CHAPTER 18: PUNISHMENT

3 days passed,

Pollux came to meet Empress Patricia. Duke Pollux Tutela, a man who was in his early fifties. He has short light blue hair, and grey eyes. He looks so cunning and experienced.

"You came, Brother" Empress Patricia said.

"Why did you call me urgently, Your Majesty?" Pollux asked, calmly.

Empress Patricia told everything to him.

"He's such a fool," said Pollux coldly.

"He's still young, Brother" Empress Patricia said.

"He passed the young age already, Your Majesty" said Pollux coldly.

"Can you do something to help him, Brother?" Empress Patricia asked.

"Do they have the evidence?" Pollux asked.

"I heard they have evidence but our people did not know much in details. His Majesty kept it secret. It's hard to find out," Empress Patricia said.

"If so, just wait for His Majesty to say something first. We should not do anything reckless. It will cause more trouble," Pollux said.

"All right," Empress Patricia said.

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At The Emperor's office,

"Did you make a decision, Your Majesty?" Caelum asked.

"I called you here to discuss about this matter. I will do as you said but you must support Princess Victoria as our agreement," Emperor Santino said.

"Yes, I'm willing to do so, Your Majesty" said Caelum delightedly.

"All right. I will proceed everything within 3 days," Emperor Santino said.

"I appreciate your wise decision, Your Majesty" Caelum said, pleasantly.

Emperor Santino processed all the documents to strip the title of The Crown Prince from Vulcan, remove his name from the royal family tree, and exile him to the countryside of Occidens. Apart from that, he also processed the document to officially crown Victoria as The Crown Princess.

He issued the death penalty as the punishment for Count Fortuna, the other culprits and the accomplices who committed the crimes and harmed The Princess of Dignita.

"Proceed all the documents right away," Emperor Santino said.

"Yes, Your Majesty" Monica said and left.

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In Vulcan's Bedroom,

"What will happen to me, Mother?" Vulcan asked, anxiously.

"I don't know. Your uncle wants His Majesty to say something first," Empress Patricia said, nervously.

"I didn't think I would be caught, Mother" said Vulcan anxiously.

"Why didn't you think before you did it?" Empress Patricia said, angrily.

"I don't want to marry her," said Vulcan anxiously.

'Knock' 'Knock'

The royal knights came inside the room.

"Please forgive me, Sir" a royal knight said.

"What sir? He's The Crown Prince. Why are you so rude?" Empress Patricia said, angrily.

"This is an order from The Emperor, Your Majesty" a royal knight handed the royal decree to Empress Patricia.

"What? His name was removed from the royal family tree? He has no right to the throne and he will become a commoner? And he must be exiled?" Empress Patricia said, her hands were trembling. She was likely to faint.

"Please excuse us, Your Majesty" a royal knight said.

"What? No…Mother," Vulcan said, while he was being taken by the royal knights.

Empress Patricia hurriedly went to meet Emperor Santino after she came back to her senses. She requested an audience but Emperor Santino refused to meet her. She was worried about Vulcan and hurriedly went to meet Pollux at Tutela Manor in the capital.

★*:.｡. ✧☆✧ .｡.:*★

At the magic tower,

'knock' 'knock' 'knock'

A sage knocked the door loudly.

Margaret opened the door and irritably said, "Why did you knock the door so loud?"

"Did you still act high and mighty? Everyone knew your father committed serious crime," a sage sneered.

"What are you talking about?" Margaret asked, nervously. She acted innocent.

"The Great Sage wanted you to move out of the magic tower within today," a sage said, unkindly.

"What? My father donated a lot of money here. I would like to talk to The Great Sage," said Margaret angrily.

"He went out for other business and he said he has nothing to talk to you. Just move out," a sage said, unkindly.

"Don't you know I will be the crown princess?" Margaret asked, angrily.

"Ha! Don't you know The Crown Prince was exiled? He's no longer a royal price," a sage sneered.

"What? No! You can't kick me out like this," said Margaret anxiously.

"Say what you want. We will use force if you did not move out today," a sage sneered and left.

