"Your Majesty!" Louie called upon arriving at the Emperor's office.
"Chancellor, you can leave us now," The Emperor said, and the man bowed before leaving.
"What's the meaning of that punishment?" Louie asked angrily. "You already have the witness on Mari's slavery; why does she only get confinement when Lady Shirley is exiled?"
The Emperor sighed, "Lady Shirley was still an accomplice in the abduction of Lady Marianne. You already know that the punishment for abduction is death, but since she was just an accomplice, I lightened up her punishment into being exiled."
"Then you should have done that to Mari. too."
"I can't do that," The Emperor looked at him earnestly, making Louie frown.
"W-what? But why?"
"I'm holding her hostage," The Emperor said and sighed.
"H-hostage? What do you mean by that?"
