"Your majesty, the second daughter is already in on the plot and tried to harm you yesterday as well. It's clear the whole family is in on this act of treason." Another minister voiced.
"The death of Queen Henrietta has already caused a lot of terror. We can not let this drag on and cause more fear in the heart of the people."
Lucas's jaw tightened.
Another official stepped up to urge him more.
"Your Majesty, the issue of the rebels of Jurua is a major terror in the hearts of everyone in Eldrid. You must execute everyone of the Markham to reassure everyone that the royal family is able to protect its people."
Lucas exhaled frustrated, and held his forehead with his eyes fixed on a distant thought. He tapped his finger on his head for a second and returned slowly to his sit while they waited.
The rumors are already spiraling that the dragon spirit returned for vengeance and the royal family is it's target.
If Lucas moved too forcefully now, they would twist the story until Markham became the Queen's murderer.
"Send out my decree." Lucas said and the court secretary sat down to write it down.
The entire hall stilled and everyone held their breath to hear what he would pronounce on them.
"Markham conspired with rebels of Jurua to harm the royal family and causes unrest to the Kingdom. He shall be executed two days from now at sunset."
A ripple of satisfaction spreads through the officials, but the Collin frowned, sensing something amiss.
"What about his family?" he asked.
"Especially the one caught in your bedchamber. She is already a disgrace to every woman in the Kingdom."
Lucas lifted his chin.
'Everyone in the Markham manor is to be executed along with him." he pronounced.
The King's secretary hesitated, shocked but notes the decree.
Collin nodded his head, satisfied but felt unease at the same time, not believing that the King will easily give in and execute the Markhams.
Thomas, waited until the chamber empties before stepping in front of Lucas, stunned.
"Your Majesty… Are you truly going to execute the entire family? If you do, there would be no one left from the late King's chosen candidates. They'll force you to crown the consort."
The consort is Collin's daughter and Georgina's niece.
Lucas doesn't answer the question directly.
"Send someone to bring the eldest daughter of Markham into the palace. I will meet her in my study."
"Miss Emilia?" Thomas blinked, confused.
"You… you gave orders not to see her. Everyone of the Markham is under house arrest."
"Just do it," Lucas said calmly, waving him away bu anxious to see if the gamble he played is going to play out well.
---
In the Markham mansion, tension coils like a noose. Everyone sat in the hall, restless, their eyes flicking to the door with every passing sound.
To make matters worse, the city had turned on them. The streets buzz with whispers about their new situation. Even Cornelius and his family, who promised to visit to finalize the engagement, never show up.
Emilia tried to remain composed, but her father's suffering haunts her. Her hands tremble as she slammed the table in front of her.
She sent desperate letters to her father's allies in court, but received nothing but excuses despite receiving favors multiple times from her father.
Sophia sat like a statue, the weight of guilt silencing her. She is worried about Catherine but can't voice it out, her presumptuous behavior had bought more troubles upon them.
But Emily, heart pounding, daring to speak on her mistress's behalf. No none had mentioned anything about all night.
"Your ladyship… what about my mistress?"
"Shut up!" Sophia snapped, cutting her off before she finished.
A servant rushed in, breathless and informed them.
"The messenger from the palace is here!"
They all rise in unison, making their way to the outer courtyard and met Saint halfway in.
A number of soldiers and officials followed behind him, their countenance already showing them it's no good news.
Saint stepped inside, flanked by royal soldiers. His expression is grim. Emilia's heart thudded, and she bowed slightly.
"Miss Emilia," Saint said softly.
"I bring the King's decree… you must kneel to receive it."
Emilia's breath hitched and everyone of them went on their knees.
"Is it… is it bad news?" she whispered but Saint went ahead to read it to them.
"The Markham family had conspired with the enemy. All members are to be executed by poison in two days. The fortune of the Markham will be seized and handed over to the necessary officials."
gasped erupted the hall at his words.
"Executed?" Emilia choked out, swaying on her knees.
June clutched her trembling hand. Behind them, the room explodes into chaos. Sophia faints and the servants tried to revive her while weeping echoed off the walls from the rest of them.
"Emilia, do something! Are you going to let us die?" Margaret wails.
"How… how can this happen?" Emilia whispered, dazed, tears flooding her eyes in disbelief that the King will make a delivery judgement so soon.
Although her mother's bloodline, the Benettons, were sent out of the city, she is still deemed a part of the royal family. Not to say her father once taught the King as well.
Is that not worth something? The King isn't even willing to spare them at all.
"Arrest everyone and confine them to one quarter. The punishment will be carried out here in the manor." Saint ordered and the soldiers stood in position around them.
"Please cooperate and the soldiers won't make things difficult for you." he told them and handed the written edict to Emilia but her hands won't move to collect it so Louis did instead.
"Sister… what do we do?" he asked trembling but Emilia's mind is blank and she became dizzy.
"Sister!" Louis called loudly, jolting her senses back and Emilia grabbed Saint as he turned to leave.
"Please let me meet the King." she pleaded.
Now is not the time for her to be weak, if she became weak at this point then they would really lose their lives. Since Lucas has decided to execute them, she can only rely on her last resort and see if it can save them all.
"Miss Emilia, I'm afraid that's not possible." Saint told her but Emilia didn't let go.
One of the soldier went over to their side, and pushed Emilia away roughly, then grabbed her by the hand and pulled her towards the hall to be confined but June rushed in at the moment with the late King's edict in her hand and stopped the soldier.
"My mistress has the King's edict." June said raising the scroll in her hand and everyone looked at it curiously.