BXBX NOVEL Chapter 591 590: Off the Hook..?
Chapter 591 Chapter 590: Off the Hook..?
With all the attention now on her, Bessie couldn\'t help but shiver in fear as the most important people inside the Empire studied her like some kind of museum exhibit, the Cowkin likely praying to whatever deity she believes in to come out alive from this encounter.
She audibly gulped as the Empress and Lady Igna stood in front of her, before stiffening as the Dragon said "The easiest thing would be to kill you quickly and rid ourselves of the problem..."
However, Lady Igna sighed as she looked towards the Empress instead, asking "Should we though? She doesn\'t seem much like a terrible person; her mana isn\'t chaotic enough nor dark enough for it, and she does seem to hold genuine regrets... though they might just be for getting caught."
The Empress remained quiet before turning towards us, waving her hand at Bessie and asking us "What would you prefer? After all, she is your problem to deal with, and I admit I am curious to see what consensus you four reach regarding how to treat a prisoner..."
Each of us glanced at one another, trying to figure out what we should do with the trembling Cowkin that had aided us in finding out that Lady Vitra Renacla was the one responsible, and specifically that there might actually be something larger going on behind the scenes...
Anput and Jahi were frowning, their eyes locked on Leone and I as they shook their heads slightly, causing the Vampire Princess and myself to look towards one another to converse quietly, understanding that the Jackalkin and Demoness were leaving it up to us to choose.
"I... putting her to death seems wrong all things considered, does it not? She helped us, and Aunt Igna seems to think she\'s not unredeemable... but that doesn\'t excuse the fact that she willingly allowed that bandit group to do as they pleased. She might have been able to save the lives of many."
That made me sigh as I replied "I agree with that, but placing the blame solely on her isn\'t right. What could she have done except leave? She\'s not a fighter; we both saw that first hand. From what she said inside the Teahouse, she only remained with them because she was smitten with Esmerelda. That... doesn\'t mean she deserves to die."
Leone nodded, her lips pulled into a thin line as she glanced towards the Cowkin, who was shuffling from side to side as she awaited her fate.
"What about... serving some time as a servant? Bind her to... either the Palace or House Asmodia as a servant for a few years to atone before giving her her freedom back? Let her decide then how she goes about living her life? Room and board, perhaps some coin bi weekly to monthly that either goes into an account in her name for when she ends her service or straight to her own purse?"
Rubbing my jaw, I shrugged as I said "That\'s not too bad. She still pays a \'price\' for her idleness but it isn\'t something drastic, while still being treated decently well. Unless she commits another crime..."
Leone nodded again, the Vampire looking at the Cowkin before turning towards the Empress, who was back on her throne, awaiting our decision.
"I... I think she should serve time for her involvement, since death is too harsh of a punishment for what she has done. Five years service to either the Palace or House Asmodia as a servant of any kind, with the specifics being ironed out later between the respective parties? This way she still is charged with being inside a group that attempted to not only rob someone, but attempted to rob such high profile individuals, perhaps even with the intent to kill. Would... Would that work?"
Lady Fenryas let out a low growl as she sneered at us, though she remained quiet as Lady Igna smiled softly, nodding her head as she glanced at the Empress.
"I think it could work. Maintain pay at a cut rate, provide a bed to sleep in and food on a regular basis, and allow her to work for one of the affected parties? It is incredibly favorable for her and fair considering her role."
The Empress nodded quietly before glancing at the Marquess, who had remained silent this entire time, and asked "Chordeva, would you like to take her, or should I keep her here?"
Stepping forwards, the Marquess stared down at the relieved - yet still afraid - Bessie with her hard ruby eyes, before she turned and looked at the Empress, speaking for the first time.
"That depends on how you respond to my own question, my Empress. I have been meaning to ask for a long time now, so since we are here..."
Taking a deep breath, the sapphire skinned Demoness asked "Would you allow for me to confer the title of Baroness to Julie Zara and create House Zara? So that I might elevate her to the corresponding rank required for a woman to become my wife?"
My jaw dropped as I stared at the Marquess, who was focused solely on the Empress seated on her throne, the white robed woman smiling gently as she asked "Am I to assume the land that they are to occupy would be that of the Zara Pack\'s old territory? If so, then that does expedite many different things..."
"I was going to ask that as well, my Empress. It is - according to a myriad of different laws and agreements - land that belongs to Julie Zara, the current Matriarch of the Zara Pack, which means that bestowing the title of Baroness is simple and, in my opinion, long overdue."
My mind blanked as the Empress nodded, her smile growing as she said "I would have to agree, even if all that remains of the Zara Pack is a mother and her daughter. The answer is yes, Chordeva; you may bestow the title of Baroness to Julie Zara, as is a right of any Noble at or above the rank of Marquess. The granting of land is also approved, as it does - as you say - belong to Julie Zara due to the agreements that were forged between the Zara Pack and House Asmodia. Now, in regards to the marriage, let me be the first to congratulate you in regards to such a joyous occasion, my wondrous Marquess."
I could feel Jahi beside me, the Demoness grinning as she stared down at me, while Leone slipped her hand into mine, giving it a soft squeeze as she congratulated me as well; as for Anput, she hugged me from behind, my mate chuckling quietly as we all became the focus of the room once more.
"While you all are here as well, I must say congratulations to you as well, Katherine Zara. This does make things much easier for the four of you going forwards, even if this does shine some light on you now, dear. Though... this will call into question the Soul Bond between you and young Jahi, but that is very easily twisted into another form of marriage, no? I cannot think of anything more poetic then the union of two souls being quite literal..."
I was still slightly flabbergasted from what had just occurred, my mind incapable of processing that happening despite me having known it would eventually happen anyways, for my sake or for my Mothers...
And yet, now that it had indeed happened, I... didn\'t know how to react to it.
Obviously I was happy and ecstatic for both myself and my Mother, as it prevented most people from being able to ridicule our respective lovers for \'lowering\' themselves by bedding maids, and I was overjoyed that my Mother would finally be able to truly settle down after everything that had happened in her life, but still...
Either way, no matter what I might think, it was happening anyways, and I decided to push away my unwarranted worry and negative thoughts and instead just embrace what was undeniably a happy occasion.