The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 39
Six months after returning with the flag of victory, Axel von Otte resigned from his position as prince.
“I heard that many people die in wars.”
“Yes. It’s a place where some die, and some live. But he didn’t die in the war. After we had already secured victory, I left first, and he was ambushed while following behind.”
“An assassination…?”
“Probably. The culprit committed suicide on the spot, so the case became a mystery.”
It was then that Axel first understood the word ‘loss.’
“For six months, I came here every day to reflect on where things went wrong. But I couldn’t find an answer.”
“So, you’re leaving the palace?”
“I need to find the answer.”
Hailey suddenly wondered if Axel had ever shared such a story with anyone.
Somehow, they ended up exchanging their secret stories.
It was probably due to the atmosphere of the night lakeside. Or maybe it was because of the hauntingly beautiful moon.
“I can’t understand what you’re saying, but there’s no clear answer when it comes to events that make you reflect on your life.”
“……”
“I couldn’t find an answer in six months. So you don’t have to rush to shake off the emotions you’re feeling.”
Hailey and Axel turned to look at each other at the same time.
Axel’s red eyes met Hailey’s green eyes.
“Will we find an answer in Winchester?”
“I don’t believe in God, but I think we will find it there.”
“How do you know?”
“I have good instincts. That’s why I met you and the little one.”
Hailey laughed out loud at Axel’s baseless confidence.
Hailey and Axel stood side by side for a long time, watching the moon.
‘Even without understanding each other, we can offer comfort.’
That night, Hailey spent so much time close to Axel that she no longer flinched when near him.
* * *
After the trial to implicate the Brahe ducal family, they thoroughly interrogated those involved for nearly two weeks, but gained nothing.
Francis Lore, the legal representative suspected of perjury, disappeared and was declared missing, and Count Roman, who was in custody, was found hanged in his cell. It appeared to be a suicide, but something felt off.
Count Roman had said he would reveal the ‘truth’ if his life was spared, and he died just three hours after hearing that his execution by guillotine had been confirmed.
Those who could provide decisive testimony against the Brahe ducal family either vanished, died suddenly, or committed suicide.
All of this happened within two weeks.
The only gain was that the people who claimed to be Vasan merchants were actually priests of the Mort Church of Vasa.
“Die! You filthy humans! You terrible demons!”
It was the day of the execution of the former Baron Langston and his wife.
The execution of a noble on the guillotine was one of the most intriguing spectacles for the people of the capital.
Since the ascension of Herne III, there had only been two public executions by guillotine.
A truly long-awaited public execution drew an uncountable number of people to the square.
The Baroness, having completely lost her mind after meeting Hailey, was giggling all the way to the guillotine. She was so out of her mind that she opened her mouth wide to receive the filth thrown by the people.
Her hands and feet were tightly bound, and her legs, dragging along, were horrifyingly thin.
“This, this can’t be! You can’t do this to me! Hailey! Bring Hailey here!”
Baron Langston struggled until the end. Covered in all sorts of food waste and filth, he raged and cried out that they couldn’t do this to him, the father of the princess consort, demanding to see Hailey.
“Look over there! It’s the prince and the princess consort!”
When Axel and Hailey appeared, everyone made way.
With the protection of the Eligos Knights, Axel and Hailey stood in the place with the best view of the guillotine.
Only when he climbed the guillotine did the Baron spot Hailey and reach out to her. Of course, he couldn’t touch her, being firmly held by the guards on either side.
“It’s unfair! I’m innocent! Hailey! Please save me. I’ll do everything you say from now on! Please save me!”
For two weeks, the Baron had caused a ruckus, demanding to see Hailey. But Hailey never met him even once.
Though she had already made up her mind before, after hearing everything from the Baroness, Hailey no longer felt any lingering emotions for the Baron. She was neither curious nor hateful; the Baron had become less than dust to her since that day.
“Hailey!”
Then, someone from afar threw more filth at the Baron’s face. Covered in dirty brown filth, the baron was forcibly placed on the guillotine.
Shaking and trembling, the Baron protested his innocence until the very last moment. He was a more dreadful human being than even the Baroness, who had at least confessed the truth.
“Hurrah!”
As the sharp blade fell cleanly on the Baron’s neck, the cheers of the people filled Rumont Square.
Hailey frowned as she looked down at the baron’s head, rolling like a ball kicked by children.
For Axel, who had roamed the battlefield, the sight of the Baron’s head falling was too trivial.
More concerned about Hailey’s reaction than the execution, Axel immediately asked, as if he had been waiting for it.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just… I didn’t expect it to end so quickly.”
“Didn’t I tell you? It’s extremely trivial. On the battlefield, there are far more dynamic scenes than this.”
Hailey, about to retort, ‘Is this the same as that?’ turned her head at the sound of a clanking noise.
Without giving her a chance to say a final word, the Baroness’s neck was severed.
This was actually Axel’s doing. Having seen Hailey’s mood plummet after meeting the Baroness, Axel had arranged for her to be cut off immediately without a moment’s pause.
“It’s finally over.”
“Yes… It was too trivial.”
“Do you feel relieved?”
“More than that day, yes.”
Hailey answered nonchalantly. She would never know why the Baroness’s end came so swiftly, but Axel felt completely satisfied.
* * *
After the public execution of the baron couple, Axel suggested a boat ride to lift their spirits. Both Theo and Hailey were very excited as it was their first time.
For her first boat ride, the maids went all out to dress Hailey.
A hat decorated with flowers and a light sky-blue dress were perfect for the occasion.
While Hailey and Axel were away at the public execution, Theo had been exploring the royal library with Khalid, and though he didn’t know what a boat ride was, he was excitedly running around with a polka-dotted handkerchief tied around his neck.
“Mommy Hailey.”
Before boarding the boat, Theo tugged at Hailey’s dress.
Hailey bent down slightly to meet Theo’s eyes as he gestured for her to come closer with his little hand.
Theo pulled something out of his bulging pants pocket. It was a handful of his favorite fruit-flavored candies.
“I’ll give you one of these later, Mommy Hailey.”
“Did you bring these as snacks?”
“Yes! Oh… I also brought apple-flavored ones to share with Daddy Axel.”
Feeling shy, Theo twisted his body as he answered that he had brought apple-flavored candies for Axel as well.
Smiling warmly at the thoughtful Theo, Hailey pointed towards Axel, suggesting he tell him directly.
After hesitating for a moment, Theo nodded resolutely, adjusted the ribbon on his hat, and walked over to Axel.
Axel was listening to Khalid’s explanation about the musicians who would be playing for them on the boat.
Feeling a gentle tug on his pants, Axel looked down.
The ribbon tied under Theo’s chin seemed excessively large, making his face look even smaller and more adorable like a small animal today.
“What is it?”
“This.”
Theo opened his pocket wide to show the candies inside. His ears turned slightly red from embarrassment.
“I brought apple-flavored ones too.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ll give you one later on the boat!”
Throwing the words out quickly, Theo ran back to Hailey.
Axel casually mentioned before that he liked apple flavor the most, just to give all the candies to Theo. Remembering that, Theo had thoughtfully packed some apple-flavored candies to share with Axel.