Wicked Husband-Chapter 30 - 29

The execution site was crowded with an enormous crowd.

"It’s not much fun once you go from the palace to the guillotine."

"Yet, a noble he remains, even facing the end." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"There he comes!"

The crowd, a macabre spectacle themselves, roared with laughter and hurled stones at Matteo, who was bound to the cart’s pillar. Lost in thought, Matteo took the brunt of the flying missiles.

Public executions served as a gruesome entertainment for the throngs who gathered, their chatter a chilling counterpoint to the impending violence.

High atop a platform stood the gallows, a grim stage meticulously positioned to offer the crowd an unobstructed view of the execution. Soldiers roughly escorted Matteo to the foot of the gallows.

Consumed by the terror of imminent demise, Matteo unleashed a heart-wrenching cry. Yet, it vanished into the noise of the crowd’s jubilant roars. Struggling, Matteo was finally forced to lie down on the gallows.

The executioner swiftly carried out the execution. The rope snapped, and the heavy blade swiftly fell. A sickening thud resonated as Matteo’s head separated from his body, a crimson fountain erupting from the severed neck. The metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air, a grotesque counterpoint to the crowd’s eruption of jubilant cheers.

From then on, it was the beginning of a true festival. Spectators rushed forward eagerly to tear up the body of the condemned.

They fought tooth and nail to claim the head, while those pushed back tried to take any blood that flowed from the corpse. It was believed that having a part of the body of the condemned brought luck.

The most popular corpses were those of nobles and young maidens. The frenzy surrounding Matteo’s execution was amplified by his noble status and youthful vigor. As the first noble execution in ages, it became a feeding ground for the crowd’s morbid hunger.

Within moments, Matteo, once the Marquis Menegin’s esteemed son-in-law, a young man brimming with potential, vanished entirely. Only a crimson stain remained on the cobblestones, a grim testament to his existence.

Cesare, a silent observer throughout the ordeal, watched the crowd erupt in a grotesque celebration. A faint, unsettling smile played on his lips.

"That’s not a good scene for your mental health."

Lotan subtly glanced at his master in response to the joking remark, though Cesare’s expression remained calm.

He had witnessed far more horrifying scenes on the battlefield. That was merely a fraction of it. Cesare had even committed worse deeds. Even on days when he was drenched in blood and gore, Cesare was the one who casually sliced up a steak, consumed it, and then slept soundly.

It had only been the day before yesterday that he had turned all those involved in Eileen’s kidnapping into minced meat.

From the traitor among the military leaders to the men present at the villa that day, all met gruesome ends after enduring torture. Except for one: Matteo. He was the sole survivor, spared to lure out Marquis Menegin. Yet today, his throat was slit on the gallows.

’Such words about mental health coming from him. Even if it’s a jest, it’s the first time I’ve heard Your Grace say something like that,’ thought Lotan.

He recalled an incident that had occurred not long ago, where he had received a secret summons from the Emperor—a summons he had not disclosed to Cesare.

The Emperor of the Empire, Leon Traon Karl Erzet, was Cesare’s elder brother. Despite the ruthless nature of the palace, where even bloodlines held little sway against power, the twin brothers shared an unusually deep bond.

While the young Emperor held a special fondness for his younger brother, Cesare remained indifferent in comparison. Whatever occurred, he kept to himself. Rarely speaking about his own matters, Leon often sought insight from Lotan instead.

The Emperor must have sensed Cesare’s change, prompting Lotan to anticipate an imminent summons. Lotan’s specific summons was due to the fact that the other knights each had their own limitations.

Senon, though bright, lacked the assertiveness to offer direct advice to his superiors. Michele, a former palace maid, became tense and frozen in the presence of the Emperor. Diego struggled to articulate his thoughts effectively. Therefore, Lotan emerged as the most suitable candidate for the task.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

"Sir Lotan..."

Leon’s countenance was filled with profound contemplation. He gestured for Lotan to take a seat in the audience hall and released a long sigh. After a prolonged moment of silence, Lotan, aware of the breach of etiquette, spoke first.

"It appears that His Excellency has undergone significant changes of late."

"Indeed? Ever since that young man, who previously showed no interest in power, suddenly advocated for reforms..."

