The execution site was packed, a huge crowd gathered in anticipation.
It's not so fun when you leave the palace for the guillotine.
— Still, he remains a nobleman, even in the face of death.
Here he comes!
The crowd, a macabre spectacle in itself, laughed and threw stones at Matteo, who was tied to the wagon's post. Lost in his thoughts, Matteo endured the impact of the projectiles.
Public executions served as morbid entertainment for the masses, who gathered, their murmurs a chilling contrast to the impending violence.
High atop a platform stood the blade, a somber stage meticulously positioned to offer the crowd an unobstructed view of the execution. Soldiers roughly escorted Matteo to the foot of the scaffold.
Consumed by the terror of imminent death, Matteo let out a heart-rending scream. However, it was lost in the noise of the crowd's cheers and shouts. Struggling, Matteo was finally forced to lie down on the blade.
The executioner acted swiftly. The rope snapped and the heavy blade fell with sinister speed. A sickening thud echoed as Matteo's head was severed from his body, a crimson fountain gushing from his severed neck. The metallic smell of blood permeated the air, a grotesque contrast to the euphoric shouts of the crowd.
From then on, the real horror show began. The spectators crowded around, eager to tear the condemned man's body to pieces.
They fought tooth and nail for the head, while those who stayed behind were content to collect the blood that flowed from the corpse. It was believed that possessing a part of the condemned person's body brought good luck.
The most coveted corpses were those of nobles and young maidens. The frenzy surrounding Matteo's execution only increased because of his noble status and youthful vigor. Being the first execution of a nobleman in years, it became fodder for the morbid hunger of the common people.
Within minutes, Matteo, once the esteemed son-in-law of Marquis Menegin, a young man brimming with potential, vanished completely. Only a red stain remained on the cobblestones—a grim testament to his existence.
Cesare, a silent observer throughout the process, watched the crowd erupt in a macabre celebration. A disturbing little smile appeared on his lips.
This scene is not good for mental health.
Lotan glanced discreetly at the master after the playful comment, but Cesare's expression remained impassive.
He had witnessed far worse scenes on the battlefield. This was only a fraction. Cesare himself had committed worse atrocities, days when, drenched in blood and entrails, he would cut a steak, devour it, and sleep as soundly as a rock.
It had only been two days since he turned everyone involved in Eileen's kidnapping into mincemeat.
From the high-ranking traitor among the military leaders to the men present in the village that day, all met grotesque ends after torture. Except for one: Matteo. He was the only one spared, used as bait to lure Marquis Menegin. But today, his head was cut off on the scaffold.
'Words about mental health coming from him... Even as a joke, it's the first time I've heard His Grace say something like that,' Lotan thought.
Lotan remembered a recent incident, a secret summons from the Emperor, which he had not revealed to Cesare.
The Emperor, Leone Karl Traon, was Cesare's twin brother. Despite the ruthless cruelty of the court, where not even blood ties guaranteed power, the brothers shared an unusually deep bond.
While the young Emperor harbored a special affection for his younger brother, Cesare remained indifferent, keeping whatever happened to himself. He rarely spoke of him, and Leone frequently sought information from Lotan.
This time, the Emperor noticed the change in Cesare, and Lotan knew that a summons was inevitable. Among the knights, he was the most suitable: Senon, though intelligent, was hesitant; Michelle froze before the Emperor; and Diego had difficulty expressing himself.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
— Mr. Lotan…
Leone's face was heavy with worry, deeply thoughtful. With a gesture, he indicated to Lotan that he should sit down and sighed deeply. After a prolonged silence, Lotan broke protocol:
It seems Your Highness has undergone significant changes recently.
"That's right! Ever since that boy, who was previously uninterested in power, started advocating for reforms... " Leone rubbed his face hesitantly.
— He told me something strange. As his older brother, I can't help but be worried.
— May I ask what Your Grace said?
Leone remained skeptical when relaying his brother's statement to Lotan. It was hard to believe coming from Cesare. Lotan wouldn't have believed it either, if it hadn't been told directly by the Emperor.
He said he could massacre half of the Traon Empire.
Cesare possessed, to say the least, an unbreakable mental fortitude, and to say the most, an almost cruel coldness. The only exception in his life was Eileen.
He was not one to speak without reason. Therefore, there must have been a clear cause behind such a statement. But Lotan could not identify it. The only certainty was that Cesare had changed after beheading King Kalpen.
Like twins, Leone sensed that the change in his brother was profound and unusual.
— I have a request to make, Mr. Lotan.
Thus, the Emperor made a discreet request. While Lotan was consumed by conflicting emotions, Cesare remained as indifferent as ever.
***** — It seems that if I want to keep my sanity, I should get married soon.
Muttering to himself, he then asked the group:
And what about Eileen?
She stayed home all day, except for a brief visit to the bookstore and the market.
Cesare nodded slightly. To protect Eileen from unwanted attention, he discreetly downplayed the kidnapping incident. Spreading the word that a young woman had been abducted would only bring trouble.
Furthermore, since Matteo's execution had already been confirmed, there was no need to escalate the charges.
— Oh, and there was a gift from Marquis Menegin intended for Miss Eileen, but I made sure it wasn't delivered.
Cesare chuckled.
Does he think I'm that unpredictable?
Despite promising to spare the Marquis, the old man sent a gift as a precaution, in case Cesare changed his mind. But the price had already been paid.
The old man went to the Archduke's residence and voluntarily gouged out his other eye in front of the man.
Cesare granted mercy. The Marquis had left the Senate with his daughter, without honor or power, but with enough wealth to live on.
I want Count Domenico to become the new president of the Senate.
Count Domenico was a neutral figure, who aligned himself neither pro- nor anti-Empire. Lotan expressed his opinion cautiously:
I don't know if he will cooperate.
Known for his arrogance and rigidity, Domenico could be a challenge. Although his appointment might not face resistance from the anti-Imperial nobles, he could become an obstacle for the imperial family.
What kind of cooperation?
However, Cesare had already calculated everything. He succinctly summarized his relationship with the Count:
— That's an order.
After spending the night at the Archduke's residence, Eileen awoke and looked around. Relieved that Cesare was not beside her, she silently thanked the gods in whom she did not believe.
She then asked Sonio, who had brought her breakfast and new glasses, about Cesare's whereabouts. Upon learning that he had gone to the palace, she sighed with relief. She wouldn't have to see him until she left the mansion.
— Miss Eileen, breakfast is—
— Everything's fine! I'm leaving now.
Ignoring Sonio's plea to at least eat a sandwich, Eileen fled to the brick house. Only when she locked her bedroom door did she finally relax.
She collapsed onto the small sofa like a rag doll. Then, she let out a muffled cry.
— AAAAH…!
It was rather unrefined behavior for a lady, but Eileen didn't care. She punched the pillows, tormented by memories of the previous night.
She had imagined one day getting married and having intimacy with her husband. Although she hadn't received formal education on the subject, she knew the basics from biology books.
But what happened last night…
The image of Cesare looking at her with eyes burning with desire and his whispered words echoed in her mind:
"Next time, I'm going to suck you off."
To be continued…