Gift

The clock rang signalling that it is now ten in the morning.

Ting. Ting. Ting.

All eyes were transferred to the duke as he stood up.

"It is my pleasure to have you all here to attend the celebration of my birth. As you all know I am not fond of long speeches which is why I will end it here"

Many laugh at the duke's words.

"Do enjoy!"

All the guests clap their hands and began to eat and talk with the others as the musicians filled the air with a gentle music.

"Roman, where is your brother?"

"I do not know, father"

"Is there a problem, duke Emond?"

"No. There is no problem at all your highness"

Bam!

As they were whispering, the doors of the banquet hall was violently opened.

The music stop. The talks and whispers disappeared. Everyone was looking at the person who opened the banquet hall in such a manner.

"Father, I have brought you a gift suitable for this wonderful day"

As the man joyfully walk towards the duke, he was holding a long rope.

On that rope were the heads of people he killed.

The blood made the red carpet even darker.

Screams from here and there cane be heard.

Some of the noble women were terrified to the point of fainting or vomiting. Some of the noble men were keeping their head held up high to protect their pride as a noble despite wanting to turn around from the grotesque scene right in front of their eyes.

At the end of the rope is count Frenond's trusted aide who is well known as an amazing knight who leads the knights of the Frenond county.

Instead of being angry, the duke was wearing a delighted expression. As if he was ecstatic with the so call 'gift' that his son has brought to his birth day.

"Nicholas, what is the meaning of this"

"Oh, right, right..."

He took a deep breath and pulled out a paper.

"In accordance to the law of the kingdom of Loate, count Frenond you are under arrest for illegal drug trafficking, illegal human trafficking, and many more such as tax evasion and harassment to other nobles of lower rank"

Some of Nicholas' men drag the count to the carpet and him kneel there, near to the rope with the heads of knights, mercenaries and servants from the Frenond county.

"I... I do not know what you are talking about! I am b-being framed!"

"With all due respect I do have evidence about your movements as well as witnesses about this"

Nicholas handed the documents to the prince and the duke.

"What are you talking about?!"

"Let them in!"

The knights went out to escort someone.

It was the count's wife who had noticeable signs of physical abuse.

"Count Frenond's wife is the witness I am talking about"

The countess was stand still on the doorway, unable to look at the eyes of the count.

Count Frenond's eyes were filled with rage.

"You b-"

Before finishing what he was about to say Nicholas kicked the head of the count.

"You do not have the right to say anything as you are now in a trial"

"T-trial...?"

"As you know if a noble commits a crime and is in the presence of any member of the royal family with the age of ten and above, there will be a trial on the spot"

The countess cried and fell to her knees.

She screamed about the horrible things that the count did to her as well as to their children. She screamed about the things he committed late at night at the different warehouses he has in and outside of the capital.

Many were could not believe what they head but strangely enough there were also people who were writing every single line the countess said as if to make a huge article later on.

Afterwards, two other lower rank noble came in and told their stories as to how harshly the count treated them.

Some servants from the count's mansion and even a relative of the count. As well as a merchant.

"What do you think, your highness?"

Kainston walk towards the count.

"Based on the documents and the witness I will now ask the offender about this. What do you think, count Frenond?"

"I... Your highness, I am being framed! None of this is true!"

"What makes yo so sure about that? Nicholas Emond has given enough evidence for me to announce my verdict"

"I... I..."

"As per law of the kingdom of Loate; Count Frenond is guilty for committing illegal human and drug trafficking, harassment towards the nobles of the kingdom, using illegal means to avoid tax, and treason"

"Treason?"

"Yes. These rule were made by the crown. To defy them is the same thing as to oppose the crown"

"I would never! Believe me, your highness!"

"My verdict is: Half of the count's assets and property will be confiscated and will be transferred to the king's treasury while the other half will be own by the Emond duchy from now on. As for you..."

Kainston looked at Nicholas and nodded.

"I hereby sentenced you to death"

"Your highness, please, I beg you! Just one day! Just give me a day to prove my innocence!"

As Kainston walk towards the table to drink wine, Nicholas move forward and unsheathed his sword.

"Wai-"

With one slash the count was decapitated by Nicholas' sword.

The count's head rolled over as it spread more blood on the white marble floor.

The knights of the Emond duchy quickly took the count's body and the rope that has several heads tied on to it.

"Let's talk later"

"Yes, father"

The duke raised his hand and caught the attention of all those who were still conscious.

"Due to this unforeseen turn of events I ask you all to go back. I shall compensate you all for the trouble we have caused you"

As if waiting for the green light everyone quickly go out of the mansion while not making it too obvious.