Margaret sank into deep despair. She has nowhere to go and she will run out of money soon.

★★★

The next day,

At the city of the capital,

The royal knights took Count Fortuna, Novus, and 5 of royal knights who helped Count Fortuna committing the crimes to execute publicly.

There were many people looking and throwing the rocks and rotten eggs to them. Some of them suffered from the doings of Rogatio Guild, especially loan shark and the force of making slave.

Margaret, who disguised herself by dying her hair color and wearing cloak, looking at her father sadly. Fortunately, there was no evidence relating to her. She slowly walked out of that area and got into shabby carriage to travel to Austellus.

★*:.｡. ✧☆✧ .｡.:*★

In Emperor Santino's office,

Pollux requested an audience with The Emperor.

"Might I ask why Your Majesty made the harsh punishment to The Crown Prince?" Pollux asked.

"He's no longer a royal price, Duke Tutela" Emperor Santino said, calmly.

Emperor Santino showed the recording magic tool, which Novus confessed everything to him.

Pollux was angry with his nephew but he tried to help him, then said, "Was it necessary to remove his name from the royal family tree, Your Majesty? Could you please reconsider about this punishment?"

"I considered everything carefully before I made a decision, Duke Tutela. Vulcan got what he wanted since he was young but I have never seen him did something proper to be considered as The Crown Prince. Haven't you heard about his behavior in the past few years?" Emperor Santino said, coldly.

Pollux was speechless for a moment, then persistently said, "Could you please forgive him this time, Your Majesty?"

"I could forgive him if it was not The Princess of Dignita. He wanted to tarnish her. It means he wanted to tarnish the name of Dignita. Are you willing to be an enemy with The Grand Duke of Dignita? Everyone knew very well that Dignita was the beginning of Mirarus Empire," Emperor Santino said. He reminded him about the fact that Vulcan really crossed the line.

"Could we talk to The Grand Duke once more, Your Majesty?" Pollux asked, persistently.

"He was very angry since Vulcan annulled the engagement on his own. And then, Vulcan hired people to tarnish his daughter. Do you think he is willing to talk?" Emperor Santino said, angrily.

"But I heard she was all right, Your Majesty" Pollux said.

"You should be grateful that The Princess of Dignita was all right, or else, The Grand Duke will request Vulcan's life and The Royal Family will collapse," Emperor Santino said, angrily. "Forget about Vulcan. He has no right to the throne. Everything has proceeded."

"Please have a mercy, Your Majesty" Pollux begged him.

"There will be no talk about Vulcan, Duke Tutela" Emperor Santino said.

"But…is it all right to crown Princess Victoria The Crown Princess?" Pollux asked, persistently.

"She's better than Vulcan in every way even though she got wrongdoings from the empress," Emperor Santino said, coldly.

Pollux was angry but stayed calm.

"Don't do something foolish. You knew that I have the right to change the lords of Occidens and Aquilo immediately if I saw it fit. And you should know the fact that Princess Victoria and Commander Ignacia are close friends," Emperor Santino warned him and said, "if there is nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty" Pollux said and left. He was angry but he could do nothing. He knew that he should not do anything at his own risk.

Empress Patricia saw Pollux coming out of The Emperor's office. She hurriedly walked toward him and said, "Could you change His Majesty's mind, Brother?"

Pollux looked around, then said, "Let's talk somewhere else, Your Majesty" He was very angry but stayed calm.

They moved to the garden.

Pollux told everything to Empress Patricia.

"I should kill her since she was young," Empress Patricia said, angrily.

"Watch your mouth," Pollux said, lowering his voice to a whisper "His Majesty knew what you did to her since she was young. If you made Tutela collapse with your wrongdoings, I will kill you myself."

"Brother!" Empress Patricia said, angrily.

"Just behave yourself. You can't stay in your position for long," Pollux said and left.

Empress Patricia came to realize the meaning of Pollux's word after she was ordered to move to the secluded palace in a few days later.

★★★

After all the situation became clear, Ignacia went to meet Benito at The Fama Guild.

