Chapter 155: Brothers

Ha!

"I think I need to do it, the hard way," Maquis waved his hand in an imposing manner. "Guards make him kneel."

"..."

[....]

Suddenly pin drop silence occurred inside the room. Everyone waited for the drama to unfold as they chattered. Melanie felt uneasy while Maverick was ticked off. It was his wedding today. Even if it was just a ceremony, he still cared for his reputation. If word got out that something happened during the wedding, then it wouldn't be good for his reputation. Not to mention, several were eyeing on the throne. 

As his limits reached, he shouted. "Father!!! What happened? Why are you creating a fuss on my wedding day? Don't you know how special it is for me?" As he asked, it was evident that he was tense. 

"I know how important today is for you, but I am here to discuss something more heinous and serious. If I don't catch him today, then I am not sure what will befall on humanity" He said with a grave expression. 

The audience started swinging in his favor when they saw his convincing act.

One of the nobles voiced out. "What do you mean, your majesty? Please be clear."

Ha!

[Clear my ass]

[Severus they are framing you. Since Maverick acknowledged you as a guest in front of so many people, while you made a name for yourself by bringing down the lordship of Shui Song, Marquis knows that he can't defeat you quietly. If anything happens to you, I am sure everyone will question him. Damn that bastard is playing safe]

"Your majesty, even If I am a commoner it doesn't mean you can just arrest me. What wrong did I commit? Did I kill? Arson? Fraud? Assassination? Cheating? Tell me what sin did I do? Why should I be punished? Or I should be arrested because you say so? Are you kidding me? Even if you are king, we still have lords with power to maintain balance in our kingdom. Don't you think you are disrespecting them like this? Becoming all tyrannical? I must be blind to see such a day." Severus threw the hot potato back into Marquis hand.

Now if he still persists to catch Severus, the lords will turn suspicious. The balance was already very unstable. One wrong move and he could lose his throne.

Maverick smiled slyly. "I guess I underestimated you."

"What do you mean father?" Maverick asked.

"This person who looks exactly like Severus is not any monk from Vashye hill but is the original Severus. The ex-general of Rivera kingdom, your shadow knight. I do not know how this happened, but I can't be wrong this time. I personally investigated this new person. Like everyone else, I believed him to be a lookalike of Severus. Oh! How sad I was when I heard he was assassinated. I nearly drowned in despair but what a joke. Everything was a joke, So Severus!!! Don't you have any shame?" Marquis asked in utter disgust.

Severus?

Ex-general?

Oh no!

Not many have seen him but now when Marquis pointed out I can see the resemblance. I met him quite a few times and he left a deep impression on me. 

Ye me too.

Although he was always in his disguise still aura can't be hidden. How can anyone's personality be changed so drastically? I still cannot believe it.

Me too.

Old Severus was like a loyal slave who never voiced out anything but this….

Cannot say the same for him.

"Oh yea?" Severus leaned on his table as he continued chewing an apple. 

"What if I am?"

An uproar erupted.

Is he for real?

Admitting it so easily?

"What if I am not?"

"...."

"..."

"..."

All the excitement died.

"You Rascal. Are you kidding us? Don't you have any shame left…?" As Marquis was going to continue Severus beat him up.

EXCUSE ME!!

"I haven't agreed to your claims. Where are your proofs? Validations? Witness? Evidence? Anything? "

Waaaah!

Severus clapped his hands slowly but as it was complete silence, it thundered inside the room.

"Are you really the king of Rivera? Even if you are, I doubt your intelligence? Don't you understand at once or you are so dumb that I must repeat it for you? Neverminded. Hey, your majesty, I apologize for my rudeness, but I am not your slave but your esteemed guest. Is this how the royal family treats their guests?"

"You little…"

"Pardon me, your majesty I am not finished. The thing is that you cannot come here and just order me around. Understand?" He flicked his unruly hairs on one side as he spoke.

Cool!

