Vol.0 Ch.142 Paying for My Crimes


    <span ss="userText">Under the watchful eyes of the Royal Knights, the Duke and Belial arrived back at the mansion with no incident<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="userText">It was still the dead of night<span ss="aiText">, and most of the staff were asleep.


    <span ss="aiText">Only a few of his personal guards and a couple of maids were awake. The guards were at their posts and the maids were busy doing somete-night chores.


    <span ss="userText">Half of the knights that were watching over the Duke were the same knights that tried escorting ric to the pce earlier that night. <span ss="userText">Harlowe, Derrick, and Phn never thought they would be returning to the Divalo Manor <span ss="userText">after what happened. But when they were ordered to prevent ric from leaving the city because of treason. Some of them wanted some payback for humiliating them. While the other half of the Knights were led by the Captain of the Guards, Jeral. Just wanted to secure the manor for Lord Brice and his people.


    <span ss="userText">"Pff! So this piece of trash made us run all the way back to the pce<span ss="aiText"> only<span ss="userText"> for us to find out he was charged with treason? Oh! <span ss="editText">Maybe we should have him run all the way back to his manor just for fun,<span ss="aiText">" said <span ss="editText">Sir Harlowe as he red at the Duke<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">"We were ordered to make sure he doesn''t run away. And secure his coffers for the King''s council. There won''t be any additional action required unless he doesn''t cooperate," Jeral dered to the angered knight.


    <span ss="userText">"I hope he tries something Sir Jeral. Because<span ss="aiText"> I''ve been dying to beat him into the dirt," said Harlowe.


    <span ss="aiText">"You''re not the only one," Sir Derrick said.


    <span ss="userText">"Enough! Simply make sure to secure the manor and its staff. Nothing more, understand<span ss="aiText">," Jeralmanded.


    <span ss="aiText">The two knights sighed but agreed to do as they were advised.


    <span ss="userText">Jeral had his men establish a lookout outside the Duke''s Manor, and his main job was to keep an eye on the Duke''s activities.


    <span ss="userText">He was an older knight in histe forties. He had graying hair and had a short beard. He was an average-looking man, but his attitude made up for that.<span ss="aiText"> He was a man of integrity and didn''t take bribes or let the rich or nobility get away with breaking thew.


    <span ss="aiText">When the Duke''s carriage came through the front gates, Belial stopped the steeds and opened the door for his master.


    <span ss="aiText">"What are you hesitating for, Duke? Get out<span ss="editText"> and summon your entire staff outside the manor<span ss="aiText">," ordered Sir Jeral.


    <span ss="aiText">"What are you talking about?" ric asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Don''t y dumb with me. Get them out NOW!<span ss="aiText"> We''ll have a hard time if we have to force them all out of the manor. Make this easy for the both of us and call your people out," Sir Jeral said.


    <span ss="aiText">ric reluctantly stepped out of his carriage and sauntered over to the doors leading into his mansion.


    <span ss="userText">"Belial... Get everyone out of the manor, please<span ss="aiText">. Advise them not to resist, and just obey their orders," ric said.


    <span ss="userText">"Even your wife and children sir?"


    <span ss="aiText">ric hesitated for a moment.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Belial. Make certain they''re the first ones out," ric said.


    <span ss="userText">Belial wasn''t sure what to do, but he nodded and went to gather the staff.


    <span ss="userText">"Derrick,<span ss="aiText"> go with him," Jeral ordered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Sir Jeral," Derrick said and followed Belial into the manor.


    <span ss="aiText">Jeral had two of his men follow him and the Duke.<span ss="userText"> While the rest went around the perimeter<span ss="aiText"> of the manor to check for any vulnerable areas or possible escape routes.


    <span ss="aiText">ric took his guards and knights inside the manor with him.


    <span ss="userText">Belial went through every room and gathered all of his servants before getting her lordship, Duchess Leandra, and her children.


