by Yume
4. The Prince’s Games
Prince Eugène
It was one fine bright morning. For him, it was the best day to have the game. And what was the game exactly? Yes, the fun of watching others in struggle and at the edge of death. Their screams were his energy. Their tears were his joy. Their blood was his pleasure. And their bodies were his toys. He was not a single bit ashamed of himself, for he hand many companions who shared the same cruelty with him. He was praised as the ‘best’ judger and recognized as a ‘hero’ in many eyes. He was always on the top. Even when others were dying, he looked down at them.
So, who was this young handsome man sitting on the throne? Prince Eugène, indeed. Today, the person being executed was a young woman in mid-twenties. Her sin was reported as practice of voodoo. No actual evidence was provided to support that but it did not matter. Every now and then, judgment in this town did not require evidence. It only required authority. People could pay for their crime. The bad guys could get away hands free while the innocents wept. It was the rule here, the real law being practiced. Prince Eugène, though, was pretty proud of himself for ever inventing such law. The accusation of voodoo practice and witchcraft was added recently. And that was all for his own sake. For his twisted mind and fierce nature.
As he sat on top of the gigantic luxurious throne, he glared down at the woman. Her hands were tied tightly by the ropes. Bruises could be found everywhere on her white skin. A large lesion stretched from top of her forehead down to her neck. Her eyes were welled up with tears. She opened her mouth but no words came out.
As for the prince, he was grinning from ear to ear. The more frightened his victim looked, the more ecstasy he had.
“You’re a beast!” The girl roared as tears rolled down her face. The town people were all gathering around the platform by now. Some watched with fear and shock. Some, of course, watched with pleasure.
“How dare you call our prince a beast!” The headsman howled in anger.
“Let her call me whatever she wants.” Prince Eugène smiled calmly. “She has not much time left anyway.”
“You’re cruel! You’re vicious! You’re wicked!” The girl whimpered. “I never practiced voodoo! You know well it’s a false accuse and yet you, beast, corrupt the judgment. You’re a devil!”
“Oh dear, if I were a devil, then you shall be a fallen angel.” Prince Eugène laughed. “No one does really want to admit their crime. May God bless you.”
“You’re a devil in disguise!” The girl turned to the audience and shrieked with all her might. “You fool everyone. You torment the innocents. You save the evil! You’re just as notorious as Lord Rèmy!”
On hearing his father’s name, his face turned red. Flushed with fury, he screeched. “Executed!”
The headsman dragged the girl to the guillotine. With one chop, her head went flying and blood spattered everywhere.
“My dear people,” Prince Eugène stood up and held up both of his hands. “Whoever is to castigate my father, the great Lord Rèmy, is to end up like that girl!”
The audience hushed as they listened. No one seemed to dare say anything. Their eyes were hollow and filled with terror.
Just then, a man emerged from the crowd.
“The girl is right!” The young boy shouted firmly. “Lord Rèmy is a shame to the kingdom! So are you, Prince Eugène! You kill anyone as you wish! You are not fitted for the throne!”
“Who’s there to humiliate my father and me?” Prince Eugène glanced to the direction where the voice had come from. There, standing in the middle of the crowd, was a teenage boy about seventeen. He was a well-known boy in the town. People referred to him as the Brave Hanzel.
Prince Eugène had heard of him, indeed. The boy had saved various victims from the crime scene and was a hero for many.
“I am.” Hanzel said bravely and walked up to the front.
Prince Eugène gazed down at him and narrowed his eyes. After seconds, he clapped his hands and laughed.
“You’ve got guts, lad.” He said. “And I suppose you’re Hanzel.”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Great, Hanzel.” Prince Eugène smiled. “Do you know what the consequence is of accusing me?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care!” Hanzel shouted. “If you wish to kill me now, do it. Everyone around me knows I am telling the truth! You use your power over us. You control us. You deprive us of our freedom. Your corrupted judgment is the best evidence to show your evilness!”
As he said that, some people among the crowd began to applaud and nod their heads. Some more timid people also started whispering and murmuring the same words.
“Well, I don’t mind being called evil, but you’re getting nowhere criticizing me.” Prince Eugène said. “You’re being stupid.”
Prince Eugène gestured the knights over. “Grab him.”
The knights obeyed his order and seized Hanzel’s arms. Hanzel did not repel or struggle but people around him were all trying to keep him.
“And grab whoever comes in our way!” Prince Eugène demanded and left.