Chapter 98 - Execution day

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 - Execution day PoV: Lillian Annes Being able to repay the Duke for all the pain he caused me feels really sweet. I won’t deny it, dad. But... I think I might have gone too overboard with it. And dragging Aurea into it as well. I know that she is not the child she appears to be and that she is actually 50 years old. But still, it feels wrong, somehow. Seeing her happy face during breakfast is helping me alleviate this uneasiness. Her smile and laughter always had some hint of sadness to it. This is the first time I’m seeing her so lighthearted, like all children should be. Even when complaining about not going to hunt the vampire in the dungeon, she is genuinely happy. I love you, little Aurea. I really do. You are the one thing that bastard did to me that I won’t ever complain about. In the middle of all that pain, he gave you to me. So maybe I’ll go easy on him today. As a small thanks for this one good thing, his death will be swift, with a single clean cut. Because he brought you to this world, where you can shine. Yes, shine, because you are a beacon of light in this damned world. If there is one person who can end the millennia of war, slavery, and racism, it’s you. The one to bring into reality the dream of so many of the people who reincarnated here from Earth. I’m so proud of being your mother. ::: PoV: Aurea Annes "Huh? Mom?" Lillian has been silent for most of the breakfast today. I thought she was just tired from yesterday, but now she suddenly hugged me without warning. "I love you, Aurea, my daughter." "Mother..." I don’t know what’s going on, but hearing this makes me really happy. I have been so afraid that the way she treats me would change after she learned about my past life and after we dealt with the Duke. I am his daughter, after all. I carry his genes within me. And I thought I could become just a reminder of those painful days, after everything has ended. I’m so glad that it didn’t happen. "I love you too, Mom. Lillian, my mother. I love you so much. And I’m happy to be here with you." I really am. To be born as her daughter, of all women in this world, is a blessing. "I see that you will also need to receive some etiquette classes, Lillian." Oh, right. We’re still at the breakfast table. "I’m sorry, Mother. It’s just..." Grandma started laughing, and then everyone else was laughing. "It’s okay, my dear... This is the first day in which you both can say that you are really free from that nightmare. I understand that." Lillian wipes her tears with a handkerchief. "I’m sorry for the unsightly moment, everyone." Heyyy, don’t make my mother feel guilty for expressing her feelings to her only daughter. "But I wasn’t saying that simply because of this heartwarming moment between you two. I’ve been watching you ever since you returned, my daughter. You forgot most of what you’ve learned about etiquette." "You’re right about that, Mother. I’m sorry." "No, no... it would be weird if you came back from twelve years of slavery still knowing all your etiquette. You just need some classes to refresh your knowledge." "Queen Thieda is right, sister. You are still as graceful as ever, but your movements at the table lost quite a bit of the refinement you always had." "Thank you, Mother, Brother. I will have those classes." "I’ve heard that the palace is receiving a lot of requests for your presence for tea parties and other events of the nobility. I ordered the secretaries to decline all of those for the time being." Thieda is visibly having a hard time containing a wry smile. "Really? Already?" "Yes, daughter. After that scene at the plaza yesterday, it seems that nobody wants to be on your bad side." "And what reason did you give for declining?" "The truth. That you still need some time to recover your mind and body from all that happened, and that as soon as you’re ready, you’ll be again available for social events." "Thank you, mother. Ugh, those social gatherings are the worst part of being a royal." "I know that you never liked them, but it’s part of your duty as a princess of the Kingdom of Wesgoth." "Yes, Mother." ::: PoV: Lillian Annes The crowd at the plaza today seems to be bigger than yesterday’s. There are people even on the roofs of the buildings that surround the plaza. The big difference is that the people from the Church are nowhere to be found. There aren’t any nobles as well. Only us—the royals—and the commoners. I don’t think that there was ever a king so close to the common people like my father. And both me and my brother as well. The shouts and cheers of the crowd are so loud I can’t even hear anything. I can barely hear myself thinking. The knights escort me over to the stage, after the other family members. When I step onto it, the cheers become even louder than they were before. Duke Addlington is already there, in a pillory, waiting for the execution. Around him are several pebbles and rotten fruits and vegetables. It seems that the populace were having their share of fun earlier. They might have also taken the opportunity to let out some pent-up anger against the nobility. Of course, nobody is throwing anything anymore, because the royal family is on the stage and could be hit if they miss a throw. Even if they didn’t like us, the cost of hitting a royal with anything would be high. And that is true in any kingdom you go to. So, I take the front of the stage and raise my arm, with the hand open. A silence befalls the plaza, so I can finally talk. "Everyone, thank you for coming today!" The roar of the multitude drowns whatever I was planning to say after that, but it soon calms down again. "Today, you are witnessing justice being done." Another roar, so I pause and wait for them to calm down again before continuing. "This is the justice of the weak, the justice of mankind. And I swear to you, this is the justice of our kingdom while I live. No matter the position of the criminal or who is backing them. All the corrupt will be put to justice by my blade!!!" While I say the last sentence, I unsheathe my sword, raising it above my head, pointing it upwards. This time I fully expected the commotion of the crowd. What I didn’t expect was the chant that would follow. "Lillian! Lillian! Lillian! Lillian! Lillian! Lillian!" I don’t know how many people are present today, but it’s at least a few thousand. And all those voices are singing as one. Singing my name. I turn towards the Duke, who is being taken out of the pillory and put inposition for decapitation. His face only shows anger and disgust, without even a hint of regret. Maybe this scene right now, and this chant, is the hit that hurt him the most, from all me and Aurea has inflicted. Aurea is on the stage as well, a bit to the side, with my father, mother, and brother. The way her eyes shine as she watches me is so cute. This is our revenge, my daughter. Revenge sure is sweet. The chant silences out as I position myself for the execution. For a moment, the world itself is silent, as if holding its breath. Then, my blade descends on his neck. One single clean cut is all it takes, and the world erupts in cheers again.