She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 136

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 136. The Confession of the Duke of Hays (2)
The Emperor’s Office.
Emperor Bradley of the Ristea Empire let out a weary sigh.
It was because of a matter that had been tormenting him for days.
“Execute that worthless scoundrel Count Cloud Osburn immediately!”
“The verdict has already been rendered—what more is there to discuss!”
Outside the Imperial Palace, angry crowds gathered day after day.
Their roars carried directly into the office.
Among them were expressions so crude they were unfit to repeat.
“What a headache.”
The Emperor pressed his fingers to his temple.
The curses were not directed at him, true enough.
Yet hearing such unpleasant noise day in and day out was hardly a pleasant experience.
His gaze shifted to the newspaper on his desk.
The Brisen Tribune.
The very same publication in which the Duke of Hays had recently confessed his family’s shameful secrets.
Since the day that newspaper was published, there had not been a single quiet day before the Imperial Palace.
“Why must the Duke act at such a time….”
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
Was this not precisely when the second Crown Prince was being conceived?
Moreover, the Duke was practically an uncle to the Crown Prince.
He could not entirely lack sympathy for his circumstances.
Yet this upheaval that shook the entire Empire was far from welcome.
And above all, he dreaded seeing blood spilled before his beloved grandson was even born.
“Nicholas.”
The Emperor lifted his head.
Nicholas, who had been sitting at the desk across from him, rose at once.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“What are your thoughts on this matter?”
“Your Majesty? On what subject?”
“On the disposition of Count Osburn.”
“Hmm….”
Nicholas unconsciously rubbed the bridge of his nose.
In truth, unlike his indecisive father.
He had already reached his own conclusion regarding this affair.
He was merely deliberating on when it would be most effective to present that judgment.
“Your Majesty.”
The Crown Prince, after a moment of contemplation, spoke slowly.
“As you can see, the will of the people is already resolute.”
“….”
“If we delay the execution any further, we will only breed distrust in the Imperial Palace.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
“As if you’ve been waiting for the moment to speak these words. Are you protecting him because the Duke is your friend?”
“That cannot be. I am merely offering my perspective as Crown Prince.”
Nicholas shrugged his shoulders.
The Emperor’s gaze grew sharper still.
“Nicholas, think carefully.”
The Emperor’s voice dropped low.
“The child soon to be born is your own son. Your blood runs closer than any friend, even the Duke.”
“I understand that, but….”
“This old grandfather does not wish to stain the beginning of that child’s life with blood, yet how can you, who will be his father, speak so easily?”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“Hmm….”
Nicholas fell silent, his gaze lowered.
He could not deny the Emperor’s words.
The desire to avoid inauspicious matters concerning the unborn child.
As the elder of the household, such sentiment was natural.
Yet the thoughts of Nicholas and Mary, the child’s parents, differed somewhat.
‘Why is Your Majesty so slow to decide? Every time I see the Duchess, I am overwhelmed with shame and remorse.’
Mary in particular advocated strongly for Count Osburn’s execution.
As one soon to become the mother of two children.
She could never forgive the crime of murdering parents and abusing their child in raising him.
And Nicholas, who held Mary’s wishes as absolute, felt the same way.
“Tsk, still as foolish as ever. If you are to be a father, you must place your child first.”
“Your Majesty, that is precisely why I speak.”
Nicholas spoke with a steady voice.
“As a father, I believe the Empire in which my child will live must not become a place that turns a blind eye to justice.”
“Turn a blind eye to justice?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Has not the verdict already been rendered?”
The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Nicholas stepped closer.
“Delaying the execution will only give the impression that the Imperial Palace stands above the law.”
“….”
“The entire nation watches. If the Imperial Palace shows such cowardice, how will everyone regard the Crown Prince thereafter?”
The air fell silent.
The Emperor said nothing for a long while.
Only the sound of his fingers tapping upon the desk.
And the cries of people echoing from beyond the window filled the space.
“Execute him!”
“Why do you drag this out! Carry out the execution at once!”
Thud.
The Emperor’s contemplation deepened.
Nicholas stood silently, his lips sealed, motionless.
Yet both of them knew there was no more time to delay.
They had already understood this.
“…Very well.”
At last, the Emperor made his decision.
It was for the Crown Prince who would soon be born.
His son’s words about respecting the law and upholding justice had finally moved his heart.
The Emperor reached for the bell on his desk and rang it.
Soon the Chief Attendant entered.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Convey this to the Imperial Knights.”
The Emperor paused to collect himself, then spoke with solemn authority.
“In four days, Count Osburn’s execution will be carried out in the Town Square. Make swift preparations.”
“Yes…?”
“Did you not hear me? Go at once and bring the Emperor’s seal.”
“Ah, yes!”
The Chief Attendant hurried away in haste.
Nicholas bowed respectfully toward the Emperor.
“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”
* * *
Meanwhile, at that very moment in the Imperial Palace Prison.
“What is this? Why is the food so terrible?”
Count Osburn grumbled and shoved the plate away.
After the special meal, the food had reverted to its miserable state.
Having tasted meat once, I was no longer satisfied with such fare.
“Bring me meat, I said!”
The bowl scraped across the stone floor with a grinding sound.
The guards grimaced.
“Ever since we showed him that meat, he’s completely lost all manners.”
“Indeed. We shouldn’t have shown such mercy to a wretch like this.”
A condemned man should quietly await his execution day.
Yet with each passing hour, his shameless behavior only grew worse.
Everyone was beginning to click their tongues in disapproval.
Bang!
Suddenly the prison door burst open violently.
Light flooded the dark interior, but only for a moment.
Armed soldiers poured in.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The soldiers immediately gathered in front of the bars where Count Osburn was imprisoned.
“Count Cloud Osburn.”
“What is it?”
Count Osburn blinked his eyes.
“Has someone come to visit me?”
But no one answered.
The soldiers simply opened the barred door and entered.
Count Osburn, startled, instinctively recoiled backward.
“Hey, what are you—ugh!”
The soldiers standing on either side seized the Count’s arms.
Then they pressed his head down from behind, forcing him to the ground face-first.
“What is this! What are you doing! Let go of me!”
The panicked Count Osburn struggled desperately.
But he could not escape the iron grip of the strong soldiers.
In the meantime, the Imperial Knight Commander entered.
In his hand was a bundle of scrolls inscribed with gold leaf.
It was an imperial decree bearing the Emperor’s will.
“Hear me, criminal Count Cloud Osburn. His Majesty the Emperor has finally made his decision.”
“What?”
Upon hearing those words, Count Osburn’s expression hardened.
He too sensed instinctively that something terrible was coming.
“What… decision?”
The Count’s voice cracked.
But the Imperial Knight Commander did not answer and unrolled the scroll.
“Criminal Count Cloud Osburn.”
The Knight Commander’s voice echoed through the Underground Prison.
The other prisoners could be seen holding their breath as they listened.
“You have committed the grave crimes of murdering a nobleman and abusing the daughter of a noble house—”
“No, wait!”
“Be silent!”
Count Osburn tried to interrupt those words.
But it only made the grip of the soldiers pressing him down grow stronger.
“Furthermore, you destroyed evidence and threatened the legal system of the Empire. Therefore, I, Emperor Bradley Listea, decree…”
The Knight Commander paused to catch his breath.
And finally, the words fell.
“In four days hence, the execution of Count Cloud Osburn shall be carried out in the Town Square.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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