Chapter 160: The Execution
He was just about to send for the executioner when he glanced in her direction.
She looked dazed by the revelation.
This was a private family matter, and even if he wasn’t a mber of the Stenly family, he felt indignant on their behalf.
He could only imagine how she felt.
"Sobody, catch her!" Soone scread at the top of her lungs.
That was when he realised she had fainted.
People rushed around her, especially won, although most didn’t know the reason she fainted. They must have assud it was due to the heat, or one of the shocking revelations. After all, won were sensitive beings.
"Take him to the gallows and have the executioner wait there for ." His guard nodded and turned to leave. "Find out if his son is in attendance."
Then, he turned to the chief courtier.
"Please read the sentences."
The old man with entirely silver hair rolled open another parchnt and began to read through the severe punishnt that had been drafted for Jarren Straught.
Not only was he to be sentenced to death as everyone knew, his lands and properties were also to be revoked, and his son was not to inherit neither title, position or properties."
At that mont, she was rushed out of the room on the shoulder of her guard.
Yeren had been planning on replacing him for so days before then, but he always forgot. He simply despised the way the guard looked at her with so much admiration and devotion.
"His son is not permitted to wed a woman or have any children, be it bastards or offsprings born of whores..." More was read until he ca to clause Yeren had been waiting for.
"As for his lands, ownership would be transferred to his nieces as retribution after due deliberation by the King’s council." The scroll was rolled back and sealed.
The chief courtier nodded at him before descending the stairs.
But Claire hadn’t heard the part that was ant for her.
Not that it would have made any difference, he thought.
It was the very reason they had argued and we’re no longer speaking to each other.
After a few remarks and acknowledgents, the court session finally ca to an end. Everyone dispersed from the room, heading to the gallows to watch a peer of the Realm be beheaded.
His brother, Harrick Stenly, had died the sa way, Yeren realized.
And Claire said she’d watched everything.
No wonder she hated him so much. Was she ever going to stop?
Even though he was innocent, and she knew it, there would always be a wedge because he let it happen.
He let her father die without doing anything.
He let her father’s lands be taken without doing anything.
But he wouldn’t let anyone take anymore things from her.
His council mbers had also moved to the gallows - but that wasn’t his priority.
His priority was making sure that she was in good health.
And part of him wanted her to watch the scene at the gallows.
Andon t him in the hallway as he was headed for Claire’s tower.
"Your Grace."
Yeren halted, so did the n following closely behind him.
"The people are growing impatient. You need to be present." With a sigh, he added. "You can talk to her later."
Realising his point, Yeren turned away from her tower and followed Andon to the gallows.
True to his word, the place was scattered with people.
Even commoners and servants had gathered, spitting foul words at him, so throwing stones or sour fruits.
Yeren felt his stomach turn inwards when the executioner stepped forward with his large blade and pushed Jarren down to his knees.
The place gradually fell silent.
He made his way up to the stand.
The executioner bower his head slightly at him, his eyes lowered.
"I’ll do it myself." Yeren said quietly, much to the shock of everyone present.
The surprise in the eyes of the executioner was palpable.
Handing him the heavy sword, the huge man stepped back to give him space.
Yeren slowly unsheathed the sword and held it on the ground by Jarren’s head.
The man hadn’t uttered a word since he rested his head on the execution stone.
"I, Yeren Stormhall, hereby sentence you, Jarren Straught of Penbrook to death on this day. Speak your last words or forever hold your peace."
Jarren only turned his head slightly, a slight but depraved smile on his bloody teeth.
"I still rember the taste of her breast in my mouth, I will take it to my grave-"
Before he could even finish, Yeren swung down the sword in one swift movent.
Gasps and cheers followed his action as Jarren Straught’s head rolled down the stone.
Blood splattered on his regal attire, but he didn’t care.
Yeren wiped the sword on Jarren clothing, sheathed it and handed it to the huge man behind him.
"Burn the body."
The crowd imdiately started dispersing, so chanting songs and singing his praises.
As he glanced over the dispersing crowd, his gaze fell on two people.
He recognized one very well, but was quite uncertain about the other.
Claire’s sister.
Then the boy must be Arlan Straught, he thought.
There were no tears in either of their eyes but they turned to leave imdiately they realized he had seen them.
As he descended the stairs, Andon handed him a cloth with which to wipe his hands.
Yeren didn’t bother calling out to them - there was nothing to be said.
Instead, he returned to the building.
As he entered, Garelle intercepted his path.
His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t seen her since he arrived at the last he heard, she had returned to her father’s manor in Primwood.
"Lady Plutte. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Your Grace. The pleasure is all mine." Glancing around, she asked, "May we talk sowhere private?"
His refusal hovered on his tongue, but whoever heard of a King rushing to see to his Cupbearer?
"Very well. Follow ." He led the way to his study and closed the door behind her.
She didn’t bother about sitting.
Fixing him with a serious gaze, she said in a hushed voice, "I never told you the real reason why I was desperate to end our marriage, Your Grace."
Reviews
All reviews (0)