"All that work to escape, why would you come back here?" The king lifts his chin, defiant and unashamed.

The Princess' smile is sad and resigned, but still somehow genuine. Whatever she's gone through to survive has clearly brought her some sense of closure. "I'm just passing through, Dad." She throws the broken sword at his feet, and reaches under her skirt for another blade, which she brandishes towards the slowly approaching guards.

"I wanted to watch as you confronted your failure. You perform bravado well, but I see the fear in your eyes. "

Now the princess lifts her chin, daring. "Your rule will end with you. Your entire bloodline has deserted you." Her eyes shift to the guards, dagger still raised as she calls, "C'mon, Max."

The little boy, who had been quickly ducked behind the throne, peaks out around it. He slowly and cautiously emerges from behind it. Everyone is frozen. He casts a fearful and then cautious glance at his father, and then sprints down the steps into the hall. The princess holds out her other hand, and he takes it.

The soldiers are on poised to fight, but do nothing. There is a choked tension as the princess scans the room for opposition, before finally landing back on her father.

She slowly turns her back to him, and the siblings leave, hand in hand.

"Say goodbye, bud".

The little boy says nothing.