The Prince Rebellion

Prologue

Ariella laid across Jaxton's bare, muscular chest, her ear resting above his breast, she could hear his heart beating. "This can't carry on any longer, Jaxton. I am betrothed to another," propping her chin atop his hands, she gazed up at him, her eyes filled with regret. "What we are doing is punishable by death. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you." Ariella was overwhelmed with the thought of what would happen to her and Jaxton if her father ever found out about them whilst Jaxton could only stare at the beauty he had in his arms, staring into her bright hazel eyes. Princess Ariella Elric, a beautiful royal lady of remarkable beauty with luscious undulating auburn hair that resembled a dancing fire, and a smile so innocent it would even make a fierce man swoon. Bards would sing songs of her beauty in taverns across the realm and many nobles would propose to her without a second thought.

"He won't find out," he assured. "And if he does, we'll run away, together." Tucking her hair behind her ear, his tone laced with worry. Tears pooled in her eyes, Ariella pulled herself up into a seated position, looking into his eyes. "I don't want to marry him, I want to marry you." As charming as a prince he was - with golden locks of hair down to his broad muscular shoulders and eyes as blue as a delicately cut sapphire - Jaxton Beaumont, being just a lowborn blacksmith, wasn't worthy of a Princess' betrothal, though he had stolen the heart of one.

Throwing the sheets from her body, she rose from the bed. "You must leave, my father will be here any minute to see me," Pulling on her silk robe, her voice firm with command. "He no longer trusts me." worried by Ariella's words, and nervous about what could happen to them if they were caught by the King, Jaxton swiftly sprung out of bed. Pulling on his greasy ragged tunic and pants fit for a lowborn, he crossed the room to her.

"Be safe, my sweet Ariella." Cupping her face in his strong, calloused hands, his lips met hers in a gentle kiss, they held each other in a tight embrace. As he opened the door to leave, he was surprised to see somebody standing at the door. Startled, thinking it was her father he left out a large sigh of relief when he had realised it was only Shaya, Ariella's handmaiden and close friend. Shaya knew of the affair between Jaxton and Ariella, but vowed to keep it secret. Without saying a word, Jaxton passed Shaya, leaving as swiftly as possible. As he was walking away from her royal chambers and into the courtyard, he noticed multiple guard's approaching him. Stricken with panic and fear, he began to run swiftly through the city to reach the Stables, only to be easily overwhelmed but the guards.

Back in Ariella's quarters, Shaya's expression was cold and sorrowful. "Shaya, what is it?" Ariella asked in concern. "I'm so sorry, Ariella." Shaya replied, her voice filled with regret. Ariella jumped at the sound of her doors bursting open as multiple guards stormed into her room, her eyes widening with fear as her father, King Alistair, followed close behind them. The sheer size of him made everybody in the room look and feel like adolescent children. "Seize her." King Alistair commanded to his guards, his tone angry. "No," Ariella gasped as two guards grabbed her by the arms. "Father, please!" She cried helplessly whilst being dragged away by several guardsmen. "Father!" tears rolled down her cheeks like a rainstorm, her feet dragging against the polished, stone floor, with no strength to pull herself up.

Upon reaching their location the guardsman threw the Princess of Tyrancia into one of the Shadow Cells, located below the Gryphonhall Palace. These cells were known for making prisoners insane, which led to their demise faster than hunger did. Ariella fell to the cold, wet ground, the cell so dark she could barely see her own skin, pulling her legs to her chest, she laid in a foetal position. Her sobs echoed against the dark stone walls as she silently begged for the gods to answer her prayers, 'Please let father show us mercy,' water dripped from the ceiling onto the ground, blending in with the Princess' tears.

Jaxton was escorted to the arena by two guards, chains binding his hands and feet. He knew what was going to happen to him, but all he could think about was Ariella and if she was alright. Shackled down against a wooden pillar waiting to enter the arena, King Alistair approached him with two heavily equipped royal guardsmen by his side. "You think you can fuck my daughter and live?" King Alistair's voice was menacing, his hand placed tightly around Jaxton's throat. "Let her live, please." Jaxton begged through choked breaths. King Alistair violently let go of his throat, storming off into the grand stand to take his seat and begin the execution.

