"You are asking for the impossible, Alec," Duke Lysander said, "The de Lys family never forgets the debt of a favor. If Sera ran away now, wouldn't that be like admitting that she had ill intentions towards the saintess? She merely handed the cup to the saintess, but no one could prove that she was the one who poisoned the drink."
"So who's leading the investigation now?" The former duke asked. If things went south, even if Sera refused to flee, he and his son would do everything in their power to keep her safe.
"My father, the master of the magic tower, is spearheading the investigation, my lord," Rowan answered for the duke. He slightly lowered his head and put a hand on his chest. "Rest assured, no one would be able to tamper with the evidence."
Sera looked at him. It still felt odd for her to see Rowan getting involved with her family. The Rowan he knew wasn't someone who would easily yield and accept orders from anyone, much less from a noble family. It was hard for her to discern his true motive.
Rowan lifted his gaze and looked back at her. He raised a brow in a silent question, but Sera chose to ignore him. She was curious, yes, but she wasn't in a hurry to know the answers. Sera believed that Rowan would eventually reveal the answers in due time, but for now, she would keep an eye on him.
"What about that insolent boy you adopted?" Her grandfather asked the duke. "You can't possibly allow him to stay after what he'd done to our Sera."
Of course, between Sera and Cedrick, the entire de Lys family would side with Sera no matter what happened. Perhaps Cedrick thought that by having Sera executed by the royal family, his chances of becoming the next heir of the de Lys would increase, not knowing that Alec would have to step up instead.
Duke Lysander clasped his hands together and sighed. It was a difficult decision for him to make, but he knew that he could not let the issue slide without Cedrick facing the consequences of his actions.
As if on cue, a servant came to announce Cedrick's arrival. A young man came with two de Lys guards. His wrists were bound in cuffs like Sera's, and he was immediately forced to his knees upon presenting to the rest of the de Lys family.
The moment Cedrick knelt, the system interface flashed immediately in Sera's vision, overlaying the real-world scene with its commentary and offers.
[A new primary target has been delivered.]
>>Subject: Cedrick de Lys.
Status: Adopted son. Traitor. Heir aspirant.
Betrayal: Conspired to secure your execution through inaction. Prioritized ingratiation with Saintess Liliana over familial duty.
VP Value: 600 VP (Alive for interrogation), 300 VP (Immediate execution).
Recommended Action: Public denouncement followed by prolonged humiliation. Maximize psychological damage before physical conclusion.
"Explain yourself at this instant, Cedrick." The duke's voice was cold and calculating. He was looking at the boy he once adored with such fierceness that it seemed reserved only for his enemies.
The young man lifted his gaze. Sera couldn't see any remorse on his face. She could sense his unease and humiliation from being bound to cuffs, but he wasn't even cowering.
"Your Grace, I only did what I thought was right under the circumstances." Cedrick started. "Everyone saw it was Sera who handed the poisoned cup to the saintess. If I delayed her arrest, the royal family would surely implicate our family for the attempted assassination."
"Ridiculous!" Alec exclaimed. "There's no reason why Sera or our family would want the saintess dead! Regardless of the situation, you should have protected Sera at all costs!"
"You have sided with an outsider rather than align yourself with a family member," The old duke intoned, his tone carrying his vast experience and authority. "Now that you have made your choice, it is only fitting that you should possess the fortitude to accept the consequences of your actions. What do you think, dear Sera?"
Everyone's attention turned to Sera, awaiting her response. It seemed that Cedrick's fate was in the palm of her hands. Despite the heavy tension within the room, Sera remained calm. She was already aware of his betrayal.
Cedrick shivered under her cold gaze. Sera was looking at her, not with rage but like a predator analyzing the best way to kill her prey. He had never seen her like this, making him wonder if this was the Sera he'd known since childhood.
As Sera remained silent, the malicious system taunted her.
[He kneels before you. Helpless. The family awaits your word.
Will you show mercy and lose -100 VP? Or will you prove that betrayal has a price?
The first cut is yours to make, my lady. Make it deep.]