Desella and Melanie were shocked. Well, everyone was shocked. It was the first time since someone dared to dis-respect Marquis. Although no one was satisfied with how he dealt with things, still he was feared for his unknown powers. Benevolence and kindness were just a facade that he used to wear in front of locals. The esteemed lords and people close to him were already aware of his cruel nature. 

Marquis gritted his teeth in anger and humiliation. "Fine, you want evidence then let me bring it."

"Go ahead." 

Maverick pupil dilated but he did not say anything. From his looks, it looked as if it was unbelievable for him too, but his reactions were too calm for his expressions.

"Guards bring them."

As Marquis ordered loudly, the nearby guards brought two men inside the room. Since they were beaten so cruelly, their clothes were all torn apart. Several bruises and cuts covered their body as well as the face. If not for their similar features Severus would not be able to recognize him.

"They…." Desella cursed under her breath.

Severus' face turned stormy as his fist clenched tightly.

"Do you remember who they are?" Marquis asked knowingly.

Severus remained quiet. He didn't imagine Marquis would lay his hands-on innocent twin brothers. 

"What is the meaning of all this, your majesty? Are you making some crap tarp for me to fall in? Oh please. Everyone knows who you are and the extent of your powers. Even if they said that they know me, it doesn't hold any credibility. Who knows whether their testimony is real or fake? I can't take them seriously nor do I believe the esteemed lords will. Don't take everyone for fools, your majesty" Severus taunted him.

However, as he finished speaking, Gemini felt heartbroken. He didn't open his mouth when these officials hit him or his brother since he believed in Severus but now, the only person they ever believed betrayed them. How could he take it so easily?

"Damn you, Severus. How can you forget about us?"

[Is he an idiot? Can't he see Severus is trying not to drag them in this mess but this idiot….]

Severus sighed.

"What do you mean?" Severus intimidated him.

"Now, Now our esteemed guest. Don't scare these rats or else you would deem as guilty".

Esh!

"Why are you creating a drama at your own son's wedding, your majesty? You can be cool with it, but I am not. If you have something against me then be open about it" Severus exclaimed.

"Fine if you say so" Marquis smirked. "Hey, you rat, spill it or you know the fate that is waiting for you."

Under Marquis' threat, Gemmi and Shenni shuddered. They knew that this time they were done for and cannot be saved, still, Shenni didn't open his mouth. It was as if it was sewed.

"Not going to speak. Okay. Guards whip them." Marquis ordered. 

Cold whip landed on their bare shoulders. Instantly purplish bruises appeared on their wheatish skin. It was a cruel sight. Severus' hands which were by his side clenched into a tight fist. "Stop it" He roared.

"Why? Do you feel bad for them? I wonder why? Are they your family? Friends? Acquaintances? Hmm?" Marquis appeared genuinely concerned.

"No" His voice was so cold as if it was coming from the depths of hell.

"It doesn't matter whether I know them or not, the fact that they are innocent remains an undeniable fact so please stop harassing them. Even if you have the power, it doesn't mean you can oppress the weaker section of society. They are innocent so stop forcing them" Severus solemnly replied.

"Innocent?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

"Says who?" 

"They are fraudsters who scammed a lot of people in the kingdom. Although the charges on them aren't extreme, they are enough to let them stay in prison for several years."

"..."

[well, that was something that you taught them, Severus…. face value. Remember?]

I do….

"What are you speechless about? Stop wasting mine and everyone's time and speak up you rats'' Marquis kicked the brothers as he said.

Shenni still refused to speak but Gemmi felt utterly humiliated. Although he was poor, petty, and was all big talk but never in his life he was humiliated like this. Not only humiliation but a dark future was awaiting in front of him. Maybe he would have endured it for his sake, but he can't see Shenni being humiliated like this. He was a bright kid since childhood who was also very sincere and righteous. He surely didn't deserve the future that was knocking on their door. 

"Fine, I will tell."

"..."