Chapter 214
“Your Highness?”

Quintana bowed her head slightly, drawing Jin’s attention.

They were walking along the garden path toward the outdoor opera theater where the execution was to take place. Nobles gathered in small groups on the palace lawn, chatting quietly. Though they pretended to shield themselves from the sun with fans and hats, their eyes kept darting toward Jin.

“Ah, yes.”

“Are you feeling alright? Shall I summon a carriage?”

“It’s not far. The weather’s nice, too.”

“…If Your Highness insists.”

It was clear that facing the nobles without Ian was weighing heavily on her. Until now, Jin had never met the central nobles privately, and most were older, with little in common. Without Ian to act as a bridge, it was only natural she felt more tense.

Quintana and the ministers matched Jin’s pace, watching her expression carefully.

“By the way, Your Highness, who is that man behind you?”

“Xiaoshi?”

“Is he the one Sir Ian assigned to you?”

Among Ian’s subordinates, the red-haired magic swordsman was well-known. But Jin had never heard of this odd-eyed man called Xiaoshi. He looked well put together—probably a knight brought in from outside through Romandro.

Quintana whispered cautiously to Jin.

“Could it be that he’s watching your every move?”

“Quintana, I appreciate your concern since last time, but there’s nothing like that. Xiaoshi is here to protect me, just like Ian.”

“That’s a relief.”

Only then did Quintana relax a little and smile. Despite Arsène’s reputation as a magic user, Jin seemed as bright as ever, which was a comfort.

“This way, please.”

“Your Highness, this way.”

More than half the seats in the opera theater were already filled with nobles. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as if awaiting a famous performance.

Just as imperial authority and divine power often inversely correlated, the nobles welcomed the measured downfall of the royal family. And today’s main event was none other than the First Prince, Marib. After decades of ruling the empire, this was the day he would die—what a spectacle.

“The gallows are bigger than I expected.”

“This is your first time seeing them, Your Highness. The stage is elevated, which makes it seem larger. The higher the platform, the graver the criminal’s sins.”

Jin, Quintana, Xiaoshi, and the ministers settled into their seats—the best seats, closest to the stage.

Soon after, Ian returned from his inspection.

“Did you enjoy your walk, Your Highness?”

“Ian! Please, have a seat here.”

“It will begin shortly. If you wish, you may close your eyes.”

By simply attending, Ian implied that Jin had already done her part. When she nodded, the execution official stepped onto the stage holding the verdict.

“Normally, His Majesty the Emperor would read this, but due to his poor health, we are using the royal family execution decree from 21 years ago.”

As Ian explained, the official bowed respectfully. The murmuring crowd fell silent. The moment had come—the execution of First Prince Marib was about to begin.

A deep, resonant blast from a buffalo horn echoed through the air. The official solemnly unfolded the parchment and stood before a magical amplifier.

“By the order of His Majesty the Emperor, the crimes of the criminal Marib shall now be announced.”

This was a passage repeated countless times in the courtroom. No one welcomed it, yet the nobles applauded with refined grace.

The atmosphere was completely different from when Derga was executed in Bratz territory. Back then, stones and filth flew, and the crowd was unruly. Now, it felt like they were waiting for a grand performance.

‘Is that why it feels so eerie?’

An execution meant the criminal paid for their sins with death. Since crimes inevitably had victims, the crowd’s anger was natural.

But now? No one showed any anger.

“…Therefore, Marib shall be stripped of all honor and glory of the royal family forever. By imperial decree, Marib is sentenced to death by hanging.”

The verdict ended, barely audible over the murmurs. Then Marib appeared, blindfolded and gagged. His expression was calm, but the shackles at his feet clanked harshly.

Another blast from the horn sounded. The purpose of hanging was to humiliate the condemned until the very end. The executioners removed Marib’s blindfold, revealing him kneeling before the assembled nobles.

“Attach the rope.”

“Attach the rope!”

The executioners lowered the noose. Marib kept his lips closed around the gag, resigned to his fate. The thick robe tightened around his neck.

“Oh my, how cruel.”

“I still can’t quite believe it.”

“Tsk, tsk.”

At the signal, Marib’s body slowly lifted into the air. He did not struggle but relaxed his muscles with dignity. The wind caused him to sway slightly, but he offered no resistance.

“Raise him higher!”

“Raise him higher!”

The creaking of the pulley filled the air.

Marib looked up at the sky one last time. It was a flawless blue, clearer and purer than his own pale eyes. It felt like a silent promise that even though his life was ending, Bariel’s time would go on.

“Ugh…!”

His long hair fluttered gently. Tears fell involuntarily, dripping beneath his chin. Who would even see them?

As his vision blurred, he thought of his mother. If he met her in death, he would hold her tight. Though he had failed, he truly loved Bariel and had done his best.

‘If I am given another life, I will make sure this never happens again.’

His final vow—an impossible hope, destined to vanish like a midsummer night’s dream.

Marib finally exhaled his last breath and met death beneath Bariel’s open sky.

“He’s dead.”

“Prince Marib is dead.”

