Dara's voice rang with a conviction that surprised even him. "Of course I know the kingdom is at risk without me. But I have to take that risk to protect it. I have to prove myself worthy of the throne again. I know the people are still against Karl, and this is my chance to speak up. I believe they'll listen."
A fierce determination burned in his eyes. The spirit within him, a voice he couldn't quite explain, whispered that the people would hear him. He hadn't felt this confident in years, not since the whispers of betrayal had first begun to stain his name.
But a shadow of doubt still lingered. He'd never been in a situation like this before, a situation where the line between right and wrong seemed so blurred. He looked at Ruth, his closest advisor, his friend, his confidant.
"You have to understand, Dara," Ruth said, her voice laced with worry. "Y've not been out there, you've not seen the anger in their eyes. They hate everything about you. If you go out there, they'll stone you before you even get a chance to speak."
Dara's face hardened. "Even if I stay here forever without doing anything and things only get worse, it will make their hatred on me grow and if they ever get to see me they'll stone me anyway, Ruth. If there's no other way to prove my innocence, then I have to do this. It's the only chance I have."
Ruth shook her head, her voice trembling. "Dara, please, don't do this. It's too dangerous. We need to find another way. We need to prove your innocence without putting you at risk."
Dara stared at Ruth, his frustration growing. He knew she was right, but he couldn't bear the thought of being silenced. He had to fight for his kingdom, for his honor, for his very life.
"What other way, Ruth?" he asked, his voice strained. He knew she wouldn't have an answer, but he had to ask. He had to cling to the hope that there was another path, a path that wouldn't lead him to his death.
Desperation hung heavy in the air, a suffocating blanket woven from their shared predicament. It was all his fault, this mess, this crisis, this looming threat of death. But it wasn't really, because he wasn't the one that asked his father to name him the crowned prince, he didn't ask for it and if he had known that it's going to bring so much predicament then he would have boldly rejected it. And as Ruth stared at him, a silent plea in her eyes, she knew there was no other way.
"You see?" Dara said, his voice sharp with frustration. "You have no other suggestion. This is it. The only way. And I will take it." He pointed a finger at her, his resolve unwavering.
Ruth's voice cracked, a desperate plea echoing in the silence. "Dara, please, I beg you. I know it's hard to find another way, but we can do this step by step. Don't go this way. You're putting yourself in danger. You're risking your life!" Her voice trembled, a raw, visceral fear for him that threatened to spill over into tears.
She wanted to paint a picture for him, to show him the whispers of hatred, the venom in the people's eyes, the stones they longed to throw. If only he could see the world as she did, the world where his death was a certainty, a foregone conclusion. But he doesn't care about it, consumed by his own stubborn determination.
Dara's eyes held a steely glint, his conviction unwavering. He wouldn't listen. He wouldn't see the danger. He wouldn't back down. Ruth knew it. She watched him, a silent, helpless witness to his self-destruction. Tears streamed down her face, a silent testament to her powerlessness. There was nothing she could do. Nothing but watch as he make a decision that would end his life, she had already did her own part by advising him and if he doesn't take it then it's obviously not her fault.
                • Golden Castle •
Mara stormed into the courtroom, her anger palpable as she approached the gate leading to the inner sanctum. Just as she reached the entrance, the guards stationed outside blocked her path.
"I request an audience with Karl! I need to speak with him!" she declared, her voice powerful enough to echo through the hall. However, the guards shook their heads firmly.
"The king is busy at the moment and has ordered that he not be disturbed. You will have to return later," they replied, their tone unwavering.
A smirk crossed Mara's face, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "You won’t like the consequences if I leave this place and the king discovers you denied me entry. If I reclaim my throne, you will be the first to face my wrath!" Her voice was sharp, and she pointed an accusing finger at them, her frustration boiling over.
The guards remained silent, resolute in their duty. They had no quarrel with her; they were simply following orders.
As Mara realized they were ignoring her, her anger flared. Determined to make her way inside, she shoved past the guard and forcefully pushed open the throne room door, striding in with fierce determination.
 The guards moved swiftly, their hands clamping onto Mara's arms, attempting to drag her from the room. She fought back, not with the strength of a warrior, but with the fierce defiance of a cornered animal. She wouldn't go quietly. She wouldn't be dragged away like a common criminal.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" she roared, her voice laced with fury. Her struggles were more a display of defiance than a genuine attempt to break free. The guards, though strong, were hesitant to use excessive force against her.
From his throne, Karl watched the scene unfold, a smirk playing on his lips. He'd been expecting this. He'd been waiting for her. "Ah, Mara! I was anticipating your arrival. I didn't think it would take you so long to grace us with your presence. Let her go," he commanded, his voice smooth as silk.
The guards immediately released their grip, their eyes darting nervously between Mara and their king. Mara glared at them, her gaze burning with a silent promise of retribution. The guards, sensing the danger, quickly retreated from the room, closing the door behind them.
Mara turned her attention to Karl, her gaze piercing, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. She saw him, relaxed and at ease, surrounded by women who were showering him with affection. It was a sight that ignited a fire within her, a fire fueled by betrayal, jealousy, and a burning desire for revenge.
"And this is what you've turned my father's sacred throne into? Your whore house?" Mara spat, her voice dripping with venom. The accusation hung heavy in the air, and Karl's eyes widened in feigned surprise.
"Your father's throne? Oh, I'd forgotten. You weren't even born when I built this throne alongside your father. I was by his side that very morning, and we built it together. It belongs to both of us!" He said taking a breath.
"Although, I thought I told you I wasn't interested in ruling, I made it clear that it would be a simple matter between your brother and my son. So why are you so bothered? Hmm? Are you afraid your brother will lose?," Karl asked, a mocking smirk twisting his lips.
His words were a deliberate provocation, designed to ignite her anger. Mara's fists clenched, and she took a step forward, ready to unleash her fury. But before she could move, two more guards stepped forward, their hands hovering near their swords, their faces grim. The air crackled with tension.
And then she paused and on a gentle move she retreated backward. "Oh what a pity! I feel for you because you don't have the strong brother. You wish it was you, cuz I know that if it was to be you, you could have defeated my son but unfortunately women can't be allowed to rule the Kingdom!" He said smiling.
"You are a monster! If I heard you correctly, you told the people you were never interested in the throne, never interested in ruling. But I still wonder why you're still clinging to it, giving orders and commands as if you were the rightful king!" Mara's voice was a mix of anger and disbelief.
Karl laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "And who else should be on the throne, if not me? You?" he asked, rising to his feet. The two women who had been smooching his chest quickly shifted back, their eyes darting nervously between Mara and their king.
"I know you're here to talk about something, Mara. But this isn't the reason you're here. So go ahead, spill the tea, or you can leave. I don't have much time, as you can see, I'm very busy," Karl said, his eyes holding hers.
Mara swallowed, the truth of his words sinking in. She had no army, no power. Her supporters were locked away, her plans thwarted. All she could do was to calm herself, focus on her remaining plan, and hope it was enough.
"I'd like to speak with you in private. Could you ask them to give us some space?" Mara asked, her gaze sweeping over the room, her voice barely a whisper.
Karl's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Who? As far as I can see, it's just you and me in this room. Who exactly do you want me to send away? My bodyguards? My women? Listen, I paid these women a very good amount of money before bringing them here. I wouldn't want to lose the chance to.... you know... sample them because of you. So do me a favor and say what you want to say right here. And remember, whatever you say, there are consequences. And yours are very dire," he said, his voice a low growl.
Mara took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She had to play this carefully. The stakes were higher than ever.