"Thank you for giving me the information, Benito. Take this as a token of my gratitude," Ignacia said and handed a hundred gold coins to him.

"Whoa, it's too much, Lady Ignacia" Benito said, surprisingly.

"Please keep it. The situation would be worst if you did not come to tell me that day," said Ignacia gratefully.

"All right. Let's go upstairs. Ma'am wanted to talk to you, Lady Ignacia" Benito said.

Ignacia followed him into Theodora's office.

"You came. I heard you did many achievements, Lady Ignacia" said Theodora nicely.

"It's all thanks to your information, Ms. Theodora" Ignacia said, "Is there anything you want? If it's not illegal things, I'm willing to give it to you."

"Hmm…Did you forget about our deal? I owe you many things. It's nothing compared to what you had done for us. Moreover, you wiped out one of our competitors. That's good enough," said Theodora, she smiled a smile of satisfaction.

"All right," Ignacia said.

★★★

A month passed,

Ignacia went to The Medietas Palace after she was invited for luncheon by The Grand Duke of Dignita.

A butler welcomed her and said, "The Grand Duke has something to talk to you privately first. Please come this way, Lady Ignacia" He led her to the reception room.

'Knock' 'Knock'

"Lady Ignacia is here, Your Highness" a butler said.

"Let her in," Caelum said.

"Your Highness," Ignacia said and bowed to him.

"You don't need to be formal. Have a seat, Commander" said Caelum nicely, "thank you for accepting my invitation. I heard you're very busy."

"It's me who being grateful to Your Highness for inviting me," Ignacia said.

"You're so humble, Commander" Caelum said, delightedly.

"I heard you have something to talk to me, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"That's right, I will get straight to the point. I would like to return the favor to you. You helped us many things," Caelum said.

"It's all right, Your Highness. I didn't help The Princess because I want something in return," said Ignacia sincerely.

"Even my daughter?" Caelum asked.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"I heard you proposed to her after Vulcan annulled the engagement. Don't you want to marry her?" Caelum asked.

"To be honest, I would like to marry her but she was not willing to. I'm afraid she would be hurt, Your Highness" said Ignacia honestly.

"It was very considerate of yours. You should win her heart. I will support you," said Caelum nicely.

"I'm grateful for your kindness, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"Shall we have the lunch? Everyone is in the dining room," Caelum said.

"Yes, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

Ignacia followed Caelum to the dining room. She saw Aeliana, Celestino, and Estella sitting in the dining room.

"Your Highness, The Grand Duchess, Your Highness, The Prince, Your Highness The Princess" Ignacia said and bowed to them.

"You don't need to be formal, Lady Ignacia" said Aeliana nicely.

"Please take a seat," Caelum said.

Ignacia sat beside Celestino, which was arranged for her.

"Thank you for saving our Estel, Lady Ignacia" said Celestino nicely.

"It's my pleasure to do so, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"We can't thank you enough, Lady Ignacia" said Aeliana nicely.

"I'm glad to be some help, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"I heard you often go to exterminate the monsters at the border, Lady Ignacia" said Celestino eagerly.

"Yes, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

"You're so great. I really admired you," said Celestino nicely.

"Thank you, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

Estella looked at Celestino talking to Ignacia. It reminded her that Celestino likes Ignacia.

"Could I invite you to have dinner sometime?" Celestino asked, eagerly.

"Ahem, you should let Commander have her lunch properly, Celestino" Caelum interrupted him.

"Oh, I'm really sorry, Lady Ignacia" Celestino said.

"It's all right, Your Highness" Ignacia said.

After we finished the lunch, Ignacia and Estella walked to the main gate together.

"What did you talk with my father, Igna?" Estella asked, curiously.

"His highness expressed his gratitude to me," Ignacia said.

"How strange?" Estella asked, curiously.

"Ah, we talked about politic matter as well," Ignacia told her a lie.

"Is that so?" Estella said, curiously.

"Well, then, I will excuse myself," Ignacia said. She hurriedly ended the conversation to avoid her question.

"All right, good bye," Estella said.

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