“Oh, he’s dead! Marib is dead.”

As heads bowed, the nobles gasped and applauded. The mages waiting below the stage confirmed Marib’s death and activated a magic circle.

Ziiing… Ziiing…

Whoosh!

“Magic!”

“Why magic now?”

“They’re probably preparing to dispose of the body.”

“Well, even if he’s been cast out of the royal family, they might at least give him a final courtesy. Minister Ian isn’t as cold as he seems.”

“It’s not courtesy. It’s unavoidable.”

“What do you mean?”

The nobles glanced at Ian, startled by the sudden magic. But Ian kept his gaze fixed on Marib’s body, watching his final moments.

“His status is ambiguous. Not royal, so the law can’t be applied as usual. But is he a titled noble or a commoner? It’s unclear, so it’s better to just erase him.”

“Also, if they buried him outside the palace, the common people might mourn him. Mourning a criminal is unacceptable. If the mourning grows, it would burden the next heir, Your Highness. It’s better to nip that in the bud.”

The nobles whispered among themselves, each adding their own thoughts. Outwardly, it was a show of respect, but beneath it lay clear intentions.

“…Truly an intriguing figure.”

“He’s been here less than six months. Look at where his protector stands. Isn’t that intimidating?”

“I heard he’s trying to check Duke Haiman.”

“If the Haiman family falls, the rest is obvious. It would threaten all central nobles.”

“Shh. Let’s hold our tongues for now. There’s a rumor that mages’ senses become sharper when they use magic.”

Though barely audible, the nobles cleared their throats nervously, watching Ian’s expression. But with only the back of his head visible, there was little to read.

Whoosh!

A beautiful aurora shimmered on the stage. It rose from Marib’s cold feet, gradually enveloping his entire body until he was completely covered.

“Oh!”

“Butterflies.”

Marib’s form blurred from his feet upward, transforming into hundreds of white butterflies. They fluttered softly, rising into the sky before scattering in all directions, carried by the wind.

From now on, no one would ever see Marib’s intact body again.

“Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“…”

Was this Ian’s way of honoring Marib’s final moments, or a method to leave no trace behind? Jin was curious but didn’t ask. Somehow, she felt both were true.

The aurora faded, leaving only the swinging rope in the breeze. The execution official, with the mages’ help, expanded the magical broadcast range. Now, Bariel would officially receive word of Marib’s death.

“Attention, this is an official announcement from the Imperial Palace. The First Prince, Marib Verosion, has been stripped of all royal titles and executed by hanging for treason. Anyone who threatens Bariel shall meet the same fate. Citizens of the great empire, take heed and erase Marib from history. Once again, the First Prince, Marib Verosion, has been…”

As the executive administrator announced the conclusion of the event across the entire empire, the nobles rose from their seats, congratulating one another. Their restrained applause and bright expressions spoke volumes—this had truly been a performance to remember.

“Lady Dilaina, Your Highness Arsen, shall we have some tea?”

“That sounds wonderful. But before that, may I ask for a handshake? They say it brings good luck to shake hands with a magic user.”

“Of course. Please, let’s move to a more comfortable spot.”

“Since the weather’s so nice, why not set up a table in the garden?”

Arsen’s faction was bustling with energy, gathering their forces noisily. Arsen himself smiled broadly, clearly enjoying the moment, and stepped out of the theater with the ministers. Jin, meanwhile, stood frozen, staring blankly at the empty stage.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. It’s just… I don’t know. My heart feels a little heavy.”

They hadn’t been close, but they were brothers by blood. Jin had a feeling he would never forget the last words Marib left behind in the courtroom.

That he loved Bariel more than anyone else.

“Sir Ian, are you heading straight to the Magic Department?”

“No, I plan to meet briefly with the Serro family. Would Your Highness care to join us?”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. Aren’t these all matters for your future? Though the meeting might run long, so please don’t hesitate to rest if you feel tired.”

“Right, right. By the way, the doctor said as long as Beric doesn’t swallow the meat, it should be fine. I’m going to try feeding him little by little.”

“I doubt Beric will just hold it in his mouth quietly,” Ian said with a skeptical frown, then chuckled. But Jin clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes. Getting Beric better was their closest goal.

“Quintana, what about you?”

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I’ll be joining Sir Ian for a while.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll take a moment with Xiaoxi to look at the flowers. You all carry on with your discussions.”

As Jin stepped back with Xiaoxi, Quintana gave a glance suggesting they move on. While Ian followed her around the garden, Jin crouched down in the flowerbed and began explaining things to Xiaoxi.

“When these bloom, it’s a sign that spring has arrived, and everyone… huh?”

A soft flutter.

At that moment, a white butterfly gently landed simultaneously on Jin’s fingertip and Ian’s shoulder. Jin carefully curled his hand, whispering—

“Farewell, brother.”

Ian gave a light wave, sending the butterfly soaring into the sky.

“Farewell, Marib.”

Behind the hundreds of butterflies that had risen from the palace, the last two disappeared as well. Somewhere out there, they still existed, but no one could say where—like the faintest trace left behind by Marib himself.