12 Help Me, Prince Hao!

He followed the young girl reluctantly into the inner palace quarters wondering what he would do. Who were they executing anyway?

As he walked into the Inner Palace, the crowd thinned to more of only royalty. The princesses and the young ladies stopped in their tracks as they took in the sight of the Prince. Some princes were there too and they too stopped when their fiancées did.

A prince side eyed his fiancée and tugged at her hair, "Being unfaithful already?" he rumbled in her ear. The princess blushed, not taking her eyes off the majestic prince, "Just because I'm going to eat the main course, doesn't mean I can't taste the appetizing side dishes," she swooned, fanning her face.

Prince Hao looked to the side at this princess and her face lit up with glee. Percy didn't know what to do...was this Prince Hao that amazing? Percy had never been given much attention his entire life but now, he felt like he was on top of the world.

Stealing this opportunity, he smiled at the engaged princess...and winked.

High pitched screams erupted from around him.

"Oh my God, I think he winked at me!"

"No, no, it was me!"

The engaged princess, blushed deeper. Before she could do anything, her fiancé grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the Inner Palace in quite the rage, sparing a last glance at this Prince Hao before he did so.

"Your highness," the guard bowed as he reached the main door. Percy barely glanced at him and watched as the luxurious court opened up in front of him. Tens of Elders of the different high sects were seated on either side of the emperor.

And on the huge throne was the high tempered Emperor in his royal robes, his wrinkled face now a crushed paper bag raging with anger.

Percy's eyes descended down and saw the back of the person who was to be executed. He or she was kneeling down with hands tied behind his or her back. Percy couldn't quite make it out because the person was covered in rags and the hair was too messed up.

After the welcoming call was sounded, Prince Hao strode to his position on the right hand side of the Emperor. And finally, he laid eyes upon the person in rags.

It was a girl.

She looked up and for the first time, met the eyes of a human within the palace. Seeing Prince Hao, her jaw dropped. 'Wha...who is this hottie…' she thought to herself before slapping herself internally. 'I'm in a trial for God's sake. What am I doing ogling at the person who is going to execute me?'

The girl took a double take, 'Wait...was I just ogling at someone? Wasn't that something older girls did? I was just 12...oh wait. I keep forgetting I missed so many years. But still…'

Recognition flashed against Percy's face as he laid eyes on the beggar. She didn't recognise him because of the drastic change in avatar.

The Emperor let out a breath, "Recite this Beggar's mistakes," his voice boomed across the entire hall, filling the ears of the many people inside.

A guard stepped forward and opened up the scroll.

"The Kingdom of Zirlock condemns Tiara Keeser. Race: Beggar, Clan: None, Province: Unknown, with the crime of using profanity against the royal symbol. The final judgement lies in the royal hands of the Emperor. I, the Chief General of Zirlock Elite Guard request the Emperor, Elder of the Eternal Golden Phoenix Sect to put forward his command on behalf of the Kingdom."

Shortly after the Chief General turned towards Tiara and spat out the words, "You have a chance to defend yourself."

Before she could say anything, the ministers on the left side stood up and opposed the execution.

"Elder," the oldest of them said, "This Beggar saved the lives of six children during the incident."

The Emperor coughed and glared at the minister. "So?"

Percy gritted his teeth and his knuckles went white. He tried to resist himself to glare at the Emperor himself. So? That's all he had to say? What a pick in the trash. The hate must have been clear on his face. Because when the Emperor didn't budge at the minister's reasoning, all eyes fell on Prince Hao, or Percy as we know him.

He stood up like a graceful swan, his blue robes falling like water around him and his jet black hair sparkling in the lights seeping in through the hall.

Tiara looked up at him and prayed the Prince would gain her redemption. 'I have to find Percy at any cost…' she thought fearfully, her fingers scratching at the ropes that bound her.

The entire palace breathed in with the Prince as they waited for what witty words he would say to trap his father from this stupidity.

He turned to face his father and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty. I have no words in this matter. Let her be executed. She is a mere beggar after all."

A small smile lit up on the Emperor's lips.

At the same time, Percy's head was weaving little thoughts together. He had seen how much Mitchell cared for this...this girl. Percy wanted to find out how far he would go to save her. And what was so special about her?

"Execute her."

The Chief General called in the other guards and they wrapped their hands around Tiara.

She was in shock as she met this Prince's eyes. He was such a sight for sore eyes but his mind! His attitude! Was just despicable! She screamed and kicked her legs and cried, "Please! Let me go!" she wailed again, but the guards were much too strong. Tears flowed from her eyes which didn't leave the Prince's stone cold face.

"I don't want to die!"

Everyone stared at her helplessly. Prince Hao, however, was confused. If she died in the game, how did it affect her? She could just start over again.

Tiara knew better. She had remembered the talks she had with the doctor. And he had clearly said…

"Make sure not to die or hurt yourself too much in the game."

Tiara had cocked her head and asked, "Why, doctor?"

"As much as cultivating in the game will improve your physical state, dying or taking harm in the game will destroy you. In the worst case scenario, dying could even mean you going back to coma again."

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