29
===
A tremendous crowd gathered at the execution ground.
"It's not as fun since they changed from the gallows to the Guillotine."
"Still, it's a noble after a long time."
"Here he comes!"
The crowd laughed and threw stones at Mattio, who was tied to a cart with pillars. Dazed, Mattio took the stones head-on.
The public execution was a good spectacle for the crowd. They chatted amiably, waiting for the execution to begin.
The Guillotine was placed on a high platform so that the crowd could see the execution scene well. Mattio was led by soldiers to stand in front of the Guillotine.
With death before his eyes, he let out a sorrowful cry full of fear, but it was drowned out by the shouts of the crowd. Mattio, who had been struggling, was eventually forced to lie on the Guillotine.
The executioner proceeded swiftly. The rope was cut, and the heavy blade plunged down quickly. Thwack, his head fell, and blood spurted out. As the thick stench of blood spread, people cheered.
That was the beginning of the real festival. Spectators rushed in and began to tear the condemned man's body to pieces.
They fought each other, screaming, to get the head, and those who were pushed back tried to take even the blood that flowed from the corpse. It was because of a superstition that having a part of the condemned man's body would bring good luck.
The most popular condemned were nobles and young maidens. This execution of Mattio was the first execution of a noble in a very long time, so the crowd was even more consumed by madness.
Before long, Mattio, the son-in-law of Marquess Menegin, the Speaker of the Senate, and a young and promising member of the House of Representatives, disappeared without leaving a single piece of flesh. Only the dark red stain left on the square floor indicated that he had existed in the world.
Cesare watched the whole scene from beginning to end. He watched the crowd enjoying themselves after obtaining parts of the corpse, then twisted his lips into a silent smile.
"Not a very good scene for mental health."
At the joke-like remark, Lord Rotan glanced sideways at his master. Cesare's expression was calm.
He had seen far more terrible scenes on the battlefield. Not only that, but he had also committed worse deeds. Cesare was the kind of man who could nonchalantly cut a steak and sleep soundly even on days when he was covered in blood and flesh.
Not long ago, he had turned all those involved in Aileen's kidnapping into minced meat.
The traitors in the military, as well as the men who had been at the villa that day, had all died after terrible torture. Except for one, Mattio. He had spared him only to bring down Marquess Menegin, and only today had he beheaded him with the Guillotine.
For such a man to talk about mental health. Even as a joke, it was the first time Cesare had said such a thing.
Lord Rotan recalled what had happened recently. He had been secretly summoned by the Emperor. It was a summons that had taken place without Cesare's knowledge.
The Emperor of the Traon Empire, Leone Traon Karl Imperator, was Cesare's older brother. Although the Imperial Palace was ruthless, where blood ties were useless in the face of power, the twin brothers were unusually close.
The young Emperor cherished his younger brother in a special way, but Cesare was rather indifferent in comparison. He never talked about anything that happened. Since he rarely talked about himself, Leone had always asked Lord Rotan about this and that.
The Emperor must have sensed the change in Cesare as well, so Lord Rotan had expected that he would summon him soon. The reason for calling Lord Rotan was that all the other knights had one problem or another.
Senon was intelligent but too timid to speak his mind to his superiors. Michele, who came from a palace maid background, froze with tension in front of the Emperor. Diego was emotional and unable to articulate his thoughts coherently, so Lord Rotan was the most suitable.
"I greet the Imperator."
"Lord Rotan."
Leone had a troubled look on his face. He sat Lord Rotan down in the audience chamber and sighed deeply for a while. He sighed for so long that Lord Rotan, knowing it was impolite, spoke first.
"It seems that Your Excellency has changed a lot lately."
"So you noticed too? From the moment that guy, who had no interest in power, suddenly demanded the Arch of Triumph..."
Leone, who trailed off, ran a hand over his face.
"He said something strange to me. As his brother, I can't help but worry."
"May I ask what Your Excellency said?"
