After the violent clash in the garden, the palace descended into silence once again but it was the silence of dread, not peace.
Blanchette was carried to her room, her body still and unconscious. Healing witches surrounded her with glowing hands and sacred herbs, murmuring incantations to restore her battered body. Her knuckles were torn, her hands swollen and bloodied. Yet her face remained peaceful, as though the storm within her had passed.
Tiffany was likewise taken to the healing barracks, her own body broken and unconscious, wounds deep and soul heavier. Even in her sleep, her brow twitched, tormented by what had occurred.
But the worst fate was reserved for Joshua.
Down beneath the noble house, in the cold stone halls of the underground prison, he knelt, naked, shivering, chained. Iron cuffs bound his wrists and pulled his arms high, just enough to keep him upright, never allowing rest.
Behind him, the Queen's guard stood with a whip slicked in blood.
"Enough," came the sharp, ice-cold voice of Queen Juliet.
The guard stopped immediately.
Juliet stepped forward, her gown whispering across the stones, her face twisted in disgust.
"Filth. I know you had something to do with my daughter's injuries," she said, venom dripping from every word.
Joshua remained silent, head bowed, his blood trailing from his back down to the floor.
"Answer me, vermin!" she screamed.
The guard stepped forward, took Joshua's hand and snapped a finger backward with a sickening crunch.
Joshua cried out in agony, sweat dripping from his face as he gasped for air.
"Answer the Queen," the guard hissed, gripping Joshua's hair and whispering into his ear. "Or next, I'll take your eye."
Joshua's bloodshot eyes lifted and locked with Juliet's.
"I was… dating your daughter."
For a moment, silence. And then Juliet's face contorted in pure horror. She turned away and vomited.
"My daughter… dating this beast?" She wiped her mouth, disgust curling her lips. "Disgusting."
Joshua forced himself to speak through clenched teeth.
"I… I slept with Tiffany. That's why Blanchette fought her."
Queen Juliet turned to face him slowly, her expression twisted with loathing.
"You animal… Not only did Blanchette give you her heart, but you defiled her by bedding a maid?" Her voice trembled in fury. "You broke her spirit and now her hands."
Joshua dropped his eyes again, unable to defend himself. The shame clung to him heavier than the chains.
"I want him executed. At sunset tomorrow," the Queen commanded, her voice like a sword drawn in the dark. "And the maid too. Let them die together."
She turned toward the stairs. "Until then, make him suffer. Break him."
She vanished into the darkness.
Three guards entered the cell.
"Well, well," said one. "I'm going to enjoy this."
The whip cracked.
Blood hit the walls.
Joshua's screams echoed through the underground chambers.
Above, Merlin wandered the halls, worry etched into every step. She spotted James and ran to him.
"James! Have you seen my brother?"
"No… but hey, my arms are healed!" he said, cheerfully waving his bandaged arms.
"James, focus! Have you seen Joshua or not?"
"No," he said more seriously, seeing her fear. "But the Queen… she's calling a meeting. Something about a werewolf."
"Take me there."
Together, they hurried to the throne room. Inside, nobles lined the walls in elegant silence. Queen Juliet sat regally on her throne, flanked by guards. An empty throne sat beside her.
She rose. One clap of her hands, and the room hushed.
"I've summoned you all," she said, "to speak of the monster among us. A werewolf noble named Joshua."
Merlin froze, breath caught in her throat.
"What makes him a monster? Well, that should be obvious," she sneered. "He's a werewolf."
The crowd laughed.
Juliet clapped again, silencing them.
"His first crime, he defiled my daughter by engaging in a romantic relationship."
The gasps came like thunder.
"His second crime, he cheated on her, with a maid."
The room recoiled in outrage. Even nobles who had once smiled at Joshua now whispered with hatred in their eyes.
"So… his punishment is death."
James turned to Merlin, wide-eyed with disbelief. She looked as if the floor had fallen out beneath her.
"Tomorrow at sunset," the Queen declared, "Joshua and the maid will be executed by guillotine."
Applause erupted, echoing like a funeral drum.
But before the clapping could finish, Merlin broke free and sprinted toward the Queen.
Two guards caught her before she reached the throne, dragging her to her knees.
"You have no right!" she screamed. "The King would never allow this!"
Juliet raised a brow. "Do you see the King here, little girl? No? Then I am the law. And even if William were here, he would agree."
"Liar!" Merlin shouted, tears falling freely. "He loves Joshua like a son!"
The room held its breath.
Juliet's eyes narrowed. "Guards. Remove this peasant from my sight."
The blades of two guards glinted as they dragged Merlin away.
Juliet turned back to the court.
"As I was saying, execution, tomorrow."
Applause resumed.
That night, Merlin burst into her grandmother's room, sobbing.
"Merlin, you'll give me a heart atta... !"
"They're going to kill Joshua!" Merlin cried.
Franciele's face paled.
"No… That can't be…"
"The Queen gave the order…"
Franciele stood frozen. Then quietly, she walked to her granddaughter and stroked her hair.
"Don't worry, child," she said. "I'll speak with her. I'll fix this."
In Blanchette's room, Queen Juliet stood by the bedside, two guards at her side.
Franciele entered, calm and grave.
"Why, Juliet? Why kill my grandson?"
Juliet didn't turn. "Your 'grandson' broke my daughter's heart. He betrayed her and now she may never wake."
Franciele glanced at Blanchette's hands, deeply scarred and bandaged.
(Joshua… I told you to love her. Why did you fail her? Was she cold? Did you get scared?)
She stepped forward and took Juliet's hand.
"Please. Don't kill him. I beg you."
Juliet's expression twisted.
"Franciele… I like you. You remind me of the late Queen. But don't presume my mercy makes you powerful."
Franciele opened her mouth to speak again, but Juliet raised a hand.
"You're irritating me now. Guards, remove her."
Blades pressed against Franciele's throat.
She stepped back quickly and left, trembling.
Back in her room, Franciele found Merlin waiting.
"How did it go?" Merlin asked, her voice fragile.
Franciele didn't answer.
Her silence said it all.
Merlin collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
Franciele held the table for support and wept too.
The night deepened.
And the hour of execution crept ever closer.