The citizens who had once admired him now stared with expressions ranging from disgust to disbelief. Some lowered their eyes, while others simply watched in silence. Even his own household guards refused to take a single step.
Jack's breathing became frantic.
"I'll confess!" he shouted. "I'll tell you everything! Just don't hang me! Please! Please!"
Queen Mia didn't even blink.
"Carry out the sentence."
The executioner gave a respectful bow.
"By your command, Your Majesty."
Without another word, he kicked the stool away.
Jack's body dropped.
The rope snapped taut with a sharp crack before he began kicking wildly. His legs thrashed beneath him, his fingers clawed uselessly at the noose, and muffled, choking sounds escaped his throat as his face turned red. Every desperate movement grew weaker than the last. His boots twitched against empty air, his struggles slowed, and before long his body hung completely still beneath the wooden beam.
