CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 159: BURN HIM_3

The Pope gestured to the clergy behind him, and they placed a thick stack of envelopes on the table, "These were all sent in the name of the Margaret Clan. Inside, there are many... inappropriate remarks claiming that the Lindong Witch is still alive. Many in the royal family are worried that the Margaret Clan may be closely aligned with the Evil God’s Followers. Of course, I personally don’t want to believe such rumors."

"I asked Ave to investigate."

Collins merely glanced at the content of the letters, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, "To decipher the ancient magic left by the Goddess, one must use the knowledge within forbidden texts."

There was no struggle or resistance; Collins calmly accepted the charge of being an "Evil God Follower."

"What a pity."

The Pope also concluded this breakfast, "Since you’ve admitted, it saves a lot of unnecessary trouble. However, your actions are understandable. After all, His Majesty Henry’s decision was indeed a bit cruel to you. If Ave could change her mind, perhaps the Second Prince could mediate. Once he inherits the throne, he could pardon your crimes."

Collins made no further response. He rose and passed the Pope, heading towards the Kingdom Knights outside the residence.

The news of Collins-Margaret’s arrest spread quickly in the Imperial City, causing the great nobles to discuss heatedly. They didn’t expect the Second Prince’s vengeance to be so strong; insulted by Ave at a banquet the day before, he sent Ave’s father to prison the very next morning.

The charges have not yet been made public, but everyone knows it will depend on Ave’s attitude towards repentance.

This could either be an unforgivable capital crime or just a misunderstanding.

As for the Second Prince himself, he had just woken up from a hangover, the room full of absurd and chaotic traces, with a high-tier priest from the Holy Hall waking him up.

Now, he must go to the Judicial Court, where Miss Ave is located.

The theme of this meeting is to discuss the charges against Collins-Margaret. As early as during Henry III’s reign, consulting forbidden texts was considered an unforgivable crime. Not long ago, Collins voluntarily confessed to his crime. If the charges are confirmed, he will be tied to the stake in the Imperial City Square and executed by fire.

Over the years, many nobles have been burned in this manner in the Imperial City.

And now, he, as the future heir to the throne, will display his magnanimous and merciful side.

Damian, helped by the servants, was fixing his attire, facing the mirror before departure, revealing a smile he considered charming. This was his forte—or perhaps his only forte. He inherited the bloodline of the Margaret Clan, gold curls, blue eyes, and a handsome face, making him the favorite of noble ladies since his youth.

Damian had never been interested in acquiring knowledge, throwing tantrums about not attending the Enlightenment Society. Sword training too, was sporadic. He had been expelled from the Neseriel Sanctuary for violating its disciplines.

Everyone was thoroughly disappointed in him, yet Damian was extremely satisfied with his current life.

No worries, no concerns.

The Imperial City is a wonderful place, home to theaters renowned across the continent and countless beautiful girls. He often spends an entire day in the theater, then calls upon a few lovely noble ladies in the evening, embarking on a romantic encounter like a drama.

Through yesterday’s banquet, Damian discovered an astonishing charm in Ave.

Undoubtedly, Ave inherited the excellent bloodline of the Margaret Clan, her beauty alone left a profound impression on him, the type Damian was eager to have a romantic encounter with. But more importantly, Ave possessed many charms absent in those noble ladies.

The Enlightenment Society bestowed upon her an intellectual allure, coupled with an ever-calm demeanor, making her an excellent candidate for Queen.

Although Prince Freeman’s youngest daughter was also good, such a feeling was inevitably commonplace, becoming weary over time.

Damian yearned to discover how it would be to fall in love with a woman like Ave.

With excitement, he found Ave at the Judicial Court, who had just finished being questioned. Damian took a deep breath, ensuring he appeared filled with care and concern for her.

He had seen many performances in the Imperial Capital Grand Theater and, occasionally inspired, would even imitate those actors, gradually becoming more adept at performance than the average person.

This was a quality the Pope was pleased to see.

Approaching her, he immediately said in a heartfelt tone, "Ave, I heard about Mr. Collins’s plight, and I deeply regret it."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern."

Ave’s composed demeanor made Damian even more enamored. Even amidst such a significant upheaval, she retained her manners and showed neither panic nor hysterical outbursts like those pampered noble ladies, which would indeed detract from noble elegance.

The enamored feeling grew stronger; he was utterly convinced that she was the best choice for a consort.

Damian knew that Ave’s heart must be filled with sorrow by now, desperately needing someone to comfort her.

The subsequent conversation was seamless, rehearsed countless times in his mind as if he were an actor along the way.

Yes, he would do everything to help Ave, as long as she became his wife. By then, he could use royal power to pardon her father.

Thereafter, Ave would be devoted to him.

Damian took a deep breath, firmly placing himself as the actor at the center of the stage. Now, he played the role of a husband worried for his wife, "About your father..."

"I will attend."

Regrettably, this drama filled with romance and entanglement was interrupted in a way Damian had not anticipated, leaving him standing dumbfounded.

"Ah?"

Still a tone as calm as ever, "Aren’t you going to execute him by fire in the Imperial City Square? I will be there."

"Ah, uh, I mean, I can—"

"He violated the Empire’s laws and deserves punishment."

Ave interrupted Damian once again, "Burn him."