The morning sunlight filtered through the cracks of the window in Amie's family home. Andrew opened his eyes slowly, then sat up and rubbed his face.

A knock echoed from the bedroom door. Andrew let out a sigh, then stood up from his bed.

"Andrew, are you awake?" Amie’s voice drifted from behind the door.

"Yeah. I'm up," Andrew replied shortly.

Andrew walked over and opened the door. Amie stood in front of him, holding a clean cloth in her hands.

"Mother told me to give this to you. You can use it to wash your face at the well out back," Amie said.

"Thank you," Andrew said, taking the cloth.

"After that, we’ll have breakfast together. Father is already waiting at the dining table."

"Alright, Amie," Andrew said.

After cleaning himself up, Andrew immediately headed toward the kitchen. The four of them then sat surrounding the table.

The food served this morning wasn't much. There were only a few pieces of wheat bread, a bowl of vegetable soup without any meat, and a few cups of warm water.

"I feel like I've been a huge burden to all of you since yesterday. I'm sorry," Andrew said.

"Don't think about that, Andrew. We don't feel burdened at all. You have no place to live and no family in this city. Don't be a stranger to us," Amie's mother replied with a warm smile.

"For the time being, just stay at our house," Amie's father chimed in. "At least settle here until you can find a way back to your city."

Andrew fell silent for a moment. The sincere words from them brought a sudden warmth to his chest.

"Thank you. I am truly indebted to you all," Andrew said with a genuine smile.

Amie's father merely nodded slowly. They then continued their breakfast. Once they had all finished their meal, Amie immediately stood up from her chair.

"Father, we have to leave for the town square now," Amie said, the expression on her face visibly tense.

"Yes," her father answered, letting out a sigh.

"Is it really this early?" Andrew asked, his brow furrowing.

Amie's father nodded. The three of them then hurried toward the town square.

The streets felt bleak and eerily quiet. The closer they got to the town square, the more people were seen gathering at the site.

Andrew glanced toward a massive wooden stage erected in the middle of the square. A gallows stood at the center, a noose already hanging in place.

Several soldiers stood guarding the perimeter of the stage, gripping their spears.

On the other side of the stage, a heavily built man dressed entirely in black stood without expression. The cloth covering his face left only the man's eyes visible.

"Is that the executioner?" Andrew whispered quietly to Amie, looking toward the man.

"Yes," Amie nodded, her face turning pale.

Not long after, the blare of a distinct royal trumpet filled the entire town square. Everyone instantly fell dead silent at the sound of the trumpet.

"His Majesty the King has arrived," whispered one of the citizens near them, their voice barely above a whisper.

The soldiers guarding around the stage immediately straightened their ranks to welcome the King.

"The King has arrived. On your knees, quickly!" shouted one of the soldier commanders in a loud voice.

Every single person there immediately knelt. Only Andrew remained standing, staring directly toward the road where the royal procession was passing by.

"Hey, you! Are you deaf? Get on your knees, now!" barked one of the soldiers upon seeing Andrew still standing.

Andrew flinched at the shout directed at him. Amie, who was right beside him, hurriedly yanked Andrew's sleeve to force him down.

"Kneel down, quickly, Andrew!" Amie whispered, her voice laced with panic.

Andrew complied with Amie's words and knelt beside her.

The sound of the king's horse-drawn carriage drew closer toward the stage. A moment later, the carriage came to a halt right next to the platform.

A heavy silence gripped the air for a moment.

"Today, you will witness the punishment for anyone who dares to ignore their obligations to the kingdom," King Cedric shouted loudly from atop the stage.

Andrew slowly raised his head. His eyes locked onto the King. The moment he caught sight of the King's face, his heart instantly hammered violently.

"Nathan..." Andrew whispered, his voice shaking.

"Who is Nathan?" Amie asked with a furrowed brow, turning her head toward him.

Andrew didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on King Cedric's face. His mind went completely blank.

It was Nathan's face. The same eyes. The same jawline. The same person he had humiliated in front of an entire classroom—now sitting on a throne, condemning a man to death without blinking.

King Cedric sat back down on his chair. He raised his hand, issuing a command.

"Bring Marcus up to the stage."

Two soldiers immediately dragged Marcus's body toward the top of the platform. The middle-aged man's hands were still tied behind his back. His battered face was already drenched in tears.

"Your Majesty... I beg for your mercy..." Marcus sobbed in a hoarse voice, thrashing wildly as he fought against the soldiers' grip.

Marcus's wife and his two children appeared to be crying hysterically.

"Marcus!" shrieked his wife. She tried to rush toward the stage, but was forcefully held back by the guarding soldiers.

"Please let my husband go! He is innocent!" the woman screamed repeatedly.

Her two children joined in the crying behind their mother. They kept calling out their father's name, their voices turning raspy.

Marcus stared at his family's faces for one last time. His tears poured down even heavier.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you..."

Everyone there could only bow their heads—unable to do a single thing. Andrew clenched his fists incredibly tight. His face flushed red, holding back a rage that was ready to explode.

Marcus's body was forced to stand beneath the gallows. The executioner walked over, carrying the looped hemp rope.

"Damn it. I can't just stand by," Andrew was about to bolt upright right then and there.

Amie, noticing this, immediately grabbed Andrew's arm—pulling him back with both hands.

"Don't do anything stupid, Andrew!"

"Let go of me, Amie! That man is about to die."

"If you make a scene right now, you will be killed on the spot by those soldiers too!" Amie said, her voice quiet and trembling.

Hearing those words, Andrew instantly froze in his tracks. His logic slowly kicked back in.

On the stage, the executioner placed the loop of the hemp rope around Marcus's neck.

Marcus continued to weep relentlessly, his body beginning to go limp.

King Cedric merely watched it all with a flat, cold expression—without a single shred of pity.

He then raised his hand, signaling the executioner to stand ready.

"Carry out the sentence. Now!"