Max's right hand was handcuffed to the bed of his hospital room.

When the emergency services came to the Vintro festival, they used their androids to scan Max's body for a quick check-up. He registered as dead but he was alive and fine. Traumatized but fine. He tried to explain to them that he needed his "magical sword that was actually his heart that he accidentally left on a festival stage."

Max was taken to the hospital for what the EMTs thought was his 'own safety' for the next 72 hours. He was given an armed police officer to stand outside his room at the Sisters of Serenity Hospital near the military base. The officers were pleased that Max sounding like he was having a mental crisis made him less credible of a witness to the death of Princess Martia, and Max was relieved that he was not sent to prison.

He was eating a cup of vanilla pudding and watching the news in his cold hospital room when a breaking news report came on. A flashing red banner zipped across the holo-screen, dramatic music played, and the scene cut to a very serious and grim looking man. This made Max pay extra attention because the local news channel was notorious for choosing busty women to tell the news, but every time there was something serious, like a shooting or a tornado, it would always be the same old man with a grim face.

"It is my deepest sorrow to the people of Aria and the Kingdom of Regno that tonight, during the annual Vintro festival, Her Majesty Princess Martia lis-Regis was assassinated by terrorists."

Max stopped eating his pudding and his vision seemed to narrow. He knew that the news was lying. The entirety of Fadeno knew that this was a lie, and by the morning so would all of Aria. But when the Empire said what happened is what happened, then everyone must agree. Max was long accustomed to this, but for the first time in his life, he couldn't pretend that the Empire wasn't lying.

"The Fadeno Imperial Police Department is interviewing anyone at the scene who knows about the terrorist group. Some sources believe it might be a rouge group of Weavers of Undesirables trying to push their socialist agenda."

Max threw his plastic spoon at the wall and screamed. He wanted to leave. Suddenly it felt like the four walls of the room were closing in. Max thought the hospital was safer than prison, but if the Empire continued its fabricated narrative, he would soon be in prison and eventually dead.

"The Emporer, in his Magnificence and eternal grace, issues his deepest condolences to the people of Regno, the princess' family, and to those who were hurt during a day that should have been a celebration of cross-cultural values. His Majesty is pledging a fund to create a charity for those who have been victims of terrorist attacks in the name of Princess Martia. May her soul be free in Elysium, for the rest of our days."

Max needed to leave. He did not want to be blamed or mixed up in whatever insane cover-up that was happening. He believed the hospital was safer than the prison, but now understood it was just a different one. He pulled his arm and tried to break free from the hospital bed in vain.

"Help," Max shouted. "Please!"

The police officer came into the room to see what happened, but all he saw was a distressed young man who dropped his pudding on the floor.

"I'm not here to get your food. I'll call the nurse if you need help," the officer said.

"No, wait! You need to get me out of here," Max said. "We both know who killed-"

"Yes, the Princess was killed by unsavory elements hiding within our midst," the officer said. "We should have been more vigilant to have avoided such a tragedy."

"If you don't let me out I'll tell everyone the truth," Max shouted.

"If you stay for three days you'll get out and say whatever lies you want. Shut up and go to sleep."

The officer left and Max lay down, staring at the speckled ceiling, regretting every choice he had made that day. He believed if he didn't go to the festival no one would have died. The truth was that the kidnappers would have hurt someone else if they stood in the way of getting Max and being at the festival made no difference. But he believed that he should have saved everyone, like at the train station but saving everyone was impossible.

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He went to sleep and hoped that the truth would come to light because he believed that there was still a spark of good left in the world.

----------------------------------------

In the morning, Max had a warm cup of kafo with his lardo kal ovoj. The kafo wasn't doing much to help warm him up in the cold room, especially with the thin hospital attire, but at least the food was good. While finishing his kafo and watching a reality show about people singing while hung upside down for paltry sums of money, a visitor burst through the door.

Duke Flama had arrived with his personal knight, Sir Starcrest. Starcrest wore a suit and tie with the standard-issued government shoes, and it all looked odd on him. He was a behemoth of a man who exuded terror. His slick black hair and dull eyes showed a sort of apathy that made Max's skin crawl.

