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They’d been meeting for months, and they thought that they had been quiet about it. That maybe they’d been sneaky enough with their meetings and yet, as Clarity was dragged to the count, and forced to his knees, he knew that he had not been careful enough. He looked up at the people judging him and saw those that he’d known for years and those not so much, but most importantly, he didn’t see him in the stands. He seemed relieved about it. If he had to be in trouble, he didn’t want to drag anyone else down with him.
“We bring the accused here of conspiracy and high treason against the Prince, how do you plead Clarity?” He was allowed to stand finally, and he looked up at the Judge. “Not Guilty.” A grin grew across the Judge’s face, as he knew this would be an interesting case. “Then I suggest you explain yourself, little rabbit.” Clarity grimaced, looking away from the Judge to see Nostalgia in the stands. He had to come clean. “I am no such traitor, and I’ve made no conspiracies. Yes, I have been meeting with someone, no it is not for the reason you think. Is it a crime to be in love with someone? I have not once neglected my duties, let alone missed a single day in the last however many years I’ve been at service for protecting his Highness, so I see no reason why this should even be an accusation.”
“Because Nostalgia has reported something very interesting.” A brow raised, and he turned to look at the woman in question. “She said that you’d been meeting with the criminal, Mr. Mole and talking in whispers. I mean it’s only a fair assumption that you’d be conspiring with him. What did he buy you with? Money? Sex? A false promise of love?” Clarity shook his head, his gaze bewildered with the question. “You really think he could buy me over? I am no traitor, and I am not going to sit here and talk false accusations from a man who has this whole court convinced I am a traitor when I have done nothing but my job! Yes, I have met with Mr. Mole, but not for conspiracy, I would never bring the Prince any harm. I swear it on my life.” That grin on Judge’s face seemed all the more mocking. “On your life you say? Then with your life it shall be as the Jury has already decreed the defendant Guilty!”
“I knew it! You never intended to give me a real chance! You fucking bastard!” Clarity pulled against the ropes binding him to the stand, angry at the man for making a fool of him. The court erupted into chatter, between angry yelling and cheering for an execution. The gavel slammed against the desk, as Judge demanded for order. “Order! Order in the court! The execution will be held tomorrow at sun high, for all to see this traitor’s life end for crimes against the Prince, the Kingdom and all of you as well! His treachery could have very well ruined this kingdoms prosperity!” Clarity was pulled along, as the guards sent to deal with him dragged him by the wrists to where he would sit in the pillory until he was to die in the gallows so that he would die humiliated. There was no glory for a traitor, and no one cared to speak up in his defense. The execution of such a guard was rare and it was a spectacle to behold.
Nostalgia’s heart raced as she fled the court, knowing she had made a mistake, but she had her post to get to now. It wasn’t as if she wanted to rat him out, but she knew the risks. Mr. Mole was a criminal, and she didn’t want Clarity to get his heart broken, let alone risk further consequences. She felt awful for what she had done but… it was better than the alternative she decided, as if it would help her guilty conscious by any means. She had ruined so much for herself, and him as well without realizing it. It wasn’t as if she could undo it now though, and it was a shame considering she had ruined that sibling like bond between her and Clarity with just a single small mistake in what she had heard.
Mr. Mole however spent his time dressing up, knowing he had no interest in downplaying the rescue of his beloved sapphire. There was simply none like Clarity, and he had decided that if he couldn’t have Clarity, then no one would. Had he tipped Nostalgia off to make sure that he’d be able to slip away with Clarity without any repercussions? Maybe. He was only interested in self-gain after all, no matter how much that mercenary wanted to believe that maybe he had changed for him. There was no stopping his conquest of everything beautiful in the world, lest of all a man who he intended to have join his collection. He did love Clarity, but without the words to explain or express such a love, he chose to pretend that it was under lock and key, where Clarity was just another pretty gem to be had. He knew it was a wrong way of thinking about Clarity but without the words to explain how he felt, it was the best he could do.
