540 The Solemn Queen (2/2)
”I believe that such actions must be contained, or it will be our turn soon.”
”Contained? All the Church ever did was to apologize and then to forget their apology! Perhaps our balance strategy is a mistake!”
The nobles discussed angrily, as Natasha expected. The Church could've denied Grunwell's identity, if somebody other than Sard were the Grand Cardinal of the Holm parish.
”Your Majesty, such a crime must be punished! Hang David, burn Grunwell, and ask the Church to compensate!” The nobles, regardless of their sides, offered similar opinions.
Natasha nodded. ”They shall be tried fairly, but I've summoned the meeting today because Count David confessed that he was instigated by Count Barady with Duke York's involvement.”
The noise stopped again. All the nobles were shocked save the few who knew about it in advance. Both Duke York and Count Barady were bit shots in the Parliament of Nobles. There would be a major shock now that they were involved. Also, 'Heart of Time' was behind Duke York after all.
Thinking about that, they all looked at Count Barady and prayed that it was not true. The kingdom could not afford a civil war.
Rex, on the other hand, glared at Barady in fury. A reckless fool!
Count Barady slowly stood up. ”Your Majesty, I deny the accusation against me. I would like to confront David. I never instigated or hinted him to assassinate you. Duke York is as innocent as me. You can ask him, too.”
He associated himself with York, hoping to minimize his penalty with the influence of 'Heart of Time'. Besides, indeed no evidence of instigation was left.
”I've asked someone to invite Duke York.” Said Natasha calmly, which made Count Barady ill at ease. ”Your Majesty, I would like David to confront me in front of all nobles.”
Natasha waved her hands, and a knight pushed the shackled David in.
”Hahaha, Barady, you still want to deny it? It was you who fermented hatred in my heart. It was you and York who taught me how to kill the queen.” David laughed crazily, causing a great scene.
Count Barady smiled. The crazier, the better. As long as he linked himself to York, there would be a great chance that he could get away with it. ”Would you please tell them how we instigated and allured you?”
David was stunned. Unable to think of any convincing speech, he made up a few lines according to the prior confession.
Barady raised his voice, ”Your Majesty, he is lying! We never said such things! I would like a cleric to test the veracity of his words!”
He believed that he never said anything that was punishable. He was confident of himself!
Looking at Natasha sincerely, Count Barady said, ”Would you please repeat your acquirement of his confession, Your Majesty? I'm angry about David's setup.”
He put on a smile.
At this moment, another knight walked in and fell on one of his knees, ”Your Majesty, Duke York has killed himself. This is his confession letter, which described Count Barady's doings in details.”
The hall burst into whispers again. It was a totally unexpected change.
What? York killed himself?
What about the Heart of Time?
Why did he confess?
Count Barady collapsed on his seat, his brain too muddled for him to hear any voices or see anything.
It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't be like this!
Natasha knocked the mallet and announced calmly, ”Based on valid proof, Count Barady is found guilty of treason. He will be hanged, his title and his fief lingdi renounced…”
The nobles listened to Natasha sentence in confusion: ”… His fief will be divided into five parts. The largest part will go to the royal family, and the other four parts will be bequeathed to Duke James, Duke Russell, Duke Henson and Countess Camil for their successful prevention of the assassination…”
”… All members of the Barady family will be deprived of their titles. The main members will be exiled to the northland…”
”Duke York confessed before he killed himself, and he was not the mastermind. His family shall not be punished…”
The cold and grave voice echoed, soaking the nobles in sweat. That was a real great noble that was backed by a legendary knight!
In the past, Natasha was merely a talented level-seven knight and a lady with unparalleled beauty in their eyes. But after the verdict, as the Heart of Time backed off and the great nobles collapsed, Natasha had truly evolved into an intimidating queen in their minds!
Rex shook his head at Barady's collapse. Now that the queen boldly convened the meeting, it meant that deals and compromises had already been made in private. Your destiny was already fixed. However you defended yourself, any noble with keen eyes could tell that something was not right when David made the confession. As long as the clerics or the neutral nobles interrogated you, they would get more convincing proof, which might involve other people.
However, he found Barady's dying struggle understandable, too.
......
After Lucien returned to Allyn, he was summoned by Fernando immediately.
”Considering your ability of inviting dangers, I've decided to talk to Douglas and ask him to get the improved 'Life Hiding'. Think about which body part you can get rid of first.” Fernando spoke straightforwardly.
Lucien looked at himself. His left fingers were certainly not an option, as they would nullify 'Life Hiding', and a missing right finger would affect his spell-casting and his piano-playing. Therefore, he said, ”The little toe on my left foot.”
Then, Lucien thought of a critical question. ”Master, do I need to pay for it?”
”Do you want me to pay for it?” Fernando replied, not in a good mood. He had to make other sacrifices just to let the Hand of Paleness agree to offer the ritual magic.