Chapter 37

Upon Aneta’s return to work, she was greeted by widespread rumors and the news that Viscount Folter was being transported to the imperial palace, facing imminent execution.

The reason for the rumors involving Carlos was obvious. Aneta realized that the source of the gossip was the Emperor and chose to ignore it, knowing it was likely done to show Erez.

The more important matter was the latter. As soon as she returned, Carlos briefed her on all the details.

“The first thing we did was test Erez Bauter.”

“Test him?”

“We gave him the keys to Lennox’s office under the guise of a favor and had a shadow follow him. As soon as he received the keys, Erez Bauter went straight into our office.”

Erez, upon finding the forged documents, claimed he had seen the future and mentioned Viscount Folter’s name.

Unaware of Viscount Folter’s actual situation, Erez spoke urgently as if it were a matter that needed immediate resolution. Russell then asked him if what he saw was indeed happening right now.

Misinterpreting Russell’s inquiry as a denial of reality, Erez confirmed it without hesitation.

Russell is confident that Erez’s abilities are fake, however, instead of revealing his suspicion, he angrily orders the immediate transport of Viscount Folter to the capital.

“His Majesty continues to act as if he believes in Erez Bauter’s abilities.” Carlos continued. Since we haven’t revealed what we’ve done, Erez Bauter probably thinks the situation was resolved thanks to him.”

With the Bauter family now listed among the families of Glory, punishing Erez without concrete evidence was impossible.

Russell was using this performance to truly gauge Erez Bauter’s real abilities. If they acted rashly, everyone involved could be disgraced, and accused of trying to undermine the newly gained glory. Aneta, understanding the weight of this glory, trusted Russell’s decision.

“What was the verdict?” she asked.

“They ordered the confiscation of Viscount Folter’s assets and stripped him of his title. He is set to be publicly executed in two days.”

Aneta nodded as if it was a given. She wasn’t particularly surprised; it was what she had expected.

“Sorry for not telling you sooner,” Carlos added.

“…It’s fine. You did it for me, after all. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you,I was able to rest without worry.”

Carlos, who had braced himself for potential reproach, was taken aback by Aneta’s unexpected response. He looked at her with surprised eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Aneta asked, pretending not to know why. She averted her gaze, but Carlos noticed her playful pretense, and a smile spread across his face.

“Because you’re so lovely.”

“Keep those cheesy lines to yourself.”

Aneta stood up, having heard enough about the situation. The only thing left was to see Viscount Folter’s disgraced state with her own eyes.

“Viscount Folter is in the underground prison, right? Let me in to see him.”

“You want to meet him?”

“Of course. I want to see his pitiful state with my own eyes.”

Carlos frowned at the thought of Aneta meeting such a despicable person. However, knowing she wouldn’t back down easily, he set a condition.

“Fine. But let me come with you.”

“Suit yourself.”

Aneta accepted Carlos’s condition without argument, and the two of them moved together towards the prison.

Since it was a place where the worst criminals were confined, the security was tight. Following Carlos’s guidance, Aneta walked through the empty prison cells.

Viscount Folter was the only one imprisoned there. Everyone else who had been sent to this place had not lasted more than ten days before being executed.

Aneta had been able to confirm Viscount Folter’s location upon hearing the word “execution” because of this fact.

The chilling cold and the eerie atmosphere were stark contrasts to the luxurious palace above. It was as if a clear line separated life and death here.

Soon, Aneta faced the architect of the tragedy. Viscount Folter, lying on the floor of his cell like a worm, looked utterly wretched.

His body, ravaged by pain, was a testament to the tortures he had endured. The expensive fabrics and jewels were replaced by the marks of severe punishment.

Aneta wrinkled her nose at the hideous sight revealed before her.

“As expected, His Majesty wouldn’t let you die easily,” she said, her voice devoid of the slightest sympathy.

At the sound of her voice, Viscount Folter, barely managing to breathe with his cheek pressed to the floor, opened his eyes. His bloodshot eyes glared fiercely.

Carlos stepped in front of Aneta, blocking Folter’s menacing gaze as if to say, “You’re not worthy to look at her.”

Smirking, Carlos let out a mocking laugh, and a garbled noise emerged from Folter’s tongueless mouth.

Viscount Folter, unable to accept the downfall of his once splendid paradise, continued to deny reality. The only thing that surfaced in the end was his rage directed at those looking down on him.

To the Viscount, they were wicked demons who had cast him out of paradise. Despite being the demon who had ruined many lives with his sharp tongue, he refused to acknowledge his guilt.

His eyes, filled with rage and murderous intent rather than remorse, proved he was rotten to the core.

Aneta found him repulsive.

“Judging by the way he glares, it seems the Viscount still hasn’t realized that he’s the one who brought himself to this point.”

For someone like him, even death might be too lenient. Carlos nodded in agreement with Aneta’s words.

***.

The Day of Viscount Folter’s Public Execution.

A torrent of condemnation rushed down upon the condemned, as fierce as the sharpened blade of the guillotine.

