Chapter 534: Little Birdie

If anyone else from outside the palace had seen what had just transpired, they would have thought the Queen had gone mad.

That she had lost all reason and executed a man purely on whim.

But the nobles standing there knew better.

They knew, with clenched jaws and cold fury, that this was not madness.

It was a demonstration. A spectacle. A warning.

The execution had been merely the excuse.

The true intent had been political theater—a display of absolute dominance.

Baron Vanstein, after all, was not some random courtier; he had been one of the loudest voices

supporting the coalition of the Five Noble Families. For months, he had mocked Marina’s reforms in private dinners, whispered discontent in merchant halls, and even tried to rally the old guard behind him.

And now, in front of everyone, he was gone. Erased—not through trials, not through petitions, but by a single command.

The nobles standing in the court understood it perfectly. This was Marina’s way of reminding them that she could strike at will.

But knowing that didn’t calm their anger. It only made it burn hotter.

They had already been losing ground to Marina’s unrelenting reforms: losing influence, losing estates, losing soldiers, losing fear.

And now, she had killed one of their men in broad daylight before the entire court, using nothing but her word.

If this continued, if the Empress kept acting with such impunity, it wouldn’t be long before the Empire itself fractured.

It was already whispered that war might soon erupt—not against foreign powers, but within the Empire’s own walls.

Yet, as Marina sat lazily on her throne, a faint smirk curved her crimson lips. She looked utterly unconcerned, almost eager.

As if the mere thought of war thrilled her—as if she already knew she would win.

But politics, for now, faded into the background.

Because at the mention of a single name—Cassius Vindictus Holyfield—the atmosphere of the court shifted once again.

Aqua’s head snapped up immediately, her composure breaking as she stepped forward.

"Auntie!" She began earnestly, her voice shaking with urgency. "You must listen to me. My brother is innocent! Completely innocent!"

The nobles murmured at the sudden outburst, but Aqua didn’t stop.

"All those accusations against him—the rumors, the vile stories—they’re fabricated! My father has always despised him. You know that better than anyone! He would go to any lengths to ruin his son’s name."

"Even the so-called video transmission has to be false! There must have been tampering—some kind of manipulation!"

Her eyes glistened as she spoke.

"So please, Auntie, you can’t let anyone punish him like this. You can’t let her..." She glanced sharply at Joy "...take control of this investigation. If you do, it’ll only lead to more injustice!"

Joy, standing rigid and calm beside her, finally took a step forward as well.

Her voice was cold, resolute.

"Your Majesty..." She said firmly. "I beg you not to let emotions cloud your decision. Even if you hold affection for Lady Aqua, please do not let that influence your judgment."

"Cassius Vindictus Holyfield is a sinner. The Goddess herself has spoken to me, has shown me his corruption, and I cannot ignore her words."

Joy’s expression remained utterly unwavering.

"He must face divine judgment. So, I request your permission to begin a full investigation—to travel to the Holyfield estate with my sisters, to uncover every truth, and to purify the taint that festers there."

"The crimes committed against those women must not go unanswered."

Her voice was heavy, solemn, carrying the weight of divine certainty.

But Aqua’s eyes narrowed slightly, a wry smile forming on her lips.

"You talk about him as though he’s already been proven guilty." She said softly. "Last I checked, justice comes after an investigation, not before it. You have no right to call him a criminal until evidence says otherwise."

Joy’s expression didn’t even flicker.

"The Goddess has already judged him." She replied quietly. "And when the Goddess passes her decree, there is no room for doubt."

Aqua scoffed, shaking her head.

"You and your visions. You think because you dreamed of light and shadows that you can condemn a man’s soul?"

The tension between them thickened, the air practically vibrating.

But before it could erupt, Maria swiftly stepped between them, her voice sharp but weary.

"Enough, both of you." She said firmly. "This is not a church or a market square. You are standing before the Empress. If you must argue, you’ll do so after her judgment, not in front of the throne."

Her tone alone was enough to make both women pause, exhale, and step back, though their gazes remained locked in silent hostility.

Now all eyes turned to the throne.

