It's Definitely You|| PSH

22.

The group stood on the elevated platform that was built right in front of the gallows meant for Ember. The rope hung down from the beam, swaying with the wind as if dancing and inviting death himself to pay a visit and escort the maniac that was to be hung today himself. They stared at the gate from where Ember was to enter. Pearl stood right at the centre, next to her mother and cousin and the Nashiran Royal family. Seonghwa, Yunho and Wooyoung were on guard duty with Hongjoong and the two freshly promoted rookies. San stood with his family, greeting the kings from other nations as they joined them on the platform.

Pearl observed every single one of them as they walked passed them, sending her a polite bow which she returned gracefully. Their expressions showed a range of emotions. Some of the kings were in a reasonably sombre mood while some looked ecstatic as if someone wasn't just about to lose his life. The princess didn't know how to feel about the situation. Ember was someone she knew from when she wasn't even able to talk properly. They grew up together, her, Ember, Mingi and Wooyoung. The Ember from her memories was a kind, thoughtful boy whom she loved dearly. But the reality was wildly different. At what point did this change happen? She wondered to herself. She's been thinking over it ever since that night. When did he change? Why? Was he always like this? Was it all just a big facade? Was the sweet boy she once loved never there, to begin with? There was a storm of questions in her mind that would be forever left unanswered today. She watched as the gates opened and a raging Ember appeared, struggling against the guards as he was being yanked closer to his end like a goat getting dragged to its death by a butcher. One step at a time, he was being walked down towards the gallows where the noose hung swaying with the wind in excitement. As if it was waiting to finally free his soul for the devil to grip and drag down to the deepest hollows of the underworld. Pearl's eyes watered as she watched him struggle to free himself.

His eyes finally landed on the conflicted princess, nostrils flaring like an angry bull ready to strike. He broke free from the guards, yanking one of their swords before he lurched forward to reach the fear-stricken girl. He raised his arms, ready to plunge the weapon through her body. Pearl closed her eyes, cemented to the floor in shock to even move a muscle but the strike never came. Mingi stood in front of her, the sword driven into his abdomen as he held the blade in his bare hands. The princess didn't even get to scream, watching her cousin fall to the ground and the maniac was finally pushed back by the guards, this time wrapped even tighter in ropes and chains. Pearl dropped to the ground, taking her cousin's head in her lap. 'Mingi?' her voice cracked, overwhelmed with fear and pain. She reached out for her brother's wrist, checking for a pulse while San hurriedly covered the wound and put pressure on it. Nothing. It was difficult to breathe for the princess, her voice breaking apart from the screams she was letting out as she held her cousin's hand close to her chest. Ember just laughed like a crazed lunatic, the same way he had laughed when her mother screamed from the pain of losing her husband. The same way he laughed when he heard the screams of the tortured innocent echoing in the dungeons. He hunched down, trying to catch his breath when a hand landed on his collar and he was yanked back to look into the eyes of a seething Yunho.