    <span ss="userText">Sara was fearful but held<span ss="aiText"> her little <span ss="editText">sister, Eleanora,<span ss="aiText">close to her.<span ss="editText"> While Jemma followed near by her older sister.<span ss="aiText"> She was attempting to stay strong but was on the threshold of weeping.


    <span ss="userText">Marcus on the other hand was angered that he was forced out of slumber by the staff and demanded what<span ss="aiText"> was going on.


    <span ss="aiText">"Why are you forcing us out of the house!?" Marcus asked as he was being escorted outside.


    <span ss="aiText">"Please calm down, Master Marcus.<span ss="editText"> Your father will<span ss="aiText"> exin everything once we''re outside," Belial said.


    <span ss="userText">"Tch! First, he berated me at the party, and now this<span ss="aiText">. This is humiliating," Marcus said.


    <span ss="aiText">ric had everyone meet him in the front courtyard. His wife was holding their young daughter while his <span ss="editText">son <span ss="aiText">was ring at him.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="userText">I never imagined I would see the day<span ss="aiText"> whe<span ss="editText">n<span ss="aiText"> my family would be humiliated like this. I can''t even look my children in the eyes,'' ric thought as he felt shame and dishonor.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">ric?... What''s going on? Why are the Royal Knights<span ss="aiText"> here?" Leandra asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">My gamble failed, Leandra. We are ordered to forfeit half of our money as retribution<span ss="aiText">," ric whispered.


    <span ss="aiText">Leandra and her children''s eyes widened.


    <span ss="aiText">"H-how could this happen," Leandra said.


    <span ss="aiText">"I was yed, dear. I thought I was the one pulling the strings, but I was a fool.<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="userText">"What was it that you failed at Father!?" Marcus demanded<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">ric was uncertain about informing him of the truth.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">My endeavor to get your cousin out of the way has failed... And you''ve been titled as the Viscount of Divalo."


    <span ss="aiText">Marcus was perplexed.<span ss="userText"> He was still a little too young to know the full<span ss="aiText"> extent of what happened tonight, but he knew that the King and his supporters had him demoted.


    <span ss="aiText">"That doesn''t make sense. How did we lose everything? How did I lose my title?<span ss="userText">Do you wish to make me suffer Father?! You keep advising me to be patient and now look what happened!<span ss="aiText"> Is this your doing father!?" Marcus shouted.


    <span ss="aiText">"I know it''s not eptable<span ss="userText">, Marcus! But life''s not fair! Everything was taken of us by the Fates and even when I tried my best the Fates kept<span ss="aiText"> mocking me and throwing all these obstacles in my path! I was blinded by my own purposes and I was a fool for thinking I could control them.<span ss="editText"> And we might have to acknowledge the reality that you will never be the King of Fiafyr.<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">NO!"


    <span ss="aiText">Marcus couldn''t believe his father.


    <span ss="aiText">"You don''t have to like it, Marcus. But you will grow up to be a great noble and have your ownnd and people. You''ll get to live a long life, have a family of your own, and build your own legacy.<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="aiText">"NO! You said I will be the King, Father! That''s why you raised me to be the perfect sessor to the throne!"


    <span ss="aiText">"Well, ns change,<span ss="editText"> my<span ss="aiText"> son."


    <span ss="aiText">"Father..."


    <span ss="aiText">"You''ll have to learn to be humble, Marcus. That is the most important lesson you''ll need.<span ss="editText"> Even if it seems unfair.<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="aiText">"How can I be humble when my destiny has been taken from me?!"


    <span ss="aiText">"Life has its ways of testing you, my son."


    <span ss="userText">The 9-year-old stood there looking at his father in contempt.


    <span ss="userText">"So, you are saying that I must bow down to my cousin?"


    <span ss="userText">"He is the future heir, Marcus... I tried my best but<span ss="aiText"> there is no way we cane back from this," ric said.