Marina sat unmoving, her head tilted slightly, the faintest trace of amusement in her eyes. She appeared to be thinking—weighing something unseen.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The tension was so thick that the ministers could hear their own heartbeats.

Then, finally, Marina spoke.

"Cassius Vindictus Holyfield..." She murmured. "This black sheep of a man I’ve heard so much about."

Her gaze drifted first toward Joy, then Aqua.

"One side calls him a saint. The other, a sinner. Interesting."

And then she smiled before finally saying,

"Very well."

"I will allow it."

The words struck the air like thunder.

The chamber erupted. Gasps. Shocked murmurs.

Even Joy blinked once, uncertain she’d heard correctly.

But Marina just leaned back, her fingers brushing along the armrest of her throne as she went on to say,

"Saintess Joy, you are hereby granted full permission to investigate Cassius Vindictus Holyfield."

"If the crimes he is accused of are proven true—if he has indeed committed atrocities against the innocent—then you are authorized to carry out punishment as you see fit, in the name of the Goddess and the Crown."

Hearing this, the court erupted in disbelief.

Ministers whispered furiously. Several nobles nearly stumbled forward in protest.

"Already?"

"Without evidence?"

"She didn’t even hear Lady Aqua’s testimony—!"

The uproar spread like wildfire until the guards stomped their halberds on the floor, demanding silence.

Even Maria and Stella exchanged looks of utter confusion.

Marina was many things—ruthless, terrifying, decisive—but unfair?

Never.

She was known to weigh both sides before striking. Yet this time she had simply brushed Aqua aside and handed Joy full authority without even a question.

Joy herself looked stunned. She blinked once, almost unable to believe she had been given permission so easily.

But none of them were as shocked as Aqua.

She stood frozen in place, her heart pounding painfully.

Her aunt—the woman she admired most, the one she trusted above anyone—had not even given her a chance to speak.

No explanation. No evidence. Just a single decree that sealed her brother’s fate.

Her smile vanished completely.

The feeling that welled up inside Aqua was a mix of crushing sadness and quiet betrayal.

Sadness because once again, she had failed her brother. She had sworn that if another storm ever came for him, she would stand between it and protect him.

Yet here she was, watching helplessly as the Empress’s word sealed his fate.

And betrayal because the very woman she had trusted all her life, the one who had guided and loved her like a second mother, hadn’t even given her a chance to speak.

Marina had passed judgment without a word from her without so much as a glance of sympathy.

Her chest ached painfully. The more she thought about it, the heavier it became.

No matter how strong she was, no matter how proudly she carried her name, in that moment she felt small—just a heartbroken child standing before someone she had loved and admired.

She wanted to cry. To scream.

But she didn’t.

Not here. Not now.

Aqua bit down on her lower lip, forcing her composure. She could not afford tears in the royal court.

She straightened herself instead—trembling hands clenched into fists—and though she knew it was useless, she resolved to argue.

To fight against this judgment, even if it meant defying her aunt directly.

But just as she looked up, Marina’s voice broke the tense silence.

"Calm down, Aqua."

The Empress said softly, though her tone carried the weight of command. Her gaze shifted downward, and the faintest smirk curved her lips.

"The way you’re looking at me right now...it’s almost as if you’d like to slice my head off, just like I did to my father, and take the throne for yourself."

The court froze.

Every noble in the chamber went still, as if the air itself had turned to stone.

That topic—the mutiny, the blood on the palace gates, the fall of the old king—was something no one ever mentioned aloud.

It was the one subject every noble avoided for fear of execution. And yet here the Empress was, speaking of it casually, even mockingly.

Aqua’s face paled. "Auntie, I— I would never—"

But Marina raised a hand, silencing her.

"I know what you’re feeling." The Empress said, voice calm but firm. "You’re frustrated. You think I’ve betrayed you by not hearing your voice."

"You probably even want to run to your mother and complain—tell her that I’ve changed, that I’ve become cruel."

Marina’s gaze hardened.

"But sadly for you, my dear niece, my decision will not change. Not today. Not tomorrow. No matter who you call upon or how much you cry."