Beside King Alistair sat his two sons, Prince Arthus and Prince Alduin Elric, brothers of Ariella, beside Arthus sat his wife, Princess Viviana Devrier of Helen. The disapproval could be seen on Arthus' face as his face grew stern, "I know how much this pains you, but do not do anything foolish." Princess Viviana whispered, grasping his hands in attempt to console, although all she had received was absent words.

Two soldiers dragged Jaxton to a stake placed adjacent to another. Their movements were forceful as they nailed his wrists to the wooden stake with large iron nails as he let out a wailing scream, blood oozing out of his wrists. "Tyrana!" King Alistair addressed the arena. "Today we witness an execution of two criminals, charged with infidelity whilst betrothed to another!" The crowd roared for justice, that was until they found sight of the second criminal, Princess Ariella Elric. Stunned into silence, everyone watched in horror as Princess Ariella was escorted to her stake. The crowd was so silent you could hear the shackles that bound Ariella clanging together. Feeling defeated, Ariella couldn't muster any courage or fight. That is, until she saw Jaxton across from her, nailed to the stake, he began to lose consciousness but still slowly breathing. "Jaxton!" She wailed whilst being chained to her wooden pillar. "No!" Her voice was filled with agony as tears fell down her cheeks rapidly. "Now!" King Alistair commanded, a sinister frown placed upon his face. A soldier threw a torch into the stack of wood that was positioned beneath Jaxton's stake, the execution pyre engulfing in flames. As the fire began to smother his body, his excruciating screams filled the arena. "Ariella!" He bellowed one last time, meeting her fear-stricken gaze before perishing.

"Jaxton!" She shrieked as the fire completely consumed his body. "No! Jaxton!" tears streamed down her face like a rapid wildfire as she thrashed around, attempting to free herself to get to him. The crowd's cheers of joy felt like a dagger straight to her heart and made her blood run cold. Jaxton was unrecognizable as what was left of his charred body hung lifelessly to the cross.

"As the one who truly committed the crime," King Alistair addressed Ariella. "I sentence you to death by stone!" His voice grew louder with each word, his eyes blazing with rage and shame. Soldiers of the Royal Guard proceeded to direct citizens of Tyrana into a line, equipping them with stones the size of pebbles. Ariella was in shock from the sight of Jaxton's corpse. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. "Stop this madness at once!" Prince Arthus shouted to his father furiously, drawing his sword without hesitation, his eyes blooming with anger. "Do not press to tell me what to do, Arthus, or I will send you down there and you will join your little whore sister in death!" King Alistair spat, his tone filled with malice. King Alistair's guards drew their swords and quickly surrounded the Prince. "This is far from over," Arthus growled, glaring at his father with revulsion and condemnation, he sheathed his sword and took his frightened wife by the arm, his heart felt heavy with despair and shock as they swiftly attempted to leave. "Sit. You will watch and see what happens when you betray your king." King Alistair hissed whilst his guards stood firm guarding the exit. Prince Arthus and Princess Viviana reluctantly returned to their seats knowing it was a fight they couldn't win. Princess Viviana cowered her head, attempting to avoid witnessing the execution. Arthus stared at his father with repugnance as the execution began.

The first stone that was thrown hit her jaw, breaking it, the sound of cracking echoed the coliseum as the audience watched on in silence. Blood as red as wine poured from her mouth like dripping paint, several teeth scattering across the arena floor. The next stone hit her in the head, the audience could hear the sound of her skull fracturing open. She began to lose consciousness, her hair that was once luscious now stained by blood that ran down her face making her unrecognisable. The next couple of citizens threw stones at her torso, breaking several of her ribs; she was numb to the pain as she hung with frailty, struggling to hold herself up any longer with each stone breaking more bones. A final blow to her head put the princess out of misery, as she fell into darkness as her skull completely shattered.

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