The Two Empresses
Execution

The night has come, driving the dawn to rest. The young queen was lying worriedly, occasionally rolling over to fix her sleeping position, but her mind could not stop bothering her. He sat on the bed, took a deep breath and walked towards the balcony in his pajamas. A cold wind slowly swept over his cheeks gently, making him shiver slightly. He raised his head, watching the billions of star troops fighting showing off a sparkle. Carefully he positioned himself on the balcony railing and swung both his legs.

"Nee?" call someone while showing off his face next to Saciel. The one called turned his head and was surprised, he almost threw himself down from the second floor. The perpetrator held his arm and put on a sweet face.

"Kezia? W-how did you get here?" ask Saciel. Kezia did not answer him, but rather hugged him quite tightly while rubbing his face at Saciel spoiled.

"Nee~ I miss you," said Kezia. Saciel gave a small laugh and stroked his head carefully so that he would feel comfortable. "Nee looks tired, what's going on?"

"Just too many thoughts" Saciel said. "How did you get here? What's with Nero?"

"Nero nii doesn't know, let alone Max nii. I came here on my own. Jump a long way" Kezia replied.

"Long jump?"

"Ehe, but it has to unseal," he said. Saciel just chuckled and peeked at his cheek. The heavy feeling in his heart suddenly disappeared thanks to his presence. "What's it like to be queen, nee?"

"It wasn't easy Kezia. I should be able to prioritize people over myself. Even made the hardest decision when I had to.counciled my friend according to what he had done."

"Difficult decision? What the hell is going on here?" ask Kezia.

"Well, remember that smelly woman that attacked you?" ask Saciel.

"Hm? Oh evil necromancer who attacked nii and nee?" guess Kezia.

"He's not evil, just a little eccentric. He has defected and invaded this empire by massacring hundreds of people in the northern region" Saciel said. Kezia straightened his ears and tail, his eyes widening as if to get out of place.

"Why did he do it?"

"I don't know why either, Kezia. I wish I could stop him, but I can't make my people suffer. They've lost their loved ones because of him, how can I defend him just like that."

"Nee, sometimes we have to make difficult choices for the good of others, although sometimes we have to sacrifice someone valuable to us" Kezia said.

"Have you ever experienced it, Kezia?"

"Yet. I hope I don't have to go through with it" he replied softly. Saciel was silent, the burden he was carrying even more burdening, making him almost difficult to breathe. He knew exactly what the demi-human beside him said was true, but it was hard to take it for granted. He stroked the girl gently, occasionally humming to please her feelings. The one who was elated instead changed his size to the size of a 5-year-old child and sat on the lap of the queen spoiled.

"You were adorable when you were a kid, right?" Saciel. Kezia just chuckled and hugged her, then growled when she saw Max coming from behind them.

"It turns out you're here, wayward boy. Ah, good night, Your Majesty," Max said, saluting. "I'm sorry for my sister's irreverence for coming at this hour without any notice."

"Ah, good night," replied the clumsy Saciel. He immediately got off the fence and took Kezia down. Realizing he was still in his pajamas, he flicked his fingers to have the jacket overlay him. "Are you here to pick up Kezia?"

"Yes. Come here, wayward boy," said Max. Kezia frowned and shook his head, making Max a little upset. "Kezia Ackermann?"

"No want! I want nee!" sahut while hugging Saciel's legs with a face that is clear.

"Dad and Mom are sober, don't you want to see them?" ask Max. Kezia was startled and immediately jumped into Max's arms.

"They're awake? Wake up?!" kezia screams hysterically, while pinching Max's cheeks hard.

"Yes yes, but stop pinching me. It hurts!" moan Max while keeping him out of range. Kezia immediately stopped pinching and chuckled.

"Eye."

"Ehe ehe, it's good for you" Max murmured. He looked at Saciel, but quickly turned his face away. Red fibers began to reach his ears, while Saciel grew clumsy.

"Come home, nii. Go home!" sahut Kezia's.

"Yes, don't scream okay. Your Majesty, I am pleased to return. Good night," Max said with his elegant style.

