Empress of Another World

Seventy Eight

I asked calmly, “Has the punishment taken place already?”

“Not yet. The trial happened only yesterday, and the ball will be taking place soon. I decided it would be best to carry out the sentence after the ball.”

I couldn’t help but sigh.

I asked another question hesitantly, “What happened to… Bella?”

Lucretius darkened, “… She hurt her leg while jumping. It’s best to put them to sleep when a horse is hurt like that.”

“I see.”

I knew the answer even before he gave it to me, but I still felt my heart sink.

I knew any animals that harm a human was killed on the spot even if it wasn’t the animal’s fault.

Bella was dead, huh?

I remembered her beautiful white hair. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with her. If she wasn’t my horse, she wouldn’t have died.

It was disturbing to know that I felt sadder about the horse’s death than the execution of two women.

I asked Lucretius, “Before the execution, I would like to see her.”

He frowned. “Why do you want to see that bitch?”

I smiled. “So that I get a chance to salvage the original plan for bringing in Lisbeth. I will make her give a statement that the dowager empress made her do it.”

“Bina…” He couldn’t hide his worries.

I smiled confidently to make him feel better, “Don’t worry about it. I won’t go with her alone. Give me one or two royal guards to accompany me. If Lisbeth refuses to do what I ask, I will threaten the Duke and the Duchess as well. I will get them to make their daughter do it. This will be the only way for Lisbeth to live.”

Lucretius didn’t answer me right away.

I grinned again and added, “I can’t let Bella’s death be for nothing.”

***

Lisbeth and Orlean were prisoned at the top of the nearby wing. Usually, the prisoners were sent to the dungeon, but because of the murder of Marchioness Toruka during her imprisonment, it was decided the dungeon was not a safe place.

I walked up to the stairs with help from Agnes and Samantha. Two royal guards from Lucretius’ personal unit followed us.

I walked into the room.

Inside were more crowded than I expected. There were Orlean and Lisbeth, and the Duke and the Duchess who apparently insisted on coming in as well.

A guard brought in a clean chair and a cushion for me. They must have also heard about my accident. I appreciated the gesture since I was feeling a bit dizzy.

Until I sat down, no one said a word. All I could feel were deathly glares from the prisoners.

After a long tense silence, Lisbeth said to me dryly, “Did you come here to laugh at me?”

Oddly, she wasn’t crying. Her blue eyes looked angry.

She must have realized that there was no one here who would sympathize even if she showed tears.

I smiled lightly and replied, “No. I don’t have that kind of time to waste.”

The Duchess screamed, “You ungrateful bitch!”

Normally, I would have replied sarcastically, but I didn’t feel patient now. I was tired both physically and mentally. I skipped to the point.

“I came here for one reason only. I have an offer for you.”