    <span ss="aiText">"So, that''s it? You''ve given up?! You want me to live my life as a lesser noble than my own cousin! When we have the same blood!? No! I will not ept it, Father! I will not let my life be wasted and forgotten! I will find a way to get the power and influence I need!<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="userText">ric<span ss="aiText">nced at his son with sympathy and a bit of dissatisfaction.


    <span ss="aiText">''He doesn''t get it... <span ss="editText">And it''s my fault.<span ss="aiText"> He''s been raised to be the heir and he will have a hard time understanding that the world doesn''t revolve around<span ss="userText"> us anymore. All we can do is make my nephew''s life a little harder<span ss="aiText">, <span ss="userText">and hope that he is foolish and inept to be the next King. Maybe he might perish at the hands of a monster... But that''s looking more and more<span ss="aiText">doubtful. And now that Quinus has an assassin protecting him, he might actually be the next King.''


    <span ss="aiText">Marcus was irate. His father had just epted defeat and his entire future had just gone down the drain.


    <span ss="userText">"Father! Vow to me that when I exhibit that I''m a better<span ss="aiText"> man and a more capable leader. That I will be given my proper birthright. You are my father and you were supposed to teach me <span ss="editText">how to rule<span ss="aiText">. Promise me that you will make things right<span ss="editText"> and aid me when the time is right<span ss="aiText">. Don''t make me grovel before you like some peasant begging for scraps."


    <span ss="aiText">"Marcus, I—"


    <span ss="aiText">"Promise me!"


    <span ss="aiText">"Alright... I promise, my son. Once you''ve proven yourself, I will give you all the support<span ss="userText"> that I can... But promise me that you willy lower and let the events of my failure blow over."


    <span ss="aiText">"I will, Father. You will see."


    <span ss="aiText">ric looked at his wife who had a stern look on her face.


    <span ss="aiText">"Leandra, I—"


    <span ss="aiText">"No. Not in front of the servants and guards, ric."


    <span ss="userText">It was then one of the Royal Knights came in<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is everyone here?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Sir. Everyone is present," Belial answered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Good. Give us a moment before. The Duke and his family will be allowed to retire back to your quarters.<span ss="userText"> Once Lord Bricees in to look over the gold that needs to be forfeited<span ss="aiText">, we will allow your staff to start their work. We''ll give you the time you need to prepare the funds. Once it''s ready we''ll be leaving. Do you understand?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, I do, Sir<span ss="userText"> Knight<span ss="aiText">," ric answered.


    <span ss="aiText">The Knight nodded and went back outside.


    <span ss="aiText">ric turned to his family.


    <span ss="aiText">"I am sorry, everyone. This will not happen again. I''ve made a mistake and now I must pay for it.<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="userText">***


    <span ss="userText">Two of the knights who were watching over the verbal dispute between ric and Marcus couldn''t help but shake their heads.


    <span ss="userText">"That kid is going to be a pain in the ass<span ss="aiText">," said <span ss="editText">Sir Derrick<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Definitely," said the other.


    <span ss="aiText">"He''s going to get himself killed one of these days."


    <span ss="aiText">"You''re telling me... <span ss="userText">I''ll report this to the Generalter<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Too bad we can''t just take care of him right now... He''s lucky that his father is still alive after pulling that crap... Some people are born<span ss="aiText"> lucky, some are not."


    <span ss="aiText">"Yep."


    <span ss="aiText">The two Knights went back to their post as the night went on<span ss="userText"> before a few carriages came rolling up with Lord Brice and his people.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is everyone ready?" Lord Brice asked as he got out.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Lord Brice," one of the knights said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Good. Let''s not waste any time," Lord Brice said as he walked past the knights<span ss="userText"> towards ric.


