The carriage rattled slightly as they entered the capital city gates. Saerus, with his sword on his lap, looked through the window. With him was Marquis Teristro, sitting on the opposite side.

As the carriage made its way to the palace, the common folk looked at them with curiosity. The city was a bit surreal for Saerus, he usually only comes here during an event or a festival. Thus, the streets were greatly decorated. But now, it was so normal.

The thought of casually visiting the capital rarely crossed his mind. However, there was just no good reason to go. He was, after all, a busy man.

Now that he recalled it, there was an attack that occurred here. But he has not seen a sign of damage. Perhaps it didn’t occur here in this area or they have more or less finished the repairs and reconstruction.

The palace was incredibly secretive about that matter. Even the nature of the threats was never explicitly described. Although, in Saerus’s current position, he had an inkling of what they could be. But he was just not sure.

Some time passed, and they entered the palace. At the palace front, there were only knights there. No sign of royalty.

“We will go straight to the meeting.” Marquis Teristro exited the carriage.

Saerus followed. Without much going on in their passage, they entered the palace and went straight to one room. A guest room. There were a couple of servants standing outside by the door.

“Pardon me, Count Farrimond,” said one servant. “Please leave your weapon with us.”

“My weapon?” He looked around. “Before that, I expected we’ll head straight to the throne room.”

That was the normal process when meeting the king.

“There’s no need for something so extravagant, Count,” answered the Marquis. “This is a discussion.”

“I see. But I am quite reluctant without my weapon.”

“Well, it’s up to the servant.”

The servant responded. “Any weapons are not allowed in her presence.”

“Her? Who? The Queen?”

“No. Please, your weapon. It will be safe with me.” the servant extended his hand.

With no other choice, he gave away his sword. He felt quite naked without it. It made him uncomfortable.

Saerus asked the Marquis. “I’m not meeting with the monarchs?”

“You’re meeting with a royal.”

If that was the case, then it was reassuring. He was still to speak with someone important. He guessed aside from the monarchs, then he would meet with either prince Estevan, or the crown prince Eleden.

A servant opened the door, and both the Marquis and the Count stepped inside. The former closed and locked the door. The Count paused when he saw someone unexpected.

There was who appeared to be a servant, or a butler, standing in a corner. The other looked like a knight, with a sword by his waist. This knight stood beside someone that surprised Saerus. The young lady sat on a plain chair by the window. On the small table in front of her lay a book she was reading.

It was a beautiful girl, so beautiful that she challenged the very meaning of the word. More beautiful than his own daughter would ever be. She had a flawless snow white skin, a captivating pair of bright, crimson eyes, softly looking down on the book. Her hair was of platinum, flowing straight, whereas while she sat, the edges touched the clean floor.

She wears a fancy gray blouse, dark trousers, and dark boots. Her hair was decorated with gold and silver. On her ears hung small diamonds.

He recognized her. The princess. She was the last person he imagined he would see here.

She lifted her gaze from the book to the Count. “How’s the snow in your hometown, Count?”

“P-Princess,” he bowed his head before answering. “It’s still snowing lightly. But I expect it will change in a few days.”

“So we still have plenty of time to go out to enjoy, then?”

“I suppose, yes.”

The princess looked at him from bottom to top, as if sizing him up. Yet, she still had that innocent look on her face. Thus, it was more like she was curious. “It feels like we’ve met once.”

“During the festival, princess. It was a brief greeting.”

“Oh yes.” She grabbed her bookmark and placed it on a page before closing her book.

She rose and turned towards him. “We have plenty to talk about.” She smiled.

“From what I know, it’s about my land?”

“Partly, but yes.”

“Then, what do you want to talk about, your highness? Ah, but before that, I thought I’ll be speaking with the crown. Where is his majesty?”

“You will not speak to my father. Your business is with me.”

He frowned. “I never took you to move politically, your highness.”

“This is not about politics.” She walked towards a shelf of books.

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“I don’t understand.” As he stood, his legs tensed ever so slightly.

“This room has been my usual business place. And thus, I have it renovated to suit my needs. This shelf was just put here recently, complete with a variety of books.”

“... I see.”

She placed a finger on a book. “There is one that particularly stood out to me. Considering how shocking its contents are.” She retracted her hand and turned to look at Saerus again. “Punishment techniques.”

“Pardon?”

“Count Saerus Farrimond, do you know of a tribe in the far northern mountains?”

He could not understand the relevance of the question. “I am not aware of a tribe there.”

Her smile grew, and she grew more beautiful. “There is a tribe called the Cra’toji. Judging from their descriptions, they are quite a fearsome folk. Better be kind to them.”

“I see. That is good to know.”

“What shook me is their punishment techniques, especially the one for traitors.”

“... Traitors?”

She turned around to pull a book out of the shelf. “Here it is.” It was a brown-colored book. She returned to her table and put it down. “Do you want to know what they do to traitors, Count?” She waited for an answer.

“... Tell me, princess.”

“They strip you naked in front of the tribesmen, along with your family. On the first day, they tie you all to a horse to drag and grind you around the mountain, they won’t stop until the day is over. In the second, they slice open your forearms, and they drag you and your family again down the mountain. The third, they cut your stomach, hoping your guts spill as you go. On the last day, if any survive, they dissect you, ensuring a slow but certain death.”

Everyone looked at her, aghast.

“They do this to your family, even the children. Quite extreme, I should say. But it's interesting.”

“... If I may suggest you stay away from such books, your highness. They aren’t appropriate.”

“You think so? I was quite thinking of trying that punishment on you.”

Saerus froze, her words were incomprehensible for but a moment. “... Pardon?”

