CH 297

The shameless appearance of the Duke made the assembled people whisper.

Among them were those who uttered profanities, throwing swear words at the Duke.

“Give him the death penalty!!”

“Look at him telling lies with a shameless face.”

“Look at that bastard, and in the presence of His Highness!”

As the commotion continued, the Supreme Court Justices’ gazes turned to those who had gathered.

Looking at their stern appearance, the people closed their mouths one by one.

Despite the outcry against him, the Duke had no intention of losing his vigor.

The Duke stared at Theon with his eyes raised. It was creepy to see him grinding his teeth as if it was unfair.

“Doesn’t the sinner feel the slightest guilt… for the sins he has committed?”

The Supreme Court Justice asked at the same time. At the question that was worthy of stirring one’s emotions, the Duke straightened his body and kept his posture.

He didn’t even have any expression.

The Supreme Court Justice clicked his tongue and continued.

“Among them was the murder of Delia Daniel, the former crown princess consort and your daughter. Do you admit to being guilty?”

“I just threw out those that the Kingdom didn’t need.”

The Duke replied with no hesitation.

He didn’t feel the slightest remorse for his dead daughter.

At the same time, the square blew up with the people’s noisy talks.

Trudge, trudge.

A tall man sat down among the crowd.

The man’s blue eyes, which had faintly disappeared under the robe that covered his face, appeared.

***

The trial continued.

Embezzlement of the national treasury, bribery, murder solicitation, and abetting with murder.

There were countless charges against the Duke, and he denied them all. Using unequalled loyalty and patriotism as excuses.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Did you know that the tea leaves you gave His Majesty could cause poisoning symptoms, and that his life could be put in danger because of that?”

“Ugh… I’m tired of answering each and every question. Let’s just get this over with. Nothing will change even if I tell you more.”

The Duke said, raising one corner of his mouth.

His squinting eyes did not seem to have any lingering affection for life.

“That… that! Arrogant bastard!”

“I will execute your sentence.”

Behind the Supreme Court Justice, who raised his voice while losing his reason, Theon opened his mouth while keeping a firm look.

Seeing that, Duke Daniel let out a small snort.

Theon continued, keeping a cold gaze.

“As you can see, Duke Daniel has committed numerous sins that cannot be forgiven as a human being. Since the severity of his crimes is big, I order the sinner to be deprived of both his position and possessions, and for him to be executed by decapitation. This is to shed light on the strict status of His Majesty the King and the prestige of the Stellen Kingdom.”

At the end of Theon’s words, a sharp blade flashed towards the Duke.

“Heh. If I have to die for the prestige of the Stellen Kingdom to rise, so be it.”

Duke Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he rolled up the corners of his mouth.

Soon after, the crazy Duke’s gaze stopped on one spot as if he had found something.

“…”

The eyes of the father and son, which resembled each other, intertwined in the air.

The Duke’s eyes on Louis were filled with only hatred and anger towards him. There was no concern about his own child.

“You worthless bastard.”

He could tell even though he was far away. He looked at his father, who was uttering harsh words towards him.

Louis’ body, which stood abruptly, staggered slightly for a moment.

“Prince… Are you alright?”

Louis nodded with a faint smile at Lily’s worried question.

What on earth did he want?

Did he expect to see his father shedding tears and reflecting on everything at the last moment?

Transparent tears filled the blue eyes that had sunk coldly.

Duke Daniel, who was looking at him, turned his gaze as he lifted the tip of his chin. Cruelly.

Drip. Drip.

With the terrible sound of flesh and bones being gnawed, red spots scattered over the piece of metal that had been emitting a subtle glow. Louis shed hot tears with his eyes tightly closed.

***

“Since when has he been like this?”

“…”

“I’m asking you since when he has been like this!”

Kyle’s sharp cry echoed in the quiet interior. The King, whom he was facing, seemed to be lifeless.

The sluggish breath became rougher and rougher, and the wrinkled hands lost their complexion and became darkish.

Although his condition had been the same for several days, it was different today.

“If you have a mouth, talk to me. I want you to try using that great magic!”

Kyle, who was yelling at the newly appointed court physician, gripped his neck with his hands.

Despite the tremendous strength that seemed to squeeze his windpipe, the court physician kept his mouth firmly shut.

“Please… Please stop.”

Theon, who entered the east palace subsequently, spoke to Kyle.

While keeping his usual coldness.