"Bye bye, uh."

"Good night, be careful" said Saciel softly. Max took a swing and in one jump they disappeared. Saciel sighed and walked in, just as the knock on the door filled the silence. He rushed to open the door and Phillip was already standing in front holding his sword.

"I heard a scream here, is Your Majesty alright?" ask Phillip.

"Sorry, there was a sudden guest" Saciel said. "You can rest now."

"Guests? Who?"

"Kezia."

"Kezia? Your Majesty isn't dreaming, is he?" ask Phillip doubtfully. Saciel simply rolled his eyeballs furiously, then pushed Phillip away from his room.

"Sleep, tomorrow will be the hardest day for us. Good night," said Saciel. Before Saciel closed the door, Phillip's voice made him speechless.

"You're strong enough to deal with it?"

He did not answer, but closed the door as soon as possible and lay on his cold bed. Although he was covered with a thick blanket of lamb fur, he could still feel the extreme cold.

...****************...

Early in the morning before the sun rose from the contest, Saciel walked down the underground in a jacket to cover her pajamas. The guards were shocked to death and immediately saluted.

"Your Majesty, what's the need to come so early in the morning?" ask guards.

"I want to see Vristhi. Give me some space" Saciel said firmly. The guard let him in and told the others to keep watch. He walked into the Vristhi prison with a flat face. Vristhi woke up and turned her head, then gave a faint smile.

"It's too early to see me, Your Majesty. What's up?" tanyakanya.

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Does Your Majesty doubt this punishment?" vristhi asked as she sat down and looked into her eyes. Saciel nodded, making Vristhi frown.

"Why hesitate?"

"That question only His Majesty can answer" replied Vristhi.

"I don't like you, but I'm not that hard to execute you" Saciel said.

"I don't like you, I dare to take this path by killing innocent people and I understand very well I won't hesitate with my choice. If I were you, I would carry out merciless executions. You know it's not easy being strong to protect something that's important to you. Sometimes victims need to be there for this" Vristhi said. "Huh, I didn't expect to be advising you like this."

"Is this for Lao?"

"Hm? A lao? I don't know, I don't understand what you're saying, Saciel. Why do I think of this guy?" reply Vristhi with a cynical smile.

"You may be able to deceive me, but you can't fool yourself. Until now you still insist on being the bad guy?"

"Evil? Me? On what grounds can you say I'm evil? Is it just because of one stain you can say I'm evil?" ask Vristhi. Saciel was silent, not knowing what to answer. "No one is born evil, Saciel. There's gotta be one who's gonna be the trigger."

"Your Majesty, what are you doing here? Oh, my God, is His Majesty still in pajamas?" phillip lamented as he approached and clasped his hand. "Let's go back, Your Majesty."

Saciel just nodded. He turned around and walked with Phillip leaving Vristhi who heaved a sigh of relief. She spoke only a thousand languages, letting her maids and servants serve her.

"I don't think this is the time for half-heartedness, Your Majesty," Parvati said softly. Saciel turned his head and put on a wounded expression. "A queen should be firm, can't be half-and-half."

"All right, I get it. Thanks for the input. Ah, please just simple," she said when she saw one of her ladies carrying a pretty fancy dress. After changing clothes, Saciel walked out of the room together with the two maids behind her. Phillip who was waiting below saluted and reached out, but Lao's long and pale hand quickly grabbed Saciel's wrist. "Aah?"

"Good morning, Your Majesty. Sorry for my rude actions. Today I will accompany His Majesty. Come on," said Lao, peeping at the back of Saciel's hand. Saciel just nodded and walked out with Lao, followed by Phillip behind him. Lao helps Saciel get into the carriage, while Phillip holds two horses for Lao and himself to ride. After closing the carriage door, Lao immediately jumped onto the horseback and moved in unison with the royal horse carriage towards the town square. Already many people were standing around the simple stage with the guillotine standing gallantly. His knife glistened over the sunlight showing how sharp the object was. Vristhi along with the two warriors stood on the stage. His face did not look sad, but from within the carriage Saciel could feel a resigned look from him.

