Chapter 124
The verdict of guilt was already decided, and they were debating what punishment to impose.
“What about burning at the stake?”
“How do you burn someone who manipulates fire? Besides, he was a king, so isn’t burning too harsh?”
“Then what about drowning him or imprisoning him in a water dungeon?”
Grim suggestions spilled from the mouths of the jurors. The goddess was merciful, but that mercy did not extend to traitors.
A lengthy debate ensued, and a conclusion was reached.
“We decree that he be stripped of his title as king and confined to the water dungeon for life!”
The dungeon, half-filled with water, was so cold that an ordinary person would struggle to survive there for long. Shah-Naz, whose powers were sealed, would be no different.
The punishment was set, and Shah-Naz was dragged before Irene for the last time. It was time for him to confess his sins and plead for forgiveness.
If he handled this moment well, sometimes the punishment could be lessened, but he had no intention of doing so.
She was the woman he had once thrown into the torture chamber. Given her past reactions, she would never forgive him just because he begged now.
It would be better to face the end like a king. With that thought, he glared at Irene with burning eyes, when suddenly Burt approached her.
Curious about what was happening, he watched as Burt knelt before Irene. Why was Burt, who was not even a sinner, kneeling?
As murmurs spread through the crowd, Burt kissed the back of Irene’s hand. Then he bent down and lifted her small foot, kissing the top of it as well.
A kiss on the back of the hand signified respect, while a kiss on the foot signified reverence. It was the highest gesture of goodwill a king could offer.
Someone in the audience let out a quiet gasp. Burt’s act of kissing the seated Saintess resembled a scene from a holy painting, making hearts race.
Having completed these actions, Burt smiled faintly as he looked at Shah-Naz. It was his answer to the conversation they had before.
“Madman.”
Now he understood. Burt was undoubtedly insane. Otherwise, he wouldn’t go so far for a woman unworthy of being a saintess, one with ominous symbolism.
Even when cursed right in front of him, Burt maintained a serene expression. It was others who were incensed.
“To speak such words after witnessing a gesture of respect—this man must be a heretic as well!”
“That’s right. How else could he say such a thing?”
Yet again, a barrage of accusations rained down. But Shah-Naz stood tall and endured it all.
Watching him, Irene, escorted by Burt, descended from her chair and stood before him.
Irene leaned in and whispered into Shah-Naz’s ear.
“A filthy sinner who consorted with heretics shouldn’t wear that expression.”
“I didn’t conspire with heretics.”
“Ah, I see. So it was someone else who did, alongside the heretics?”
Irene sneered as she spoke.
“And you, are you satisfied with your revenge?”
“What if I am satisfied?”
“You are unworthy of being a saintess.”
“You always repeat the same thing. Foolishness. Well, it doesn’t matter since we won’t see each other again.”
Irene straightened up and left the courtroom, leaving Shah-Naz behind. Though Shah-Naz yelled in frustration from behind, she ignored him completely.
Revenge always leaves a bitter aftertaste, but it seemed she couldn’t let go of it.
Irene raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. There, scars that hadn’t faded in the bright light caught her eye.
‘You did the right thing.’
Unlike with Garan, this time Shah-Naz had acted out alone and self-destructed. Irene hadn’t done anything. So there was no need to feel guilty.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
With Shah-Naz’s matter settled, now Burt remained.
“But why did you suddenly kiss me?”
“I wanted to confirm our promise.”
“That’s an unusual way to do it.”
In the past, it was common for people to kiss the feet of the Saintess, but nowadays it was almost obsolete. Most people settled for kissing the back of the hand.
Yet Burt had kissed the top of her foot as well.
“By the way, who will become the king of the other country now?”
“Shah-Naz has a younger cousin. She’s quite capable and intelligent. I think she will take the throne.”
Her family had already begun making moves to secure the throne.
“She’ll be the second queen in the country.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s rare for women to hold power in other countries.”
“That’s not bad.”
“She’ll probably request an audience tomorrow. It would be good to become acquainted with her then.”
“Alright.”
“Will you continue walking?”
“No, I think I’ll go back inside now.”
Irene slowly started moving again.
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