章 9: Parade of Shame
The sun hung low in the morning sky, its warm rays offering no comfort to Alex as he stood in the middle of the castle courtyard. His hands were bound tightly with rough ropes, chafing his skin with every slight movement. Around his neck hung the crude wooden plank with the damning words scrawled in bold ink: "I AM A RAPIST."
The knights moved with cold efficiency, fastening the ropes to the back of a carriage. Alex's heart sank further as he realized what was coming. He was to be paraded through the streets of Galdor, his shame displayed for all to see.
"Let's move!" barked one of the knights, his voice sharp and devoid of emotion.
The carriage began to creak forward, the horses' hooves clattering against the stone as Alex stumbled to keep up.
The streets of Galdor were packed with onlookers. The air buzzed with whispers and murmurs as the townsfolk gathered to witness the spectacle. Alex felt their eyes on him, their stares like daggers piercing his already shattered pride. He kept his head low, his face burning with humiliation.
"Look at him."
A man muttered from the crowd, his tone dripping with disgust. "A so-called hero, doing something so vile."
A woman spat on the ground near Alex's feet.
"Disgusting. He should've been executed instead."
Another voice chimed in, louder and more vicious.
"Coward couldn't even deny it properly. Must be guilty if the princess herself said so!"
The words hurt more than Alex wanted to admit. He wanted to scream, to shout his innocence, but he knew it would be pointless. No one here cared about the truth. The princess's word was absolute, and he was just a scapegoat.
Children pointed and laughed, their shrill voices adding to the cacophony.
"Look at the bad hero!" one boy called out, his face full of mischief.
"Maybe he'll trip and fall!" another jeered, throwing a small rock in Alex's direction. It struck his leg, leaving a faint sting, but Alex barely flinched. The physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional torment.
As the procession continued, Alex's legs began to ache from the constant stumbling. The cobblestone streets were uneven, and every step was a struggle to keep up with the carriage pulling him along. His hands, tied behind his back, throbbed as the ropes dug into his skin.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned slightly, catching a glimpse of the other summoned heroes: Dylan, Ichiro, and Jina.
They stood on the edges of the crowd, their expressions unreadable. Dylan's confident smirk was absent, replaced with something that looked almost like guilt. Ichiro's usual stoic demeanor was strained, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Jina couldn't even look at him, her head turned away as if the sight of him was too much to bear.
Alex's throat tightened. He had trusted them. He had thought they were allies, maybe even friends. But now, they stood on the sidelines, doing nothing to help. Their silence was deafening.
The carriage came to a halt in the town square, where a raised platform had been set up. Alex was dragged forward and forced to his knees on the wooden stage. The crowd surged closer, their voices growing louder as they hurled insults and accusations.
A town crier stepped forward, unrolling a parchment with exaggerated flourish. "Hear ye, hear ye! By the decree of His Majesty, King Aldric Galdor, the so-called hero Alex Bohn has been found guilty of heinous crimes against the honor of Princess Selene. As punishment, he shall endure public humiliation for one week, serving as a warning to all who dare to dishonor the kingdom!"
The crowd roared in approval, their jeers and laughter filling the square. Alex closed his eyes, trying to block out the noise, but it was impossible. The sound of their scorn seemed to seep into his very soul.
From the corner of his eye, Alex saw movement. Princess Selene stood on the balcony of a nearby building, her figure draped in flowing robes that shimmered in the sunlight. She leaned against the railing, her face a picture of innocence, but her ruby-red eyes glinted with malice.
For a brief moment, their gazes met. Selene's lips curled into a subtle smile, mocking and cruel, as if to remind Alex of the power she held over him. The sight of her made his blood boil, but he could do nothing. He was bound, humiliated, and completely powerless.
The rest of the day dragged on in a blur of pain and exhaustion. Alex was paraded through more streets, enduring the relentless taunts and scorn of the townsfolk. His legs ached, his throat was parched, and his mind teetered on the edge of despair.
As the sun began to set, the knights finally brought him back to the castle. They shoved him into a small, dimly lit cell, the heavy iron door slamming shut behind him. Alex collapsed onto the cold stone floor, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Hours passed, but Alex couldn't sleep. His mind replayed the events of the day over and over, each memory more painful than the last. He felt broken, stripped of every ounce of dignity he had left.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway outside his cell. Alex looked up, his heart sinking as he saw who it was. Princess Selene stood just beyond the iron bars, her expression unreadable.
"Enjoying your punishment?" she asked, her tone light and mocking.
Alex glared at her, his hands balling into fists. "Why are you doing this?" he demanded, his voice raw with emotion. "What did I ever do to you?"
Selene tilted her head, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Do you really need to ask? You're nothing but a stain on this kingdom, Alex. A weakling pretending to be a hero. You don't belong here."
Her words cut deep, but Alex refused to let her see how much they hurt. "You framed me," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "You lied, and everyone believed you."
Selene shrugged, her expression smug. "It wasn't difficult. People will believe whatever I tell them. That's the power of being royalty."
Alex clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding together. "You're a monster."
She laughed softly, the sound cold and devoid of warmth. "And you're pathetic. But don't worry, Alex. Your suffering is only just beginning."
With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance.
As the night wore on, Alex lay on the hard stone floor, staring at the ceiling of his cell. His body ached, and his spirit felt crushed. The people of this world were cruel, their judgment swift and merciless. He had been thrown into this nightmare with no way to defend himself, and now he was paying the price for a crime he didn't commit.
But as he lay there, a flicker of resolve began to grow within him. He couldn't let this be the end. He couldn't let Selene win. Somehow, he would find a way to prove his innocence. Somehow, he would survive.
And when the time came, he would make sure that those who had wronged him paid for their cruelty.
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