After Mirabelle and Gabrielle joined the rest of the family, Gabrielle noticed the slight grimace on her father's face and asked what the problem was. "The former Lord of Irvington.... his associates are being punished today. The town crier announced it this morning. I doubt they even saw it coming but at the same time, they could have seen it coming but they were so relaxed instead of going to the king and asking for his mercy. How impudent!". "Mr Nolan, sorry for intervening in your conversation but I have to say. Once one has wronged the king there's no going back, no forgiveness unless you're in his good book" Marcus chipped in, making Gabrielle turn her head towards him to see him seated on the couch. Mirabelle who was also present in the family's living room where they were having the conversation decided to ask the question that lingered in her mind after Marcus made that statement. "So the king truly does not forgive even the slightest offense?" Mirabelle's question made Gabrielle nudge her slightly. Mirabelle had heard a lot about their king, some rumors were good but the others weren't and because of this questions filled her head if he really was a bad as most of the rumors said. "Mirabelle why would you ask that? Do you want to put yourself in trouble somehow?" Gabrielle whispered to her but Marcus knew Gabrielle thought it wrong to ask that question in front of the king's guards, so he corrected her thinking. "My lady, your sister can't be punished for asking that and to answer your question lady Mirabelle, the king has created a standard for things to be done and if anyone does otherwise then he or she would face the consequences. Whether it's speaking ill of the king or treason, both will be punished". Marcus subtly made it clear to the family that there was no messing around with the king. "I see" Mirabelle responded.
"Well papa are you going to the square to watch what's going to happen?" Gabrielle asked and her father shook his head quickly "I have work at the palace so I'd work instead. Sure they'll be a lot more people who would go to the square to watch their demise. I don't want to see any gory scenes this beautiful morning" Mr Nolan said as he placed his feet on a wooden stool to lace his shoes properly. "Mmm" Gabrielle's reply to her father's words sounded muffled. Seeing her father was about to leave, she quickly asked "You're not staying for breakfast?". "I would have breakfast when I'm back. Marcus, let's be on our way". By the time Mr Nolan arrived at the castle, the king, his advisor and some guards had already left for the square but it didn't really matter. He was to do his work and leave whether or not the king was present in the castle at that moment. But in truth, Mr Nolan preferred when the king was present because he felt a bit more comfortable when the king was present compared to now. The palace compromised of many vampires, some even among the king's retinue. This made Mr Nolan who wasn't exactly a fan of the night creatures, cautious of his every move though he knew they couldn't hurt him in the palace. As he pruned and dressed the trees and flowers, he occasionally looked behind him making sure he'd catch sight of anyone who'd try sneaking up on him and attacking him. The last encounter he had with a night creature had left him a bit traumatized.
Meanwhile, the square was flooded with villagers who wanted to see the king and also, the punishment that was going to be given to whomever. Some who hadn't seen the king before, came to the square just for that. The king rarely came out of his castle and even if he did, not all had the opportunity of seeing him. Only during balls, executions and few parties some nobles held which the king was invited to and not all had the opportunity to even see him there also. The easiest way some could see him was in executions or sanctions like this. Some also came to witness the gory scenes and for some reason they liked the thrill they got from wondering what punishment the king would give to an offender. It was entertainment to them, forgetting that if they faulted too they'd be in that position.
Everyone had their eyes glued to the scaffold as the executioner announced the crime committed by the three men. After he was done talking, the soldiers pulled one of Irvington's friends to the scaffold. Henry Otis. He was an unmarried man who owned a bar in his village. Though the crime they committed with the late Lord Irvington was majorly what brought them into this situation, the men had been faulting for a while now but karma had caught up with them. As the man was being dragged up the scaffold, he screamed and acted like a mad man. An attitude making the crowd wonder what was wrong with him, if it was fear that got his brain or something else.