TW! Topics written in the comments!

She was done. She knew it the moment she woke up, when the sun rose, and started to light up her room. She hadn't slept well, but that wouldn't matter at the end of the day. Nothing would change what was about to happen. The worst part: she brought it upon herself.

It is time..., she thought, when the guards, the nice ones again, approached her with an apologetic look. She made no fuss, as they chained her up, and let her out, towards the courtroom. Her hands shook, but she cleared her face of any fear. No one would see it, she decided. Not one of them would get the satisfaction of seeing her afraid. Never.

She had never identified herself as one of them.

The guards' armors clattered along with her chains, as she slowly strode towards the gigantic throne in the courtroom, where, just as she had anticipated, the king of Glanzreich sat. His familiar features betrayed nothing, as if she was a stranger to him. At his side she was able to make out five more figures, one of them being the person she'd loved for years. Sorrow stood written in his face, and for a moment she regretted her decision. Now, however, it was too late.

I am sorry, Heine., she thought, as she came to a halt in front of them. I don't see a way out this time...

"Aithne Cordes. You are to be charged with murder and theft in high amounts.", she heard Viktor Von Glanzreich, the king and father of her loved one's students say. "How do you plead?"

The silence around her was almost suffocating, yet she didn't show any signs of weaknesses. She had realized a long time ago, that there would be no escape from this. She knew that this might be the last thing, she would be able to do for him.

"Guilty, Your Majesty.", she answered.

The princes' eyes were wide, and she saw the sad look on his face. She heard him whisper his name, silently begging her to change her mind. She saw the wish in his eyes to reach out to her.

"But father!"

"Your Highness!", she heard the heirs to the throne object, but she shook her head. Heine's face was white, a hurt expression on it. Her own pain almost made her go to her knees.

"Your Highnesses. I appreciate your wish to defend me. However, in the end, I still ended a noble's life. Not to mention the rest of my crimes, that make this whole situation more than justified.", she said quietly. Her eyes travelled to Heine, who didn't dare to say anything. She held back a rush of emotions and looked back to the uniformed princes. "I am ready to face whatever punishment will be brought upon me. I deserve it."

Viktor nodded stiffly, a cold look on his face. Just like her, he didn't show what he felt. She braced herself for what was to come.

"Aithne Cordes, do you swear to tell the truth and only the truth in this hearing?"

"I do.", she answered, nodding. The chains rattled. She was aware of the looks she received. From Prince Kai, Prince Bruno, Prince Leonhard, Prince Licht, from Heine – dear god, Heine! – the audience. And lastly, from Prince Eins, who had come just for this trial. She shot a hateful look towards him.

"Is it true that you killed Baron Jabez?", the man from the council, who would question her, asked.

"Yes.", she replied, truthfully. "I did."

Murmurs rose, gossip already spreading. Various members of the council who sat on their chairs lifted their eyebrows.

"A woman? Killing a man?"

"I heard he's not the only one... Didn't she teach kids? What about them?"

"What a horrible person!"

Heine clenched his fist, wishing he could simply jump over to her, to clear it all up. Hell, he'd even take the blame, if need be. She shot him a look that stopped him from doing so however. Her eyes softened once she realized that he understood the message. That, and the begs of Viktor, who had not only begged, but also insisted, commanded not to say anything. The king himself. Weakly, he lowered his head.

"Is it true, that there were witnesses as well?", the council man asked the next question.

"Yes. All of them can confirm that it was me."

More murmurs were to be heard. Some looked at the royal tutor, some at her. Some didn't look at all. They all watched, eager to see her fall.

But if I fall..., she thought. I will fall with dignity and honesty, not with lies surrounding me.

"Is it true that the current royal tutor was present?"

"Yes.", Aithne said clearly, not daring to steal any glances at him anymore. She barely held it together, the tears that burned in her eyes.

This will be the end, my love... I am sorry.

"Did he do anything to the victim?"

At that, she straightened up again. "No. Everything he did was defending himself – he only used self-defense. It was me, who continued to fight unnecessarily."

The princes were taken aback. Heine had been there, when it happened? How much more did he never tell them? For a good reason, but still...

Viktor's grip around his chair tightened. Where are they? They should've been here already... Without them...

"Then the case is clear.", the man declared. "The theft, added to the murder of a noblemen with high ranks, will be punished..."

"Wait, Your Graze, please.", Aithne suddenly begged. Surprise took over the room. "I have a final wish in the matter."

"What...?"

"What is she doing...?"

Aithne..., Heine's thoughts circled wildly, almost like a roller coaster. His eyes were wide, he grew pale. He sensed what she was about to say. Please! Don't do this! Please don't-

Her white orbs were alight with determination. A sadness hid behind it, that she never felt this strong. "I wish to take all the blame, take everything one might hold Heine Wittgenstein responsible for. His punishment shall be added to mine, no matter the price."

Viktor sucked the air sharply in, knowing exactly what this meant. Not only would she clear his name of anything the newspapers might find on him, but he'd also be free from any burden. The cost however...

"No...", Bruno whispered.

"Aithne...", Kai mumbled.

The man thought about it.

"It would be my final wish, Your Graze...", she murmured.

Slowly he nodded. "Alright." Then, he cleared his throat. "The sentence for Lady Aithne Cordes... is death."

"What?!"

"No!"

"You can't do that!", the princes argued, but the man held up his hand.

"It is Lady Cordes final wish. Therefore, I will respect and grant it."

Viktor's hopes dropped, as well as Heine's.

"The execution shall take place this evening. The council is dismissed."

Aithne looked to the ground.

"I am sorry, Heine...", she mouthed.

The guards dragged her back to the dungeon, the princes unable to follow her. Heine felt a tear running down his cheek, as he reached out to her. This would be the last time he saw her alive.

This goodbye means forever... I love you, Heine... Even if I was never brave enough to say it out loud...

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I DO NOT OWN THE ROYAL TUTOR; ANY PICTURES OR THE MUSIC USED IN THIS FANFICTION