The Demon and the Healer - Chapter 19- Hypocrite

Emperor William married two beautiful empresses before the age of twenty-five and received three offspring from either one. The eldest son was from the first Empress Diana and Charlotte’s mother was Marilyn.

Fortunately, William had found sane and level-minded women as his spouse who not only raised the children to become brilliant young nobles but also assisted in the management and sometimes as an advisory unit as well.

Though one of his young daughters died some years ago in the hands of some filthy demons, William found his family to be well-cooperative and highly beneficial on individual levels. However, there was an exception.

The first prince, Adam.

Being appraised with the skill which a dark mage possesses disappointed William. It was widely known how one’s affinity influences their demeanor and constructs their future. Charlotte was a prime example since from an early age, even before she awakened her Blessing and announced herself as a hero, she tended to shower the people around her with kindness and in the past even showed sympathy toward demons as well, until she lost her sister.

At the same time, Adam detached from the life of a firstborn prince and began to show indications of being divulged in the darkness where no one was able to help him. Days went and the more William gazed at his son, the more grief and betrayal the Emperor felt toward his fortune. On one side, such a radiant and kind-hearted daughter was making her name, and on the side, Adam dwelled in deeper depth.

William thought that Adam’s obsession would remain within the bounds of women and liquor. The Emperor had assigned some personnel to assure that it remains like that. However, never could he have thought that someday Adam would be standing in the court, not as the first prince but as a rapist.

“Why are you silent father? Adam has partaken in sin where no other compensation rather than execution could be counted as proper punishment.”

It was no surprise that Charlotte, who along with that inhumane varmint brought Adam, would be spiteful toward her brother to the point of disregarding the politeness to call him her sibling. Initially, despite it being Charlotte who informed it, William was not ready to accept the accusation charged on Adam and regarded Charlotte as being manipulated.

But the mental space the Demon General portrayed through his skill in the middle of the court proved as a witness that Adam did commit the crime which in the Empire has no other punishment than execution. There was no visual display but just the sound of the desperate scream and the evil words Adam voiced out, was enough to conclude the matter in Charlotte’s favor.

Upon being asked by the spies who were assigned to have a look at Adam, they also affirmed things that solidify Charlotte’s allegations, leaving no room for William to utilize and somehow save Adam.

“How dare you say something like that about my son, Charlotte? You want him to die just because he slept with a widow?! How can you even bring yourself to say such words about your own brother?! ”

William tightly clenched his fist and his teeth ground together in annoyance hearing Diana’s words which would make the matter even worse, considering the set of words she chose to defend her son.

The atmosphere in the council and the court was hefty enough proof to show how strongly Diana’s words were taken in a bad light and because of that, for William to scout any middle route also grew close to impossible.

“Slept with a widow? How can you even say that, your majesty?! The act in which Adam pushed Miss Lilli was not consensual but forced! How can you, despite being a woman, utter something like that?!”

Charlotte retaliated with her voice growing along with her rage, not only because the victim was forced into such abuse but also because she was a close friend to Charlotte. And truth be told if someone else then William wouldn’t have bat an eye nor would he have heard a single word of objection from anyone before bestowing the cruelest retribution on the criminal, without fail.

Yet here, the criminal in question was none other than his son. The sign of the love he carries for his wife. The first baby William held in his arm and heard the word ‘father’ from. The one who gave William the feeling of being a paternal figure and once was the source of the Emperor’s greatest happiness.

How can he, as the father of the child, dictate the law and announce Adam’s death penalty?

“Watch your tongue, Ch-”

“Diana.”

William raised his hand before the matter could lead to beyond any help since currently, Charlotte had all the support of the court, and if William takes a partial decision, it would be no surprise if rebellion rises against the throne the very next day. He needs to think and since William still had one dice to play, he would be able to extract some time to do something with Adam.

“Before I make any judgment, I need to verify some of the things and for that, I need to call the church.”

The gasps of astonishment rose amongst the crowd and the expression on Charlotte’s face made it obvious how exasperated and mildly shocked she was hearing the explicit partisan. But before she could have voiced her rebelling words, William continued.

“Despite all the evidence against Adam, I still need to be assured of their credibility. We have been at war with Demons for centuries so trusting one of them is something I could not bring myself to perpetrate.”

It was the last resort available for William to get some time for Adam. Once the first prince gets into prison, it would not take much time before an ‘accident’ might occur and all the prisoners escape before the guards arrive.

But this would be the last time. After this Adam would be sent to a faraway place and any other crime would be on his head. But just this time, William wants to be a selfish father and give his child another chance.

The court soon grew silent when suddenly…

“Hahahahahaha…..”

The thunderous laughter resonated throughout the hall, gathering every gaze in the said direction except for Charlotte and Adam who both were still staring forward. Adam had a drunken look and Charlotte held a chilling gaze.

“What’s so funny here?”

The Prime minister raised from his seat and asked the foolish demon who suddenly had a seizure in such a severe situation. But no one, in this entire courtroom could have ever presumed what the Demon General was about to follow with.

“You are such a hypocrite that it took me a detour to let my woman understand what kind of sick creature are you.” While pointing at William the Demon continued to chuckle, must to everyone’s annoyance and agitation, for regarding William in such an impolite manner.

But before anyone could have formed words of rebuttal, the previous speaker continued.

“Your every thought, when you planned to let your son escape prison in the name of the mishap was being heard by your daughter. It was truly a good choice to bring this bastard son of yours, here.”

All the color from William’s face evaporated in an instant, with his mind falling to an endless numbness hearing the words which might he have considered as rubbish if not for the content aligning with the exact thing William was thinking of.

But what transpired just after the demon finished with his words, made William widen his eyes and rose to his feet in a panic.

“Since my purpose is now accomplished…I would be bidding farewell.”

**THUD**

With those words, the demon and Charlotte disappeared, and so did a part of Adam…

“Adam!!!”

…under everyone’s gaze, the firstborn was beheaded.

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A/N: – Drop a comment~