SLAM!!

A head rolled off the chopping block. Ace’s jaw plummeted like a bag of boulders. A scrawny guy beside him shot him a dirty—horribly understated—repulsed side-eye before guards yanked him over the cart by the arms. Their iron armor clanked like forks scratching chalkboards. Ace shrunk. His hands twitched.

The scent of alfalfa filled his lungs. A nice breeze combed through, interrupting the warm sun. He raised his hands a bit. The crowd howled like wild animals as the cart banged and prisoners shouted complaints and insults. Another man was dragged out. His voice was raw with pain as he begged incomprehensibly. Ace flinched harder. His heart twisted like a dagger stuck him. He couldn’t shrink anymore. Tears stung his eyes like wasps. His pale up-facing palms blurred. He lurched forward.

His chin hung so low it clung to his chest. His bit his tucked upper lip. Hard. It went numb quicker than he could count to three.

“Everyone,” A voice boomed around the kingdom walls. The nobleman was… mocking. “A traitor.. a fool,” Disdain poured. “Has decided to defy our kingdom, our God.”

The crowd’s boos and insults hurled, hitting Ace like bricks. Ace fell to his side. Another man shoved him back harder than a mule could kick. Ace flinched hard. He shook his head rapidly. “Today, each and every one of you,” The man sure paused a lot. “Will… er, witness his demise.” The crowd yelped and cheered. Ace gulped a rock.

His throat tensed so hard he couldn’t breathe. ‘Maybe I should’ve gone about this differently..’ His thoughts and heart raced. ‘Now no one will save Alaric-’ His thoughts muddled.

“Unfortunately.. our noble priestess Zuleika… In all her glory, has not yet arrived.”

…

Ace’s head jerked up. Everyone in the cart’s heads snapped to him. Some’s necks cracked. Every gaze crashed into Ace, beating him down like a mallet. Ace shrunk all he could. He wrapped his arms around his knees and shoved his face between them. His whole world crashed, spun and boiled. He trembled like mad.

Subsequently.

Li gasped. He flung his hand around. His finger still stung. Blood trickled down his wrist. His heart boomed like a herd of race horses. His thoughts flew. Elsa grabbed his shoulders and yanked him over. The two locked eyes. Li tilted his chin up, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes. “You look like you just stepped on a bug.” She stated harshly. Li nodded slowly. “But I get it. I’ll take care of that, stay put.”

Li hiccuped.

A little later.

“I had no idea that was going to happen.” Li smiled and rubbed his hand. A thin bandage hugged his middle finger. He gave a nervous chuckle.

“Don’t touch it.” Elsa sighed, staring out.

Li looked at the ground. More cracks showed in the pavement with each passing second. Wildflower fragrance hit Li so hard it could knock him out. The gentle sun touched his back and arms. His worries drained like some plug had been pulled. His shoulders fell. He exhaled. “You know.. I may have come off as really harsh back there, Mona.”

“It’s.. okay.”

“No, it really isn’t.”

Elsa took Li’s hand. The two locked eyes. Elsa’s tough gaze softened… a smidge. “Your reaction was completely reasonable, trust me.” She said lightheartedly. “I would’ve done the same exact thing.”

“I’ve never cut potatoes.”

“Even if I’d never cut potatoes.”

Li’s lips tightened. Elsa looked away, swinging a hand over her mouth. She closed her eyes tightly and like a perfectly timed drumbeat, the two broke into chuckles. “Was being a king’s consort fun?”

“King’s cons—” Li’s questioning tone snapped to a soft one. “-ort… Uhm.” Li’s heart flipped over a beat. “Er, no. We didn’t do anything!”

Elsa pursed her lips tightly and nodded. “Uhh.. gr, Alaric… would…” Li’s own awkwardness grated his ears. ‘Come on, think, genius!’ He snapped to himself. Li looked down, furrowing his brows hard. Elsa gently pat him on the back. It was times like now he wished hard he could sleep. “Erhh.. come to the balcony and hold my hand.. heh.”

Mona and Elsa locked eyes. Elsa’s mouth shifted as if she were about to speak. Her brows raised slightly before she looked down so quick a cool puff of air hit Mona’s face.

Meanwhile.

“You really aced it.” The man in front of Ace scoffed, crossing his arms tightly.

Ace pulled himself up. His lids glued half shut. Any attempt to open his eyes was like lifting 10,000 pound weights. He slumped. The man sat back, throwing one leg over the other. He smirk-grinned. His hawk-like gaze struck Ace. He wore a stainless white shirt and a pair of champagne breeches. His hair tied into a neat low ponytail. He looked like he’d waltzed straight out of an estate.

“What are you here for?” Ace groaned.

“Theft.” The man clenched his nose bridge, eyeing Ace, still.

Those around the couple broke into giggles. “We’ve been here for hours.” A woman stared toward the executioners, who glared like vultures. She twisted back. A few soldiers pushed a couple back into the crowd. She turned. “And we’ll stay here for hours.” Frustration burnt her voice.

The man in front of Ace argued with another. Ace fell forward, shoving his head in his hands. He let out an exasperated sigh. ‘If you’re gonna do it… just do it…’ The thought dragged across gravel. It felt like he was not only staring at a brick wall, but was expected to run through it. He clenched his fist, gritting his teeth hard.

His heart slowed. Hot flashes shot through his body. The hay stench grated his nerves. The crowd’s quiet chattering scorched his already burning brain. Rage piled and piled inside him like foam from an over-boiling pot, till’… His fists clenched harder. His heart picked up pace. His eyes shot wide. He jerked upright like a puppet yanked by a string.

“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST DO IT???!!!”