Chapter 7 - Facing Death (2)

Claire opened her eyes from her restless sleep, surrounded by pitch black darkness and a creeping cold that seemed to penetrate her bones. Even after awoken from her sleep, her nightmare still continued, but alas, it was not a dream—it was her grim reality.

'Will this place be the end of my life?' Claire pondered, her chest tightened and filled with overwhelming dread. 'For it all to end without ever knowing the world beyond these walls?'

Not long after she awoke from her sleep, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the dungeon's corridors. Claire straightened her body, moving from a fetal position on the cold floor, anxiety coursing through her veins. 

A man approaching her wore a courtly attire, his armor less heavy than that used for battle, a glint from his sheathed sword that was fastened to his belt. His face was rugged, his gaze icy and devoid of mercy—only cruelty.

The warden.

"Get ready," the warden said in a chilling tone. "You will be executed by dawn tomorrow morning."

This unexpected declaration made Claire attempt to stand, forcing her leg to stand up, but she collapsed from weakness, having not eaten for three days straight. 

Her body froze as her weak body hit the floor, listening to the harsh words that brought her back to reality.

"What?! N–No! That's Impossible!" Claire looked up at the jailer, her face etched with disbelief, hoping it was some cruel jest by the nobles. 

"It can't be! I... I am innocent! You cannot do this to me!"

Claire tried to muster her strength to speak, but the warden's reply was only an inscrutable cold stare, dismissing her words as if they were nothing.

"The Crown Prince has decided. Your execution will be by beheading in front of the public. Prepare yourself," he flatly stated, not a single care for her pitiful condition..

Claire shivered at his words, terror creeping up her spine. Her eyes welled up with tears, imagining the terror of death going up her neck.

'Beheading? In front of the public?' Her mind couldn't understand what's happening anymore, unable to believe what she had just heard. 

'Why? The Crown Prince... Why would he do this to me? I've never even interacted with him.'

"No! This isn't fair!!!" She screamed towards the warden, releasing every ounce of energy left within her to deny the warden's words.

"I know nothing about any rebellion! Please … please give me a chance to talk with the Crown Prince! I beg you!!"

The man let out a rough snort, "It's too late to atone now. The execution has been announced. Just accept your fate."

She never even have any chance to plea in her stead, the crown prince never shown himself ever since she was thrown into the dungeon.

 The tears flowing out of her eyes glistened with the reflection of the cold warden. Again, she could only cry, despising the cruel ploy by fate. Horror and despair clutched her heart, every beat felt like a stab, every breath feels a step closer towards death.

"This is not fair…," her bitter cry resounded inside the dungeon.

Without any expression to soothe her, the warden turned around before leaving Claire in the dungeon by herself, again.

'The Crown Prince accused me as he pleases. Duke and Vincent too …'

Grinding her teeth, Claire held the aching heart of hers, full of fury, yet there is nothing she could do. Not a single thing will prevent the execution from happening.

'He betrays me'

–ooOoo–

The final morning finally arrived. Ending every hope of salvation she ever had.

Claire couldn't feel the warmth of the morning sun, nor could she see any light from the dark dungeon. She can only feel the day has come by the fuss the guards make on top of her, every time a warden change shift, another ruckus takes place.

Lying down on the hard stone floor, her weak and helpless body felt a bit of excitement, the end of it all finally arrived. Even if every breath felt like a stab towards her heart, she continued to struggle.

Heavy rhythmic steps get closer and closer. The sound of chains dragging on the cold stone floor emphasizes the end of day for her, the end of it all.

'Ah … the sound of chains,' She thought, staring into the darkness behind her prison.

The nightmare which haunts her days in the dungeon appeared in front of her. His voice cold without the slightest of emotion behind it,

"It's the day. Get ready for your execution, Lady Claire."

The title of a lady has no use for her anymore, even the peasant in front of her thought of her as a mere insect.

Without any energy left, she could only stare with half eyes closed to the ceiling. Trying her best to string any words, her mind scrambled. Yet, no sounds came out of her lips which have no bearing of a lady anymore, dry and cracked, void of life.

Every defense and plea she recalled have no meaning anymore. Only emptiness, shrouded with the looming shadow of death that gets closer and closer.

He opened the prison's door, the warden's rough hand jerked her body up, forcing her to stand on her weak trembling feet. The chains binding her wrist gets tighter, hurting her frail skin.

Every step she takes brings her closer to the stairs, looking up the light coming down from the cell. She seems at peace, her unconscious feeling that she is going up the stairs going to heaven if it really exists.

'I'm tired …'

Not long from now, her head will be separated from her body.

"Damn, today's the worst."

The warden's harsh voice grumbled. Only now did Claire become aware of his voice.

"This job makes me lose my mind! Every sentence doesn't make any sense!"

Weakly glancing up, Claire looked towards the warden and then moved her gaze down, looking at her legs, now soiled with mud as she is barefoot.

'Then stop working…' She grumbled inside weakly, feeling her body gets heavier and heavier.

Claire could feel a gaze closely watching her every step, an intense stare which she could feel from her soul.

She stopped, turning around to check if anyone was there other than her and the warden.

'Who? I thought someone was there.' She weakly thought.

"What are you doing, bitch!? Move!!"

He forcefully pulled the chain, making her fall on her knees.

Buk!!

As she fell, the incident on the red full moon crossed her mind. As though it was a dream, she woke up, feeling weird and suffocating. Her vision blurred, feeling a mix of two images inside her head, a memory.

"Uh …." Claire groaned, trying to sit as she fell.

A drop of blood fell on her hand, her eyes widened. Nosebleed, warm blood dripping to her lips and hands, adding to her never ending suffering.

"Wake up! Damned!"

Before Claire could process what she had seen, the warden tried to pull on her chains again, forcing her to walk to the execution spot. She had no choice but to follow his lead, in the end she's gonna die anyway, what's there to think about her weird memory?