Adrienne's voice echoed throughout the small square. "ADRIEN! NO!" she yelled, quickly getting grabbed by guards as she tried to get to the traitor.

The advisor looked distastefully at her. "You know this man?" he drawled, waving his hand at the guards. She let out a small cry of pain, but nodded.

"He is my brother, Adrien de Noailles," she mumbled. Gilbert saw the man's eyes widen, looking scared. But why would someone like that be so scared about the princess knowing who he was?

The advisor smirked, then turned to the crowd gathered there. "I think I know why the his highness, the prince, married this girl!" he declared. There were murmurs from the people in the pause. "It is because," he began after the people quieted, "his highness was tricked. Robin Hood-- I mean, Adrien, wanted a spy in the castle. So he got his sister to work for him and marry the prince! But we have caught them in the act! Both traitors shall hang!"

Gilbert felt sick. There was no way Adrienne was a traitor. "My father--!" he began, jumping when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Is right here," the king finished. He looked to his advisor. "Do you truly believe this?"

"Without a shadow of a doubt," his advisor responded.

The king turned to his son. "I'm sorry Gilbert. If Valentin thinks that she's against us, she has to go."

Gilbert held back sobs. He finally had his happily ever after with the girl of his dreams, and she was deemed a traitor and was to be killed. He caught his love's eye, her gaze full of tears. She said something, but her words were drown out by a woman speaking up.

"Long live Robin Hood!" the woman yelled. Gilbert recognized her as Hazelle, a woman from the market. "Long live Adrienne!"

The crowd picked up her words, all the people, aside from a select few,
chanting. "Long live Robin Hood! Long live Adrienne!"

Alexander grabbed Eliza and Gilbert, pulling them inside. Shouting and cries of agony could be heard outside. Someone began to shout, "Long live--" but their words were cut off by the sickening sound of a blade in flesh.

"They're killing those people..." Gilbert whispered.

Alexander nodded. "They're supporting 'the traitors'. You know how your dad is."

Gilbert crumpled to the ground, sobbing. He felt like this was his fault. If it weren't for him, and his stupid love, those people would still be alive.

The commotion outside seemed to last forever. When it finally quieted down, guards led Gilbert back to his chambers. He sat silently on the floor, feeling broken. He wanted comfort. He wanted Adrienne.

There was a quiet knock on the door. He didn't open it, and after about a minute, it creaked open. One of Adrienne's ladies in waiting, Aglaé, sat beside him.

"Sire," she began softly, "your father sent me to cheer you up."

"How?" he croaked. "My wife is to be killed!"

"Your father noticed how you look at me," she murmured, not meeting his eye.

He bit his lip. Yes, Aglaé was beautiful. He had stared at her with longing on many occasions. He had yearned for her touch. But he was a married man now. But what did it matter when his wife was to die?

His arms snaked around Aglaé, pulling her close. "Is this fine with you?" he asked, because consent is key.

She nodded, leaning into his touch. Soon sounds of pleasure could be heard echoing through the stone walls of the castle.