Her voice was coldly resolute.

"For quite some time now, Joy has been sending me reports—detailed, relentless reports—about Cassius Vindictus Holyfield. About his actions, his movements, his dealings."

"She’s pleaded with me again and again to allow an investigation, and after examining all the evidence she presented, I cannot simply ignore it. I have to be fair—even if the accused is family."

Aqua’s teeth clenched. She didn’t glare out of hatred, only out of helpless frustration—the kind that burned inside one’s chest when there was nothing left to do.

But then, Marina’s tone suddenly softened.

"However..."

Her smile returned.

"Do not worry, Aqua. Even if this investigation proceeds, I do not believe anything will come of it. The man you’re so desperate to protect..." She rested her chin on her hand. "...will come out unscathed."

The nobles stirred at once, startled, while Marina continued lightly.

"Because no matter how much Joy investigates, she’ll find nothing. After all..."

"...Cassius Vindictus Holyfield is innocent."

The entire hall erupted into murmurs of shock.

Joy blinked once, unable to hide her disbelief.

"Auntie...what?" Aqua looked at her aunt in astonishment. "You just condemned him a moment ago, and now you’re certain he’s innocent? What are you saying? How can you know that?"

Marina didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she slowly gestured toward the three women standing before her.

"Come closer."

Joy, Aqua, and Maria hesitated, then obeyed, approaching the throne. Though the Empress’s face was partially hidden behind her veil, they could see her eyes glimmering sharply through it.

Her voice dropped to a near whisper, meant only for them.

"Because..." She said softly. "...a little bird close to Cassius told me everything. And that bird insists he is innocent of every crime placed upon him. No matter how deep the investigation runs, there will be nothing to find."

All three women froze.

Aqua’s lips parted. Maria’s brows furrowed. Joy’s hand unconsciously gripped her axe.

It could only mean one thing.

There was a spy within the Holyfield estate.

Someone close enough to Cassius to know everything about him.

Someone the Empress trusted more than anyone in that hall.

"A spy?" Maria asked quietly, her brows furrowing. "You have someone inside the Holyfield estate?"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps not." Marina’s lips curved faintly. "Let’s just say this person isn’t a spy at all, merely someone who landed in that position coincidentally and some who...wishes to help that boy."

Maria’s frown deepened.

"And who exactly is this informant, Your Majesty? They must be quite close to him if they can say with such certainty that he’s innocent."

The Empress chuckled softly.

"That..." She said. "...is my secret."

She sat back against her throne, resting one elbow on the armrest.

"She’s one of the deepest shadows I’ve ever placed—though in truth, she was never a spy to begin with. Just someone who cares...deeply."

Her words sent a quiet chill through the three women before her.

Then Marina turned her gaze toward Aqua.

"And I can already see the question on your face." She said, amused. "You’re wondering if you should warn your brother."

Aqua’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard.

"I don’t mind. You can tell him if you wish. Even if he knows someone watches over him, he won’t be able to find her. She’s far too clever for that. And she’s quite safe where she is."

The three women exchanged uneasy glances—curiosity, suspicion, and relief all tangled together.

Then, leaning back in her throne, Marina added quietly.

"This is also why I allowed Joy her investigation—not to condemn your brother, but to prove to her that she’s wrong. I know that I simply denied it, she won’t accept it with how stubborn she seems to be."

"But once she sees with her own eyes that Cassius is guiltless, this matter will end forever."

Joy hesitated, biting her lip, her mind visibly torn between faith and reason. Then, finally, she bowed her head.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Aqua, meanwhile, stood frozen in awe—half relieved, half stunned. Her heart swelled with cautious hope.

And Maria, ever the curious one, looked at Marina with quiet suspicion.

"Your Majesty...whoever this informant is...she must be very close to him indeed."

Marina smiled faintly behind her veil.

"Closer than anyone realizes."

Then her voice grew distant—almost wistful.

"And if my little baby bird speaks the truth, then perhaps Cassius Vindictus Holyfield is not a sinner at all..."

"...but the key to something far greater."