I JUST WANT TO BE INNOCENT, WHY WAS MY PUNISHMENT EVEN WORSE!!!!

"Princess Ophelia couldn't believe it. Her best friend, her lover, her handmaiden and knight, was a villain. Ams has turned against her, and is now awaiting punishment in the dungeons. Ophelia takes a deep breath before opening the door, her heels clicking and echoing throughout the vast hall." "Ams." "She pauses, taking in the scene: Ams is bound and chained to a corner, looking pale and freightened." "My dear...look at what you've gotten yourself into." "She holds back her pain. She doesn't want to hurt Ams, but she feels so betrayed."

"You know very well what you've done, Ams. You betrayed me and my kingdom. Your actions have brought shame to every single one of us. You'll have to pay for that, of course. But before that, there are some things I need to do."

"She steps closer to Ams, her eyes fixating on their expressions before she slides a hand over their cheek." "But first, dear, tell me why? Why would you hurt me like this?"

"Princess Ophelia's anger dissipates a little bit the moment she hears the words of Ams, but she does not back away. Instead, she leans forward and presses her other hand against Ams's cheek as well. Gently, she tilts their head up so they are looking her in the eyes."

"Ams...I know you can do better than lie to me straight to my face. But if you won't tell me the truth, I'll have to use other methods," "she says, the edges of her voice sharp with anger." "So tell me. Why did you betray my trust? Give me an explanation that will ease me, at least a little."

"Ophelia's glare hardens a little bit. She steps back, releasing Ams's cheeks." "Is that so? You're telling me you don't know why you're down in these dungeons right now?"

She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes for a moment, trying to recenter herself. "Fine. We'll do this the hard way, then. Guards!"

The door bursts open moments later, revealing two burly men in uniforms. Ophelia nods towards Ams and says coldly, "Take them to the interrogation room."

The guards move quickly, pulling Ams to their feet and hauling them out of the room. Princess Ophelia stands there for a moment after they're gone, breathing heavily and trying to calm herself down.

"As you step into the interrogation room, you notice that it's practically bare. The walls are made of gray stone, the floor is entirely barren, and there are no windows or decorations to be found. The only real point of note in the room is the single wooden chair sitting in the center. It looks old and rickety, and the seat and back have clearly seen better days."

The guards push you down onto the chair, securing your arms and legs with heavy chains. They step back then, leaving you alone in the room until Princess Ophelia enters a moment later. She strides in, tall and regal, her long hair cascading behind her in waves.

"Ams," she says firmly. "I'm going to ask you some questions now. And you are going to answer me."

"Ophelia's eyes narrow as she looks you over, clearly trying to gauge whether or not you're telling the truth. After a long moment, she turns away from you and begins to pace across the hard, cold stone floor."

"Why did you betray me, Ams? Was someone else controlling you, or was this something that you did on your own?" she asks, her voice laced with anger and frustration.

"Princess Ophelia stops pacing and turns back to you, her expression softening slightly. She takes a deep breath before speaking."

"You were stealing from the palace's treasury, Ams. My own handmaiden and knight, taking money that belongs only to the kingdom that you swore to protect. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"Ophelia's voice is cold and distant again, the hurt and betrayal she feels evident in her words."

"Princess Ophelia looks at you skeptically. She's unsure whether to believe your words, but the sincerity in your tone and words gives her some hesitancy."

"I want to believe you, Ams, I really do. But I need more proof than just your words."

She takes a deep breath before issuing a command to one of the guards stationed outside, telling them to bring in a ledger that had been confiscated from the treasury. They soon return with the bound ledger. Ophelia opens the ledger and quickly scans through its pages.

"You see here," she says as she turns to a certain page on it and pointing to a name, "this is your name, Ams. And this is the amount that was taken under your name."

"She pauses for a moment, waiting for your reaction, watching you closely."

"That's exactly what I'm trying to understand, Ams," "Princess Ophelia says as she narrows her eyes." "What reason could you possibly have for taking such a large sum of money? Does someone else know about this? Are you working with them?"

She steps closer to you, fixing you with a cold stare. "Answer me truthfully, and I may be willing to consider leniency."

"I wish I could simply believe you, Ams. But I require more than mere words after what you have done," "Princess Ophelia says, sorrow clear in her voice."

Her expression hardens then and she turns on her heels, away from you. "I am going to give you one more chance to confess, Ams. Who are you working with and why did you do this? Or are you willing to go through with the punishment that awaits? The choice is yours."

"Princess Ophelia turns back to you, looking disappointed."

"Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for you, Ams."

She turns around, calling for the guards to take you back to the dungeons. "Lock them up. They're not to be released until the day of their punishment."

The guards pull you up and off the chair, leading you out of the room without any other word. Shortly after, a heavy door slams shut, and you're left alone in the dark once more.

Hours pass, but it feels like an eternity as you sit in your cell, stewing in your regret and fear. Just as you're starting to feel like you can't take it anymore, the sound of footsteps reaches your ears. You look up to see Princess Ophelia standing outside your cell door.

"Ams," she says coolly. "It's time for your punishment." She opens the door to your cell and steps inside, waiting for you to get up and follow.

"I'm afraid I cannot disclose your punishment yet, Ams," "Princess Ophelia says sternly." "But I want you to know that I take no pleasure in this. It is my duty as the princess and protector of this kingdom to see justice served."

