His Highness’ Purgatory of Justice

Since Matthew gained his new title and role— that is the Grand Duke's concubine, he finally had peace and settled like an obedient dog. Kaiser only agreed because of Matthew's request because of his "I never asked for anything, but can't you grant this for me?" In result, Kaiser felt guilty, because that's correct, Matthew never asked from him but this, being his concubine.

Matthew sat on his seat after kissing Kaiser, he picked a few books to read from Kaiser's shelves and sat there in silence. Kaiser was, however, all red from forehead to chin. The Grand Duke is indeed bullyable. Kaiser was yet again, arranging another pile of documents to be handed over to the detective and its team.

Matthew looked up from his book and smiled at Kaiser, who was still red-faced and flustered, "That was quite something," Matthew said, his voice low and teasing, "I had no idea I could make you blush like that." 

Kaiser looked up from his papers and met Matthew's eyes, his expression turning serious, "Yes, well, I suppose I'm not used to such public displays of affection on my part," he said, his voice measured, "It's a new experience for me, and it will take some time to get used to."

Matthew nodded, understanding. "I hear you," he said. "I'll try to be more respectful of your boundaries in the future."

The case of Elise Chamber is truly a complex thing, even The Grand Duke only can provide the important documents and give the opportunity to his detectives. After sorting the documents out, Kaiser sealed it in a package, putting the documents together, getting ready for the transit. 

Matthew watched as Kaiser worked on the case of Elise Chamber. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the man's determination and ability to focus on his work despite the many distractions. He was truly impressed with the way Kaiser handled his responsibilities as the Grand Duke, and he knew that he was lucky to be a part of his life in some small way. 

As Kaiser finished sealing the package, Matthew stood up from his seat and approached him, "Is there anything else I can do to help, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice respectful. 

Kaiser looked up at him and shook his head, "No, thank you, Maximino. You've been a great help today. Just knowing that I have you by my side gives me the strength to tackle any challenge that comes my way." 

Matthew smiled, feeling a sense of pride at Kaiser's words, "I'm glad to hear it, Your Grace. I'm always here for you, whether you need me to be your concubine or your advisor. Just say the word, and I'll be there for you." 

The two heard the door knock thrice, behind the door, there's a voice of the servant saying, "Your Grace, the detectives have arrived" 

Matthew watched as Kaiser stood up from his seat and straightened his waistcoat, clearly readying himself for the arrival of the detectives. He had helped Kaiser with the case of Elise Chamber to the best of his ability, and he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment at having played a part in solving the mystery of her death. 

As Kaiser gathered his things and greeted the detectives at the door, Matthew felt a wave of affection for the man. He had always admired Kaiser's strength and determination, and the way he handled himself with poise and grace. He had never seen him lose his cool, even in the face of the most difficult challenges. 

But as Kaiser walked out the door, Matthew couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. He knew that he was just a concubine, and that his place in the Grand Duke's life was limited. He wanted to be more than just that, to have a greater role in Kaiser's life, to be his advisor, his confidant, his everything. 

It was a wish that he knew could never be fulfilled, but that he couldn't help but feel nevertheless. And as he sat there in the Grand Duke's office, surrounded by the remnants of the case of Elise Chamber, he couldn't help but think back on the words Kaiser had spoken to him earlier: "Just knowing that I have you by my side gives me the strength to tackle any challenge that comes my way." He knew that those words held a power that he couldn't begin to comprehend, and that he was lucky to have Kaiser's trust and affection, even in such a limited capacity.

As Kaiser finished seeing off his detectives, he entered the study, he turned back to Matthew one last time, his eyes full of gratitude, "Thank you, Maximino. I couldn't have done this without you." 

Matthew smiled, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction at being able to help the man he had grown to admire and love, "It's been my pleasure, Your Grace. Always remember that you are never alone in this world."

"Maximino, I'm going to the Court to strip a banana, wanna come?" Kaiser asked as he removed his frock coat to the rack, wearing it by straightening his arm. 

Stripping a banana only meant one thing, The Grand Duke is going to strip someone's title, it is either because this person committed a crime under his title, or greatly offended the Grand Duke in every way of the law. Matthew was, of course, overjoyed and excited, he'd never seen Kaiser strip off someone's title, what could this person do to The Grand Duke to get his title stripped? 

"Make your decision quick, the carriage is ready." The Grand Duke added.

Matthew's heart raced as Kaiser spoke, and he quickly replied, "I'd be honored to join you, Your Grace."

The Grand Duke smirked and said, "You'll enjoy this, it's quite a show." 

As they stepped out into the courtyard, Matthew couldn't help but wonder who would be the victim of the stripping. What kind of person would have the audacity to offend the Grand Duke in such a way? He felt a mix of excitement and dread, knowing that he was about to witness something that only a few people had ever seen. 

As they were seated in the luxurious carriage and taken off to the Capitol, Matthew's imagination ran wild with possibilities. Would it be someone he knew and respected? Or someone he had always suspected of being up to no good? He couldn't wait to find out who it was, and what they had done to warrant such a severe punishment.