"You must be strong for the people, Saciel. Gotta," Saciel murmured. After the royal horse carriage came to a stop and the door opened, Saciel slowly descended aided by Lao who gave a faint smile. They moved towards the balcony of a hotel reserved for him.

"O my people! We all stand here to judge..ah?"

His words were interrupted when everyone stopped, even time at the big hour. He turned his head and found Oorun standing beside him with a smile.

"Do you intend to stop him?" asked Saciel fiercely.

"No, I won't interfere with human government. Just want to watch. Choose the choice you think is right," Oorun said casually. "Are you ready to do it?"

Saciel nodded. Oorun patted Saciel's head slowly and kissed her forehead.

"Smart kid. It may traumatize you, but remember to remain a humble witch. Don't let yourself be dominated by selfishness and greed."

Finished giving advice, he stopped his magic and stood leisurely as a child with a hat covering his hair. Saciel only sighed and looked back at the people who were waiting for him.

"Prepare the execution!" saciel's Saut. The two soldiers positioned Vristhi just below the guillotine, while Phillip advanced onto the stage with a sword in his hand.

"Are you the executor?" ask Vristhi.

"Lao asked me to do it. He.. can not afford," said Phillip bitter. Vristhi laughed a little hearing that.

"I trust you all. Ah yes, get your ears" said Vristhi. Phillip frowned and knelt down, letting Vristhi whisper something in his ear. After he finished speaking, Phillip stood up with a flat face, raising his sword right near the guillotine.

"Come it!"

...****************...

Two hours of execution ended. Saciel was curled up inside the bathroom, her body wet from the cold sweat that was unceasingly flowing. The maids began to worry because he did not come out after the execution was carried out. Parvati who heard it went to Phillip.

"Marquess Arlestine, Your Majesty locked himself in the bathroom. It's been two hours" Parvati said. Phillip rushed to the queen's quarrel and walked in. The ladies were surprised to see it.

"Marquess, it is impolite to just walk into Your Majesty's room" said one of the ladies-in-waiting.

"The others are out, let me take care of them" Phillip said. The ladies were hesitant, but as soon as they saw Phillip's frightening flat face, they hurried away from the room. Phillip pointed his foot towards the bathroom and knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty?" call him. There's no answer. "Saciel, if you hear me, get out of the bathroom now."

Silent. Slowly the sound of the door opening rang out and Saciel showed off her fragile-looking self. He held Phillip's arm while bowing his head.

"Phillips? Philip."

"It's all over, Saciel. It's all over" he said gently. Carefully lifted her in a hug and carried her to bed. "You need to rest. Don't make you sick."

He laid the girl down gently and kissed the back of Saciel's hand.

"I'm going to call the lady to help you change your clothes" she said. He saluted and came out, where the ladies waited anxiously.

"Help Your Majesty get changed" Phillip said. The ladies-in-waiting went in and closed the door, while Phillip walked into the throne room. Lao stood there holding a bouquet of black roses with a sad face.

"Duke Zografos, how can I help you?" ask Phillip.

"Ah, I was going to see His Majesty, but it seems that I can't?" reply Lao.

"Sorry, Your Majesty is currently resting. Any message I need to send?"

"No, I'll see him next time. Thank you," said Lao. Before Lao stepped up, Phillip immediately made a sound.

"Miss Vristhi told me, take care of yourself. Don't drown in sadness for too long."

Lao petrified, slowly tears began to flow down his cheeks. He looked at the black rose he was carrying and held it. He quickly wiped away the tears and smiled at Phillip.

"thank you. Tell Your Majesty tomorrow at 10 I want to meet him," Lao said lightly. Phillip nodded, about to move to accompany Lao out but was rejected. "I can go alone."

After Lao leaves, Phillip takes care of some documents he has not touched while directing the waiter to take care of all Saciel's needs. He was surprised to see Tania standing behind him with tears still rushing down his cheeks.

"Miss Schariac?"

"Why did Saciel kill Brother Vristhi!?"