Temporary Crown

34 | Punishment for those who dare

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In Nesta’s mind, she already expected this to happened. It was cliche for her for she had seen this scene many times before. She had been duchess. And she had gotten used to the feeling of sitting in the throne of power. In every life time, it will always be the same no matter how she changed it. Yes, Just like this.

There will always people who will be greedy no matter how much wealth they were given into. At the same time, like a cycle, once they were caught, they won’t accept their punishment and think of a way to get out of their own mess. For they value their lives even more.

“I am innocent my lady!”

“Please believe me!”

“I have done nothing wrong!”

Lies after lies.

They continue to be brazen.

Three of them continuously shouted over and over again juggling with their thoughts, words, and even their accusations. All of the three of them had the same thing in their mind and that was to get away and have the other one take the blame.

However, no matter how many excuses they gave, Nesta won’t allow them to just freely be excused of their mistakes. Her actions and the way she handles things now will forever be etched in the servants mind.

Loyalty comes with fear.

She knew that. That was the way of this world. Fear must be instilled in order for one to not cross a line the should not dare take. It was also a kind of protection that is full of hypocrisy but no one was willing to break such tradition. Even Nesta herself.

That was why, even though she hated the thought of blood and punishment and the grief of their love ones, she was a noble who must punish those who deserved it.

They have committed their crimes. They knew what future lies ahead with them.

There should be no mistakes.

Feeling the burden surrounded her, Nesta’s eyes turned a little bit tired. She felt a little bit of headache wanting to just throw everything away. But, how could she throw away everything when this was her decision in the first place. Lucien needed her.

Her little cute adopted brother who had been very obedient to her.

“I only ask for your reason not your excuses. I only ask for words you can be accountable into but you throw people like they weren’t part of you. This was all of your plans from the very beginning I am just finishing it all for you. Damn scum, you all. It’s disgusting to even look at.”

Nesta wasn’t playing any games. However, at the same time, her soul seemed to be getting heavier and heavier. No, this was her duty and a form of responsibility.

As soon as she finished her sentence, the whole hall was rendered speechless. Another version of their mistress was being etched in their mind along with fear of not wanting to cross her. She was more terrifying than some nobles they knew. She who was from an unknown background held the cup of responsibility with no remorse at all.

She was absolute. She was the law.

The three servants shuddered as they realized that their previous actions won’t save them. It had only worsen to a state that the lady was disappointed to their actions.

This time, they did not even hesitate to bow and begged for their lives asking for forgiveness. They do not want to die. They wanted to live. How could everything turned out to be like this?

“Please forgive us my lady. If you give us one chance, well make sure you won’t regret it.” all the three of them pleaded.

“Do you all have the right to strike a deal with me? I presume you all weren’t forgetting that you are held as sinners and prisoners. You are all criminal in my eyes and criminals only have either two destinations. One was the prison. And the other one was death itself.”

Nesta’s words drifted. Lucien waited patiently for his sister's next words so were the servants who had realized that they have been save and that they did not commit any crime at all.

“I gave you a chance to plead and to give your reasons but I feel like a fool for giving you chances.”

Nesta took a step forward raising her hand. Every one anticipated her next words. “Death will be your grace!”

The moment the lady said that, knights who were never in the hall suddenly appeared. They were holding their swords like death themselves. They were under the command of the temporary duchess.

The three servants who had sinned swallowed trying to step backward hoping to run away but it was useless. They were all surrounded by the knights and no matter how they struggle they can’t get away

How!?

Why!?

Everything doesn’t make sense to them at all.

They thought that no one will know what they were doing. Everything was perfect before. Not even the duke himself knew but how come a bastard a daughter coming from an unknown background knew what they were doing.

Everything doesn’t make sense.

However, no one really cared if it make sense at all.

They sinned. And sinners needed to face the consequences of their actions.

No!

No!

No!

Ellen who had been silent the whole time can’t think properly. She was just pleading for her life but now she was facing death!? how?!

Her eyes dilated trying hard to find her way out of the situation. If she could beg for mercy over and over again she would do it. However, the moment she glanced up and saw the eyes of the duchess, she knew to herself that it was already too late.

No! She wanted to live! She wanted to live!

Faced with terrifying death ahead of her, her pupils dilated as she started laughing. Then, the head maid who had lost her mind as she begun shouting!

“No! No! No!” She uttered over and over again as though she had gone crazy. She really had gone crazy.

The two criminals, Thomas and Andrew shuddered as their expression turned distorted seeing the head maid lost her head and rationality. No! They do not want this. They all just thought that it wouldn't be bad to steal money to those who had something more. Was it wrong!? they all have their money but why!?

One of the knights had grabbed his hand but he tried his best to flick it away. He tried his best to pull his hands as he shouted and insisted that he was innocent. Slowly, reality was being etched in his mind.

However, he, Thomas was just a lowly Valet who did not undergo training. Hence, he wasn’t able to break free. Facing his frustrations, he tried his best to reason but his mind as going blank. What can he do?

Words! Words! He needed words!

What words?! what sentences!

“I am innocent my lady! Please have mercy! I have a son and a family. Please have mercy!” Andrew banged his head on the floor to beg for forgiveness but Nesta remained deaf. Her eyes conveyed no emotions as she said,

“Consequences will always be there no matter which path you have taken. This is for all of your sins.”

She uttered mercilessly. In that very moment, she raised her hands. The knights who were holding the three sinners stopped waiting for the orders of the lady.

They all did not wait long as she said, “Kill them.”

Their swords were swung and blood splattered the floor. Some servant screamed with the others tried to suck it all up for they were afraid to be punish next.

Nesta took a stand. “If ever one of you dared to betray the duchy of the Von Stein, death will be knocking at their door.”

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