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I gaze at the noose that hangs silently before me, stopping myself from noticing the hate-filled stares from the crowd.
My hands are cuffed tightly, and my legs are tightly restricted so that I can't move.
Even if I could, I most certainly would be stabbed by a spear.
In this moment, I think about what led me to this.
I thought he was a tyrant, enslaving us to his will. He gets a castle and dozens of mansions while almost all of us live outside. Even if we were allowed into his mansions, we were most often hired to help look after it in case he wants to stay there for whatever length of time.
In his castle, it was either do whatever he says, be invited into what others call a "love room" because of your loyalty and kindness to him, or...
Be imprisoned, like I was.
No one would hear my words.
Was I wrong?
"Before we get this... very unfortunate event started, I will ask you one thing before you pay for your attempted assassination."
His words make me turn my gaze towards him.
He... sounds calm?
He isn't glaring at me.
What is he doing?
"I am always open to helping criminals like you find a brighter future for the sake of themselves, but you have gone further into the deep end than any other criminals I've seen. But, since you are now standing on the edge of the cliff that you have walked on yourself, do you want to turn away now, before you take your last step?"
I blink.
He couldn't...
"W-what... d-do... you m-mean?"
The words leave my lips, and I stare on at him, confused.
"I am not the person you have come to believe me to be, nor have I ever been. I am willing to let you go through special treatment and care so that you can rebuild your life from the start, even though you tried to kill me."
I stay silent.
"So, will you take your final chance at redemption?"
Slowly, I turn back to face the crowd. They are looking on, curious to hear what my answer will be.
Is he that kind?
Is he lying?
I think for a moment, the silence growing more uncomfortable with each passing second.
