Wearing a Crown of Solitude

Warnings for//

-Violence

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He was used to the ill-treatment by this point. Grimy hands and crooked teeth greeted him from every angle as a guard shoved him down the hall. The sneers and grins of satisfaction the prisoners gave as they saw their king in exile shuffle down the hall was beyond detrimental. He couldn’t help but stare at the noose that dangled from a platform outside of the prison cells.

Maybe fate was trying to tell him something.

Someone dragged their fingernails down his arm as he brushed past a cell. The utter disgust he felt at the notion was indescribable. The jeers the criminals made at his expression spoke for themselves.

Daniel’s pride couldn’t have been crushed more than it did the moment he saw a prison guard smile at him pityingly.

The walk to the decision that would define his life was agonising. The faces of his loved ones flashed before his eyes as a bright light suddenly shone from above, and Daniel felt tears prick his eyes as he saw his daughter, his only daughter, bound in chains beside the juror of the trial. She was devoid of any expression as he was escorted to the front of the courtroom.

“Sir Daniel James Howell, King of Iranika, son of Albert Harry Howell. Do you plead guilty to crimes against your people that may include and are not limited to theft, misdirection of profits, evasion of taxes, evasion of royal responsibilities and evasion of looking after the needs of your own people?”

Daniel sunk his head in shame. “I plead guilty, your Honour.”

“Then it be settled. Your execution shall take place immediately, and your daughter shall take on the responsibilities that come with being Queen of Iranika.”

The smallest of smiles made its way onto his daughter’s face as he was pulled away from the scene and down the same corridor he’d entered. He knew his people had expected him to deny the accusations, to reject the acts they all knew he’d committed.

He knew it would only be a matter of time before his corrupt ways were overturn by the same people he’d once trusted.

So, Daniel accepted his fate. He had failed to serve his country, his nation, in the spirit of his people. He had failed his duty as King.

When the axe that would meet his end glinted in his peripheral vision, he simply breathed. He didn’t have time to mourn over the life he never had. He didn’t have time to say his goodbyes to the few people that still cared about him.

He didn’t have time.

A guard shoved him to the ground as Philip’s face swam in his vision. He never got to tell him…

That was the only regret Daniel had as the axe severed his neck in two.

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AN:// Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate it :two_hearts:

I initially wrote this for the Creative Club’s ‘Villain’ project, but when I looked at the word count I realised I could enter this into the Phanfic Club’s most recent competition, too!

Honestly, this fic feels a little rushed, but that’s probably because it’s only like, 500 words. Otherwise, I’m pretty happy with it!

Also, my chartered fic is nearly here! I’ve finished writing up to Chapter 6, so I’ll be posting the first part up here pretty soon! (Ahhh I’m so excited!)

Talk to you later friends!

#500words