At precisely three in the afternoon, the long execution block was brought forward.


    The block was forged from ironwood, solid and unyielding. It was the only one of its kind in Starhaven, used solely for execution by Torso Cleaving.


    The block had been kept in storage for years.


    Augustus had once deemed the act of Torso Cleaving too brutal. Even those whomitted the most grievous offenses were spared this form of execution. Yet, the punishment had not been abolished. It remained a tool to strike fear into the hearts of would-be traitors.


    The cruelty of Torso Cleavingy in the fact that after a person was cleaved in two, the upper body could still crawl, struggle, and leave behind a bloody trail.


    Normally, Torso Cleaving wasn''t meant to be witnessed by the public. But treason, betraying the kingdom, and plotting to overthrow the throne were considered unforgivable crimes.


    Salvador didn''t know how many people had dealings with the traitors, and some conspirators were too deeply hidden to uncover. So, he decided that such a gruesome spectacle would serve as a warning for any who had ever harbored treasonous thoughts.


    Oliver''s clothes were stripped away, and two guards held him down on the execution block. They pinned his shoulders firmly in ce to prevent any movement.


    In terror, Oliver''s eyes rolled back, and he fainted.


    At the moment the executioner raised his great sword, many in the crowd averted their gaze.


    Only Nichs, Yuvan, and the others in the prison cart were forced to keep their eyes forward. Their necks were locked in ce, and they were unable to turn away.


    They could only shut their eyes, trembling with fear.


    Yuvan was the weakest of them all. He quickly squeezed his eyes shut, releasing a high-pitched scream as the sword was raised.


    Among all the people, only Clifford kept his eyes open and watched. His gaze was as deep and still as the night. When the de fell, his expression didn''t change at all.


    Even when the executioner moved on from Oliver to Celeste, Clifford never looked away. The screams and gasps around him seemed to fade as he focused solely on watching the two crawl on the ground. Only when they stopped moving did he reluctantly pull his gaze away.


    Vi had already left with Evelyn, but Zoey remained. She stayed until the execution was finished.


    In the end, she didn''t watch the actual execution and kept her eyes shut the whole time. It wasn''t until she heard the people around her saying that Oliver was dead and not moving anymore that she opened her eyes.


    The bodies were not disyed to the public. Family members were required to retrieve them. Otherwise, they would be discarded at the mass grave.


    Zoey had purchased a simple grass mat, and she asked the executioner to help roll Oliver''s body up. She then hired men to bury him in the mountains, ensuring that his remains wouldn''t be left to rot in the wilderness.


    No monument was erected. Only a small mound of earth marked his grave.


    Zoey had dered that Oliver did not deserve a tombstone. She had no particr cafe for what would happen to his body, but she had heard that if an ancestor''s remains weren''t buried, it could affect their descendants. It was for the sake of their descendants that she arranged for his burial. And, of course, she feared what Evelyn might do if Oliver''s body was left unburied.


    As for Celeste, Zoey had seen Carmen taking care of her remains.


    That evening, Carissa sent someone to invite Zoey to Hell Monarch Estate to dine with Courtney and offer somefort.


    Courtney knew about her dad''s execution by torso cleaving. She had been in a low mood ever since returning from the academy, refusing to eat or speak.


    Zoey had originally nned to visit Courtney at Hell Monarch Estate. But she knew that while she had received the divorce dismissal letter, she was still seen as a member of the Prince family. With Oliver''s execution just happening, she worried that Jacob might think she brought bad luck, so she hesitated to go.


    When Carissa sent someone to invite her, Zoey immediately changed her clothes and went.


    Courtney cried in her mom''s arms. After all, Oliver was still her dad. She was filled with resentment, yet unable to be indifferent to his death.


    Once her sobs had subsided, Zoey gently brushed Courtney''s hair and said softly, "Before his execution, he realized his mistakes. He faced his death with calmness and offered his apologies.


    "I went to see him off. He asked me to tell you all that a person must always act with integrity and never allow wicked thoughts to take root Do not let your conscience be buried for the sake of gain. Be brave, be resolute, face hardships without flinching, and never run from your problems. Stand firm and confront them."


    Courtney''s eyes were red from crying. She sniffled and said, "Mom, these are your words, not his." Zoey looked at her daughter''s swollen eyes in the mirror and softly said, "Yes, those are my words-keep them in your heart. Let him be a lesson to you. When faced with something, remember that avoiding it won''t solve anything. Be brave, face it, solve it, and then move on."


    Courtney nodded solemnly. "I understand, Mom. I won''t disappoint you."


    Zoey held her daughter close, tears welling up in her own eyes. "Good girl."