    <span ss="userText">"Duke Revelia... I''m hoping that you have all the paperwork detailing your finances<span ss="aiText">. We will have to check to see if you are telling the truth about what you''re worth. If you have lied to the King and his allies... Well, the consequences won''t be pleasant. So, let''s just make this painless for everyone and make the procedure a little easier. Shall we?" Lord Brice asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course," ric said.


    <span ss="aiText">***


    <span ss="aiText">The next day news started spreading all across the kingdom that Duke ric Revelia was charged with treason<span ss="editText">. He<span ss="aiText"> had lost <span ss="editText">half<span ss="aiText"> of his assets<span ss="userText"> and had to pay a 75 percent<span ss="aiText">tariff<span ss="editText">for the next ten years<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">The Kingdom of Fiafyr was shocked and the people were bewildered as to why the King <span ss="userText">was so merciful to his older brother.<span ss="aiText"> Some presumed that the King was merely ying with his brother. While others presumed that Duke Revelia was given a lighter sentence because he was a part of the royal family.


    <span ss="aiText">The people <span ss="editText">who<span ss="aiText"> worked for the Duke were shocked and <span ss="userText">some started distancing themselves from him. While others continued to support him from the shadows.


    <span ss="userText">Lord Brice was able to empty half of his coffers<span ss="aiText"> and left <span ss="editText">the <span ss="aiText">Duke''s manor feeling satisfied and confident that the Duke would not dare to make another attempt on the heir''s life.


    <span ss="aiText">Duke Revelia was left feeling bitter, and the people under his employ were worried that their livelihoods would be affected by the recent turn of events.


    <span ss="userText">He was sitting in his study the next day glimpsing out the window to observe a beautiful sunny day. It was as if the whole world was taunting him<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="userText">Tch!... I wish it was raining<span ss="aiText">, and the sky was full of dark clouds and thunder. How fitting for the mood I''m in. Damn the Fates!''


    <span ss="aiText">ric couldn''t believe he was defeated so easily. It was all he could think about sincest night.


    <span ss="userText">Belial knocked on the door of his master''s study.


    <span ss="userText">*Knock! Knock!*


    <span ss="userText">ric just stood there looking stoic. Still watching the world go by as he responded.


    <span ss="userText">"What is it Belial?<span ss="aiText">... Come in," ric said.


    <span ss="aiText">Belial slowly opened the door.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">The Knights have left the premises with Lord Brice, my Lordship. And luckily I made sure that he didn''t find the paperwork about the hidden coffers in Davilo ins."


    <span ss="aiText">"That''s good," ric said.


    <span ss="aiText">Belial was standing there feeling awkward.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is there something else, Belial?" ric asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, sir.<span ss="userText"> I thought you would be happy about<span ss="aiText"> the news. So why do you look like you''re grieving?"


    <span ss="aiText">ric was silent. He was just looking down at his desk.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">We can''t utilize that money Belial. Otherwise, we might get punished some more if my brother catches wind<span ss="aiText"> of it.<span ss="userText">"


    <span ss="userText">"But I thought we could use it to retain most of the lower nobles<span ss="aiText"> on our side."


    <span ss="aiText">"I<span ss="userText"> like the way you think, Belial... But we need to keep a low profile for the time being."


    <span ss="userText">Belial nodded his head and stood there still looking at his master.


    <span ss="userText">ric looked annoyed and asked, "Is there something else you like to discuss?"


    <span ss="userText">Belial bowed and said, "Yes, my Lord... Should I tell the Assassin''s Society that Wina Daz betrayed her client so she could be punished?<span ss="aiText"> Or should we have her in?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Let her go<span ss="userText"> for now... If we tell the Assassin''s Society that she breached her contract then they will send assassins to kill her."


    <span ss="userText">Belial looked confused, "Yes? And wouldn''t we want that, my Lord?"


    <span ss="userText">The Duke sighed, "She is now the main protector of my nephew and if an assassin tries to kill her with the Prince by her side then my brother will presume I requested another hit on my nephew''s life..."