Leone, still looking incredulous, told Lord Rotan what Cesare had said. Indeed, it was a statement that was very unlike Cesare. If he hadn't heard it directly from His Imperial Majesty, Lord Rotan would not have believed it either.
That he might massacre the people of the Traon Empire.
Cesare was, to put it nicely, mentally strong, and to put it a little badly, heartless to the point of cruelty. If there was a small exception to his coldness in anything, it was only Aileen.
He was not one to utter words without reason, so there must be a clear cause for his remarks. But he had no idea what that cause was. However, it was clear that Cesare had changed since he had beheaded the King Kalpen.
As twin brothers, Leone sensed that his brother's change was unusual.
"I have a favor to ask of you, Lord Rotan."
Thus, he made a request of Lord Rotan without Cesare's knowledge. Unlike Lord Rotan, who was in a complicated mood after receiving the Imperial command, Cesare still had an impassive face.
"I guess I need to get married soon to live a sane life."
He muttered to himself as if in passing, then asked, keeping his eyes on the crowd.
"Where is Aileen?"
"Today, she has been at home except for a brief visit to the bookstore and the market."
Cesare nodded lightly. The kidnapping incident that day was quietly buried so that Aileen would not attract attention. The story that a young lady had been kidnapped by men would only spread nasty rumors, so he had smoothed it over.
In any case, Mattio was already sentenced to death, so there was no need to add any more charges.
"Also, there was a gift that Menegin sent to Aileen, and I have taken steps to ensure that it is not delivered."
Cesare laughed out loud.
"Am I that untrustworthy?"
He had clearly said that he would spare him, but Marquess Menegin had suddenly sent a gift to Aileen, trying to get on her good side in case Cesare changed his mind.
Marquess Menegin had paid a sufficient price.
He had come to the Erzeht Grand Duke Residence and personally plucked out his remaining eye in front of Cesare.
Cesare had generously promised to spare the blind man, and indeed, the Marquess had left the capital alive with his daughter. Although he had lost his honor and power, his remaining wealth was still enough to live on.
"I hope Count Domenico will be the new Speaker of the Senate."
Count Domenico was a neutral figure who did not belong to either the pro-Imperial or anti-Imperial factions. Lord Rotan carefully considered and offered his opinion.
"I don't know if he will cooperate."
He was a man known for his dogmatic and rigid attitude. If he became the Speaker, the anti-Imperial nobles would not have much objection, but there was a high possibility that he would become an obstacle to the Imperial Family in the future.
"Cooperate, what cooperation."
However, Cesare seemed to have already finished all the calculations. He simply defined his relationship with Count Domenico.
"It's an order."
Aileen, who had spent the night at the Grand Duke Residence, looked around as soon as she opened her eyes. After confirming that Cesare was not beside her, she offered thanks to a god she did not even believe in.
Then, after taking breakfast and new glasses from Sonio, she asked about Cesare's whereabouts first. She was greatly relieved to hear that he had entered the Imperial Palace. She would not have to face Cesare until she left the mansion.
"Aileen, breakfast is..."
"It's okay! I'm just going back."
She shook off Sonio, who kept holding on to her, saying that if she had no appetite, she could at least have a simple sandwich, and hurriedly ran away to the brick house. She was anxious throughout the ride from the Grand Duke Residence, and only after reaching the bedroom of the brick house was she able to relax.
Aileen draped herself over the small one-person sofa like laundry. Then she let out a stifled scream.
"Aaaah...!"
It was an unladylike act, but she had no time to care about such things. Aileen tormented the sofa cushion wildly by herself. What had happened last night kept swirling in her head.
She had imagined that one day she would get married and have a relationship with her husband. She had not received any sex education separately, but she knew the process of sexual intercourse by reading biology books.
But what had happened last night...
Cesare, who had looked at her with crimson eyes and smiled, kept coming to her mind. And the words he had whispered with a smile.
"I'll suck you next time."
