Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 345: On display

Third-Person POV

E groaned in sheer frustration as the guards yanked her forward, their rough hands gripping her arms like she was some wild beast that needed taming. Her wrists throbbed under the tight metal cuffs that chained her hands behind her back, the skin already raw from the constant pulling and struggling.

The air outside the cell was cold, carrying that damp, early-morning chill that always came before dawn. The dim light seeping in from the corridor made her squint, and the sound of boots echoing down the stone hallway did nothing to calm the boiling irritation rising inside her.

She’d spent the entire night awake, thinking, planning, and trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get out of this situation. None of it made sense. One moment she’d been healing Seraphina, and the next thing she knew, she was in a dark cell, her powers cut off, her strength fading, and the taste of helplessness thick in her mouth.

Now, as the guards dragged her toward the doors at the end of the corridor, her thoughts turned bitter.

’So this is how it ends,’ she thought with a quiet scoff. ’Dragged out at sunrise like a spectacle.’

Her father wasn’t here, and he couldn’t be. She’d overheard enough talking between guards that confirmed that, just like Jella had said, Vale had been dethroned, imprisoned, and accused of betraying the kingdom.

The guards turned a corner, one of them jerking her by the arm so hard that the cuffs dug into her skin. E stumbled, catching herself before she fell completely, and shot him a glare that could’ve burned a hole through his skull.

"Careful," she snapped, her voice cold despite the pain. "I may be dying soon, but I’m still royalty until my last breath, so maybe try not to drag me around like garbage."

The taller guard grunted, not even sparing her a glance. The other one, the younger of the two, sneered. "Royalty?" he muttered. "You’re no royal. You’re an abomination."

E’s lips curved into a humorless smirk. "Then why are you so scared of me?"

That shut him up for a few seconds, but the next tug was even harsher, his revenge for her defiance.

The cuffs burned against her wrists, and the urge to snap his neck with her bare hands surged through her body so violently it almost made her forget she was powerless. If she weren’t bound by those infernal cuffs, she would’ve reduced the entire palace to ashes by now with how angry she was.

Every step she took reminded her of how much she wanted revenge, not just on Jella, the self-proclaimed queen sitting smugly on her father’s throne, but on Iris.

Especially Iris.

The memory of that smug look on Iris’s face flashed in her mind, the way she’d stood beside Jella, calm, satisfied, knowing she had played her part perfectly.

E clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palms as the thought grew darker. ’If I ever get out of this alive, I’ll tear her apart piece by piece. I’ll make her regret ever messing with me.’

But she didn’t say it out loud.

The guards finally reached the double doors leading out of the palace, and when they shoved them open, the blinding light of dawn hit her square in the face. She winced and instinctively turned her head to the side, her eyes adjusting to the brightness.

When her vision cleared, she froze.

There were hundreds of people gathered outside the palace gates.

Men, women, and even children crowded the courtyard and the streets beyond, some standing on rooftops, others recording with their phones. The sound of people murmuring amongst themselves and camera clicks filled the air.

They were all waiting.

Waiting for her.

For her humiliation, and for her death.

The cold realization sent a chill down her spine.

A large wooden platform had been set up in the center of the courtyard, an execution stage draped with Elmerian banners.

The guards didn’t slow down, dragging her down the marble steps and through the courtyard. The crowd began to react the moment they saw her, gasps, angry shouts, and flashes from camera phones lighting up her path.

"She’s really a phoenix!" someone yelled from the crowd.

"The monster that corrupted our kingdom!" another spat.

"She cursed the royal bloodline!"

E kept her head high despite the chaos, despite the ache in her arms and the weight in her chest. If they wanted a show, she’d give them one, but she wasn’t going to look broken for them.

"Smile," she muttered under her breath, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "Wouldn’t want to disappoint the audience."

One of the guards shoved her forward, forcing her to move faster.

They led her toward the wooden steps of the platform. She could see soldiers standing in formation around it, their expressions cold and blank. Jella’s personal guards, all loyal to her and complicit in this madness. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

At the far end of the courtyard, Jella herself stood tall on a raised balcony, dressed in royal colors that didn’t belong to her. Her crown gleamed under the rising sun, but to E, it looked dull, tainted, and wrong.

Beside her stood Iris, dressed in black, her eyes locked on E like she was watching something beneath her.

E smirked faintly at the sight. Of course Iris would be there. She probably wanted to see it for herself, to make sure her plan worked, and to make sure E didn’t miraculously survive.

"Well," E muttered under her breath, "this is going to be fun."

The guards dragged her up onto the stage and forced her to her knees at the center. The wooden floorboards were rough against her legs, but she barely noticed. The noise from the crowd was growing louder now, the chants and shouts blending into an ugly, hateful roar.

"Daughter of a Traitor!"

"Monster!"

"Burn her!"

E lifted her chin, her lips curling slightly as she stared out at the faces twisted in disgust and fear. One of the guards shoved her shoulder roughly, forcing her to stay still.

Her gaze flicked up toward the balcony again, catching Iris’s eyes. For a long moment, neither of them looked away.

Then, slowly, E smiled.

A royal herald stepped forward near the platform, unrolling a scroll and clearing his throat dramatically before shouting, "By order of Her Majesty, Queen Jella of Elmeria, the former princess Electra Vale is hereby sentenced to death by execution for treason against the crown, the use of forbidden magic, and deception of the royal bloodline!"

The crowd cheered, but E almost laughed.

Treason? Forbidden magic? Deception? If anyone had deceived the crown, it was the snake wearing it now, and not once had Electra committed treason.

Her laugh came out quiet, and one of the guards glanced at her warily, but she ignored him.

"I’d clap if my hands weren’t tied," she muttered dryly.

The herald shot her a glare before stepping back.

Jella took a step forward on the balcony, her voice amplified through the courtyard.

"People of Elmeria," Jella announced, her tone smooth and authoritative. "For too long, this creature has lived among us, pretending to be human, poisoning our royal family, and bringing ruin to the name of our great kingdom, but today, it’s finally over, and we won’t have to worry about having such an abomination live amongst us!"

The people roared in agreement, and E’s blood boiled. Every word Jella spoke was a lie, but unfortunately for her, the crowd ate it up like it was truth.