"So... Uncle Sandres is the killer?" Adam asked with a blank stare.
Sandres, the murderer of his parents? It couldn't be! That was the most ridiculous joke he had ever heard. The soldiers informed him that the killer of the Emperor and Empress had surrendered himself. Adam's murderous aura suddenly disappeared upon learning this astonishing fact.
"Advisor! Are you sure you didn't arrest the wrong person? He... Uncle Sandres?!" Adam shouted. He was frustrated, and everyone looked at him with pity.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness Crown Prince, the murderer is Sandres Cesilio," the Advisor explained.
The attitudes of everyone could be understood because Sandres was a close friend of the Emperor. Sandres was one of the most influential dukes in the empire. His wealth contributed significantly to the palace's taxes and played a vital role in Vanrize's economy.
"Uncle! What have you done? Surely, it's just a misunderstanding, right?" Adam tried to believe.
His anger now vanished, replaced by despair. Why would the person he trusted the most do this? It made no sense. Why would Uncle Sandres kill Father and Mother? Adam thought.
"No, Adam. It was me who did it! Your lack of vigilance, even towards those you trust, has led you to this. You're trapped, Adam!" Sandres confessed.
"No! Don't lie! Why would you kill Father and Mother?" Adam sobbed, not knowing how many tears he had shed that day.
Why had his world turned upside down like this? Wasn't today supposed to be the happiest day for him? Why was the universe so cruel?
Sandres remained silent, unable to answer. Meanwhile, the Advisor intervened. Though unbelievable, Sandres himself admitted to the act, and some servants confirmed him as the perpetrator.
"Take all the servants and put them in jail. As for Sandres, what should we do for his punishment, Your Royal Highness Crown Prince? According to imperial law, the death penalty is-"
"STOP! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, ADVISOR?! UNCLE SANDRES... HE COULDN'T POSSIBLY HAVE KILLED FATHER AND MOTHER!" Adam yelled, cutting off the Advisor's words.
The Advisor was surprised by Adam's outburst. The usually calm and cheerful young man had become the most fragile person. Reality hit Adam hard, shaking his heart to its core. The trust he had given wholeheartedly had been betrayed.
"Adam, can't you believe it? I am the one who killed them! I am the murderer of your parents. Why do you insist on protecting me?" Sandres cried. He knew he would die today. Couldn't Adam just choose to believe him?
Adam was shocked. Deep down, he didn't want to believe it. But he also couldn't protect the perpetrator, especially when it involved the murder of his parents.
Resigned because Sandres insisted he was the killer, Adam handed over all responsibility to the Advisor. He chose to leave the prison with heavy steps.
"Tomorrow will be your execution, a display to the people of who the murderer of our Emperor and Empress is!" commanded the Advisor, then left the prison.
"No! Wait, Sir, we don't know anything about this. Why are we being punished too?!" cried a servant who was about to be taken into the cell.
"Sir! Have mercy on us!"
The pitiful cries of the lowest caste were ignored. The Advisor couldn't do anything in the face of the law. That gloomy night ended abruptly. All the nobles not involved in the incident were immediately sent home.
-
The next day.
All the people gathered in the capital. The news of the Emperor's death spread so fast that travelers flocked to the Vanrize Empire to witness the execution of the murderer of the Emperor and Empress.
"Attention! The Imperial Warlord, Warlord Luwi, and the Emperor's Advisors, Advisors Edward, are entering the podium," a soldier announced as Edward and Luwi entered as representatives of Adam, the Crown Prince.
Next, a murder suspect of the Emperor and Empress came out escorted by imperial soldiers. With iron shackles on his hands, neck, and feet, he stumbled forward. The head of Sandres was placed on the execution site.
"Attention! The murderer of our beloved Emperor and Empress has been captured. He is the lowest creature in the Vanrize Empire, and his death today serves as a warning to anyone who rebels against the Vanrize Empire. He is Sandress Cesilio, Duke Cesilio holds a hidden grudge against the Emperor and Empress, that is the motive for his murder. According to Vanrize law, Sandres will be executed, along with his entire family!" Luwi, the imperial warlord, explained.
The people whispered to each other, some cursing, questioning where the Crown Prince was at this crucial execution.
"The Crown Prince must be devastated to learn that the one who killed his parents is someone he considered his own Uncle. Attending the execution must be the hardest thing for him," one of the citizens said.
The soldiers then brought out several members of Duke Cesilio's family. The tumultuous voices of the people intensified as they saw them.
"Damn, was Duke Cesilio just pretending to be good all this time?"
"I'm glad to see his other family members being punished, but Duke Cesilio... could he really kill the Emperor, his own friend?"
"No matter how good the Emperor was to him, despicable people like them never feel satisfied and end up stabbing from behind!"
"Kill them quickly! The late Emperor and Empress won't rest as long as the killer is still alive!"
"I feel disgusted by the nobles!"
"How pitiful the fate of the Crown Prince."
"Wait, in such a critical situation, where did Jean and his family go?"
Teng!
The announcement bell rang loudly, stopping the murmurs of the people. The execution ceremony began.
"Father! You damned Father! How could you do such a foolish act?"
"Why involve us?!"
"Sandres! What have you done!"
The curses from Sandres' family members didn't make a single Cesilio Duke flinch to respond. This time, he resigned himself to death. Even though in his heart he didn't want a death that seemed planned like this.
"Look, everyone! This is an example of what you will get if you rebel against the empire!" Luwi, the imperial warlord, said.
"I have promised to the Sun of the Empire, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, to behead directly the murderer of the Emperor and Empress. Here, on behalf of the Vanrize Empire, I will bear the burden of Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince," he continued.
The people's sympathy soared upon learning that Duke Cesilio was the person closest to Adam. He was the one who personally taught Adam sword techniques. It was hard to believe he was also the one who made Adam an orphan.
"Luwi... why isn't it Adam who's executing me?" Sandres asked.
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince should not dirty his hands with despicable creatures like you," Luwi replied. Although neutral, the truth was Luwi also couldn't accept the fact that Sandres was the murderer. But because Adam's burden was too heavy for someone his age, Luwi would gladly help shoulder it.
"That's right... please tell Adam, read the letter I gave him," Sandres said before the sharp blade of the sword touched his neck without hesitation.
The sound of the falling head, with a smiling lips, became evidence of the death of Duke Sandres Cesilio.
The noisy voices from outside the palace made Adam restless. He couldn't stop the execution. Adam was very sure that Sandres wasn't the culprit, and it was proven when Sandres sent a servant to deliver a letter to him.
"Damn! Why did I only dare to open it now?!" he regretted.
The letter contained words stained with blood that read, "My death cannot be stopped. Let me die, Adam. But, one thing you need to know. The killer of your parents is still out there. Be wary of those closest to you, Adam! I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
The chaos outside made Adam's heart ache even more. He couldn't believe Sandres had been executed for a crime he didn't commit. And worse, the real murderer was still at large.
Adam knew he had to find the true culprit and bring them to justice. But how? The person closest to him had just been executed, and suspicion now lingered in every corner.
As the sun set, Adam's determination burned brighter than ever. He would uncover the truth and avenge his parents, no matter what it took. But little did he know, the journey ahead would be fraught with danger, deceit, and betrayal, testing his resolve and loyalty to the utmost.