Instead of answering the system and her grandfather, Sera chose to test the waters with Rowan again.
"Sir Ashgrave, I heard the magic tower is versed in obtaining truths from reluctant subjects. Would you care to demonstrate it to our family? It seems to me that my foolish brother wasn't disclosing the truth at all."
Cedrick's face turned ashen. He probably didn't expect that Sera would suggest such a vicious method. The magic tower's reputation and methods were quite vicious and unforgiving.
Sera smiled as she saw the panicked expression on Cedrick's face. By pushing the issue to Rowan, she was able to remain in control while handing over the "dirty work" to someone capable.
"I'm afraid I cannot fulfill your request, my lady. Such methods need the permission of the magic tower." Rowan declined her request, glancing at the duke for silent recognition.
"I would prefer to refrain from permitting Rowan to perform such methods, Sera. If others were to learn of your request, it would make things difficult not only for you but also for Rowan. We are fortunate the king has granted Rowan the position of your guard since he was the son of the magic tower." The duke commented, his tone authoritative.
"Since the method isn't possible, tell us what you want, Sera." Alec was already on the edge, as if he was looking for a signal to give Cedrick a lesson he wouldn't forget.
Sera stared impassively at Cedrick, her prolonged silence pushing the young man to the end of his wits.
"Clearly, you aren't remorseful, dear brother." She started with a mocking tone. "Your reasoning is flawed, and your loyalty to our family is in shambles. An easy death would be kindness you do not deserve."
She then turns to her grandfather and father.
"I want him stripped of his title, his name, and his privileges. He will be imprisoned in the family dungeons, and let him experience the punishment the crown prince had bestowed upon me. Let everyone in the land know he is no longer a de Lys."
Her grandfather and Alec nodded in approval. Cedrick's punishment was befitting the de Lys name—severe, merciless, and protecting the family's honor. Meanwhile, the duke's eyes flickered with a hint of pity for the boy he raised, but he could not object to Sera's request. His silence was his approval.
Until Sera delivered her words, Cedrick had been uncooperative and defiant. But hearing Sera's punishment and seeing that the duke didn't bother to defend him, the young man started to crumble. He struggled against the guards, trying to make a plea to the duke.
"You can't do this! My name is all I have! Father, please!"
[VERDICT ACCEPTED - VP AWARDED]
Acknowledged. Judgment passed.
Verdict: Total Humiliation & Status Stripping.
VP Awarded: +450 VP (Base: 600 for interrogation, reduced by 150 for deferred execution).
Reasoning: Target remains alive for potential future suffering and intelligence extraction. Psychological damage is significant and public.
[A satisfying first cut. You have left him bleeding, but not bleeding out. A wise choice, my lady.]
The system seemed immensely pleased with her choice, rewarding her for her ruthlessness. However, true to its nature, it will immediately see this not as an end, but as a beginning of a more profitable, drawn-out vengeance.
"You have no idea what you're doing! They won't let you—" Cedrick yelled before cutting himself off, revealing a sliver of the secret.
Whatever kindness the duke had towards him effectively vanished as soon as they heard his words. It only meant he knew who was behind the assassination attempt at the saintess and proactively pinned the blame on Sera.
By allowing others to accuse Sera, Cedrick not only redirected the blame but also positioned himself strategically, thereby gaining favor with the church and the Argenthal family. His actions not only protected his interests but also put Sera into a precarious situation. Had they arrived a little later, Duke Lysander had no doubt he would be left with nothing but the burden of burying his own child.
"Take him away," he commanded without hesitation.
As the guards dragged a struggling, screaming Cedrick away, Sera delivered a line that terrified him to the bone.
"Do not concern yourself with 'they,' brother. Your only concern now is me. Believe me, I am a far less merciful warden than the crown prince."
Throughout this, Rowan's gaze was fixed on Sera. His refusal to help was a test, and she passed by being even more ruthless than he had expected. His expression was one of deep, unreadable calculation. It was as if he were seeing the real Seraphine for the first time.
His thin lips curved into a small smile. He was neither horrified nor pleased—he was fascinated by what he was seeing.