He loved Clarity, he really did. From the pretty gold eyes that contrasted everything about him, to the soft hair, to his toned muscles despite his lean frame to even how the man would take pauses when talking when nervous, a small detail that didn’t matter to most but mattered to him. It mattered that the mercenary would fidget with his knife and had a habit of popping the button on it’s sheath and then putting it back just to repeat it again. He’d noticed that his nails were bitten at to keep them a certain length, just barely past his fingertips so that they wouldn’t get anything trapped underneath. He’d noticed the way the man hated the frills and fancy getup from his outfit but wore it anyways because otherwise it was unbecoming of him and a mess to sort out. He noticed the gap between his teeth that made a slight whistle whenever he took a deep breath. He’d noticed so many details about Clarity that it was hard to list them all off. He knew that Clarity had 3 younger siblings and a mother back home, and that he worked hard to make sure all of them were fed and happy. It was truly endearing and when he had Clarity, he’d make sure that his family was comfortable and never had to worry a day in their lives just for him. He’d set aside some of his wealth just for his beloved sapphire.
It was an amazing night, really. The air was crisp, and the sound of cheering wafted through the air, even from how far out Mr. Mole lived. He left his home with one goal really. Get Clarity, and free him from duties that were no longer his. He cared not for a kingdom that fancied itself with false hopes of a prince that turned everything to gold. He had no respect for those unwilling to earn their own keep. Fools, the lot of them really. You could get a dozen for a dime if you wanted people unwilling to do work but expected wealth all the same. He hated those who wouldn’t even attempt to put in the work. Maybe that’s part of why he was so enamored with Clarity, he was a hard worker. His work was his life, and he could respect that. While he may be a bit of a thief, he worked hard to get a vast majority of his wealth. He was no cheapskate, and he liked the whole broker job. It paid pretty well after all.
He spotted the crowd before he even got somewhat near the pillory and laughed at the crowds of people who all wanted to make a fool out of Clarity. He wanted to make a mess of him, but not in the same sense that these people were. It’s not as if he was that indecent though. He’d wait until he could, for now his goal was to get his sapphire after all. It would be a waste of a perfectly good outfit if he didn’t get what he had come for after all. He strode through the crowds, pushing past people who were ahead of him in line. He tutted when he saw Clarity finally, and the mercenary looked up immediately, a scowl on his face. “You fucking asshole. You’re why I’m stuck like this, aren’t you?” He was always bright, though Mr. Mole merely grinned.
“Don’t worry my dear, it’s only temporary. I’ll get you out in just a jiffy.” The man had no problem stepping to the side to get to the lock on the pillory, pulling a few tools from his pockets to get to work on picking it. The crowd kept their distance as none wanted to be involved in such a crime, let alone accused of treason as well because of being too close to Mr. Mole. How could they not recognize him? “You better get ready to run when I’ve freed you.” A laugh left Clarity. “You better be able to keep up then. Where are we headed?” A hum left Mr. Mole, as he worked on the lock. He could hear the hooves of horses in the distance as the coppers had been called. “The forest, the opposite way than you normally go through.” A nod came from the mercenary as he heard the click of the lock.
He pushed the pillory off, rubbing his wrists and started to sprint through the crowd, people rushing to get out of the way to not be accused of being apart of their actions. Mr. Mole followed closely behind. The duo made their way to the forest, positive that the cops couldn’t follow them after a certain point. It was freeing, really. Clarity knew that it was wrong but wasn’t being a mercenary for hire? They were the ones who had turned their backs first after all. It was only fair he aimed for freedom, and freedom he was getting by the likes of someone he thought he’d never really trust because of his reputation. Never judge a book by its cover they say, and they’re right. Sure Mr. Mole had done a lot of bad, thievery and all but at the end of the day, he was there more than anyone else in this awful kingdom was.
Eventually they got far enough that Mr. Mole pulled Clarity to the side, a grin on his face. “Let me lead you home, and we’ll figure things out from there, alright Sapphire?” A sigh left the mercenary, shaking his head at the nickname. “You’re as corny as ever, Campbell. You ever get tired of it?” A wink was the reply, as the thief took one of the others hands and lead him away, heading to their destination. He’d never get tired of it, not in a million years. It was all worth it to him after all since he got his pretty jewel.
They headed to Mr. Moles home, which honestly didn’t take long considering how he had memorized the shortest paths to his own home, and he went ahead just to open the door for Clarity. “Oh what a gentleman, thank you.” It was sarcastic but in a way that was just sweet to him. A brief kiss was pressed to his lips, before the mercenary actually went inside, leaving the thief stammering for a moment as he hurried back in. If he didn’t know better, he might’ve taken it as an invitation but after today, he was tired of chasing after the other. They’d be happy for a long time and they both knew it, even if things had to change.