Each One’s Delusions
“Uh, damn it…”
In front of Mia and others were the members of the White Crows all lined up and tied up. Only one person was still showing resistance. Jem was glaring at them with pure hate. Mia was silently staring at him for awhile, but she turned to Abel and spoke.
“Prince Abel, Prince Sion, I have a request for you two. These guys … could you somehow spare their lives?”
Abel wasn’t really surprised when he heard Mia’s request. Rather, he was expecting it.
I had a feeling that she would be asking for this.
The White Crows attempted to overthrow the monarchy. Unlike the rest of the Wind Crows, who only gathered information, these radicals attacked directly. Even the capital punishment is not enough. Were they not from a foreign country, not only would they be executed, but also their family and their clans.
Nevertheless, Mia pleaded for their lives. Normally he wouldn’t be able to grant this kind of request. But Abel thought…
If it was the Princess of Tearmoon, my father might listen.
Basically, he is a man who has a soft spot for girls’ requests.
The intelligence officers… it will take some convincing, but the best concession will be their banishment. Rather, the hardest part would be those involved in the revolutionary activities. The one who were just caught up might get away with just a whiplash. But Lynsha and her brother, Lambert, will normally be facing capital punishment. I wonder what Mia thinks about that?
Abel looked at Mia and wondered what Mia was thinking about the sibling’s situation. But he wasn’t worried or concerned. He was pretty sure that Mia had already considered and thought out this issue.
Sion was of the same opinion as Abel. Having been lectured by Mia recently, he saw this as an extension of her ideals. She was trying to give these people an opportunity to start over. So far, her actions have been the proof of that intention.
Had the White Crows actions led to a bloody battle, it would probably have been impossible to spare their lives. Furthermore, the relationship between the Kingdom of Remno and Sunkland will deteriorate, and war will be inevitable. If that happened, there would have been no turning back.
However, the damage this time is limited. At least the Kingdom of Remno shouldn’t have enough reason to make Sunkland into an enemy and starting a war. Although it will all depend on the negotiations, but at this moment, they have at least kept the pot from boiling over.
Mia’s request could be the final course of this long, harrowing events, and the culmination of all her efforts.
I have no choice. I don’t think I have even the right to plead. After all, as she said, I did not even explore all avenues so that these things would not have happened.
It was Mia who did her utmost best in attempting to change this course of events. Thus…
I should use all my authority and resources to make her words into a reality.
For Sion, who was also given the opportunity to start over, he had to do at least that much. He knows it won’t be easy, but this time he will do his best.
If the Kingdom of Remno settles for lenient punishment of banishment, Sunkland wouldn’t be able to execute them as well because of optics: others might look at it and think of it as a cover-up. If Prince Abel handles the persuading in Remno, the question is how should I deal with the Wind Crows upon their return to Sunkland?
“Hey, did I just hear that you are not going to execute us? Are you insane or am I? Are you planning to torture us instead?”
Jem said with a snarling laugh.
“Hihihihi, do your best. You won’t be able to get a word out of me.”
Sion scowled. Something about the man’s shrill, disdainful voice grated on his nerves.
Torture huh? I see… So, the Princess is thinking that they are still hiding something from us.
Only Dion was thinking about something completely different. By the time he came here, he had a unique thought about what was happening. Something about the Wind Crows did not sit right with him. Specifically, their change into White Crows. He was suspicious of the man who transformed what was supposed to be a passive agency transformed into an aggressive one.
This Jem guy… there’s something fishy about him.
He did not seem to fear torture. In fact, he dared them to do their worst. This wouldn’t be surprising for a spy since they have sworn allegiance to their nations. But this kind of mentality goes beyond loyalty… this is like…
Fanaticism. It’s like he has a mad passion of something.
Dion glanced at Mia while forming his own hypothesis. Why was she asking for these men to be spared? It must be because she had noticed that there was something else that is hidden beneath all of these. The Wind Crows had gone rogue, but they hadn’t done so alone. There was intent behind their corruption; there was a hand in the shadows pushing them along.
I swear… that Princess can be uncannily sharp sometimes. Still, Jem seems to be a tough nut to crack. I wonder what is brewing in that Princess mind. Or maybe… just maybe… there is nothing brewing up there at all… hehehehe
Dion was correct in his thoughts in the second half. All Mia had was a wish. She said it, and that was as far as her forward thinking got. She had not thought about how it was supposed to actually happen. Besides, she did that wish of hers out of her dedication to her Mia First policy…