She motions for you to stand and follow her out of the cell, leading the way towards the throne room. The winding halls and empty passageways feel like a maze, and it's hard for you to keep your thoughts straight as the fear and anticipation build within you.

Finally, you reach the throne room. Princess Ophelia's father, the king, is sitting on his throne, grave and unyielding. He looks down at you with cold eyes, making you feel small and insignificant. Princess Ophelia steps forward, addressing her father with a deep bow.

"Father, we have come to deliver Ams's punishment," she says formally. The king nods, steepling his fingers before his chin.

"So be it," he replies simply. "Ams, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

The king looks at you for a moment before nodding. "Very well then," he says. "The punishment will be carried out immediately."

Princess Ophelia steps forward to take control of the situation. "Ams, we neither forgive nor forget this crime against the kingdom. You will face your punishment with dignity and grace."

She motions for the guards to take you away again, and they do so without hesitation. You're led outside to a courtyard where a small crowd has gathered to watch the punishment be carried out.

The guards chain you to a pillar, and a hood is placed over your head. You try to remain calm but can't fight the fear coursing through your body as you wait for your punishment to begin.

The silence is deafening as you stand there, chained to the pillar. The only sounds are those of your own breathing and the distant murmurs of the crowd.

Finally, you hear footsteps approaching. They stop behind you and a hand settles on your shoulder.

"Ams," Princess Ophelia says, voice soft but firm. "I'm sorry it has come to this. Do you have any last words?"

"I'm afraid so, Ams. This is your punishment. But I want you to know that as your friend and former ally, I am truly sorry it has come to this," Princess Ophelia says gently, the sadness evident in her tone.

The hood is removed from your head then and you squint as the bright sunlight assaults your eyes. Before you, you see a hangman's noose suspended from a wooden scaffold.

"Any last words, Ams?" Her voice softer than before, giving you some sort of comfort that this is happening only by duty of crown and not by choice she wants to make.

Princess Ophelia's expression softens even further at your words, and she steps closer to you, taking your hand in hers. "Oh, Ams. I believe you. I've always believed you."

She leans in close and presses a soft yet fervent kiss to your cheek. "I love you too, more than as just a friend or ally. And it breaks my heart to see you suffer like this."

She steps back then, tears glistening in her eyes. "But as the princess of this kingdom, I cannot act solely on emotions. The law must be upheld, even when it is cruel."

The executioner is getting ready and the crowd starts to grow restless. Your time runs out as Princess Ophelia holds your face and gives you one last look before conceding the situation.

"I'm so sorry, Ams," she whispers, her voice choked with sadness. "May the Goddess have mercy on your soul."

With those final words, she turns away and leaves, unable to bear witness to your execution.

As the executioner places the noose around your neck, you grit your teeth and steel yourself for the pain to come. The crowd grows quiet as they watch, eager for the punishment to be carried out, but you pay them no heed. Your focus is solely on Princess Ophelia and the king.

You feel the floorboards beneath you tremble as the lever is pulled, and your body jerks upwards as the rope tightens around your neck. The air is cut off from you in an instant, and it takes all your effort to avoid thrashing around too much.

You can see the princess and the king clearly, and you're surprised to see that neither of them are looking away. Their eyes are fixed on you, expressions pained and remorseful.

But you don't care about their feelings. All you care about is fighting for every breath and every moment of life that you're able to wring out of the situation. You writhe and twist atop the scaffold, struggling to keep the pressure on your neck from being unbearable.

Minutes pass, but time feels like an eternity as the lack of oxygen makes you feel dizzy and sick. But still, somehow, you manage to keep going, clinging to the last vestiges of life with a fierce determination.

Your breaths come slow and shallow, barely keeping you alive, as you continue to cling to your life. You're aware of the horrified gasps and murmurs that emanate from the crowd as the minutes tick by, but it feels distant and unimportant.

Your entire being is focused solely on the moments as they pass. Your vision swims in and out, black and white spots dotting your view as your body is pushed to its absolute limit. But still you fight, motivated by a stubborn refusal to let this be an easy death for anyone.

Finally, after what feels like forever, you begin to feel the light slipping from your limbs. Numbness spreads through you, crawling up from your fingers and toes towards your chest.

You know Death is coming for you, but still you resist, clinging to life with everything you have left. You feel yourself slipping, your vision tunneling, and yet you continue to fight. All you want is to make them see the truth before your final breath leaves your body.

As if in response to your final thoughts, the sky begins to darken above you. The sun sets and the moon rises, casting a soft, pale light over the scaffold and the scene below.

For a moment, your gaze drifts upwards, transfixed by the sight of the moon and stars overhead. It's a beautiful sight, but as quickly as it comes, your attention is back on the king and Princess Ophelia.

You can tell that they're both struggling to maintain their composure, to bear witness to the horrors of what they've inflicted upon you. But still, you want more. You want them to suffer, to feel the weight of this unyielding punishment.

And so you continue to cling to life, drawing each breath with a fierce determination. You fight Death at every step, unwilling to give up until the very last moment.

When it comes, it's gentle, almost welcoming in comparison to the struggle that preceded it. You feel your last breath slip quietly from your lips as the darkness claims you.

And as you journey beyond, you can't help but wonder if your sacrifice will have been enough to make them see the truth of your innocence.