Chapter 128
We encountered a homeless person, and Yullia suddenly trembled with fear.
“Ah… yes. Don’t tell me that person was also…?”
“Yes… I had leaked information in advance that Lady Silver Lily would be leaving the palace. But I was very surprised because I didn’t expect him to approach and show his face so directly.”
“I see.”
“I don’t know more detailed information. His hair and eye colors changed every time. I think he was constantly dyeing them.”
“No, that’s enough. I wasn’t certain how the enemy would move, but thanks to you, I think we can prepare more thoroughly.”
Evan Tiret. I can learn more about him after capturing him.
Hadel would certainly be able to handle Evan well.
The Eastern Empire was more of a problem. According to Yullia, it really seemed like the Eastern Empire might start a war.
Their goal: occupation of the imperial city.
The timing they’re aiming for would likely be… Nella’s public execution.
But how exactly?
The imperial palace has strict security. Not just guards. The imperial knights are also constantly stationed there to protect the palace.
Yet for a foreign country, especially from as far as the East, to aim directly for occupying the imperial city…
For that to happen, the Eastern army would first need to reach the capital where the imperial palace is located.
The Eastern Empire would have to engage in battles with numerous territories to reach the capital.
“Even with Balkyrino’s cooperation from the inside, accomplishing all of that in a short time would be impossible.”
There’s something there. Something else.
What am I missing?
All the information I had gathered quickly flashed through my mind.
Traces of experiments left on the southern islands. The suddenly disappeared Duke. Lady Schunet who died in a strange state. And Nella who showed similar abnormal symptoms.
That’s when it occurred to me.
A question suddenly came to mind.
‘Come to think of it, how did all the personnel in the Duke’s residence disappear in an instant?’
Although there were some servants who quit as the Balkyrino ducal family’s influence waned recently, they were a tiny minority.
At least until a few days ago, hundreds of servants would have been staying in the Duke’s residence.
There was only one way all those people could vanish overnight.
“Yullia, for now, I want you to stay here. I think that would be safest.”
Evan would likely attempt to contact Yullia. If he discovered her betrayal, she would be in danger.
All things considered, it was better for Yullia to remain imprisoned here as a criminal.
“Lady Silver Lily, please… please use me wherever I can be of help…!”
Looking at Yullia, who spoke with firm eyes, I nodded.
* * *
The two days passed in the blink of an eye.
I wanted to tell Hadel about the baby as soon as possible, but we were so busy that we could barely even see each other’s faces.
We were so frantically busy that I wondered if we should have scheduled Nella’s execution for later.
‘No. They say it’s better to get the beating over with quickly.’
It was clear that something would happen. However, when it would happen and how it would happen was our choice.
The other side didn’t have much time to prepare either, so having chosen the time and place first was advantageous for us.
“Lady Silver Lily.”
Rahu, who had been hiding in the shadows, revealed himself and approached discreetly.
“I bring word that all your instructions have been completed.”
I nodded slowly at his whispered message.
With no time to meet directly, Hadel and I communicated through intermediaries like this.
I had my preparations to make, and Hadel had his.
This matter would come to an end today.
Despite searching diligently for Duke Balkyrino’s location over the past two days, we had discovered nothing.
But it didn’t matter. I knew where he would appear.
“I should be heading out soon.”
Looking out the window, I saw the sun had risen to the middle of the sky.
It was time for Nella and Count Tremain to ascend the scaffold.
“You’re going to the execution site, aren’t you? I’ll accompany you, Lady Silver Lily.”
Ibien, who was temporarily serving as head maid in place of Yullia, attended to me.
She was Lady Grandel’s younger cousin, specially recommended by Lady Grandel herself, so I could entrust her with tasks with peace of mind.
I left the Lily Palace and boarded a carriage. The execution site was outside the imperial palace.
To be precise, it was in front of the palace walls, a place where all citizens could see.
That’s where Nella and Count Tremain would be executed.
There would be a large crowd gathered. And among them would be spies planted by our enemies.
‘Of course, the imperial knights will also be hidden there.’
Knights disguised as commoners had been positioned throughout the area.
They needed to protect the citizens from enemies who might emerge from anywhere at any time.
“Be careful, Lady Silver Lily. There are too many people.”
When the carriage finally stopped, I stepped onto the ground with Ibien’s support.
Dust swirled thickly due to the densely packed crowd.
And through it, I could see Nella with her haggard appearance.
“Villainess! It’s Nella Balkyrino!”
“Kill her! Kill her now!”
“My child died because of that woman! My daughter died!”
“My son died too! Give me back my son!”
…I wonder what she had done in her life to earn such anger from the commoners.
Stones thrown from all directions hit Nella’s head, body, and feet.
Nella walked with her head bowed deeply, not making even a single sound of pain despite whatever was happening.
Red blood dripped along her path, leaving tracks.
Her disheveled purple hair no longer showed any luster.
As Nella ascended the scaffold, the voices condemning her grew increasingly louder.
* * *
How did it come to this?
Nella’s mind was numb, but she tried to remember the cause. However, she couldn’t understand anything, as if her mind was shrouded in fog.
‘Whose fault is this? Why?’
Her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit her own wrongdoing like this.
‘What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything…!’
No matter how much she denied reality, nothing changed.
“Give me back Rie! Rie! Give Rie back to me! *Sob* Rie…”
Someone’s sharp voice reached her ears.
Rie.
Who was Rie?
Nella shook her head, as if she had no idea who this person was or why they were asking her to return them.
One step, two steps, she moved as the guards led her.
Walking barefoot on the rough wooden floor made her skin scrape and hurt.
When she raised her head with a grimace, countless people stood before her.
Condemnation, pointing fingers, gazes filled with malice. All these negative emotions poured onto Nella at once.
These were unfamiliar to her.
It was the first time in her life she had been so despised, the first time she had been cornered like this.
This was because Nella had always had her father, Duke Balkyrino, as her strong support.
‘Father! Yes, Father will save me. This time too, Father will…!’
A glimmer of hope filled Nella’s purple eyes. Her mind seemed to clear with the belief that her father would do anything for her, just as he always had.
“As His Majesty the Emperor has urgent matters to attend to and is absent, I will follow procedure and ask questions in his place.”
At that moment, Ashaella’s voice pierced Nella’s ears, making her shudder.
“Do the criminals Nella Balkyrino and Kayden Tremain have any final words?”
‘No, no! I’m wronged! I’m innocent!’
Nella moved her lips, but no proper words came out.
“Ugh, urhh…!”
It was the same for Tremain standing beside her. Covered in blood from head to toe, he too struggled as if wanting to say something, but couldn’t utter a word.
The iron chains shackled to their wrists clinked with their violent movements, echoing through the execution site.
Then Ashaella gave her final order.
“If you have nothing to say, I will proceed with the execution. Execute the criminals.”
Nella’s eyes bulged, while Tremain dropped his head as if surrendering to everything.
And then—
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, centered on the execution platform.
“KYAAAAA!”
“Run away!”
The execution site instantly descended into chaos.
Nella’s eyes caught Ashaella, who was sitting next to the imperial throne, looking bewildered.
‘It’s Father! Father came to save me!’
The corners of Nella’s lips trembled, forming a strange smile.
That smile evoked the image of a maniacal jester.
