I Will Not Accept It — Since He Said He Would Demote Me to Second Queen for the Sake of His Own Love, I Will Break the Engagement - Episode 21

The execution ground within the royal castle was enveloped in silence. Surrounding the execution platform stood the kingdom’s highest-ranking officials, their expressions uniformly solemn as they waited calmly. This execution was to be conducted with only those directly involved present.

At the front of the platform, King Aldian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, not moving a muscle. The profound resolve etched into his handsome features spoke of the dignity only a true ruler could possess.

Queen Mylenna had been deliberately assigned to other official duties by King Aldian that day, keeping her away from this blood-soaked scene. It was his considerate way of ensuring she focused on building a bright future rather than witnessing such dark moments.

“Bring forth the first ones,” King Aldian’s command echoed solemnly across the execution ground.

Heavy footsteps thudded against the ground. The rebellious nobles, bound in chains, were led one by one before the execution platform. No trace remained of the men who had once donned splendid attire at court and worn arrogant smiles.

The first count brought forward was pale-faced and trembling from head to toe. A far cry from the man who had once laughed boisterously at banquets and preyed upon young women.

“I was only deceived!” the man’s voice cracked, grating on the ears of all who heard him. “I merely followed Cariotte! We are the victims here!”

King Aldian’s expression remained unmoved. The investigation had revealed every one of the man’s misdeeds. Beyond the charge of treason for which he was captured, there were other crimes: heavy taxes imposed on his subjects, extortion of bribes, and even threats to leave families destitute unless they offered up their daughters. Treason was merely one addition to his long list of sins.

Another noble raised his voice as if clinging to a final hope, but King Aldian’s expression did not waver. As king, his judgment held not a shred of doubt.

“We are the victims!” the second baron cried out, his face a mess of tears and snot. “Please, have mercy! I have a family!”

“Do you believe you have the right to beg for mercy?” King Aldian’s voice was as cold as ice. “Did you ever show mercy to the subjects you tormented?”

“……”

Only the king’s words reverberated across the execution ground. The rebellious nobles had nothing left to say.

King Aldian raised his right hand, the signal for the execution to begin. The executioner’s blade flashed. As the first head rolled onto the platform, not a single official looked away. They watched it all.

The second, then the third followed. The clamor of excuses fell silent, and a deep crimson pool of blood spread quietly across the execution platform.

Soon, the next prisoner was brought forward.

“Noooooooooo!”

A woman’s ear-splitting scream pierced the execution ground.

The next to be led out was Carla, whom Cariotte had arbitrarily chosen as his fiancée.

No trace remained of the beauty and charm that had once captivated the prince. Her face was a tear-streaked mess, her hair disheveled, and the shabby prisoner’s garb she wore made her the very picture of a fallen woman.

“I had nothing to do with it! Nothing!” Carla, held by two soldiers gripping her arms, repeated the same words like a madwoman. Desperately, she pleaded her innocence. “Cariotte is the one to blame! I was deceived, I’m a victim! Help me! Someone, help me!”

How pitiful, King Aldian murmured silently in his heart. This was the end result of a woman blinded by wealth and power, who thought only of trampling others.

Carla’s legs no longer moved of their own will. Dragged toward the execution platform by the soldiers, her appearance told the miserable tale of a woman consumed by luxury.

“I was supposed to be the queen! I was special! It wasn’t supposed to be like this! It wasn’t supposed to be!”

Carla’s final cry echoed hollowly. It was the moment her ambition, steeped in desire, finally confronted reality.

King Aldian raised his hand once more.

The executioner’s blade descended, severing greedy ambition forever. Dreams of queenship, thirst for wealth—all flowed to the ground with her blood.

Finally, Cariotte was brought to the execution platform.

Not a shred of royal dignity remained. Stripped of allies and lovers, the man stood there utterly isolated. Yet his eyes were different, they held a flame of hatred that burned fiercely to the end.

“……Aldian.”

Cariotte’s voice trembled with hatred as he spoke his brother’s name. “Because of you, my entire life has been ruined!”

“……”

King Aldian listened quietly, his demeanor resolute. He did not let emotions sway him. As a true king, he maintained his dignity at all times.

“I was supposed to be king! You took everything from me! My position, my future, my happiness! You took it all!”

“That is not true, brother,” Aldian’s voice was filled with pity. “Your own choices led to this outcome. I took nothing from you. You let it all go yourself.”

“Don’t mock me! As long as a hypocrite like you sits on the throne, this kingdom has no future! Your reign will collapse sooner or later!”

Cariotte’s resentful words echoed across the execution ground, but they were nothing more than the hollow cries of a defeated man. They found no purchase in King Aldian’s heart.

“May the kingdom led by a king like you perish!”

“What a pity.”

King Aldian closed his eyes deeply. Even this man had been family. He engraved this final thought into his heart.

Then, with resolve, King Aldian quietly opened his mouth and declared, “This is the end.”

“Aldiaaaaaaan!!”

The moment Cariotte’s scream echoed through the execution ground, the blade flashed, and everything was enveloped in silence.

Complete stillness dominated the execution ground.

The buds of rebellion that had threatened the kingdom had been thoroughly plucked. It was the moment when the corruption and desire festering within the kingdom were acknowledged and decisively severed.

King Aldian drew a deep, long breath. He felt as though a burdensome task had finally been completed. A sense of relief, of having fulfilled his duty as king, spread quietly within him.

And already, his heart was looking ahead.

“Gentlemen.”

King Aldian turned and surveyed the assembled officials. “The rot that was eating away at the kingdom has been entirely removed today. From now on, let us walk toward a bright future, for the development and prosperity of the kingdom.”

A light of hope dawned on the officials’ faces. Having drawn a line under the past, they all bowed deeply, their hearts filled with resolve for a new era.

The king’s footsteps as he left the execution ground were steady and powerful. With the burden lifted and his heart set on a hopeful future, King Aldian took a new step forward.