CHAPTER 483: CHAPTER 483: SEVERING TIES!

The maid approached Andelle, "Your Majesty, the Marchioness and Miss Lina wish to see you."

Andelle furrowed her brows slightly, "Have them wait in the drawing room, I will join them shortly."

Before she had finished speaking, Dempsey’s wife and daughter had already entered.

Both were in tears and knelt before Andelle as they reached her.

Startled, Andelle quickly rose to help the Marchioness up, "Aunt, please don’t do this, we can talk once you are up!"

The Marchioness remained on her knees, "Your Majesty, I beg you to show leniency, after all, we are family, and you wouldn’t want Lina to lose her father before she’s even married, would you?"

Andelle looked embarrassed and cast an awkward glance at Mu Yunlie and Yan Qianyi.

Representing the Federation Empire as the Commander, Mu Yunlie’s presence meant that Andelle had to be resolute, ensuring the Federation Empire that they would not protect Dempsey.

Reluctantly, Andelle released the Marchioness and sat back down, lifting her chin slightly, taking on a queenly air.

"Dempsey, by disrupting the peace between the two countries and plotting to provoke a war, is unforgivable. Aunt, please, you may leave."

The Marchioness was stunned.

This was the first time Andelle had adopted such a regal demeanor in front of her.

In the past, Andelle had always indulged her, always heeding her aunt above all.

The Marchioness signaled to Lina.

Lina immediately knelt by Andelle’s feet and clung to her legs, pleading:

"Cousin, of all the siblings, we’ve always been closest. I’ve never asked you for anything before, just this once, please let my father go? He will never err again!"

Seeing Lina’s pitiful state, Andelle felt a pang.

But she was well aware, there was no room for negotiation.

Last night, Mu Yunlie had made it very clear that Dempsey had to be punished.

Dempsey had committed a capital offense, and if she spared him out of compassion, it would lead to war between the two countries.

Given the current strength of the Morris Empire, they were no match for the Federation Empire in battle.

She did not want it to come to that.

"Lina, please don’t do this, there are other guests present, don’t make a scene!" Andelle tried to sound stern, but her voice was soft, still carrying a hint of gentleness.

"Cousin... I beg you..." Lina cried desperately.

The Marchioness also pleaded, "Just spare your uncle’s life, and afterward, we will do whatever you ask!"

Andelle sighed, unsure of what to say.

At the dining table, Yan Qianyi and Mu Yunlie were eating, not giving the Marchioness and Lina a glance.

The ceaseless pleading of the mother and daughter, their weeping and wailing, made Mu Yunlie furrow his brows.

He set down his cutlery and spoke, "Sister-in-law, handle your family matters first, Qianyi and I will take our leave."

Seeing Mu Yunlie’s displeasure, Andelle quickly added, "Please wait a moment, I’ll arrange a craft to send you."

Then to the Marchioness, she said, "Aunt, Dempsey has committed a capital offense and must be punished! This is no longer a family matter but a matter of state, the law makes no exceptions, even for nobility!"

The Marchioness looked at Andelle in utter disbelief, "I just want him to live, can’t you grant even this small request?"

"No, you must leave."

Andelle took a deep breath after speaking, not having the heart to look at the Marchioness’s distressed expression.

Upon hearing this, the Marchioness collapsed onto the ground.

Andelle had been kind-hearted since childhood, easily swayed by emotions.

Yet now, she showed an unprecedented firmness and indifference in front of her.

"Cousin..."

Lina was about to plead, but Andelle suddenly shouted, "Someone! Take the Marchioness and Miss Lina away!"

Lina blinked in astonishment and looked at the Marchioness in panic.

The mother and daughter had agreed upon their arrival that they must humble themselves and implore earnestly.

If they pleaded enough, given their feelings for Andelle, they surely could save Dempsey’s life.

But they had not expected Andelle to be so ruthless.

Several guards came in and approached to drag them away.

"Don’t touch me!" the Marchioness suddenly yelled, "I can walk by myself!"

She stood up, her gaze despondently fixed on Andelle, "I truly wasted my affections on you. If your uncle dies, from now on, we will sever ties! Lina, let’s go!"

Lina continued clinging to Andelle’s legs, shaking her head desperately.

The Marchioness directly stepped forward and grabbed Lina’s arm, "Let’s go! She no longer considers us family. No matter how much you beg, it’s useless!"

Lina was dragged out by the Marchioness, crying, "Cousin! Cousin, please!"

As their voices faded away, Andelle sighed deeply and raised her hand to rub her brow.

After her parents’ deaths, her closest relatives were her aunt and Lina.

Now that things had come to this, it was impossible not to feel heartbroken.

Yan Qianyi noticed Andelle’s distress and wanted to console her but didn’t know how.

After a moment, Andelle looked at them, smiled weakly, "Sorry for making a scene."

"Sister-in-law, I know you must be hurting, and... I’m not good at comforting people."

"It’s okay, Qianyi. My feelings for my aunt and Lina are indeed very strong. If it wasn’t for the Queen, I might have been soft-hearted, but now that I am in this position, I cannot protect my own relatives. Otherwise, I would disappoint you and Ah Lie, as well as your brother, and even more so, I would fail the entire Morris Empire."

Yan Qianyi nodded, "No matter what, my brother will always be by your side to support you."

Hearing Yan Qianyi say this, Andelle, remembering she still had Yan Yao, felt somewhat comforted.

"Have some more to eat. You hardly ate anything just now. After eating, I’ll arrange a spaceship for you. Your brother should be done with the meeting soon. You should see him before you leave, otherwise he’ll be really disappointed when he returns and doesn’t find you here."

"Okay."

Outside the dining room, Lina wrenched free from the Marchioness’s grip, "Mom! Why are you dragging me away! Didn’t we agree before coming that we must persuade Cousin to save Dad’s life no matter what?"

"Do you think I don’t want to?" the Marchioness wiped away her tears, "I know Andelle’s character best. Her response just now means no amount of pleading would work. We better hurry and think of other solutions."

Lina looked desperate, "What other solution could there possibly be?"

"Let’s approach the councilors. Neither Andelle nor Yan Yao can decide this alone. To execute your father, they must get the consent of those councilors through voting."

"Do you think they would agree?"

"Many of them have always had a good relationship with your father. I will go and work on them; there might still be a slight hope."