in months. Hadn't smiled at me in weeks. And now… he wouldn't even look at me.
Except—
He did.
Just once.
When the justice asked for the sentencing, Auren stood.
And his golden eyes finally met mine.
"Execution," he said, voice low but unwavering. "At dawn."
There was no hesitation.
Only silence.
Only—
"You loved me," I whispered, the first words I'd spoken since my arrest.
A faint flicker crossed his expression. It vanished before it could mean anything.
"I did," he said. "That's why I'm doing this."
---
The blade did not come swiftly.
It waited until dawn, just like he ordered.
I was dragged through the palace halls in silence, past the portraits of past queens. I would not be among them.
The sky was still dark when they brought me to the execution square.
I did not scream.
Not when they tied me to the post.
Not when they drew the blade.
Not even when I saw Auren watching from the balcony, cloaked in shadow.
But I did speak one last time.
"I hope you remember this day, Your Highness. Because I always will."
The world turned red.
Then black.
......