The next morning I was awoken by my maids.

The maids helped me get ready. I grew worried when I saw the black dress. A wrap-style bodice, length sleeves, and a bow on the waist.

"Who died?" I begged for an answer.

Nettie rushed to my side. "No one. As today goes on, please remember that fact. No one has died today."

I added some translucent tights and some heels.

Amelia eventually returned with some croissants and apple slices. I wanted to sit and eat slowly, stretching out my time, but one bite was all it took for me to know that food was not my friend today.

I was escorted downstairs to where the other girls were. The men all wore suits. Regina and Kriss wore black day dresses, but where was Lexi? Why wasn't she here? And there was a missing elite boy. Where was he?

We were taken to the streets of Volterra, to the performance center. The four of us were seated in the front row. I looked farther back and saw my father sitting on a throne with a hard expression on his face.

When the crowd's cheers turned to angry shouts I turned to see the cause, and what I found made me sick. Officer Michels was led into the square in chains. His clothes were filthy and there was blood trickling down from his lip. Behind him, Lexi was shrouded in John's guard jacket.

Lexi looked around, catching my eyes for a second of unguarded panic before her chains were pulled to keep her moving. I watched as she searched again, and I knew who she was looking for this time. Her parents were the only ones in the first row, but they were at the end, so she would have to look behind her to find them.

I didn't dare look back to see the expression on their faces. I tried to hold onto the calm expressions both John and Lexi wore, until she tripped and the mask fell, pure terror plain in her eyes.

I could only think of one word. NO! My mind chanted. This couldn't be real.

A man in a black hood stepped up at the same time as they were led onto the stage. A hush fell over the crowd, this was not the first time they'd witnessed these proceedings. I dry-heaved, thanking the universe that I hadn't been able to eat this morning.

The man in the hood stepped up to speak. "Alexis Moore, a member of the selection of King Edward I and a daughter of Volterra, you were found in a compromising position with John Michels, a once valued member of the elite and trusted son." The man paused for effect before continuing. "Ms. Moore and Mr. Michels broke their vows to King Edward and to this nation."

I watched in horror as John was strapped to the A-frame structure, his shirt torn off and his legs bound to the bottom and his arms to the top so he was stretched against the structure. Lexi was bent over the large block, her hands fed through the straps before they were tightened, keeping her hands palm up as she cried.

"This is a crime punishable by death, but because of his generous heart, the King has chosen to spare the lives of these traitors. Long live King Edward."

I knew I should be echoing the crowd as they cheered.

They were staring into each other's eyes.

John called out only loud enough for us to hear, "I love you, Lexi. We'll be okay, it will all be alright."

Lexi couldn't answer but she nodded and in that moment I had never seen anyone look more angelic.

"Alexis Moore and John Michels, you are now stripped down to caste eight, the lowest of the low, and to inflict some of the pain and shame that you have on His Royal Highness, you will be caned fifteen times. Your scars will be a permanent reminder of your crimes."

I wasn't even sure what those words meant, but when the second masked man joined him on stage and they reached into the bucket of water for two rods, I understood. They swung the canes through the air, the angry whistle sounding as they cut through the air. The crowd cheered approvingly as the men lined themselves up with John's back and Lexi's hands.

We had been given front-row seats for a reason—to show us what would happen if we made such a stupid mistake.

Tears began falling thickly. How could my father, the man my mother described as nothing more than fair, kind, just, caring, and compassionate, do this? How could he have innocent people caned just because they fell in love? Why was he agreeing to this?

Regina was smirking. The boys tried to look calm, but horror was spread across their faces. No one was going to do anything, but I knew I could.

I looked at my dad again.

You have to stop this! I cried, pushing the thought into his mind.

I can't. These are the rules; I'm the king—I have to abide by them. He thought back.

If you won't do something, then I will!

I hopped the railing and called out to Lexi, nearly making it to the stairs of the platform before two sets of arms grabbed me. I threw them back telekinetically, running onto the stage. In seconds, the guards canning them were on fire, burning to their deaths.

I struggled, fumbling, as I freed. More guards came, but I set hellfire flames to surround the stage so they couldn't enter. Once I was done, I pulled Lexi into a hug.

"I don't blame you for falling in love." I whispered. "But you need to run. Run, run as far away as you can. I'll make sure no one follows." I turned to John. "Thank you for making my Lexi happy."

"We are forever in your debt." John said.

"Thank you, Nessie. We hope you're not disqualified or punished." Lexi said, tears in her eyes.

I smirked. "I have the king wrapped around my finger."

I healed Lexi's hands, and John's back. I created an opening and let them run through. I turned to the crowd, who was staring at me in shock. My dad looked…angry, but proud. His advisors were angry.

Then I wondered: What if it was his advisors that gave him the idea?

"Leave." My dad's voice was firm, strict, and harsh. The maids curtsied and left. I was afraid of his reaction and my punishment. He wouldn't send me home, would he?

His gaze was harsh, angry.

"Do you know how much you humiliated me?" He asked.

I hung my head. "I couldn't let people be hurt, just for falling in love. Why did you let it happen? You're the King. No one orders you around."

"My council pressed me to kill them. But I couldn't let that happen. I refrain from killing people as much as possible."

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"Because one of the contestants was able to defeat my guards and set the punished free. Someone that's most likely as powerful as me. That I couldn't keep you in line. But I'm proud of you."

I looked up at him. "Proud?"

"Yeah. You stood up to everyone. You fought back. You stood up for what you believed was right. You did what I was too weak to do. When you become Queen, don't stop doing that. Don't give in to what others think is right just to enforce rules."

"I'm not dismissed?"

He shook his head. "No. You impress me everyday. No one else stood up for them, besides you. You'll fight until the end. You're everything I want in my heir, the next monarch."

I smiled at him. He pulled me into a hug and let me sob a bit.

He was such a good father.

Better than I could have hoped for.