Leon’s voice trailed off as he wiped his face with his hand.

"He uttered something peculiar to me. As his elder brother, I cannot help but feel apprehensive."

"May I inquire as to what His Excellency said?" Leon’s expression remained skeptical as he recounted to Lotan Cesare’s words. It was a statement that seemed highly improbable coming from Cesare. Lotan wouldn’t have believed it either if he hadn’t heard it directly from the Emperor himself.

"He might slaughter the people of Traon."

Cesare, to put it mildly, possessed a strong mental fortitude, and to put it less mildly, he was callous to the point of cruelty. There was only one small exception for him in any matter, and that was Eileen.

He wasn’t someone to speak without reason, so there must have been a clear cause behind his statement. But what that cause was, Lotan couldn’t figure out. The only thing that was clear was that Cesare had changed since the incident of beheading the King of Kalpen.

As twin brothers, Leon sensed that his younger brother’s change was significant and unusual.

"I have a favor to ask, Sir Lotan."

Thus, he discreetly requested a favor from Lotan. While Lotan experienced a mix of emotions upon receiving the request, Cesare remained indifferent as ever.

"It appears that if I wish to maintain my sanity, I should marry soon."

He muttered to himself, then turned to the gathering with a query.

"And what of Eileen?"

"She’s been at home all day, except for a brief visit to the bookstore and market."

Cesare nodded subtly. To protect Eileen from unwanted attention, he discreetly buried the incident of her kidnapping that day. It was best to keep it quiet; spreading the tale of a young lady being abducted would only invite trouble.

Moreover, since Matteo’s execution was already confirmed, there was no need to unnecessarily add more charges.

"Additionally, there was a gift from Marquis Menegin intended for Lady Eileen, but I made sure it wasn’t delivered."

Cesare chuckled softly.

"Do you think I’m that untrustworthy?"

Despite his promise to spare the Marquis, he had sent the gift to Eileen just in case Cesare changed his mind. Menegin had paid a sufficient price.

He came to the Grand Duke’s residence and willingly surrendered one of his remaining eyes in front of Cesare.

Cesare had graciously granted him mercy, and indeed, the Marquis had left the Senate with his daughter. Though he had lost honor and power, his remaining wealth was sufficient to sustain him.

"I hope Count Domenico will be the new Senate president."

Count Domenico was a neutral figure who did not align with either the pro-Imperial or anti-Imperial factions. Lotan cautiously expressed his opinion.

"I am unsure if he will cooperate."

Known for his arrogant and rigid demeanor, Count Domenico might pose a challenge. While his appointment as president might not meet significant objections from anti-Imperial faction nobles, he could potentially become an obstacle for the Imperial family in the future.

"What kind of cooperation?"

However, Cesare seemed to have already calculated all possibilities. He tersely defined his relationship with Count Domenico.

"It’s an order."

***

After spending the night at the Grand Duke’s, Eileen woke up and immediately surveyed her surroundings. Confirming Cesare’s absence beside her, she silently expressed gratitude to the gods she did not believe in.

She then inquired about Cesare’s whereabouts from Sonio, who had brought her morning meal along with a new pair of glasses. Upon learning that he had gone to the palace, she breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t have to encounter Cesare until she left the mansion.

"Miss Eileen, breakfast is–"

"It’s fine! I’ll just return."

Brushing off Sonio’s insistence that she at least have a sandwich if she lacked appetite, Eileen hastily fled to the brick house. Though anxious throughout the carriage ride from the Grand Duke’s, it wasn’t until she reached her bedroom that she could finally relax.

Eileen collapsed onto the small sofa like a rag doll. Then, she let out a stifled scream.

"Aaaah...!"

It was indeed an unusual display for a young lady, but Eileen couldn’t afford to concern herself with societal expectations. She ruthlessly vented her frustrations on the sofa cushions, alone with her thoughts as the events of the previous night relentlessly haunted her.

She had envisioned marrying someday and sharing intimacy with her husband. Although she hadn’t received formal s*x education, she knew the basics from reading biology books.

But what occurred last night...

The image of Cesare gazing at her with eyes ablaze and his whispered words continued to echo in her mind.

"Next time, I’ll suck it."

***