As Kaiser stepped out of the carriage, his eyes were set on the building, where the stripping would take place. Matthew followed closely behind, trying to keep up with the Grand Duke's long strides. He felt a mix of nerves and excitement, knowing that he was about to witness something he had only heard of in rumors. 

As they entered the Royal Danschen Court, Kaiser's presence demanded attention, and all eyes were on him. Matthew felt a sense of pride at being the Grand Duke's companion for this event, and he looked forward to seeing the face of the person who would have their title stripped.

Upon seeing Matthew by The Grand Duke's side, whispers and murmurs began to waft in the atmosphere, saying 'What's the Marquis doing here?' so on and so forth. In the Royal Court, a nobleman isn't allowed to such a place, unless they work in the Royal Court. Especially the Marquis Maximono, who had such a background. Matthew knitted his eyebrows, pushed his half framed glasses up to the bridge of his nose. 

"What're you looking at?" Matthew asked angrily, "You all dare to disrespect me like this? murmuring shit in front of the Grand Duke and me? his concubine?!" 

All of the elite were astonished; they all bowed with respect, and greeted nervously. they knew what the Grand Duke came for, it is for their co-worker's doing, Henry sued the crown prince— The Grand Duke, they all knew that Henry was about to be stripped out of the title, it is also the greatest offense for The Grand Duke, they couldn't even imagine what will The Grand Duke would do to Henry.

"Where's Henry Rowe?" Kaiser called out, his voice felt very controlling, as if it was the tyrant duke that was rumored. 

The whispers and murmurs quickly died down as Kaiser called out for Henry. Matthew could sense the tension in the room as he looked around at the elite, many of whom had known Henry for years and were now forced to witness his downfall. 

As Henry made his way towards the front of the room, his eyes were downcast and he looked like a defeated man. Matthew couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for him, knowing that whatever he had done must have been truly heinous to warrant such a severe punishment.

"Ah.. so you were the one who opposed my decision on making public schools for the common people." Kaiser hummed, "What, when I argued with you and you lost the argument, did you feel that your pride was crushed within the eyes of your co-workers, and they saw how heartless you are, that you aren't willing at all to build schools for the poor, that you aren't willing to cooperate to lift Landroich's half of the population from poverty."

Kaiser walked closer to Henry, his voice cold, dripping with malicious intent, "In fact, those common people whom you called 'rat' should be you, without them, you are nothing but a disgusting rat, without them, you aren't noble." 

The Grand Duke laughed sarcastically, "and you dared to sue the crown prince? me?"

Henry's eyes widened in shock, The Grand Duke is a crown prince? an Archduke?! Of course, everyone didn't expect that, they'd assume that the crown prince had long died with the assassination of the former King.

"That's right." Kaiser said, "I'm Kaiser Dämonisch"

The Grand Duke reached for Henry's badge, that badge that represents his authority, power and title as the elite. He threw it on the ground and crushed it into pieces by just stepping on it with his loafers once.

Henry's eyes widened in shock as he realized that the man he had sued was, in fact, the crown prince of the kingdom. He felt a sickening sense of dread in his stomach, knowing that he had truly messed up this time. 

With a heavy heart, Henry looked down at his badge, now nothing more than a crushed piece of metal on the ground. He felt as though he had been stripped of everything, his identity as an elite taken away in an instant. The humiliation was almost too much to bear, but he knew that he had no one to blame but himself. 

The Grand Duke stood over him, his voice cold and dismissive. Henry tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He felt like a little child, standing before a powerful figure who held his fate in his hands.

"Oh dear, I'm not done," Kaiser uttered, his voice turned velvety in an instant, nevertheless, the malicious intent remained, "You want to see the tyrant?" He asks.

"Be my guest, Henry Rowe." Kaiser whispered.

The room fell into a chilling silence, pregnant with an eerie anticipation. Kaiser's voice, once smooth and seductive, had taken on a sinister edge, the transformation sending shivers down the spines of those present. His words hung heavy in the air, a promise of unspeakable cruelty about to unfold. 

As the tension thickened, a figure emerged from the shadows, a phantom draped in a cloak of black that concealed his identity like a shroud of darkness. His eyes, sharp and calculating, fixated upon the Grand Duke with an eerie reverence. A palpable aura of subservience surrounded him, an unsettling contrast to the impending violence that was about to be unleashed. 

Henry Rowe, The Grand Duke, met the man's gaze with a mixture of trepidation and defiance, his heart pounding in his chest like a trapped bird desperate to escape its cage. The mere presence of the cloaked figure sent a wave of dread coursing through his veins, an omen of the torment that awaited him. 

The man's voice, when he spoke, was devoid of emotion, an instrument of execution carrying out its master's bidding, "Your Majesty, what can I do for you?" The words hung in the air, a grim acknowledgment of the power dynamic at play, as though a puppet had spoken them under the spell of a malevolent puppeteer. 

Kaiser's command echoed with a macabre finality, the proclamation of a gruesome fate that chilled the marrow of even the most resolute souls, "Remove his tongue out, along with his intestines and shove it down to his throat." The words were a decree of agony, a symphony of suffering that would be orchestrated by the very hands of the cloaked figure.

