The plan was in motion at that very moment and according to Cassian, they did not even need to use their ‘secret weapon’ as everyone involved with Lady Marie started to talk and confess to all their crime and I can only think that it was due to the public’s pressure that the noblemen turned against each other.

　　“Everything was revealed.” Gideon started as we all gathered at his study. “From the assassination attempt during the debutante party, the infidelity scandal, Declan Wright’s murder, framing Lord Isaiah and even the princess’ kidnapping, everything was exposed by their own mouth.”

　　“Everything…?” I asked, almost in disbelief.

　　“Seems like these noble folks would do anything to save their own hides.” Isaiah grumbled.?

　　“Either way, this is looking great for us! they can start turning against each other while we can return to the palace now that there are no threats loitering around.” Cassian looked over the moon, happy that everything was coming to an end soon and I wanted to share that sentiment, even when I could feel my heart begging to escape my chest. How was it possible that I was both happy and terrified at the same time?

　　Before I could even agree with Cassian’s statement, Gideon shook his head. “We can only start celebrating once Lady Marie and her devoted followers are all behind bars.”

　　“Technically, if they are found guilty over this—she and the others will be sentenced to death due to their crimes, especially treason to the crown for being involved in Emperor Byron’s dead and Cordelia’s attempted assassination and kidnapping. These are really serious crimes in the country after all.” Augustus explained.

　　There was a moment of silence in the room before they turned to me, as though waiting for my response for this sudden thought. I knew from the beginning that this would end with someone’s death, it was either going to be me or my enemies and now that Lady Marie and the others were one step closer away from their eternal punishment and strangely, I did not feel sad nor pity for them—I only felt calm at the thought that I could finally move on with my life.

　　“I am aware of the laws of this country.” I said to them, not really sure why they had their attention on me in the first place.

　　“Naturally, although, since you are the next empress of the Southern Kingdom, you have the power to give individuals royal pardons.” Gideon explained. “If that is what you would want to do.”

　　“I don’t see a reason for her to pardon the scums who killed her father and tried to kill her as well. That’s just inviting more troubles to come up in the near future.” Isaiah said with a huff.

　　“Sadly, I agree with Isaiah.” Cassian sighed, causing Isaiah to glare at him.

　　“Oftentimes, when people see their ruler pardon someone who had committed crimes, they are seen to be kind and forgiving. If you want to win over the public’s heart, giving an official pardon to Lady Marie if she is sentenced to death might be the way to go.” Augustus explained.

　　“That’s bullshit.” Isaiah spat.

　　“But he does have a point,” Cassian added.

　　“You changed your mind rather quickly.”

　　Cassian shrugged. “I can understand and see the appeal of both choices. Although, I find it hard to understand what you are thinking by the looks of your face, Cordelia.”

　　“We do not even know the outcome of the trial yet and you are already asking me if I would give them a pardon?” I asked, keeping myself as calm as I could manage.

　　“These are just hypothetical situations. I am just offering you a choice to be made.” Gideon said.

　　“Hypothetical or not, Gideon, I believe that everyone is this room knows what my answer would be.” I said, standing up as I was ready to leave since we had to head out soon. A silence followed after and for a split second, I doubted myself, wondering if I was being too cruel. But I immediately remembered Lady Marie and her words to me in that dark room, I remembered that there was no ounce of regret in her voice as she told me about the things she did to Rosaline and my father, of the things she allowed to be done to me—so why should I show any mercy to her?

　　“You may be a fighter, Cordelia, but you are not a murderer. I do not wish to see your heart be burdened by the reality of this world.” Gideon stated, causing me to stop in my tracks. I turned to him and smiled.

　　“But Gideon, I have already been exposed to the reality of this world, do you really think I would mourn the death of those who tried to kill me? And besides, I am not the one who will be personally ending their lives and that would only mean that my hands will stay clean from their blood, right?”

　　My words caught everyone off guard as they openly gawked at me. I gave them a small bow before heading to the door, allowing it to shut behind me. I wanted to leave but I stood there for a second to claim my racing heart.

　　“Why are you trying to get her to grant the pardon, Lord Gideon?” someone asked, a voice that sounded like Cassian.

　　“I underestimated her, it would seem that our kind princess has grown stronger.”

　　“You were testing her?”

　　“Hm, I wonder.” Gideon said. I let out a sigh and walked away.

　　*

　　Shortly after that, we returned to the palace which felt rather peaceful now that Lady Marie and the others were gone. We then got ready to head to court as Lady Marie’s trial was starting soon.

　　At the courthouse, we were bombarded with the public greeting my arrival. It was the first time I was making a public appearance since I got kidnapped after all. I could hear the words of affirmations and adoration coming from my people as they praised and cheered for me and my safe return.

　　“They love you,” I heard Cassian whisper to me. I smiled and waved, basking in this rare moment where I was not defined as the emperor’s daughter, or an omega, I was regarded as their future ruler, as their empress.

　　When we reached the trial room, my eyes immediately fell on Lady Marie, her children and the noblemen who had been supporting her and her schemes. Gone were their expensive dresses and suits, gone were their gold and diamonds—replaced by common rags that criminals donned.

　　It was truly a strange sight as I have never seen them humbled before. Just before the trial began, Lady Marie’s gaze met mine. We held eye contact for a long moment, and I found myself elated when she glared at me. Everything was coming to an end, everything was going to be okay.

　　I do not remember most of what happened during the trial. There was a lot of back and forth with the representatives but no matter how hard Lady Marie’s lawyer tried to defend her and the noblemen, the evidence and witnesses were all going against them. There was a moment where I had to take the stand as well, and there I told the court of my time spent in the basement of that manor. I showed them the healing rope burns around my wrists and I finished off by telling everyone the stories that Lady Marie told me, about her admitting she poisoned Rosaline and my father.

　　She faked her tears and demanded that I was lying but at that point, there was already enough evidence against her that no one was sympathising with her breakdown. The court was dismissed shortly for the judge and jury to speak.

　　“If you want to use your pardon, now would be the best time to use your authority.” Gideon reminded me.

　　“Could it be that you want me to save Lady Marie?”

　　“I want whatever you want, princess.”

　　“How laughable.” I muttered, looking over to where Lady Marie was. The sad part about the entire ordeal was how her children were roped into this mess as well. To see those who were only a few years older than me potentially share the same fate as their mother was rather cruel. Even if Elina, Lilian and Frederick were not the greatest older siblings, they still shared my blood. “Maybe you are right after all, Gideon.”

　　The next day, the guilty were sentenced to be hanged to death for treason against the throne. It was not held publicly as I opted against that, but I was there to watch Lady Marie as the life in her eyes faded. I had decided to pardon her children although they will be spending a long time in prison for conspiring with their mother.??

　　After all this time, Lady Marie has gotten the punishment she deserved. Justice was served and yet, I did not feel anything as I watched the bodies of these traitors get taken away. I did not feel satisfaction nor sadness, all I felt was empty. Pure nothingness.