The Lion's Mouth

"I saw her die in the hands of that thief!"

Artie was shocked when she was dragged into the events. She was also labeled 'thief'!

Polieus then acted like a man in despair. "I couldn't recognize her by then. Actually, if I was released earlier, I would have to look for the killer of my love." He then growled. "No wonder she knew I was doing something else in that hill. She was watching from afar!"

"Hey, I wasn't—!"

Lord Ellis moved his hand and gestured for Artie not to speak. He then responded to the murderer, "Your hands are tainted by the blood of another man, and your lips with lies to my court. You wish to avenge your love? What kind of justice are you aiming for?"

A gasp came from Polieus. He then pursed his lips and breathed loudly. "Your Grace, Adaram's death was coincidental. I didn't mean for him to die. I was terrified for myself and blinded by rage… that's why I lied to the court. Your Grace, I really—"

"I heard enough of your belittling. You regard the laws of this archduchy with no respect and my intellect as non-existent." Lord Ellis huffed as he got to his feet as if examining the crowd. He then walked up to the murderer, the soldiers and knights growing alert by the second.

"Your Grace, please I—"

"I do not listen to the fraud. Have you forgotten who I am?" Lord Ellis reached out and cupped his left hand on the man's face. "Everyone who insults the laws of this archduchy will be executed without mercy. The lives of those who belittle my court will be forfeited in an instant."

Shadows rushed from the end of Lord Ellis's sleeve and ran across Polieus's neck like a thin thread.

"Listen to me, citizens of Ellis Plains. I am your archduke, and I will decide what your fate will be on behalf of the demon emperors who ruled the seventeen devildoms. Insolence to me and my reign has no place here shall you wish to live."

Piak! The head came off from the neck clearly, but no blood dripped down. The body dropped to the floor lifelessly, and the sight caused an uproar to the witnesses. The vice commander came to the archduke, only to catch the head that the archduke tossed at him.

Lord Ellis turned his back to the witnesses and walked out to exit the hall, leaving everyone frozen in their spots. He only slowed down as he walked past Barda and Miel. "Strengthen the forces watching the plaza. Don't hesitate to fight if the demonstrators begin a riot."

He then vanished from everyone's sight.

"He can't do that!" Artie suddenly blurted and went to chase the archduke, breaking everyone out of their silence. The people would turn to her, but they were all shivering from the real demonstration.

Miel tried to stop her, but his hands only caught air. He had no choice but to command the soldiers to walk the people back to the city while Barda took some knights to reinforce the barricades in the plaza.

...

"Your Grace!" Artie Shen yelled along the hallway, but Lord Ellis didn��t care about her. He ignored her call until she screamed another name.

"Larkin Ellis!"

Larkin, the archduke, stopped his steps and looked over his shoulder. He saw Artie standing in the long hallway, huffing as she caught her breath. The woman then walked towards him and even past him, blocking his path back to his room. His eyes then rested on those piercing ones Artie was giving him.

Artie then started. "Do you have an idea what those words would mean to the people?

"Collection week will start in a few days, and the people are in despair over a matter that they shouldn't be even thinking about." Her voice started to grow high-pitched. "Can't you see that they're angry? That they're begging you! And it's not even like you wouldn't listen to them!

"Telling them that you decide on their life and death at this point will only result in a commotion. I know that you were deflecting the tax hike away from the people yourself, but the way you hide it from them… and lecture criminals…? This won't make them love you..."

Larkin brought his eyes off of her and only stared ahead, past her. "I don't need to be loved. Whether they love me or not doesn't change the fact that I'm archduke. If they wish to revolt, let them show off. Only those who are willing to hurt people should be the ones hurt."

A gasp came from the angel. "Are you willing to kill your subjects?"

For that very moment, a strange emotion flashed across Larkin's eyes. That very moment, Artie was shocked by the notification that struck her ears. He looked away and only side-stepped Artie. "Head back to your room if you have no more business outside, Artie Shen."

"Why…?" Artie's eyes widened, but it wasn't because she saw that strange flash. When she came to, Larkin was already out of sight. She then held on to her chest as she regulated her breathing.

She closed her eyes and reviewed the history of notifications somewhere in the archives. Just so she could understand every word that it said.

[You have lost a sliver of trust! Active task completion: 1%. Veneration + 4. Total meter points: 12; Veneration 5, Apostasy 7.]

'...I have the Apostasy route… don't I?' Artie bit her lip. 'What on Earth is this? What kind of angel picks Apostasy from the get-go?'

"Lady Shen!" Miel's voice traveled to her ears, and she only turned to him with a sobbing face. Miel was undeniably confused and bewildered. "What happened? Did you… did you fight with Lord Ellis?"

"I messed up… I really have no idea how to convince him. Moreover, I think I have become harsh." Artie sighed again before cupping the snood with her hand. If only her hair was free, she would comb or fiddle with it. "I'm sorry. Maybe… maybe he doesn't really care how the people would react."

Miel frowned. He then hummed and entered a thinking stance. "No, Lord Ellis had always placed the interest of the people before anything else, even the crown's. For him to behave like this especially now… there must be a reason. Why would he keep it from us?"

Artie lifted her eyes and studied Miel's frustrated look. She suddenly felt guilty that she couldn't help him think of an answer. It's just that… perhaps Miel had a blatant solution.

"You must apologize to him, Lady Shen." Miel's eyes flashed strangely as well, but this one was of vigor. "Lord Ellis might come off very hard to connect with, but he listens to the hearts of the people. If you tell him your apologies with utmost sincerity, he will forgive you. Please… don't give up."

"Why do I feel like you're planning something sinister?"

"Lady Shen… you're Lord Ellis's woman to the people of the castle. It wouldn't be odd for you to stay in his room for the night. Please take this time to convince him."

Artie's eyes widened at the suggestion and at the urging look coming from Miel's eyes. She then wailed inwardly. 'This is it! He's totally getting rid of me now! Miel, don't look at me like we're winning while you force my head into the lion's mouth!'