Novel Lived
Chapter 269:
Chapter 269:
TL/N: Cut Free Chapter
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“Your Majesty!”
Duke Ariel stepped forward and implored Bathory's mercy.
He was a figure of significant influence among the nobles of the Erzsebet Kingdom and served as the representative of those nobles who advocated for the enthronement of a new king.
In fact, Duke Ariel planned to enthrone one of the collateral relatives of the royal family and use them as a puppet to seize control of the government.
Since Bathory was still unmarried and had no heirs, it was perfectly suitable to casually enthrone one of the collateral relatives of the royal family.
At that moment, Duke Ariel knew of a young woodcutter who was first in line in the royal family's collateral bloodline for the throne, and he had already marked him as his chosen king.
However, since Bathory had suddenly appeared, Duke Ariel had no choice but to plead with all his might.‘I must survive, somehow, some way.'
Duke Ariel did not ask for much.
As long as he could safely get through the royal council meeting and leave the palace, Duke Ariel planned to immediately seek asylum in another kingdom.
Now that his attempt to enthrone a new king had been exposed, Duke Ariel's political career was as good as over.
Even if Bathory were to show mercy, with his true intentions exposed, his head could be blown off at any moment.
‘All I need is to get out of here.'
Duke Ariel planned to immediately seek refuge in another kingdom as soon as he could escape this crisis.
But for that, surviving first was the priority.
“Your Majesty! We never intended to conspire against you!”
Duke Ariel protested as if he were spitting out blood.
"We believed Your Majesty had perished in battle. With surrounding kingdoms gnawing at our homeland's territory, we could no longer leave the throne vacant, which is why we voiced our opinions. Your Majesty, please understand! We acted solely out of concern for the Kingdom!"
"Acting out of concern for the Kingdom, you say…"
Bathory echoed Duke Ariel's words, and smiled wryly.
"Is it truly the case that you were only trying to enthrone a new king for the sake of the Kingdom?"
“Not a single deception! Your Majesty! Please believe me!”
“Of course.”
Bathory nodded her head.
"I do not doubt your loyalty."
“Your Majesty! Your grace is immeasurable!”
“The battle was lost, and since the king who went on a campaign is missing, it is not unreasonable for you to think that way.”
“Your grace is immeasurable!”
“Your loyalty to the Kingdom is so earnest that even as a king, I cannot help but be moved.
At that moment.
*Shudder*
Duke Ariel felt something was amiss and instinctively shuddered.
Bathory's expression was exceptionally frightening.
While her words spoke of being moved, Bathory's eyes were chillingly fierce.
“Duke Ariel.”
“Yes… Your Highness….”
“I, as the King of Erzsebet, acknowledge your loyalty.”
“Y… Your grace…. is immeasurable.”
Duke Ariel's voice, sensing an ominous foreboding, sounded like livestock being led to the slaughter.
“Therefore, I, as the king, will accept your loyalty and generously forgive you.”
“Yo…. Your Highness!”
Duke Ariel's face lit up.
He had expected to be sentenced to death for treason, but hearing that Bathory would show mercy made him feel as if he had been lifted up from the grave.
"Your grace is unparalleled! Your grace is unparalleled!"
“Hail, Her Highness!"
Led by Duke Ariel, the nobles who had come to advocate for a new king bowed to Bathory in unison.
“I, the King, highly value your loyalty and bestow upon you the honor of being able to serve your Kingdom forever.”
Your grace is unparalleled!"
“You shall serve forever, eternally.”
At the same time, a breath of decay emanated from Bathory.
Then, Duke Ariel and the rest of the nobles' bodies began to decay at a rapid rate.
“W… What is this?!”
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