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She looks into his eyes as he unties her wrists. She knows it is not a kindness, her arms will be spread and fixed to the wood in a helpless display. Does she search for mercy in his eyes? Humanity? Does she seek a connection, desperate now that her life is coming to an end?
The people file through the gate, calm, there is no hurry. Soon they will see everything, their Queen will give everything. What remains now is whether she gives willingly, or whether her remaining dignity is torn from her forcibly.