Two guards stopped him. But not, Samantha if she didn't rebel. With punches and kicks that she threw at the guards' groin, she managed to escape to climb into the cage. Tried to release the dam, but was blocked by the executioner.
The executioner's tall and large body, coupled with a much stronger strength, was truly incomparable to the strength that the girl had. Made her fell several times until two guards dragged her down again.
"No! Let me go!"
The bodyguards pushed aside the crowd on the other side. Making way for Lord Stephanus, Commodore Henry, and Governor Sheldon to pass through to the center of the square. Samantha who was fighting the executioner at that time saw them. She immediately withdrew her hand that was held by the executioner and ran towards the group of royal leaders.
"Your Majesty ..." Samantha knelt to Lord Stephanus, "Please, I beg you. Let him go."
She cupped her hands in front of her chest as he sobbed.
Lord Stepanus looked at the girl with a sinister smile. Bend down to bring his face closer to Samantha. His distended stomach made the half-century old man a bit troubled.
"You are very beautiful and brave. I really admire you," he said, caressing the girl's cheek.
Samantha looked utterly disgusted, but she couldn't do anything about it. Can only look down, hoping the cruel man in front of her will release Will from the death penalty.
"No! I won't let him go until he's willing to admit it and tell the truth about how he got to this place."
Samantha was taken aback.
"Your Majesty, please ..."
"No! I'd rather die than tell you!" shouted Will from the stake.
'BUGGHH!'
"Aaaah!"
The executioner's kick to the waist made Will scream loudly. This made Commodore Henry even more curious, about what really made Will willing to lie. In fact, he is still adamant not to tell the truth even though death is definitely in sight.
"Your Majesty, we should speed up this execution," suggested the Governor.
"Wait!"
Commodore Morgan was not the type to give up easily. He will do anything to satisfy his curiosity and is willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy his desires. He quickly grabbed Samantha's gown and forced the girl to stand up.
"Catch his kid!"
"Sam, run!"
Sam who at that time was near Albertha to witness the day of his father's death realized the danger signal. He quickly ran through the crowd. Two guards immediately chased the boy into the crowd of people who packed the square.
"Tie him to the stake and execute them."
"What?! No! Hey, let them go!"
"Not until you admit everything, Mr. Smith," said Commodore.
Two guards came with Sam who kept struggling. But the strength of such a small child was absolutely nothing to two adults. He was immediately tied to the stake, level with Will and Samantha.
"I'll ask you one more time, Mr. Smith. Do you want to tell me how you got back to Royal Caribbean?" asked Lord Stephanus.
Will fell silent. Feeling confused about what to do. The lives of the two people he only cares about are now at stake. Should he sacrifice them for Ashley and her people?
"Alright! There seemed to be no other choice. Headsman!"
Some people close their eyes. Parents close their children's eyes.
The executioner walked up to Sam with a large ax in his hand.
"Will, please!" shouted Samantha.
Will was still silent with a confused look.
"Will!"
The executioner began to raise his ax high above Sam's head.
"Will!"
"The Mermaids!" shouted Samantha.
Just as the sharp edge of the ax hit the boy's neck a little more, the executioner suddenly stopped. Suddenly everyone fell silent, including Lord Stephanus and Governor Sheldon. No one spoke. Just stare at those who are on the stake. Except for Commodore Morgan, who gave a cynical smile as he thought to himself..
'I catch you!'
Will looked at Samantha in disbelief. She uncovers Will's secret trying to keep it a secret. Samantha glared back at Will as if she didn't want to lose and said with eye signals that what she was doing was right.
Commodore approached Lord Stephanus and whispered something. Made the Royal Caribbean leader frown and stare back at Commodore. But Commodore's gaze seemed to hint at something and made Lord Stephanus believe it.
"Let them go!"
"What?! But, Your Majesty-"
The Governor's words were cut short when Lord Stephanus raised his right hand. A sign that his orders cannot be refuted. Three guards climbed onto the stockpile to release them.
"Take Will to the palace."
"Aye, sir!"
"How about this lady and the kid, sir?" asked another guard.
"Let them go."
The crowd began to disperse. This was the third time Samantha had seen Will carried away by the royal guards. She couldn't do anything. Tears rolled down her cheeks, showing the fragile side of a woman. Likewise, with Sam, the boy also cried sadly in Samantha's hugs.
***.
Will sat on the floor, while Lord Stephanus stood before him smugly. Not far from them Commodore Morgan and Governor Sheldon were standing staring at him. Being in that place made Will feel very sick.
"So, Mr. Smith, do you want to tell me about the mermaid your sister said? Is it true that they helped you?"
Will fell silent. He couldn't tell the truth. On the other hand, everything had been exposed because of Samantha's words. Lord Stephanus realized the doubt in the man's heart.
"I'm not begging, Mr. Smith. You better tell the truth or your children and sister will end up on the brink."
Will closed his eyes.
'I'm sorry, Ashley.'
He began to tell the true story of the whereabouts of the Lyonasse Kingdom, except about Ashley.
Commodore Henry listened intently to all of Will's stories, while Governor Sheldon just shook his head. To him, what Will said made no sense at all. He thought that stories about mermaids were just fairy tales for children.
"Your Majesty, this is just bullshit! A story about a mermaid… It's just a fairy tale."
"No!" argued Commodore Morgan.
Everyone looked at him.
"I've heard the story. The kingdom of the mermaids really does exist. But only certain people can reach that place."
"I grew up in this place. My father was a sailor and he sailed for decades until the end of his life."
"I don't care about your father's story, sir!"
Commodore's words were sharp. Enough to make the Governor feel surprised and offended.
"Your Majesty, according to rumors, the mermaid kingdom has a priceless treasure. There's gold and diamonds in there that you won't be able to count."
Lord Stephanus' eyes suddenly widened. Of course, the fat man was very hungry for wealth and power. Imagine if he could get what Commodore said.
"However, there is one thing that is far more valuable than all of that."
"What's that?"
Commodore glared at Lord Stephanus.
"The Poseidon's Trident."