Rinsing Lies

Once an enemy, now a friend

Peter spent a sleepless night in the cell. He was indeed afraid of the guillotine. He heard footsteps. An old guard was approaching him. "Are you here to take me to the guillotine?" asked Peter. "I don't have much time left in my life. Before I leave this world, I want to make something right," said the old guard. "Neither do I. I am going to the guillotine." Peter replied in disappointment. "Once in my life, I did a terrible thing. A wicked man told me to take the little prince away from the kingdom for some shillings. It was you, your majesty." The man told what actually happened years ago. Peter started to remember his childhood. "Can you say this at the execution today?" Peter asked the man. "Yes, your majesty. I'd confess my mistake and I'm ready to take the punishment." The man answered bravely. Soon, the guards came to take Peter.

 The execution was publicly held in a big field. Thousands of people came to watch the execution. Peter saw Cedric beside him. "I am very sorry for putting you in trouble too," said Cedric. Then they all heard a loud noise in the crowd. "Let me speak for these two victims! They are innocent!" The old man shouted with all his strength. "Let him speak," said the King. "Your majesty, this young man, who has been accused of stealing and other crimes, is your own son. Our prince Peter," said the old man. 

"Enough of your nonsense! Our Prince died years ago. Go away you old fool!" David yelled at the man. "You're the most wicked man I've ever seen in my life, David. The prince is still alive and he is right in front of us! You told me to send the prince away from the kingdom. But the prince is back here to claim his throne. Aren't you scared, wicked David?" The old man laughed at David Pearson who was furious. He punched the old man. "Arrest this wicked evil!" the King yelled furiously. The guards took David away.

The old man explained what actually happened on Peter's 10th birthday. The King was very pleased to meet his son back. Cedric also got a chance to prove David's wickedness. An execution was held that day. Not for Peter nor Cedric. Peter and King Henry ruled the Souls' kingdom together. In the Souls' kingdom, they celebrate the "Rinsing Lies" event on 31 of December. On that day, people would confess their lies and apologize for their wrong deeds just like the old man did. Who knows? Maybe rinsing a lie could have changed one's fate forever.