CH 296

The slightly raised tip of his chin, the slightly smiling mouth, and the red eyes looking down at everyone.

If it weren’t for the rags he was wearing that determined who the sinner was and who the guards were, there wouldn’t be any distinction.

“Tsk… Lowly things.”

As if feeling the gaze of the gathered people, the Duke rolled up one corner of his mouth and mumbled to himself.

Nowhere in his words and actions did he show guilt for what he had done.

Soon after, following the members of the knights, the Duke stood in front of the guillotine.

The sharp blade shone dazzlingly in the morning sun. Like it was going to cut everything in an instant.

“The trial against the sinner shall be conducted.”

***

“Where are you going?”

“…”

Lily, who had come to Louis’ room early in the morning, asked in a cautious voice.

Unlike usual, Louis’ sinking gaze turned to Lily’s feet.

Ivory high heels were located behind the neat loafers.

Following the skirt that came down to her knees, Louis’ blue eyes trailed upwards.

“Ayla?”

“Where are you going again without saying goodbye?”

“Sorry, something important happened that day.”

“…”

Louis, who was smiling faintly at her, seemed to be struggling.

Anxious eyes that seemed like they could disappear without a trace right away.

Feeling the terrible loneliness and anguish hidden in his smiling face, one side of her chest tingled.

‘Idiot.’

Was there a better way than this to describe Louis Daniel?

He was pretending to be fine while covering his bloodshot eyes.

Facing him, a small sigh came out of Ayla’s mouth.

Noticing the situation, Lily looked at the two of them and lowered her head, stepping back.

Suddenly, there were only two people in the wide room.

There was quite a long silence. The title of childhood friends was overshadowed by something that no one could easily bring up.

Click.

Louis opened the pocket watch he was holding and checked the time.

The thin axis made of pure gold moved towards 9 o’clock.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he slowly opened his tightly closed mouth.

“Why did you come here when you have to serve tea to His Highness?”

“I’m worried.”

“What are you worried about? I’m not a child.”

“Are you going to the square?”

“…”

Louis hesitated to answer Ayla’s direct question and lowered his gaze.

Unlike before, he could feel a warmth over his large and slightly roughened hands.

“Don’t go.”

“…”

“Louis… hm? Don’t go.”

Strength was added to the two hands held together.

Ayla’s blue eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. Along with a small trembling.

As he watched Ayla’s pathetic appearance, his hand split through the air without him realizing it. Then, it faltered and stopped moving.

He wanted to hold the thin shoulders in his arms as much as he could.

If he could touch the pretty eyes that were shedding tears with his own hands…

If he could feel those reddish lips even for just a moment…

Louis’ eyes shook sorrowfully as he looked at Ayla.

He knew it was a wish that could never be fulfilled.

“It’s his final moment.”

A heavy voice flowed out of Louis’ mouth.

A bitter smile hung around his lips as he shook his head.

***

The sinner was not given any time to breathe.

Duke Daniel’s knees touched the dusty ground.

At the same time, the Supreme Court Justice’s sharp gaze turned to the Duke.

“The trial against the sinner shall be conducted.”

Hearing the Supreme Court Justice’s stern voice, those gathered hunched and scanned their surroundings.

Then, their gazes turned to the same place at the same time.

At the end of the people’s gaze was Theon, wearing a black uniform.

It was unusual for the royal family to be present at public executions or similar trials.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the royal family, but the next king.

That Theon didn’t cause harm for no reason was a fact that most people of the Stellen Kingdom knew.

However, it was only natural for the people to be afraid of the power he had. Whether he was a wise king or a tyrant.

Theon, who was sitting in the center, slowly ran his gray eyes through the square.

Everyone was relentlessly trying not to face his gaze. Except for one person.

“Duke Daniel’s countless crimes are so injurious that they are difficult to enumerate. Does the sinner admit to that?”

The Justice’s gaze turned to the Duke for answers.

Smirk.

The corners of Duke Daniel’s mouth went up in a line.

Despite his messed-up appearance, his unique elegance could not be hidden.

The Duke slowly rolled his red eyes and looked around, then slowly opened his mouth.

“No, I didn’t commit any sin. Everything I did was to save the poor subjects who were deceived by the Royal Family and repeatedly made the same mistakes.”