The twin blades of the guillotine plummeted toward their necks, silver glinting in the dying light. Time seemed to slow. Beside him, Tiffany turned her bruised face toward Joshua.
"I love you, Joshua," she whispered, her voice trembling, knowing it would be her last.
Then, in a sudden eruption of movement and steel, a colossal figure vaulted onto the platform. With a single earth-shaking slash, his greatsword cleaved through both guillotines, splintering wood and halting death mid-strike.
Gasps filled the air.
Captain Percival stood tall amidst the wreckage, his armor gleaming, his face grave as he looked down at the bloodied young man slumped before him.
What have they done to you, Joshua? his heart cried, but aloud he only said gently, "It's okay now, Joshua. I'm here."
He crouched and laid a hand on Joshua's matted hair, a gesture of comfort.
Joshua, barely clinging to consciousness, raised his eyes slowly. "Why… did you save me, Captain?" His voice was broken, his soul even more so. "I'm a monster. I deserve to die."
Tears welled in Percival's eyes, but he held them back with a clenched jaw. No, Joshua… these humans are the real monsters. How could they do this to my best student?
From the balcony, Queen Juliet's voice cut through the tense silence. "Captain Percival! What are you doing!?"
He rose slowly and locked eyes with her. The look he gave her was not of a man but of a beast unchained. Bloodlust flared in his eyes. The Queen stumbled back a step, heart thudding.
"How dare you look upon your Queen with such insolence! Guards! Kill that man!" she shrieked.
Two guards and the executioners charged forward, swords drawn but they never reached him.
With one wide, arcing slash, Percival cut them all down in a spray of blood. The crowd fell silent, horrorstruck.
"I didn't act alone," he declared, voice like thunder. "I returned with the King. He ordered me to stop this charade after hearing the truth from James."
Murmurs rippled through the nobles as the Queen's expression darkened.
Inside the noble house, Queen Juliet stormed through the halls. She pushed open Blanchette's door and froze.
Blanchette, pale but conscious, sat in bed. The King stood beside her.
"My little Blanchette," Juliet cried, rushing forward. She fell into her daughter's arms. "I thought you'd never wake…"
"I'm okay now, Mom," Blanchette replied softly.
The Queen stepped back, drying her tears. Then her expression turned stern.
"William," she said sharply, "why did you stop the execution? You must know what Joshua did."
"I do," the King said. "But Blanchette asked me to stop it."
The Queen's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Blanchette hesitated. Her hands clenched the sheets. "Because I love Joshua. With all my heart."
"Even after what he did?"
"I can't forgive his actions. But if he dies… I don't think I could live with myself."
Juliet looked at her daughter, torn between disappointment and understanding.
"And Tiffany?" the Queen asked. "Why is she still breathing?"
"I want her head more than anyone," Blanchette admitted coldly. "But if she dies, it will break Joshua. He's already lost Amy… he's lost enough."
Juliet opened her mouth, fury rising. "Why are you letting that beast...!"
"Enough, Juliet," King William said, his tone iron. "Joshua's life will be spared. So will Tiffany's. But she will be sent far away, to the witches' residence, at the edge of human territory. Her presence here brings only turmoil."
Queen Juliet stormed out. "Feels like I'm the only one in this house with any common sense…"
That night, Joshua sat in his room, wrapped in silence. Merlin and Franciele held him close, weeping with relief.
"I'm so happy you didn't die," Merlin whispered.
"You had us worried, grandson," Franciele said with a soft smile.
But Joshua's expression remained hollow.
"There's nothing to be happy about. I'm a monster. I hurt everyone around me. It would've been better if I died."
His words pierced them like daggers.
"Joshua, that's not true," Merlin pleaded.
Franciele reached for him gently. "Everyone makes mistakes, child…"
"I want to be alone," Joshua interrupted, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Please."
With heavy hearts, they left the room.
Outside, Merlin turned to her grandmother. "Something's wrong. What did they do to him down there?"
"Torture can change a person," Franciele said. "But I know who might reach him."
Franciele knocked softly and entered Blanchette's room. She was sitting up in bed, reading.
"Joshua's grandmother?" Blanchette asked, surprised.
"I came to explain," Franciele said, pulling a chair close. "You know Joshua is a Mutated Awakened?"
"Yes," Blanchette said warily. "What does that have to do with what he did?"
"Mutated Awakened don't just lose themselves in combat. Their instincts are… intense. When he's in and out of awakening, the aggression and desire don't fade like they do for others. It builds. The only way to manage it… is physical intimacy."
Blanchette's eyes widened as the truth sank in. That's why he was so desperate in the garden… and I pushed him away. So he went to someone else.
She took a breath and met Franciele's eyes. "Send him to me. Please."
Franciele smiled and nodded. "As you wish, my little princess."
Blanchette flinched at the old nickname, her grandmother used to call her that too.
A knock came. Joshua stepped inside, unsure. Blanchette didn't speak, she simply patted the chair beside her bed.
He sat, eyes falling on the scars across her knuckles.
"Your grandmother told me everything," Blanchette said softly.
"No," Joshua replied, voice cracking. "That's no excuse. I am a monster…"
He couldn't meet her eyes. I don't deserve love. I don't deserve to live…
Blanchette reached out and touched his cheek. He blinked, startled by the warmth.
"You're not a monster," she whispered. "You're the man I love. And I forgive you."
She leaned in and kissed him.
The dam inside him broke. Life flickered back into his eyes. When she pulled away, her cheeks were bright pink.
She slipped under her covers and lifted them invitingly.
"You can sleep here. But no funny business," she added, blushing.
He crawled in, careful, shy. They curled together, warmth and heartbeat returning.
Blanchette held him close as his breathing slowed.
Guess you were really tired, she thought with a smile. It's okay now, Joshua. Sleep peacefully, my love.
Then she felt something firm against her thigh.
Blanchette's face lit up crimson.
You're definitely a grower, Joshua…
She giggled softly and fell asleep, wrapped in his arms.