The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 237

Those in the Second Division were mostly from Acreia themselves. The noblemen they were ordered to arrest were somehow related to many of the guards in the Second Division. They were either their close or distant relatives. The guards had no choice but to arrest the noblemen since it was an order from their direct superior, but they felt awkward using ropes to bind the prisoners. It was especially hard because most of the men to be arrested were elderly.

When the guards of the Second Division hesitantly approached Marquis Seeze, he turned to the emperor and said calmly, “Your highness, it is true that I have a desk in my library made of black wood. However, there are no secret drawers or locking systems inside of it. I have no idea what Lady Tory is talking about. The only crime I may have committed is to be naïve enough to trust my granddaughter. Your highness, please make a wise decision.”

Lucius the First nodded, “Yes, I agree. I should not be blaming you and the others for anything without solid proof. I totally understand what you’re saying.”

The noblemen brightened a little, glaring at the guards and again protesting that they should be released. The guards remained uncertain and looked at the emperor and Poliana in confusion. Poliana glared at them angrily, making the guards of her unit look down in fear. The guards decided to compromise, which meant that they watched over the noblemen closely but did not bind them with the ropes.

The emperor continued, “Of course, all the crimes Lady Tory just accused you of… These crimes are very serious indeed and therefore, I cannot just ignore them. A thorough investigation will be necessary, so you, my noblemen, can remain in my castle until it is all over. I do not want people to think that one of my wives has gone mad, so I will make sure an impartial investigation is carried out. Sir Ainno, send the guards to the lands of these noblemen and find out everything necessary.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Those noblemen who purchased the black wood desks together trembled in fear. Lucius the First laughed at them and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry so much, my loyal subjects. I don’t blame you for having one or two secret systems at home. After all, you are all important men with important information about this kingdom. I also am aware that many, if not all, noblemen are involved in minor tax evasions and illegal activities. As long as these crimes are small and petty, I will forgive them. So there is no need for you to worry so much! You have all supported Acreia for a very long time, so this is the least I can do.”

The noblemen could not stop worrying, however, because their crimes were not small or petty. There was nothing they could do at this point, unfortunately. If they protested against this investigation, it would be like admitting their guilt.

Marquis Seeze asked quietly, “Your highness, do you truly mean to do this? Do you really want to go against us?” His voice was eerily relaxed, but his gaze was intense. The emperor shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I am doing this investigation to prove your innocence, so why do you look so angry? Marquis Seeze, have you lost your hearing? I am doing this for all of you!”

“We, the elders, have supported Acreia! We made it what it is today! So how dare you!”

Marquis Seeze finally lost his calm. He screamed at the emperor and Lucius the First replied quietly, “That is exactly why I remained quiet until now. Perhaps it was a mistake to believe that things could go on like this until you, elders, die. I honestly thought you wouldn’t last this long. I was wrong.”

The emperor opened his arms to show himself off. Lucius the First, in his crown and his fineries, looked amazing. He was no longer a boy king, but the emperor of this continent. Lucius the First continued, “Have you ever saw or treated me as your ruler? Do you still see me as a young 18-year-old king? What I wear on my head right now isn’t a crown of a small kingdom named Acreia. I wear the crown of the greatest kingdom in this world. Do you still believe that the small piece of land in the north is the whole world? I have conquered the entire continent! I rule this land! I am not someone you can deceive and fight!”

Only

The emperor in his thirties and the marquis in his seventies… Marquis Seeze screamed while the emperor replied quietly. Marquis Seeze’s voice was louder, but it was Lucius the First’s charisma that impressed the people in the room. The elders who have been protesting until now finally gave up and gave in to being bound by the ropes.

Suddenly, Marquis Seeze realized the truth too. Just as Lucius the First claimed, the emperor was not someone he could fight and win against. Why did he not realize this before? It was because he had known the royal family for too long. Marquis Seeze still remembered Lucius the First as a young boy with a pretty smile; this was the biggest mistake of his life.

It was finally all over now.

Once he admitted his defeat, Marquis Seeze’s anger suddenly turned towards the woman who created this situation. He screamed, “Tory! You stupid b*tch! Do you have any idea what you have just done?! I raised you and made you what you are and this is how you repay me? How dare you betray me?!”

When Marquis Seeze tried to approach Tory, the guards stopped him. The marquis raised his cane and pointed at Lady Tory, who flinched and hugged herself in fear. Marquis Seeze continued, “Do you know who made you the wife of the emperor? Do you even know what I did for you? And what is it that you think you will gain from doing this? Do you think you will be rewarded? What a stupid girl! You are very mistaken. It is all over for you too, all over! Do you really think you will be safe after tonight? You are the granddaughter of a traitor now! You will be punished! Did you do this because you wanted to act like a hero? That stupid girl with a sword must’ve tainted your mind! Did you really think you could become somebody? Everything you have right now… It is all thanks to me! It was all me! Without me, you are nothing! You would be just a crazy b*tch with a pretty face!”

“I know that!”

Tory was shaking hard, but she looked straight into Marquis Seeze’s eyes and replied, “I know that very well! I know it all! I know that because I am a woman, I am meaningless! It’s true that I don’t know the law, but I do know what is right and what is wrong — and poisoning a girl is wrong! How can you call a murder a necessity?! And if women are so useless and meaningless, what can you possibly accomplish by murdering one? If any woman can be easily replaced, why is killing one necessary?!”