“I know what you have been doing, Count. But I will allow you to confess now.”

Saerus forced a smile. “I don’t understand, princess. Are you accusing me of something?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m accusing you of treason.”

He scoffed. “Princess, why would I?”

“Why would you?”

“Making an accusation like this to a Count is no small matter, your highness. Quite foolish, I might say.”

“Foolish…?”

“You must be mistaken. I came here to discuss about my land. If I may speak with the king now…”

“I see. You think I’m insignificant.” She turned towards her servants. “He thinks I’m insignificant.” then to the Marquis. “Uncle, he thinks I’m someone foolish.”

“Ooooh, how very wrong he is.” the Marquis responded, as if dotting to his niece.

Saerus looked at the Marquis with a tense gaze. “What is going on here, Lord Teristro?”

“Count, please, answer to the princess.”

Thus, he returned to face her.

The princess tilted her head slightly. “I’m offended, Count. But it compares nothing to my disappointment in you.”

“Princess, I committed no treason.”

“A lie. Do I have to snatch your family to make you confess?”

“What?”

“Perhaps I’ll prepare some horses. What color would your daughter and son prefer?”

“You…” he glared at her.

She smiled softly. “Confess.”

It surprised him that the princess, that pure princess, stood there straight without a hint of fear. Saerus looked at each person present in the room.

The princess continued. “You can’t escape here, Count. Not until I say so.”

“What do you want from me?”

“The truth.”

Still, even if he said the truth to them, he would still face punishment for what he had done. For siding with the enemy. For causing slow damage to the kingdom. All for a reward. He thought hard about what to do.

“You’re taking too long, Count. Guess your family is the key t—”

Using physical enhancement, he charged for the princess, making an enormous step. He had made a decision, he’ll take the princess. Use her as a hostage to escape. But perhaps also hurt her in the process, especially after she threatened his family.

Saerus extended his hand, intending on grabbing her by the throat. Perhaps after he escapes, he could kill her. The Empire will reward him greatly once they take over Wisteria. Doing this was a gamble, but there was no other choice here if he wanted to keep his freedom.

However, the moment he made a move, two of the princess’s servants moved in to defend her. The butler surprised him. The knight stepped in front of the princess as fast as Saerus, and he pointed the tip of his sword forward. The butler moved right beside him, raising his hand.

Aside from that, he noticed something.

Concerned for his life, Saerus instantly stopped and paused. A wave of air erupted around all of them as they suddenly stopped. Saerus took in a sharp breath. The knight’s sword was at his chest, while the butler’s hand was atop his throat, ready to chop his head off with a mere hand.

“Can’t have her that easily,” said the knight.

Saerus could fight and beat him, but with the butler, it would prove difficult. However, what really stopped him in his tracks were the sharp ice spikes that grew from the floor. The tips were so thin and sharp you could barely see them. They extended to his legs and to his throat.

Who could have cast this? And at that speed. It was unbelievable.

“Now it's more certain you really are a traitor, Count.” That bright voice came from the princess. She poked her head behind the knight and smiled. “My ice surrounds you. Move a muscle, and you’ll be hurt.”

It was her?!

“What were you planning to do with me? Hold me hostage or something?” she chuckled. “Nice try. Attempted murder against the princess. You’ll have a field day with your family in this one.”

Saerus was shaken. “W-Wait, princess! They have nothing to do with this!”

“Oh? Do I look like I care?”

“What…?”

“I told you to confess, and you didn’t.”

“Please spare my family! I’ll do anything.”

“Is that so?”

She waved her hand, gesturing for his servants to step back, and they did. The ice spikes vanished as well. Saerus lowered his arms.

He looked the princess in the eyes, and he took a sharp breath. There was a different gaze in those eyes. Indifferent.

Her smile was gone.

“If you want to change my mind, then… prostrate yourself.”

Saerus was in disbelief, shocked. For a royalty of this nation to demand such a thing.

“Prostrate, confess, and beg.”

Her voice grew heavy in his ears. She was utterly serious about her demand.

Saerus slowly got down on both knees and lowered his head. A noble placing himself on the floor. The princess looked down at him as if he was dirt beneath her boots.

The Count confessed. “I have betrayed Wisteria, it’s true. I made allegiance with the Empire, the nation intending on invading our kingdom. I sabotaged essential parts of my domain, the food, the bandits, placing important common persons under my paycheck, to follow my bidding. All to prepare for the invasion. From after on, I will be rewarded with the position of Marquis.”

“Why did you fall for their promises? Is Wisteria never enough?”

Saerus paused for a moment. “... My current standing is not enough. I am excellent, a warrior and a leader. And yet, I am a mere Count. I deserve higher than this.”

“This makes your crime worse.”

“Please, your highness. Spare my family. My crime is my own. They are clueless about my sins. I beg you.”

“The weight of your sin is too great for a simple punishment. I am still not convinced of sparing your family. However… if you do something for me, they will live.”

“I’ll do anything.”

“Vernon, give it to me.”

“Yes.”

“Raise your head, Saerus Farrimond.”

Saerus raised his head. The princess crouched in front of him, a small vial in her hand. Inside was green liquid.

“To pay for your sins, I give you this punishment. At the right time, drink this poison willingly. If you do, your family will be spared, and they will keep their status and properties. Your life, for theirs.”

Saerus stared at the poison. The princess was essentially making him take his own life. It was an unbelievable thing. So terrible.

“If you refuse, my retribution will be swift, as how gods strike their foes.”

He gulped. If he could save his family from execution, then his life was a small price to pay.

“I will do it.” He received the poison.

“Good.” With a smile, she rose. “Pray to the gods while you still have time.”