You tried to poison me?

Annie interjected, "But Joel is always guarding the prince's door. What if he recognizes me?"

"I already thought of that," I assured her. "To divert Joel's attention, you'll stage a small fire in the kitchen. The commotion will pull guards and Joel away from the prince's room, giving you enough time to administer the antidote without interruption. You can use a bit of oil and some rags to start the fire—it would create chaos without causing serious injury."

Annie scoffed, "You've really thought it all out, haven't you? All for your prince."

I pleaded with her, "Please, just see it as doing your duty and saving the prince. If he wakes up, we'll all find out the truth about whether I truly tried to harm him or not."

Annie nodded and left with a warning, "Just try not to die before then. I'll move as soon as I can."

The wait was agonizing. Hours passed like days, with no word. Eventually, I was summoned by the king, and guards ushered me to the prince's chambers. Hope surged within me—was he awake at last? But as I entered the room, confusion gripped me. Why wasn't Joel restrained? Why was he standing beside the prince?

Before I could comprehend, I was thrown to the floor, bowing unintentionally. Then I saw the prince, looking a bit healthier. Without thinking, I called out his name, "Jesse." Instantly, the guards struck me down, and I looked up at the prince, expecting anger. Instead, his gaze held only disgust as he accused me, "You tried to poison me?" My heart shattered at his words.

The world around me became a hazy blur. "Huh? What... what?" I stammered, confusion thick in my voice.

"Did you try to poison me?" Jesse asked again, his voice devoid of the warmth I had grown to cherish.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I couldn't find the words to respond.

"Crying won't change anything," he said coldly.

"Je—my prince," I began, my voice trembling. "Why would I poison you?"

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind. Was this all part of a plan from the start? Why would he do this? My heart tightened painfully, making it difficult to breathe.

"You said I could trust you!" I screamed, desperation lacing my words. "You told me I could definitely trust you. How could you do this? What are you getting at?"

My cries elicited no reaction from him. He just stared at me with icy indifference, as if nothing had ever happened between us.

"Enough!" the king's voice boomed, silencing me. "Take her back to the cell. It's proven she did poison the prince and tried to frame a loyal subordinate. Lock her up and then hang her before the end of tomorrow. Such filth deserves to die."

As the guards dragged me away, I looked back at the prince. He was already conversing with Joel, his expression unchanged.

"Oh, I see," I muttered to myself. "So it was a plan between them both. Why did he want to humiliate me like this? Was his father really behind my parents' deaths? Did he want to kill me once and for all?"

I laughed maniacally as they threw me back into the cell. "He didn't need to put on such an act. He didn't need to go this far. He should've just killed me the minute he found out."

I rolled on the cold stone floor, the bitter laughter turning into sobs. The door creaked open and Annie entered, a look of grim satisfaction on her face.

"Is this the man you tried to save?" she sneered, her eyes blazing with contempt. "You'll be executed tomorrow."

I was too broken to respond, my heart heavy with betrayal and regret. As she left, I cried bitterly, awaiting my impending death. I felt like such a fool for trusting him. I never got to find my sister. I didn't avenge my parents' deaths. My heart turned cold. Fine, I thought, maybe I should just die.

Hours passed in agonizing silence. The guards came to fetch me for the execution. My heart pounded as they dragged me from the cell, but just then, Annie appeared again, her expression unreadable.

"You're so gullible," she said, before slipping a key into my restraints and freeing me. "Come on, we need to move quickly."

She had devised an elaborate plan. Disguised as one of the guards, she led me through a series of hidden passageways that I never knew existed within the castle walls.

We emerged into the night, the cool air hitting my face as we ran through the forest. We didn't stop until we reached a small, secluded inn far from the castle. Annie paid for a room and we slipped inside, my face hidden beneath a cloak.