Chapter 530: Life In Prison Vs Execution

In that moment, Maria truly realized that neither was wrong. Both had fairness on their side, both carried pain, and both were bound by a cause that neither could abandon.

She exhaled softly, stepping closer.

"I understand now." She said quietly, looking first at Aqua. "I truly do."

Aqua blinked, surprised by her gentle tone.

"I understand the pain you must be feeling, dear. The guilt of having left your brother behind, even though it was never your fault. The way it must haunt you to know that you once gave him warmth, only for it to be torn away again."

Maria nodded, her expression full of empathy.

"I can see how you blame yourself, how you think that maybe, if you had stayed, he might not have become like this."

Aqua’s lips parted slightly, her eyes flickering with emotion, while Maria smiled faintly through the sadness and added,

"You’re not wrong for what you’re doing, Aqua. You’re a good sister. You’re trying to do what you couldn’t in the past—protect him, change him for the better, make sure he isn’t destroyed by the world’s cruelty again."

"And that’s something any mother or sister would understand. I don’t hold anything against you for standing against my daughter."

Aqua’s eyes shimmered with gratitude, and a small, genuine smile curved her lips.

"Aunty Maria..." She whispered, touched by her words.

Maria returned her smile but then let it fade slowly, her face turning solemn.

"But, dear, tell me this."

Aqua blinked, sensing the gravity in her tone.

"What if..." Maria began carefully. "...this investigation goes forward and you find out that your brother really is guilty?"

"That all those vile rumors are true? That he really has committed such horrible crimes against so many women? What then?"

She met Aqua’s eyes directly.

"Would you still forgive him? Would you let him do whatever he wants, even then? Would you still fight against my daughter to protect him?"

Stella and Joy both turned to look at Aqua, waiting.

Aqua’s playful, bright energy dimmed. She bit her lower lip and for a few moments, she said nothing, her brows furrowing deeply as she wrestled with the question.

Then finally, she lifted her head.

"If that really happens..." She said softly. "If the investigation truly proves beyond doubt that he’s guilty..."

She paused, the words heavy in her throat.

"Then...I’ll have no choice but to let him be punished."

Stella gasped quietly, startled by her response, while Maria nodded gently, silently proud of her honesty.

Aqua’s tone grew firmer.

"Even if he’s my brother, even if it breaks my heart, if he’s ruined so many lives for his own selfish desires, then he deserves judgment. I won’t deny that."

"Not even Lady Florence, his mother, would forgive such a thing. She was a symbol of grace and virtue to all women across the continent. She would never allow her son to walk a path that disgraces her name."

Her expression hardened with conviction.

"So if he’s really guilty...I’ll be the first to bring him to justice. I’ll make sure he faces the punishment he deserves."

Maria nodded slowly, impressed by the strength in her words. But before she could speak, Aqua’s expression shifted—her determination flaring brighter.

"But punishment doesn’t have to mean execution."

She added firmly, her voice rising with emotion.

"I’ll never allow that, no matter what happens. If he’s guilty, then I’ll see to it that he’s imprisoned for life, that he lives long enough to regret what he’s done—to atone for it properly. That’s the justice I believe in."

For a moment, silence fell again. Then, from the other side, a cold voice broke it.

"That doesn’t depend on you."

It was Joy.

She stepped forward, her crimson robes rustling softly, her eyes gleaming with pink fire.

"If his crimes are proven..." She said with authority. "...then judgment is not yours to give, Aqua. It is mine and the Goddess’s."

"And if the Goddess deems his life forfeit, then his blood will fall upon my hands, as it has for all sinners before him."

"And when that day comes..." Aqua’s smile faded completely, while Joy continued, her tone unshakable. "...I will not hesitate. I will not see who stands before me—friend or foe."

"I will carry out divine judgment and his blood will stain my robes next."

Her words struck like thunder and Aqua’s expression hardened instantly, her usual teasing tone vanishing.

She then stepped forward as well, until the two stood nearly chest to chest, their faces inches apart, the air between them crackling with tension.

"Then I’ll stop you." Aqua said quietly.

"What?" Joy’s eyes flickered.

Aqua smiled faintly—not playfully this time, but with a determined nature.

"I love you, Joy. You’re my best friend in the world. I don’t ever want to fight you. But if it’s about Cassius—my brother, the boy I couldn’t save—then I’ll fight you with everything I have."

Her eyes glowed fiercely.

"Because I won’t lose him again. Not this time."

Their gazes locked—ice meeting flame.

The atmosphere grew heavy, so tense it made Stella unconsciously hold her breath. Even the nearby guards, watching from a distance, dared not move.

Just moments ago, the two had been teasing and bickering together like old friends.

But now, the air between them felt like a battlefield—Saintess and Witch, best friends and sworn opposites, each standing on the edge of faith and loyalty.

Maria, however, had seen enough. Her motherly instincts surged as she clapped her hands sharply.

"Stop! Stop, you two!" She cried, rushing between them. "Why are you fighting already?!"

Both Joy and Aqua blinked in surprise, momentarily shaken out of their standoff.

"Honestly!" Maria huffed, hands on her hips. "The investigation hasn’t even started! We don’t even know if Cassius is guilty or not!"

"Nothing has been proven yet, nothing is confirmed—and you’re already ready to tear each other apart!"

She sighed deeply, looking exasperated but emotional.

"You’re supposed to be best friends! Why are you fighting like enemies before the truth has even come out?"

