Chapter 43 - Hidden Enemy (End)

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Adelaide's POV

It's been a while since I step foot into the dungeon where they kept the dowager and her husband. But today is the day- the day of torture.

I stood in front of the couple's cell with a smile on my face. It's weird to see them like this. They were born in richest and yet this is how they spent their life for the last ten years- as slaves. Well, they did some awful things to their people. It's only fair for them to live this way.

"Adelaide— ADELAIDE! Let us go if you know what is best for you. If that person knows what happened to us, he will never let you go!" The old man keep yapping about some guy for ten years.

I am amazed that Moloch could bring them back from the pits of hell everytime they died. But the result from that made them look like a walking corpse now— a zombie is what the young knights called them.

"Oh, your majesty— you're here early. I'm sorry for the delay. Serafina is in a really bad mood. So- what shall we do today?" Moloch asked as he stood next to me.

"Let's play with their memories. It would be better to show them what it used to be when they were on the peak of their life. Also- get your demons to track down Victor from the forest of monsters. I wish to see him in person." Moloch hummed.

"Well, the things is— Victor is here. The emperor pick him up herself a few days ago." Oh- why would Astoria—

"Speaking of the devil- there he is." Moloch was pointed at a wooden box carried by two knights.

"Victor is in there?" Moloch nodded and asked the knights to put the box down.

"The emperor asked me to cast a spell. He will spend his eternity inside this box. I suggest that you prepare your stomach before opening—" I didn't wait for Moloch to end his sentences and just simply open the box.

I laughed at the sight of my ex husband.

"How is he alive with only his head remain in all these liquid?" I asked the demon.

"The liquid is his body. Usually the spell was cast on demons who betrayed their master. Victor was a special case. And the emperor needs to make him as an example for the retainers who began to show their true colours. I have two more nobles that needs to be place inside the box." Moloch sigh.

"What did they do?" Moloch explained to me that the nobles were talking about Astra in a rude way.

"I see- well, what are you waiting for? Turned them into— whatever this is. Put them on displayed for a week for everyone to see." I smiled at Moloch who look at me with wide eyes.

"But your majesty- you said you wouldn't show such sight to the people of this empire. Why-" I turned and face Moloch.

"Just do what I told you to do. We given these nobles a second chance and yet they think they could say whatever they wish to say. I don't like those kind of people. My children will understand." Moloch nodded before I leave the dungeon.

As I leave the dungeon door, I was surprised to see Aeron and Archer waiting for me. The servant close the door immediately while I guide the boys away from such place.

"What a surprise to see both of you here. So, there there anything momma can do for you?" I asked with a smile, hoping they didn't hear what I just said to Moloch.

"We saw mama kill a man. But please don't tell mama we went into the throne room without permission. It's just- we have something to saw when we saw mama stab the man multiple times." Astoria! Just what are you doing while I wasn't there?!

"Alright- what is it?" I asked.

"When we saw mama raise her sword, she was smiling. Is it fun to take a life?" Huh?

"No- it's never a good thing to take another person's life. Mama only did that because the person did something that will put the empire in trouble. Of course there is always another way to handle this matter. Killing someone is never the option." Hearing my own words made me cringe.

"So what mama did was for the good of the empire? Is it the same thing when grandpa said to show no mercy on those who belittle us?" Huh? Well, I guess.

"You can say that. But, it's important that you also practice to restrain yourself. Like I said, taking someone else's life is never the answer." The boys nodded.

"Okay, got it. Also, momma, is brother Astor will marry lady Federica?" Well, both party agreed to held the engagement party by the end of this year.

"Yes. Why? Is there something bothering the two of you?" The boys look at each other and said-

"Well, Lady Federica seems like a scary woman. But we really enjoy talking to Lord Nicholas. He is such a fun guy to be with. And he really likes sister Astrid. They act just like you and mama." Oh- really?

"Momma, do we have to marry someone as well once we reach adulthood?" I hummed.

"That depend on you, my dearest. If you wish to be single, then you shall be. As your parents, we only choose what the best for you. It's your choice to accept it or not. So don't worry- even if you choose someone you love, we will understand." I smiled at the boys.

"What if that person is not a noble?" Huh? That's a strange question for a six year old to ask.

"It doesn't matter. Aeron, do you like someone?" Aeron immediately shake his head no.

"He likes the head maid's daughter, momma." The head maid's daughter?

"Archer doesn't know what he's talking about, momma." Aeron turned red as he tried to stop Archer from talking with his hands. It downs to me that the boys are growing.

"Thank you for your time, momma. We have to go now." I smiled at the boys and watched them go.

"Your majesty, the scarecrows are on the move. You were right- the barbarians are making its move under the order of the new pope. The Holy Kingdom has betrayed our alliance treaty." I sigh mentally.

"Let's discuss this with the emperor."

Later that night,

"What is there empress to discuss?" I asked as the retainers continues to belittling each other.

"The emperor asked for this meeting to find a solution for the current issues and yet here we are, arguing along each other on which ideas are more proficient. I have decided—," the retainers turned to me as I got up from my seat and placed a queen chess piece on the Holy Kingdom's map.

"No! You must not! The people of the Holy Kingdom are innocent! We can't!" Arthur shouted. Everyone were shocked by his action but not me and Astoria.

"Why not? The pope started it first knowing the people will be the way of the war. If there's anyone you should blame, it's the pope and not me. The barbarians and the holy knights are marching towards us as we argue and yet we should remained the sane one? Arthur, you've gone senile." Arthur remained silence.

"The future of the empire is here with us. Let's ask them if they have better ideas than this. Shall we?" Astoria finally speaks. She turned to Astor and Astrid who had been listening to this nonsense since we started.

"I think we had given the Holy Kingdom enough benefits to begin with. The treaty with them are already bias if I have to be completely honest. To given them the freedom to have their own army is one thing. Perhaps that is why they began to show their fangs to the person who fed them." Astrid's choice of word are quite different than usual.

Nicholas who stood behind him only smiled while Federica seems to be in deep thoughts.

"But to start a war with us- are they looking for a way to make us look like the villain?" Astor's point of view is quite interesting. Federica placed a hand on Astor's shoulder.

"Your majesty?" I nodded before letting Federica to speak.

"I spend a summer in the Holy Kingdom. I've seen things that aren't supposed to happened in a Holy Land. I suggest that we save the people of the Holy Kingdom- especially the unfortunate. The people who live on the streets are being surpressed by the people of power. If we need man power, my family will surely help us. Our knights are always on standby-" Astoria raised her hand.

"Federica, as the future wife of the prince, you need to calm yourself in any situation. I know you're worried for the innocents, even so, we can't save everyone. You need ready yourself for every possibility." Federica nodded before apologised.

"But what the lady said is true— the innocents shouldn't be sacrifice just because the pope think they can. Adelaide, released the shadows." Huh?

"Tell the priest to get ready—" Astoria stood up from her seat and smiled at everyone.

"Tell him he's going to be the new pope once I decapitate the head of the current pope with my sword. And, let's try saving as much people as we could. What do you say, Federica?" Huh?! Federica smiled before she followed Astoria out of the room with Astor. I turned to Astrid and Nicholas who seems to be as surprised as I am.

Astoria is going to war?! Then who's going to take care of the empire's affairs?!

"Astoria! Come back!" That woman!

To be continued.