Lizzy Poliana Claudia (3)

In the dark Imperial dungeon.

Where the cold, hard floor drained what little heat had remained.

Where the stench of despair crushed one's spirit, rendering them unable even to sleep.

Amid such a nightmarish place, a young woman managed to find some semblance of relief...

In the constant noises made by her second brother's breathing.

"..."

However, the more she leaned toward that comforting noise, the more she wanted to question him.

Why were they charged with treason?

How would committing treason have anything to do with their goal of enacting revenge against Ferzen?

Even now, Lizzy couldn't believe that Roer, her eldest brother, dared to commit the worst sin possible.

Now the Ernes Empire was preparing for the inevitable war.

And this war could become Ferzen's downfall.

Yes, Lizzy wasn't stupid.

She realized that Roer sacrificed the Claudia Family in order to start this war.

After all, the individual known as Gremory Elden Ishitar Elmark was beyond human comprehension.

Knowing this, Roer had ultimately chosen to 'borrow' a sword capable of fulfilling his goal.

...But, if their revenge was fated to be like this, wouldn't it have been better to simply bow and live?

"No...! I would never…..! Ugh...!"

As such thoughts came to her mind, Lizzy fiercely bit her lip, striving to stifle the sobs that threatened to burst from her mouth.

Her own mind betrayed her, as her own conflicted feelings were unbearable.

The ship called Family was one to be sailed together.

But the first person to turn away from it was none other than herself.

How could she dare to resent her older brother now?

Their destination was set from the start.

Even though she had ample chances of taking up the helm and changing it...

She never even attempted to do it.

For she was a coward.

A coward full of hope that her brothers would manage to reach their destination without suffering from the relentless waves.

Lizzy remembered that fateful day,

8 years ago.

2920 days.

She remembered cursing those who remained silent as they watched her family suffer.

And yet.

In the present day,

8 years later.

2920 days after.

Didn't she turn a blind eye toward her family's peril?

It was only natural that their ship crumbled before the vengeful waves; there was no more room for regret or tears.

"Sob...Sob…..Ahhhhhhhh."

In the end, however, Lizzy couldn't stop her tears.

But, for whom were those tears?

For whom were those sobs?

* * * * *

9 P.M.

Even though it was quite late.

The Imperial Palace was bustling with activity.

Corleone, the Elder of the Alfred Family, and Jeremiah, the Head of Brutein, stepped out from their respective carriages.

"...It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

On paper, that is.

The Alfred family now held a connection with Louerg; however, everyone knew that such was not the case.

Corleone's wrinkled face greeted Jeremiah with a surprising amount of friendliness and kindness.

In response to this, Jeremiah maintained a neutral expression while remaining silent for a long time.

Then, as he walked forward, Jeremiah opened his mouth without even looking at him.

"Yes."

One could consider this a rude response.

However, every time that the lineage of Brutein looked down on Alfred from now on, they would remember that their pure blood was mixed with Alfred as well.

Although his body was already frail and old, Corleone could barely contain the shivers of pure ecstasy as he thought about this.

The old snake would have no hesitation in order to challenge the Underworld itself in order to continue feeling such heavenly pleasure for even a few more years.

"Take it."

"..."

"This dossier contains all the reports made about Roer's behavior, since he married my eldest granddaughter."

"...Why would you give this to me?"

The old snake's smile widened at the sheer doubt in Jeremiah's voice.

"Why shouldn't I give it to you? It's not like I would lose anything by giving this to you, and we both know that His Majesty would much prefer to receive this from your hands than mine, isn't that right?"

"..."

"And you shouldn't have to fear an old man's gift."

Corleone's first granddaughter, Yuriel's elder sister, had married Roer.

The fact he had this type of information about him was not surprising, but Jeremiah couldn't accept it as they were.

This was because he suspected that Corleone might not have the full picture of the hostility of the Claudia Family against Brutein. So his act was more of an insult than anything else.

"This frail old man only carries his cane with him. And these old bones are already aching from waiting too long."

In truth, Jeremiah wanted nothing to do with this man.

But this would undoubtedly help his little brother, Ferzen, so Jeremiah reluctantly grabbed the documents.

"Well then, let's hurry. It's been a long time since I've been in the presence of His Majesty, so I'm quite anxious."

In a way, the Alfreds should be the ones most damaged by the actions of the Claudia Family.

However, the old snake walked calmly and joyfully.

* * * * *

"His Excellency Corleone Wayne Barreta Alfred, and His Excellency Jeremiah Von Schweig Brutein, have entered the Imperial Court…..!"

Beyond the grand doors of the Imperial Court stood a red carpet embroidered with golden threads.

The Emperor of Ernes, The Sun Of the Empire, sat on his throne, watching the two individuals.

Beside him stood Ferzen and Yuriel.

In the center of the court, enveloped with a red cloth was the head of the sinner – Roer Poliana Claudia.

"Corleone Wayne Barreta Alfred greets the Sun of the Empire."

"Jeremiah Von Scweigh Brutein greets the Sun of the Empire."

The sight of the Empire's light and shadow standing side by side was enough to erase the Emperor's unease.

Even if he proclaimed himself the Sun of the Empire.

Those in court could clearly see, who the Sun and Moon really were.

"Rise."

Seemingly unaffected by their presence, the Emperor opened his mouth with a tone full of Majesty.

"Firstly...Before we proceed to extract the memories of the sinner, Corleone Wayne Barreta Alfred."

"Your servant is here, Your Majesty."

"Do you have anything to say?"

Despite the serious atmosphere, the Emperor's tone was almost cautious.

He already knew the details behind this incident.

And he was already aware of the details behind Roer's death from Elizabeth, so he was certain that House Alfred had nothing to do with this incident.

But, even if Roer's memories proved Alfred's innocence.

The Alfreds had to be reprimanded and punished for their ties with the sinner.

Even if only to make an example out of them.

Ignorance at such proximity of the sinner was also a sin in itself.

And it would be only natural to punish such a sin.

"...This servant humbly acknowledges the sin of harboring a traitor."

"Then–"

"That is why...!"

"..."

Interrupting the Emperor's words was beyond disrespectful.

And because of this, the Emperor naturally frowned, but as he looked at Corleone's kneeling figure, and at the thing he placed on the ground....

Shiver-!

Despite his previous anger, The Emperor couldn't contain the goosebumps spreading across his body.

"That's why...This servant is here today, to redeem the failure of the Alfred Family."

Rustle-.

As the Imperial Knight guarding the Emperor stepped forward to unravel the cloth wrapped around the object Corleone offered...

"Ugh!"

As the cloth was unraveled and the object was shown...

Yuriel, standing with Ferzen, brought her hands to her mouth in an attempt to contain the scream that threatened to burst forward.

"Ah...!"

Gasp—

The crowd gathered for the court couldn't help but step back in alarm.

Corleone's 'gift' shocked not only the Emperor but also Ferzen and Jeremiah.

"The one who has been with me the longest, my eldest granddaughter, whom I foolishly decided to marry with the sinner. Therefore, if her memories were to be investigated, then the innocence of the Alfred Family shall be proved."

Yes.

Corleone Wayne Barreta Alfred killed Alice Wayne Barreta Alfred, his own granddaughter, Yuriel's elder sister, and the wife of the sinner, Roer Poliana Claudia…

…With his own hands.

—And brought her head before the Emperor.