𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟰𝟯; executions

AS THE SUN BEGAN ITS DESCENT TOWARDS THE HORIZON, casting a warm golden glow over the castle grounds, the atmosphere grew charged with anticipation. The courtyard was filled with a throng of people, their murmurs blending into a low hum of excitement. The news of the execution had spread like wildfire, drawing crowds from far and wide, all seeking justice for their poisoned king.

Flags bearing the crest of House Yang fluttered in the evening breeze, their vibrant colours contrasting against the darkening sky. Torches were lit along the perimeter, casting flickering shadows that danced upon the stone walls. The stage was set, the executioner's block positioned at the centre, a chilling reminder of the impending act.

The crowd grew restless, their fervour building as they eagerly awaited the moment of reckoning. They clamoured for justice, their voices echoing through the air, intertwining with the fading light of the day. It was a sombre yet electrifying atmosphere, tinged with both grief and a thirst for retribution.

Amidst the sea of faces, Jieun stood alongside Lord Kim, her once confident demeanor giving way to a subtle vulnerability. The responsibility that had been thrust upon her felt overwhelming, a burden she was still grappling to fully comprehend. In this moment, she found herself relinquishing the reins of control, allowing Lord Kim to take the lead.

'Where is the young prince?' Lord Kim asked her, standing beside her.

'Refused to leave his chambers,' Jieun responded, eyes casting over the commoners. That was a cheap excuse. Jieun had not bothered to tell him about the execution, nor bothered to even acknowledge his presence after their last conversation. She figured he knew. He must have. Especially with that servant girl of his running around.

At the appointed hour, the procession began. Guards marched in formation, their armour gleaming under the dying rays of sunlight. The sound of drums resonated through the courtyard, heightening the tension as the condemned were brought forth. Hyewon, bound and resigned, walked with a stoic grace, her eyes focused straight ahead.

A hush fell over the crowd as Hyewon was positioned upon the executioner's block, her final moments drawing near. The executioner, a figure cloaked in darkness, raised the gleaming blade high, capturing the last rays of sunlight. The crowd held its breath, their anticipation reaching its peak.

As the scene unfolded before her, Jieun found herself caught in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The weight of her father's absence bore down on her, his absence leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. Her heart was heavy with grief, yet there was also a sense of determination that coursed through her veins.

Executions happened often. To have prisoners did not make sense. Food was scarce. A prisoner did not work, they only ate. They were a waste.

With a swift and decisive motion, the blade fell, severing the ties of life. A collective gasp filled the air, followed by a wave of cheers and applause. The crowd's thirst for justice was momentarily quenched, their voices rising in jubilation. It was a macabre celebration of their fallen king and a declaration of loyalty to House Yang. Jieun's instinct was to look away. The gruesome spectacle unfolding before her eyes was too much to bear, a stark reminder of the violence that had tainted their lives. She averted her gaze, her focus shifting to the ground beneath her feet, as if seeking solace in the solidity of the earth.

There was guilt in her mind. Guilt for being responsible for a young woman's death. Hyewon could not have been more than her own age, perhaps only a year or two older. But she was a traitor and they had laws that would have to be followed.

Her hands clasped her own tightly, digging crescent moons in her palm to distract herself. Pain distracted pain.

As the clamour of the crowd gradually subsided, a familiar warmth enveloped Jieun's hand, startling her out of her reverie. Her eyes widened as she turned her head, finding Jungwon, standing silently beside her. The surprise mingled with a flicker of gratitude in her gaze as she met his concerned eyes.

Without a word, he gently took hold of her hand, his touch tender and understanding. His thumb traced soothing circles on her palm, a gentle reminder that she was not alone.

Feeling the reassurance of Jungwon's touch, Jieun's grip on her own hand slowly relaxed. The tension that had gripped her fingers began to ease, replaced by a sense of solace and kinship. In that quiet exchange, words seemed unnecessary. The bond between siblings, forged through years of shared experiences and unspoken understanding, transcended any temporary disagreements. Yet, she could not help but ask.

'What are you doing here?'

Jieun's question hung in the air for a moment, laden with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She wondered what had prompted Jungwon to break his self-imposed seclusion and join her in this somber moment. Before her mind could fully comprehend his intentions, Jungwon's response cut through the silence with a touch of sassy defiance.

'It's the heir's duty to be present at such things,' he retorted, his voice carrying a subtle edge that hinted at the underlying tension between them. The words held a double meaning, acknowledging the expected role they were both thrust into, while also subtly asserting his own belief in his rightful place as the heir.

A small sneer made it on her face in response. The tension between them seemed to solidify in that fleeting moment, their conflicting ambitions and beliefs laid bare. Without a word, she let go of his hand, releasing the physical connection that had briefly bridged the gap between them.

Her action spoke volumes, a deliberate gesture of defiance and an assertion of her own determination. It was as if she was symbolically severing the ties that bound them, refusing to let sentiment or familial obligations cloud her judgment. The bitterness of their recent quarrels hung heavily in the air, eclipsing the remnants of their past closeness.

Jieun turned her attention back to the crowd, steeling herself against the surge of conflicting emotions. She would not let her personal turmoil distract her from the weighty matters at hand. With her resolve firm, she focused her gaze ahead, a resolute leader in the making, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, even if it meant navigating the complexities of her relationship with her brother along the way.