"But first," The Grand Duke interrupted, "Do it in the purgatory, While I follow you from the carriage, start the torment when me and Maximino, and Henry arrive, prepare my gloves as well." Kaiser said and turned his back away, while Matthew followed him from behind.

The cloaked figure nodded and disappeared immediately, leaving just Henry and Kaiser in the Capitol. Henry was frozen in horror, his mouth agape as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He had heard stories of the Grand Duke's ability to deliver swift and merciless justice, but never had he thought that it would be aimed at him. 

As the cloak figure disappeared, Henry turned to Kaiser with a mix of defiance and despair, "Do you think this is justice?" he asked, the anger welling up inside him, "Do you think this is what a leader should be?" 

Kaiser walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Justice is not always what you want it to be, Henry," he said coldly, "Sometimes it's best to let the greater good take precedence. I have given you many chances to do the right thing, and you have failed every time."

Henry struggled to speak, but the words wouldn't come. He simply looked down at the ground, defeated. 

The carriage ride to the Grand Duke's purgatory was silent, with only the sounds of the horses' hooves on the cobblestones filling the air. Matthew looked at Kaiser with a mixture of fear and awe, wondering if he would ever have to face such a fate himself. 

'The Grand Duke's Purgatory' is where the Grand Duke torture the criminals to repent their sins, such as criminals who murdered people, the people to defected Landroich and so on. The Purgatory is a famous place in Landroich. The Purgatory also holds the public execution: beheading the criminals as the punishment, depending on how severe the crime committed against the law. In is one of a hellish sight to see, in the courtyard of The Purgatory, you'll see stiff corpses with poses, some corpse was their tongue pulled, lips were sewn together, some corpses has its own penis was ripped off, gouged its eyeballs with a sign that exposes what sin did they committed.

But in Henry's case, Henry failed to understand what his role as an elite means: It is also a sign of ignorance and betraying the Landroich as well. He dared to sue the crown prince, which is a great offense, you're literally asking for death if you did. 

As they arrived at the purgatory, Matthew could see the cloaked figure waiting for them, his hand resting on a sharp blade. With a nod from Kaiser, the figure began to move, and Henry took his first steps into his personal hell. Kaiser left the carriage with Matthew, taking a separate route from Henry's as he was being led by an unnamed man, covered in black cloak.

The Purgatory was a dark and haunting place, with dimly lit candles casting long shadows on the cobblestone walls. Henry's footsteps echoed as he followed the cloaked figure down a long, twisting corridor. The air was thick and heavy, and for Henry it felt like the weight of his crime growing heavier with every step he took. 

As they reached the end of the corridor, the figure stopped and pointed to a large metal door. "You're here," they said, before walking away and disappearing back down the corridor. 

Henry approached the door and pushed it open, revealing a small, dank cell. The room was bare, with nothing but a cot and a bucket in the corner. The air was musty and damp, and the stench of decay hovered heavily in the air. Henry felt very dizzy from the stench, he'd never smelled this scent in his whole life in nobility, but as soon as he stopped his tracks, the man behind him pushed him violently towards the chair.

As Kaiser and Matthew took the other path on the way, Matthew couldn't help but ask, "If I may, Your Grace, is it.. very necessary to kill him?" 

"He had the audacity to sue me, to question my authority. Do you have any idea how big of a crime that is?" Kaiser said, his voice laced with anger. "I cannot just let a traitor go unpunished. This will make sure that no one will dare to question me or the Crown Prince again."

Kaiser continued coldly, "He went against the throne so flagrantly. It is the only way to show others to not make the same mistake." 

Matthew nodded, though he did not seem convinced. Still, he kept his mouth shut, realizing that the Grand Duke's mind was made up. As they walked, they could hear Henry's muffled screams from the cell. Matthew could not bear to listen any longer and put his hands over his ears. Kaiser, however, walked on without so much as a grimace. 

They eventually reached a quiet clearing, with a small table and two chairs in the middle. Matthew could see a woman, dressed in black and wearing a mask that covered her face, waiting for them at the table. Her eyes were downcast, but she looked up as they approached.

"This is the executioner, Maximino," Kaiser explained to Matthew. "She is an expert in her craft. I hope your stomach is strong, for this will not be a pleasant sight." Matthew nodded, feeling his nerves start to get the best of him. He hoped that the execution would be swift and painless for Henry's sake.

The masked lady bowed as she handed Kaiser his gloves to wear. Kaiser never liked contact with nobody or someone who is close to him, also, The Grand Duke is also a clean freak. This is a must whenever Kaiser would kill and he knew his hands would be drenched with the sinner's blood. Then, The masked lady bowed in front of Matthew as if saying 'Pardon me for doing such a thing.'

And as Kaiser's gloved hands prepared to set the wheels of fate in motion, the room seemed to hold its breath, suspended in a tense silence that echoed with the knowledge that the forthcoming act would forever alter the lives of those who bore witness.