"I thought if I talk to you and show you our side of the story, you will eventually understand. But alas, I underestimated how Abel Grimsbanne brainwashed you. Do not worry. When this is all over, you will understand my heart."
A layer of frost coated Miguel's eyes, far different from the warmth he had shown Aries since the beginning. He asked the council for a chance to change her mind. For him, having Aries on their side of her own volition was better than forcing her. But alas, the Grimsbanne's influence on her was deeper and stronger than he expected.
"You might say we are not siblings. However, a part of Davien lives in me and a part of me died when he perished," came out a cold voice. "I understand your reluctance. We have time to put the broken pieces of this family together. I will put good faith in the trust and love we built through the years."
"You!" Aries was overwhelmed with anger at his sickening remarks.
"As a big brother, I will have to extend my understanding since I cannot blame you for going astray," he continued, ignoring the anger blazing in her eyes. "You are still young. I can still discipline you."
Miguel turned his head in Suzanne's direction and without a shred of sympathy, he ordered, "Get rid of her."
"Miguel!!" Aries roared, taking a step forward, but to no avail. Her body was frozen on the spot, unable to move from where she was standing. When she raised her head while grinding her teeth, all she saw were some members of the Raven chanting quietly.
"Is this part of the coven?!" she yelled, having no means to retaliate but scream her lungs out. "I am the Queen of this land no matter how many times you flip the truth! I have the right to have company throughout this gathering! How dare you, in front of me, slay my people?!"
"You are indeed the Queen and have the right to be accompanied by someone Your Majesty picked." Miguel slowly set his eyes back on her before a sinister smile peeked on his countenance. "However, we, the Raven, were also free to execute someone on the spot if we proved your life is in danger."
"That woman bore ill-intention and malice to Your Majesty." He then pointed in Suzanne's direction. "You are highly emotional right now, Your Majesty. And we fully understand your attachment to your lady-in-waiting. Feelings and emotions blur one's judgment. Thus, this council exists. We are doing this to you and soon, I am certain, you will understand our decision."
Hearing Miguel's twisted remarks, Suzanne's breath hitched. She was still on the ground with a person on her back, her face facing the queen's direction.
"You…" she muttered through her gritted teeth, tasting the tang of iron in her mouth. She clasped the concrete upon realizing how she had fallen into Miguel's trap.
Miguel took advantage of Suzanne's weakness and made her confess to the crimes she didn't commit. He purposely brought forth how he had stopped the witches Suzanne placed across the mainland to rattle her. Now, using the initial argument, Miguel was sentencing her to death.
ραndαsΝοvεl.cοm 'I failed…' Suzanne clenched her teeth tighter until her gums bled. 'I let him affect me and I lost my composure.'
Tears overflowed in her eyes, not because she was scared of death. Suzanne died once, only to be brought back to life by Aries. Her life was not hers anymore, but Aries's.
That was why she was crying.
'I'm sorry, Your Majesty.' Suzanne expressed her heart, knowing this would be the last time she could. 'I failed you again.'
"As a member of this coven, I sentence her to death." Following Suzanne's inner sentiments came Miguel's order. "Do it quickly so Her Majesty wouldn't need to watch her suffer."
"Yes, my lord!" The person restraining Suzanne bowed before wielding the ax on his back.
"Miguel! Stop this right now!" Aries yelled and yelled, growing more aggressive each time. "Stop this right now! Miguel!!"
No matter how loud Aries yelled and how much she struggled to move from her spot was futile. Miguel didn't listen to her, and only stared at her coldly.
"Hurting you is not my plan, Aime," whispered Miguel, almost making her choke. "After all, I promised to protect you, always. Back then, I couldn't agree with your ridiculous idea of marriage. But if marriage will save you this time, I don't see the problem why I shouldn't."
Aries froze, twisting her neck to look back at Miguel like a robot. Her eyes were wide open, rendered speechless by his remarks.
It was true she used to say she would marry her brother when they were children. Even when they grew up, Aries proposed marriage for personal reasons. Hearing Miguel utter those words that only Aries and Davien knew somehow made her stomach turn in disgust.
Aries and Miguel stared at each other wordlessly. His expression somehow reminded her of Joaquin. Joaquin might've wanted her for pleasure, but the way Miguel looked at her now wasn't any better. Although his reasons might be far from lust, it was just as sickening. Worst, even.
"You left me with no choice, Your Majesty." His eyelids drooped, but he was unable to conceal the dangers in them. "We failed to protect Rikhill back then. I won't let that happen in this land again."
The glint of the ax's blade flashed in the corner of her eyes. She could see the person raise his ax while sitting on top of Suzanne's back.
Aries held her breath as hopelessness swirled in her chest. "You…" her voice was shaking, but her eyes didn't shed a single tear.
"… are not any better than Joaquin. You are the reason Rikhill fell, not me, not Joaquin. Therefore, your guilt drives you crazy. Your goal isn't to save this land or me, but to save yourself from the crippling guilt Davien felt before his death."
A low manic laughter slipped past her lips. "I understand everything now, Miguel Rothschild."
Somehow, her remarks made Miguel freeze. And before he could react, the executioner swung his ax straight to Suzanne's nape.
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