Was being by his side really that terrible? He was worried he might drag Amelia away, regardless of her wishes. He was worried he might be that lowly...
Ivan, who had been thinking that far, paused. He had already done it before. He had controlled Amelia's life, threatened her, and ordered her to die for him and her child. His character was already incredibly vile. It was only natural that Amelia distrusted him.
"Just as the temple said everything was God's will and the imperial family had no regrets, I also had no regrets about the temple. Therefore, there was no reason to join hands with the Priestess and destroy the temple."
“...”
“They’re both excited and talking nonsense, so let’s stop arguing irrelevant things and continue with the trial.”
But even so, she shouldn't trample on her life like that. Even if death is the end, there's no need to tarnish her already tattered reputation with the disgrace of being a prostitute.
Ivan thought so and ordered the judge to continue the trial.
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.”
The judge then wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered. He then instructed Aaron and Amelia not to discuss their private lives unrelated to the trial. Only then did the rambling, pointless argument end.
"As the Priestess said, our tracking has revealed that more than half of the new commoner knights in the Third Division are former privates of the Duke of Russell, Count of Skipper, and Viscount Brown. They even brandished their swords at my comrades at the celebration."
"I guess they were motivated by money and fame. They're just private soldiers. They're not even my subjects. Do their origins matter?"
When Rodan spoke again, the Duke of Russell responded with a blank expression. But his true feelings were indescribable. He could make excuses like, "It was God's will," or "I didn't know," but the evidence was clear, and Ivan already knew everything about them. Amelia, who had threatened to kill Ivan, had been aiding him from the inside, so there was no way he wouldn't know.
"And the Duke of Russell cried out to protect the Priestess who was plotting to assassinate the Emperor. And yet you claim you're not on the same side, that you're not committing treason?"
Damn it. Why did I tell you to do whatever you wanted, as if possessed? Why did I promise to help you with your revenge? A pang of resentment weighed heavily on Aaron's shoulders. He'd assumed she was nothing more than a worthless woman, something he already had in his hands. A puppet he could manipulate, a single word from him that would send Amelka trembling and crawling under him. So Aaron ignored every suspicious signal his intuition sent. Duke Russell probably felt the same way.
“That’s right. It wasn’t the Emperor who gave me the order, but the Duke of Russell and Aaron.”
But their overconfidence betrayed them.
“Yes, that’s right. That’s all correct.”
“Aaron Skipper!”
The realization sent a pang of blood rushing to his head and a choking sensation. The mere thought of Amelia happily surviving with Ivan and their child was enough to make his head explode. He couldn't bear to see that. So, Aaron didn't stop talking, even as the Duke of Russell screamed.
“So, kill the fake Priestess who assassinated the Emperor, and banish the child who falsely claimed to be the Crown Prince.”
Aaron locked eyes with Ivan, almost cursing, as he discussed Amelia and Ian's fate. Ivan cocked an eyebrow with a look of utter arrogance.
"You're being cheeky. It's not up to you to decide."
And he laughed at Aaron, a sinner who dared to tell him what to do. Truthfully, he was furious. He insisted on killing a woman who was already determined to die. What kind of person was Aaron?
“Ian is my son.”
Ivan declared. The courtroom was in an uproar at this unexpected declaration. Opinions were divided on whether Ian was truly Ivan's biological son or whether he was already his own child. However, this alone was enough to convey Ivan's intention not to oust Ian. As long as Ivan supported Ian from behind, no one could threaten his position.
“I have resolved to cut off the heads of anyone who dares to threaten his position, regardless of their rank. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, your head will soon be separated from your body.”
Ivan added coldly. Amelia watched the scene, then smiled faintly and lowered her head, as if satisfied. Then, her face blank, she raised her head again.
“What are you doing? The criminals have admitted their guilt, so we must pass judgment.”
“Who admitted it!”
And, ignoring the Duke of Russell's protests, he demanded the judge's verdict. He was a self-proclaimed criminal, but he carried himself with remarkable confidence. The judge blinked in confusion, then quickly straightened. He was determined to save what little dignity he had left.
“Great. Since the sinners have admitted their guilt, I will pass judgment.”
“...”
"For the crime of daring to harm the Emperor and for the crime of deceiving the nation and their people for so long without remorse, all the ringleaders shall be put to death. Since all members of the clan have long been complicit in the fraud, the titles and lands of the three clans shall be confiscated, and the temples worshipping false gods shall be closed."
The manner in which he recited the verdict seemed quite dignified. Amelia thought so, and calmly accepted the sentence he had been given.
By all means. By all means.
“The execution will take place in a week in the central square of the castle, before the eyes of the imperial people.”
The judge struck the gavel three times. A dull, sharp sound echoed throughout the courtroom.
“Send the criminals back to prison.”
Applause poured in, as if praising a fitting ending.
“Your Majesty, please go.”