Joy’s expression softened slightly. She lowered her eyes, taking a slow breath before saying quietly.

"You’re right, Mother. I let my emotions get ahead of me. That’s not how the Goddess teaches us to act."

Aqua blinked, then smiled gently.

"Aunty Maria’s right." She stepped forward and pulled Maria into a warm hug. "I’m sorry, Aunty. I got a little emotional too. My brother being involved in all this...it’s hard to stay calm."

Maria smiled faintly and patted her head.

"It’s alright, dear. You’re only human."

Aqua pulled back with a grin and added softly,

"I’ll do my best to make sure Joy and I don’t fight for real. The last thing I want is for us to end up on opposite sides for good."

Maria sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing.

Maria sighed in relief, pressing her hand over her heart.

"Good...that’s good. I’m glad to hear that. Because I don’t think I could bear to see the two of you fight for real. If that ever happened..."

She looked between them, her voice trembling.

"I wouldn’t even know what to believe in anymore."

Her words hung heavy in the air.

Both Aqua and Joy turned to look at each other then—one with quiet sorrow, the other with cold restraint.

Neither spoke. But in that silence, both of them understood something neither could say aloud:

That depending on what the Empress decided, depending on what the truth revealed—

—their friendship, their loyalty, and their entire bond could shatter forever.

Just then, the grand double doors to the Royal Court creaked open and a royal attendant bowed deeply, his voice echoing through the hall.

"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress, commands the presence of Saintess Joy and Lady Aqua within the court."

The air shifted instantly.

Maria, ever the peacemaker, clasped her hands together and gave both of them an encouraging nod.

"Whatever happens in there..." She said softly. "...remember who you are."

Aqua smiled faintly and turned toward Joy, her expression warm but resolute.

"Guess this is it." She murmured.

Joy met her gaze with that same unwavering calm.

"Yes." She replied simply. "Let the Goddess guide our paths...whichever direction they lead."

And then, with resolve firming in their eyes, the four women stepped forward as one.

And the moment they crossed the threshold, the world seemed to shift.

The Royal Court was vast and grand beyond compare.

A dome ceiling stretched high above, painted with scenes of the Empire’s conquests, gleaming gold against white stone.

On one side, colossal windows lined the walls, their glass tinted red and gold, letting sunlight pour in like liquid fire. The beams cast shifting patterns across the floor, illuminating the crimson banners bearing the sigil of the Scarlet Queen.

On the opposite side, grand tiers of lifted platforms rose like steps toward heaven itself, and upon them stood nearly a hundred ministers, nobles, and high-ranking officials of the empire.

Their faces turned toward the newly arrived guests and a ripple of whispers immediately followed.

Some stared in fear.

Some in admiration.

And others...in temptation.

The moment Saintess Joy stepped forward, her blood-stained white robes trailing behind her like a banner of divine wrath, half the chamber stiffened.

A few ministers paled visibly, clutching their robes or muttering prayers beneath their breath. They all knew the tales—the Saintess who carried out divine punishment with her own hands, whose axe had silenced countless sinners.

Just her presence was enough to make their knees weak.

Yet in sharp contrast, the moment Aqua entered—her midnight-blue robes shimmering faintly with threads of mana, her aura playful yet powerful—the atmosphere shifted.

Some ministers watched her in awe, whispering among themselves as the royal witch of the capital made her entrance. Her very presence radiated the brilliance of magic and nobility, and more than a few gazes lingered on her beauty and poise.

And then came Maria.

Even though she wore the humble attire of a nun, there was no hiding her natural grace or her striking figure.

Her curves were accentuated by the simple white fabric, her steps elegant yet unintentional in their allure.

Several of the younger ministers couldn’t help but stare, their gazes trailing far too long.

But that didn’t last.

For Joy’s head turned ever so slightly, and her piercing blue eyes locked upon them—sharp, cold, merciless.

The ministers immediately flinched, the blood draining from their faces.

Some even bowed their heads hurriedly, pretending to study their documents. The whispers ceased at once, the air growing heavy again.

Stella followed behind them silently, though her lips curved slightly at how easily Joy commanded absolute silence.

And then, at the far end of the hall, stood the throne.

It rose high above the others, a masterpiece of gold and black, framed by coiling serpentine dragons carved into its frame.

In front of that very throne was a translucent scarlet screen that shimmered faintly like glass veiled in flame. It distorted the image of the one who sat behind it—yet even through the hazy crimson barrier, a regal silhouette could be seen.

A woman...tall, poised, and radiating power.

Her long, crimson hair spilled like molten fire down her shoulders.

Her figure, though blurred by the screen, was unmistakably voluptuous—her posture one of confidence, amusement, and authority combined.

Even the faintest movement of her arm seemed deliberate, like that of a queen who had ruled for centuries and never once bowed her head.

One arm rested lazily on the armrest, the other propped against her chin as though she were studying the scene with a mix of curiosity and mild entertainment.

And even though the screen hid her features, her presence filled the room entirely.

That faint, amused smile. That faint aura of power that rippled through the chamber like heat.

She didn’t need to speak for everyone to know exactly who she was.

The Empress of the Human Empire.

The Scarlet Tyrant.

The Betrayer of Blood

The Unfilial Empress

The woman whose name alone made kings kneel, whose command could raise armies and topple kingdoms and whose favor or wrath could decide the fate of anyone who stood before her.

Marina Morgana Heavenfall.