Chapter 116 - Hugo's Decree
Chapter 116 – Hugo’s Decree
In the throne hall of the castle, everyone was gathered. Knights, head servants, the grand duke's vassal, the core members of the pack, and the family in question. Balthazar along with his wife and sons stood in the middle, where Hugo could see them from his throne. They were all present, aside from Adelia.
Hugo didn't say much to Rinnie, afraid she would just get worried once he let his mouth run. Although she didn't insist and dwell on the matter, he was certain she was worried. So before he left her, he reassured her that he would make a wise decision.
"Where is Adelia?" he finally broke the stifling silence, but it only replaced an even more dreadful atmosphere. "Bal?"
Balthazar, a middle-aged man, swallowed a mouthful of saliva as he took a deep breath. He raised his head, revealing the slight wrinkle on his face due to his age. Yet his eyes didn't falter, even when he met Hugo's sharp gaze.
"We sent her to the monastery where she can reflect on her actions, Your Grace," came out a stern yet humble voice. "What my daughter had committed is treason. I, Balthazar, and my family accept Your Grace's punishment."
As those words left Balthazar's lips, Emily, his wife, trembled in fear while holding her hand. She was already on the verge of tears as her family will be ruined for sure. Although Hugo was a merciful and a just ruler, what Adelia did was unspeakable. Being hanged as a result wouldn't be a surprise.
Her sons, although disheartened by their impending doom, still acknowledged Hugo's decision even before he decided. Not a single person even brought up how loyal Balthazar and his sons were to the grand duke. The thought didn't even cross their mind.
Why? Because that was how this world works. Although Hugo was merciful and kind, there was a clear line they shouldn't cross. But Adelia dared touch Hugo's bottom line. She went too far this time. Now, her family was on the brink of ruin because of her thoughtless actions.
Hugo leaned to his side, propping his jaw against his knuckles. "Bal, Emily, you were part of my family," he muttered. His vassal kept his stern expression while Emily couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheek as she raised her head.
"Every single one of you who is standing under this roof is part of this pack. Adelia is also a part of it." His eyes glossed over everyone's faces across the hall, tapping his finger against the armrest lightly. "Belcoot is my home. You know my rules… or did you forget it since I was gone for quite some time?"
There was nothing but silence in the hall. Even a pin drop could be heard while everyone's eyes were on Hugo. Although his aura alone intimidated them, their solemn and stern expression remained. Before their lord and the patriarch of this pack, even if they were currently head maids or butler, they were all soldiers. Hence, they must act as one.
"If I remember correctly, I warned everyone that I will not tolerate anyone who disrespect, harm, or badmouth Rinnie behind her back. How you treat her is how you treat me. Hence, Adelia's action for attempting to murder my luna is same as attempting to assassinate me." his eyelids drooped until they were partially closed. "If not for that maid, my fiance, Rinnie would be in a critical condition. If that happened… even if I eliminate and disgrace the entire House Talon will not quench my anger."
Emily pressed her lips as she hung her head low, reciting her prayers internally. Meanwhile, her husband, Balthazar, didn't avert his eyes from Hugo. If anything, he understood their Alpha and Adelia were truly in the wrong. The only thing this man regretted was that he pampered Adelia so much she turned out arrogantly ignorant.
Hugo took a deep breath as he straightened his back, hands on the armrest. "Bal, regardless of your and your sons' contribution to the grand duchy, you understand this offense will not give you or your family an immunity, correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace. What my daughter committed is atrocious." Balthazar breathed out.
"It is unforgivable. If not for Rinnie, I would've ordered Adelia to get dragged to the gallows and get hanged along with her family right this instance. However, thank your Luna for she is forgiving and kind. Even when Adelia tried to harm her, she had forgiven her and pleaded in the House Talon stead." His jaw tightened, leaving cracks on the armrest while gripping it. "I am angry; not anyone in here has an idea."
Although Hugo didn't raise his voice, everyone remained silent. Hugo was wrong. Everyone in this hall knew exactly how mad he was. And yet, he was containing himself because Rinnie asked him to. This… was unlike Hugo. They would understand if the House Talon were branded as traitors; actually, everyone already expected such outcome — even Balthazar and Emily.
But because of their Luna, the worst hadn't happened yet. At this very moment, everyone just had one realization. Rinnie's influence on Hugo was stronger than they thought. And that her foothold in the grand duchy was something they had to keep in mind at all times.
"Regardless of my personal feelings, I will judge this as the person who is in charge of Belcoot and the Alpha of this pack." Hugo lifted his chin, eyes on his trusted vassal. "Considering the House Talon's contribution from then until now, Balthazar may keep his title and continue to protect Belcoot as a proud warrior and as one of my people. Emily may also continue helping in the castle, but I forbid her from seeing Adelia temporarily."
He paused, studying everyone's expression. Shock dominated their faces as if they couldn't believe Hugo's decree. Wasn't that also meant he was forgiving the House Talon? Not that they were not relieved for Balthazar and Emily, but this decision might affect Hugo's reputation and deem it as a weakness from those who were opposed to his governance.
"However, Adelia will never step foot inside this castle. No. Keep her out of my sight, because if I see her… I will kill her. Don't let her approach Rinnie. If this happened again, I will not be lenient, even if the entire world begs me for mercy. Your sons will also be stationed in the front line to defend the northern border against those demonic bears," Hugo continued in the same cold tone, giving out his decree regarding this incident. "Whether your sons will die or live in the borders is not my problem."
There was a moment of silence as everyone had mixed emotions in Hugo's decree. Who wouldn't? At first, it all sounded too good to be true. But the latter part was cruel. Still, no one could argue with him, as it was the best course of action.
Since Balthazar was his vassal, he deserved mercy one way or another. Letting him continue fulfilling his duty as a proud warrior was merciful. But… their bloodline would stop at his children if they died defending the dreadful borders in the north.
Meanwhile, Balthazar let out a deep exhale, as if a thorn was plucked out of his throat. He truly thought they would all die today. Even his sons, who were stationed in a terrible place, felt relieved at this mercy they received despite the grave offense their sister did. Meanwhile, Emily couldn't help but tear up as her knees wobbled.
"Thank you for your benevolence, Your Grace." Emily expressed while in tears, kneeling beside her husband and sons.
"Thank you for your benevolence, Your Grace." Balthazar voiced out, along with his sons. "Our House Talon will be forever grateful to you and Her Grace."
Hugo was supposed to be happy that he wasn't forced to resort to the worst, but his expression remained the same. Instead, he raised his eyes and scanned everyone carefully.
"Engrave these words in your head, for I will only say this once. Belcoot is my home. I promised to protect it and my people. However, if Belcoot and its people will not keep my luna safe and instead harm her… then I don't need it," he asserted, pulling out an aura to make it clear to every single individual in this hall. "Remember that."
"Yes, Your Grace!" came out a chorus reply which resounded across the hall.