It wasn’t just curses that were hurled at him, hoping to make his path to the afterlife less than pleasant.

Furious at the revealed crimes of Viscount Folter, the crowd threw stones at him.

Blood burst from Folter’s forehead as he was struck by a stone. The flesh burst open, and the scattered drops of blood stained the execution platform once more, soaked in countless drops of blood.

“Your Majesty, what shall we do?”

Duke Clorin, standing nearby, inquired, concerned that the prisoner might die before the execution could be carried out. Russell replied sternly.

“The people’s anger is justified. Do not stop them.”

No mercy should be shown to a criminal who has violated the rights of others. This firm decision by Russell silenced the nobles, including Aneta, who watched the scene unfold.

Dragged out and forced to kneel at the execution platform, already battered, Folter finally succumbed to the stones without even a final scream.

“Now proceed with the execution as planned.”

Russell spoke only after the people had exacted their form of justice. As Aneta watched the workers move Folter’s body to the guillotine, she turned her gaze away briefly.

Chris, standing beside her, trembled visibly. She had watched Folter’s fate unfold but seemed too terrified to witness the beheading.

“There’s no need for you to watch this.”

Aneta reached out and covered Chris’s eyes. While she was reassuring Chris, who was startled by the unannounced action, the executioner was pulling on the rope of the guillotine.

Aneta barely swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape her throat. Her stomach felt uncomfortable as if her organs were crushed under the weight of her inability to vomit.

‘Once this is over, everything will be finished.’

Aneta resolved to see the process through to the end. But her determination wavered as darkness suddenly covered her eyes.

With her sight blocked, her other senses sharpened.

Aneta spoke up.

“Carlos. Move your hand.”

She knew exactly who was behind her, covering her eyes. The familiar warmth, scent, and breath on her neck were unmistakable.

“I’ll return the words you said to Chris Deven. You don’t need to see this.”

Is it unnecessary to see? Aneta had a different perspective.

She felt the need to witness this, to trace the path of change. By following this path, she believed she would gain the strength to protect those who had become precious to her.

“I need to see. There’s a reason.”

“Then I’ll see it for you.”

His voice, firm and resolute, brushed her ears as she held his wrist.

“I’ll remember it in your place and won’t forget. So don’t watch.”

Carlos spoke as if he understood why she wanted to witness the gruesome scene. Aneta, knowing he couldn’t possibly understand, found herself lowering her hand as if entranced.

“…Alright, then.”

She felt a strange sense of relief, as if the tangled knots inside her were being untangled.

Chris took advantage of the opportunity to sneak out to the side, but Carlos was the only one who noticed.

It was then that the executioner released the rope.

With a loud clunk, the blade fell, followed by multiple gasps.

The head, unable to utter a final scream, rolled across the ground. Aneta inferred the situation from the sounds.

“Is it over?”

“Yes.”

Although Carlos confirmed, his hand remained over her eyes until the beheaded body was taken away. The nobles’ murmurs about their closeness were inevitable.

“Come to think of it, where’s Chris… Oh, there she is.”

The moment Aneta opened her eyes, she looked around to find Chris, whom she had forgotten about. She was standing a bit away, wearing an inexplicable smile.

That wouldn’t have been noteworthy, except for Vernon standing next to Chris with an oddly satisfied expression.

“Why is he looking at us like that?”

Vernon’s expression, as if looking fondly at grown children, made Aneta feel uneasy.

“He probably thinks we look good together.”

“…”

Aneta didn’t react to Carlos’s cheeky comment, but that was enough for him. She wasn’t outright denying or pushing him away like before, which was a positive change.

Grateful for this small change, his heart filled with joy.

“I’m heading back to the mansion first.”

“Already?”

Vernon, approaching with Chris, was the first to respond to Aneta’s intention to leave.

“Do you have other plans?” Vernon asked.

He glanced at Carlos before asking for her reason.

“No, but I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I need to catch up on some rest,” Aneta answered.

Avoiding mentioning her recurring dreams, Aneta spoke casually. She sent Carlos a reassuring look when his face tightened with worry and then turned to leave. Suddenly, she remembered something and let out an exclamation.

“Chris, are you free this weekend?”

Caught off guard, Chris blinked rapidly before nodding.

“What for?”

“There’s somewhere I’d like to go with you. I was wondering if you could spare some time, if that’s okay?”

“Of course, anytime.”

Without specifying the destination, Chris unhesitatingly nodded. If it was Aneta, she could trust and follow her anywhere.

“Wherever you’re planning to go, we’re free this weekend too.”

“Chris is the only one allowed to accompany me. Neither you Vernon, nor you Carlos.”

Aneta made eye contact with Vernon and then Carlos as she spoke.

No matter how earnestly they tried to express their desire to join, Aneta consistently shook her head.

“If you’re that bored, you can meet up with each other. Deal?”

“Not at all.”

“Not at all.”

Their unified response fell on deaf ears as Aneta had already turned away.

Carlos only looked at Vernon once Aneta had completely disappeared from view.

Their eyes met as if they had been waiting for this moment.