One by one, the bound criminals began to be dragged out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, Rodan, who had been pacing the courtroom as if it were his own home, approached Ivan and urged him to leave. Ivan, following Rodan's suggestion, rose from his seat. The judge removed his white wig and bowed politely to Ivan.
“Aren’t you happy?”
Ivan stepped through the wide-open door. Rodan, who was following behind, asked. Ivan's expression was so blank that he seemed to be worried that something was bothering him.
“No way.”
The day was just a few days away from the day the Duke of Russell and his family, who had been sworn enemies, would be slaughtered. How could anyone not be happy?
But.
His recent thoughts have always been accompanied by the same short conjunction, "just." It's because stories about Amelia have always been treated differently from other issues.
“Let’s send Amelia back to where she is staying now, not to prison.”
Yes, he's happy. However, thinking about Amelia didn't bring even a moment of a smile. Thinking about the face of the woman who had been promised death, just as she wanted, made his heart ache.
“We have already discussed this in advance.”
Rodan whispered that there was no need to worry about such things.
"Would you like to go there? If you wish, I can remove the servants in advance."
The grass beneath his feet crumpled. Ivan blinked silently. Of course, he wanted to. He wasn't the type to hesitate, but this answer was the only one he hesitated to give.
“...”
But wouldn't it be better to die than remain by his side? Perhaps because she knew it wasn't his true intention, she was a woman who wouldn't change her mind even if he gave her the position of Empress.
"No."
He was angry and resentful. He felt betrayed. Watching the woman turn away, spurning the hand he'd offered, Ivan felt a sense of distant wonder.
“Go back to the main palace.”
So, he didn't want to see Amelia's feelings. He wanted her to die, just as she wished. He even felt that way. He didn't have time to understand what was underlying those feelings.
“Whoa!”
Ivan's thoughts were deepening. A thud, followed by a woman's scream of surprise, pierced his ears.
“What’s going on?”
“Stay here. I’ll look into it.”
Ivan's gaze naturally drifted there. Rodan hurriedly ran in the direction of the sound, saying he would investigate. Ivan waited only a few seconds before following Rodan. Normally, he would have waited in the same spot, but for some reason, he felt he couldn't ignore it.
“Everyone, step back!”
“Drop it!”
Among the crowd of onlookers, a large man was pressing down on something with all his might.
“I’m going to die like this!”
It was Aaron. Aaron, his expressionless face impassive, was crushing the slender woman and strangling her. As if he absolutely had to take her life. Beneath him, Amelia gasped for breath, her face pale.
As if she were going to die soon.
At that moment, Ivan heard a small, crunching noise amidst the commotion. It sounded like something cracking. Or maybe a corner breaking.
Ivan, who had been thinking that far, paused. He had already done it before. He had controlled Amelia's life, threatened her, and ordered her to die for him and her child. His character was already incredibly vile. It was only natural that Amelia distrusted him.
"Just as the temple said everything was God's will and the imperial family had no regrets, I also had no regrets about the temple. Therefore, there was no reason to join hands with the Priestess and destroy the temple."
“...”
“They’re both excited and talking nonsense, so let’s stop arguing irrelevant things and continue with the trial.”
But even so, she shouldn't trample on her life like that. Even if death is the end, there's no need to tarnish her already tattered reputation with the disgrace of being a prostitute.
Ivan thought so and ordered the judge to continue the trial.
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.”
The judge then wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered. He then instructed Aaron and Amelia not to discuss their private lives unrelated to the trial. Only then did the rambling, pointless argument end.
"As the Priestess said, our tracking has revealed that more than half of the new commoner knights in the Third Division are former privates of the Duke of Russell, Count of Skipper, and Viscount Brown. They even brandished their swords at my comrades at the celebration."
"I guess they were motivated by money and fame. They're just private soldiers. They're not even my subjects. Do their origins matter?"
When Rodan spoke again, the Duke of Russell responded with a blank expression. But his true feelings were indescribable. He could make excuses like, "It was God's will," or "I didn't know," but the evidence was clear, and Ivan already knew everything about them. Amelia, who had threatened to kill Ivan, had been aiding him from the inside, so there was no way he wouldn't know.
"And the Duke of Russell cried out to protect the Priestess who was plotting to assassinate the Emperor. And yet you claim you're not on the same side, that you're not committing treason?"
Damn it. Why did I tell you to do whatever you wanted, as if possessed? Why did I promise to help you with your revenge? A pang of resentment weighed heavily on Aaron's shoulders. He'd assumed she was nothing more than a worthless woman, something he already had in his hands. A puppet he could manipulate, a single word from him that would send Amelka trembling and crawling under him. So Aaron ignored every suspicious signal his intuition sent. Duke Russell probably felt the same way.
“That’s right. It wasn’t the Emperor who gave me the order, but the Duke of Russell and Aaron.”
But their overconfidence betrayed them.
“Yes, that’s right. That’s all correct.”
“Aaron Skipper!”
The realization sent a pang of blood rushing to his head and a choking sensation. The mere thought of Amelia happily surviving with Ivan and their child was enough to make his head explode. He couldn't bear to see that. So, Aaron didn't stop talking, even as the Duke of Russell screamed.