    <span ss="aiText">"So, we are going to leave her alone, my <span ss="editText">L<span ss="aiText">ord?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Belial. For the time being. <span ss="userText">We most likely will need to wait until my nephewes of age and no longer needs her protection<span ss="aiText">. Then we can have her exterminated. But for now, <span ss="userText">leave her be<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">Belial bowed<span ss="userText"> again and stood there looking at the Duke once more.


    <span ss="userText">"Out with it Belial... I want to be left alone!<span ss="aiText"> So, tell me what you have to say, and then get out."


    <span ss="aiText">Belial stood straight and looked at his lord.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I know, my Lord... But I received two messages. The first one was from Viscount Lysender and Baron Dravenhart. Asking to meet with you in five months in the usual location to<span ss="aiText"> discuss their future agendas."


    <span ss="aiText">ric smiled and said, "Good. I''m d that those two will still be working with me even after my defeat."


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, and the other message was from<span ss="userText">... The Prime Minister... He wishes toe over for dinner<span ss="aiText"> tonight. Along with a few guests."


    <span ss="aiText">ric''s smile dropped and said, "<span ss="userText">So, he wishes to see me beg<span ss="aiText"> and grovel... I will not fall so low... Not for him... Not for the Fates. Not for anyone."


    <span ss="aiText">"Sir, <span ss="userText">it seems more like a demand than<span ss="aiText"> an invitation," Belial said.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="userText">He thinks that I will bow down to him and thank him for stopping my execution? Oh... I''ve got another thing nned for you, you bastard! It was his idea to try and cripple me by taking away all of my<span ss="aiText"> wealth. I''m no fool to believe that it was the King''s decision. He was the one that advised my brother on the matter.''


    <span ss="aiText">"Tell the cooks that we will be having the Prime Minister for dinner tonight...<span ss="userText"> Make sure we use our ''Finest'' food we can offer to one so<span ss="aiText">incredible."


    <span ss="aiText">Belial smiled and left his master''s study.


    <span ss="aiText">"And if the Fates were so cruel to me, then I will just have to be cruel to them in return."


    <span ss="aiText">The Duke was the kind of man to hold grudges<span ss="userText">. He knew he couldn''t do anything to Duval yet. But he wanted to glimpse into the eyes of a predictable man who expected ric would bend the knee in order to gain some benefits back. It was his M.O.<span ss="aiText"> after all.


    <span ss="aiText">Duval Wrightwood was a man who <span ss="userText">got his support by giving the higher nobles what they wanted when their luck was down. And now it was ric''s turn to receive Duval''s benevolence<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">''I hope he likes <span ss="editText">rotten <span ss="aiText">fish stew and stale bread.''


    <span ss="aiText">ric looked up and couldn''t help butugh about the opportunity to get back at the Prime Minister until he saw a ravennd on the windowsill.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="editText">Tch! A ck bird... <span ss="aiText">Maybe the Fates are mocking me again...<span ss="userText"> Whatever, I''m already down and I just need to be on my better behavior with only my brother and hispanions... Duval<span ss="aiText"> is nothingpared to them. Hell! He''s nobodypared to me!''


    <span ss="aiText">ric stood up and started wandering over to his office window<span ss="userText">. All he wanted was to be left alone, but it looked like he needed to entertain<span ss="aiText"> a few guests and masquerade like he was a grateful loser.


    <span ss="aiText">He couldn''t help but feel that his future would be bleak if he didn''t do anything to alter it.


    <span ss="userText">"Looks like I need to take a page out of the Divine Three''s ybook. I''ll need to start negotiating marriages for my daughters. Hopefully, I can get some influential foreign nobles to lend me their support<span ss="aiText"> and strength."


    <span ss="aiText">''I''ve been too stagnant, and I need to get a foothold and leverage that would allow me to have an upper hand. <span ss="userText">If I can''t get the throne for my son. Then perhaps I can help him be the Prime Minster instead."