Flama was dressed down, wearing sunglasses, a red shirt, tennis shoes, and jeans. Max didn't recognize him until he opened his mouth to speak.

"I have learned that you are Marceline," Flama said.

"My name was never Marceline," Max said.

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes. You have changed. You were always someone else deep down inside. Never Marceline! I am so happy you are your true self!"

Max gritted his teeth and tried to hide it by smiling, but he looked strange. He didn't want to offend the only man that could set him free.

"I too understand what it is like to have to hide," Flama announced. "These clothes are so sad. I cannot wait until this is over with."

"What's happening," Max asked.

"I am under protection for my own good," Flama explained. "For some reason, people think I killed Princess Martia even though it was a group of terrorists!"

"Such false accusations during a time of mourning is incorrigible," Starcrest said.

" Yes! Incorrigible! I came here to ask the Hero of Fadeno how he was doing," Flama lied. "To ensure your safety, of course."

"You are too kind My Lord," Max said.

"Are they treating you well," Flama asked.

"Yes. The nurses are the best."

"Good!"

Without warning, the lights went out. Max felt even more vulnerable without the hum of the hospital machines but immediately the generator came back on.

"Oh no," Flama said.

"Wait for it," Starcrest said.

Now the generator failed, and the only light in the room came from the window. Flama smiled and walked over to the bed. He put his hand on Max's hand, and his smile never faltered. Max didn't want to touch him, but to move away now would mean certain death. The meeting was well orchestrated and without any electricity, the security cameras would not catch Flama's crimes this time.

"I want to keep being your patron," Flama said. "Remember when I forgave you for your sin? I can forgive you again."

"Forgive me for what," Max asked.

"The princess. You hurt her, and it was an accident. The Hero of Fadeno was trying to save a man who was struck by terrorists and by mistake he killed poor Martia."

"No. That is not what happened."

Flama took off his sunglasses and gripped Max's strength with as much strength as he could. He wasn't very strong from the years of luxury and Max scoffed in his weak attempt at intimidation.

"It was a simple mistake. Just admit to it, apologize, and I will convince my brother to pardon you," Flama said.

"You apologize."

"Stop this," Flama said. "Just say you're sorry. We can all move on."

Max, in his first act of true defiance, looked the Duke in the eyes and said nothing. He was not going to run away like he did at the festival. He was not going to throw away his values for a coward and he was never going to apologize for a crime he never committed.

"If you don't do what I say I will revoke your current pardon," Flama said. "I can and I will!"

Max said nothing and continued to glare. Flama finally let go of his hand and started to throw a tantrum.

"You will give me what I want," he screamed. "I would get rid of you now if not for the fact that it would look too suspicious and anger my brother!"

"We can make it look like an accident," Starcrest said. "Life is so fragile."

Max put his hands under the blankets because they started to shake. He didn't think Flama would hurt him but knew Starcrest would without even blinking.

"Life is short and so is my patience," Flama warned Max. "When you get out of here, the police cannot charge you, thanks to the AI-generated videos that claim your innocence. You must turn yourself in!"

Max turned away and looked out the window, ignoring Flama. Flama screamed and shouted until the electricity returned and now with the security cameras on he had no choice but to behave. He chose the words for his last threat very carefully.

"I hope your parents are well," Flama. "I will see them soon."

Flama and Starcrest left, leaving Max in the room. Flama thought that threatening his parents would make him cave into his demands, but instead, it solidified Max's resolve to clear his name. He was tired of being judged for the way he was born. Max remembered what Princess Rhiannon had said when he first met her and Flama.

"My husband is not ashamed of me, even though I am a Weaver. I am not ashamed of myself. Yet others continue to shame me for the way I was born. Even though I am of good stock, it is never enough."

He couldn't understand how a woman like Princess Rhiannon could be married to Flama, how she could put up with immaturity and constant need for validation. It was a cosmic joke that a woman who demanded to never change for the validation of others was married to a man who put on ostentatious displays for the attention and acceptance of others.

"I will never be enough. He knows that and he's using it against me," Max said to himself.

He stared at the skyline of Fadeno and made a plan to destroy Flama.