“So, kill the fake Priestess who assassinated the Emperor, and banish the child who falsely claimed to be the Crown Prince.”
Aaron locked eyes with Ivan, almost cursing, as he discussed Amelia and Ian's fate. Ivan cocked an eyebrow with a look of utter arrogance.
"You're being cheeky. It's not up to you to decide."
And he laughed at Aaron, a sinner who dared to tell him what to do. Truthfully, he was furious. He insisted on killing a woman who was already determined to die. What kind of person was Aaron?
“Ian is my son.”
Ivan declared. The courtroom was in an uproar at this unexpected declaration. Opinions were divided on whether Ian was truly Ivan's biological son or whether he was already his own child. However, this alone was enough to convey Ivan's intention not to oust Ian. As long as Ivan supported Ian from behind, no one could threaten his position.
“I have resolved to cut off the heads of anyone who dares to threaten his position, regardless of their rank. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, your head will soon be separated from your body.”
Ivan added coldly. Amelia watched the scene, then smiled faintly and lowered her head, as if satisfied. Then, her face blank, she raised her head again.
“What are you doing? The criminals have admitted their guilt, so we must pass judgment.”
“Who admitted it!”
And, ignoring the Duke of Russell's protests, he demanded the judge's verdict. He was a self-proclaimed criminal, but he carried himself with remarkable confidence. The judge blinked in confusion, then quickly straightened. He was determined to save what little dignity he had left.
“Great. Since the sinners have admitted their guilt, I will pass judgment.”
“...”
"For the crime of daring to harm the Emperor and for the crime of deceiving the nation and their people for so long without remorse, all the ringleaders shall be put to death. Since all members of the clan have long been complicit in the fraud, the titles and lands of the three clans shall be confiscated, and the temples worshipping false gods shall be closed."
The manner in which he recited the verdict seemed quite dignified. Amelia thought so, and calmly accepted the sentence he had been given.
By all means. By all means.
“The execution will take place in a week in the central square of the castle, before the eyes of the imperial people.”
The judge struck the gavel three times. A dull, sharp sound echoed throughout the courtroom.
“Send the criminals back to prison.”
Applause poured in, as if praising a fitting ending.
“Your Majesty, please go.”
One by one, the bound criminals began to be dragged out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, Rodan, who had been pacing the courtroom as if it were his own home, approached Ivan and urged him to leave. Ivan, following Rodan's suggestion, rose from his seat. The judge removed his white wig and bowed politely to Ivan.
“Aren’t you happy?”
Ivan stepped through the wide-open door. Rodan, who was following behind, asked. Ivan's expression was so blank that he seemed to be worried that something was bothering him.
“No way.”
The day was just a few days away from the day the Duke of Russell and his family, who had been sworn enemies, would be slaughtered. How could anyone not be happy?
But.
His recent thoughts have always been accompanied by the same short conjunction, "just." It's because stories about Amelia have always been treated differently from other issues.
“Let’s send Amelia back to where she is staying now, not to prison.”
Yes, he's happy. However, thinking about Amelia didn't bring even a moment of a smile. Thinking about the face of the woman who had been promised death, just as she wanted, made his heart ache.
“We have already discussed this in advance.”
Rodan whispered that there was no need to worry about such things.
"Would you like to go there? If you wish, I can remove the servants in advance."
The grass beneath his feet crumpled. Ivan blinked silently. Of course, he wanted to. He wasn't the type to hesitate, but this answer was the only one he hesitated to give.
“...”
But wouldn't it be better to die than remain by his side? Perhaps because she knew it wasn't his true intention, she was a woman who wouldn't change her mind even if he gave her the position of Empress.
"No."
He was angry and resentful. He felt betrayed. Watching the woman turn away, spurning the hand he'd offered, Ivan felt a sense of distant wonder.
“Go back to the main palace.”
So, he didn't want to see Amelia's feelings. He wanted her to die, just as she wished. He even felt that way. He didn't have time to understand what was underlying those feelings.
“Whoa!”
Ivan's thoughts were deepening. A thud, followed by a woman's scream of surprise, pierced his ears.
“What’s going on?”
“Stay here. I’ll look into it.”
Ivan's gaze naturally drifted there. Rodan hurriedly ran in the direction of the sound, saying he would investigate. Ivan waited only a few seconds before following Rodan. Normally, he would have waited in the same spot, but for some reason, he felt he couldn't ignore it.
“Everyone, step back!”
“Drop it!”
Among the crowd of onlookers, a large man was pressing down on something with all his might.
“I’m going to die like this!”
It was Aaron. Aaron, his expressionless face impassive, was crushing the slender woman and strangling her. As if he absolutely had to take her life. Beneath him, Amelia gasped for breath, her face pale.
As if she were going to die soon.
At that moment, Ivan heard a small, crunching noise amidst the commotion. It sounded like something cracking. Or maybe a corner breaking.
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