Chapter 225 Conference 2/2

Neola continued her story. "After the rich man sold us, our new owner put our group in another dirty hold of some s.h.i.+ps, and we headed south."

"But they had few soldiers compared to the large number of slaves the man bought. Enzo and I organized a riot, and during the fight, we set fire to the s.h.i.+ps."

"We were lucky to be close to the coast, and although some of us died, most of the slaves survived. We were very weak, injured, and on the east coast of the great forest."

Then Neola looked at Radyn, who was still moaning on the floor. "So we headed south until we reached Portgreen territory. We didn't know anything here, and again we were lucky to reach this man's city."

"Well, it would be lucky if we hadn't been kicked out of there like bandits."

At that moment, Radyn tried to suppress the pain from the arrow that was still in his shoulder and knelt in front of Lucien. "My King. I couldn't... they were a huge and violent group. My people were scared... I had to send them away."

"Violent?!" Neola exclaimed. "We were injured and hungry. We were only able to defeat the guards on the s.h.i.+ps because they were too few and were drunk."

Then she looked at Lucien. "Maybe some of us really did wrong things. There was a big fair with a lot of food, and the younger people among us couldn't resist stealing some fruits. But we didn't hurt anyone."

"My King, that was no-" Radyn couldn't even think of an excuse before Neola kicked him to aside as she continued telling her story.

"I know he had no obligation to welcome and help my people, but he could just let us stay on his lands and work for food..."

"But no... not only did he kick us out of the city, but he ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows at us until we crossed the border with the great forest."

Kylee and Alden made regretful expressions while Neola continued. "We were called bandits and kicked out of the first city we found... That experience traumatized us."

"We were almost all from the eastern continent, so we concluded that we would never be welcome by the people of this continent, and so we became real bandits."

Neola also made a sorry expression as she looked at Lucien. "I know we did wrong, but we had no choice. After we went further south, we found Bluewind. But in addition to my people being afraid of the people there, some of us entered the city as travelers and found that the reputation of the Bluewind's King was even worse than Radyn's."

"We just needed an opportunity to change our lives. But n.o.body helped us... until you arrived and shot me with an arrow." Neola finished her story in Lucien's arms.

Lucien couldn't help but reflect on how many mistakes were made because of previous mistakes, fears, and other stupid reasons.

A part of him felt very sad about the tragic past of Neola and her group. But that didn't change the harm they did to the people of Bluewind who were not to blame for Radyn's actions or for having a corrupt king like Julius.

Still, like Olivia and Scarlett, who harmed Ca.s.sidy, Lucien gave Neola's people a chance to redeem themselves for their crimes and change their lives. That is proof that people can change when they get a second chance.

But could he give Radyn a second chance? Even though his motives seemed just stupid fears and a lack of willingness to help Neola's group, Lucien couldn't help feeling hypocritical about not wanting to give Radyn a second chance.

Lucien didn't care about being a hypocrite or doing anything else for the sake of his family. But now, as a King, and also the husband of many different women, he felt that he could not act impulsively all the time.

But just as Lucien will always support his wives, they will also always be at his side to support him.

Ca.s.sidy spoke in a tone fit for a Queen. "Radyn, by kicking out weak and wounded people from the Portgreen territory without them representing any threat to Its people, you acted against everything my father wanted when he created this Kingdom."

"You could have dealt with that situation in many different ways, and the most obvious would be taking care of the group and giving them a job as soon as they are recovered."

"A place for everyone, my father said many times. And Portgreen has room for many people. Even if my husband didn't want your death, I would sentence you to death for cruel acts; after all, you kicked them out because you didn't want to bother giving them a unique opportunity or even let them stay in a less dangerous land than the great forest."

Lucien couldn't help but smile at Ca.s.sidy. Although he doesn't feel any less hypocritical now, he also knew that some people deserve a second chance, especially those who suffered a lot.

But other people, especially n.o.bles who have always had a good life and yet commit acts of cruelty, may not deserve a second chance.

Well, in the face of Ca.s.sidy's words, the harm Radyn did to Neola's group was not only to them, but consequently to Bluewind, by causing the creation of a group of bandits. In addition to the fact that Lucien wanted to kill him for harming his wives, there was no way Radyn could go on living.

Radyn lowered his head until it touched Lucien's feet as he begged for his life and was kicked again.

Ca.s.sidy shook her head. "Well, now we just need to decide whether his execution will be slow or fast."

Lucien looked at Neola, Kylee, and then Alden. "The people most harmed by him should decide."

"I don't think we need any more suffering. Paying with his life is enough." Neola spoke while Kylee and Alden agreed with her.

"My King, I can-" Radyn tried to beg for his life once again, but before he could finish his words, his head was already flying away from his body.

People did not understand Lucien's swift movement until they saw his katana disappear from his hand in a cloud of purple haze.

Blood gushed from Radyn's neck as his head rolled across the floor, making a trail of blood.

Lucien couldn't help but regret his actions while looking at Ca.s.sidy with an apologetic expression. "I must not execute anyone else here."

Ca.s.sidy laughed at Lucien's expression. She didn't care about him soiling the throne room or the b.l.o.o.d.y scene, but about his mental well-being.

Lucien was always taking responsibility for everything and getting his hands dirty. Although Ca.s.sidy loves him even more for that, she also wants to share some of the responsibilities, which are, in fact, the responsibility of their entire family.

But Lucien did not mind killing other people just as he does not mind being brutal or hypocritical if it's to prevent his wives from going through these situations and ending up feeling bad.

While Astrid called servants to clean up the b.l.o.o.d.y mess, the other guests were terrified. There was no judgment or consideration... Lucien just cut off the poor man's head. And that was actually quite merciful.

Most of the guests, just like Pyke, understood that Lucien does nothing for no reason, and so they were more relaxed because they had done nothing to bring them to an end on Lucien's blade.

But other people who had already committed minor transgressions were afraid that something they did could have had major side effects.

By far, the person who was most scared is Zora. Lucien was paying attention to her the whole time and could hear her heart beating very fast.

Lucien looked at her with a curious expression. "Why do you fear me?"

Zora was behind the group of guests, so when Lucien spoke to her, everyone walked away from her.

She started to stutter. "M-my King, I... I'm really sorry."

"Are you sorry for your son's actions? But how could I blame you for that? He was no more a kid and made his own decisions." Lucien spoke.

Although Lucien's words make sense, Zora was still afraid; after all, her son was very cruel to Lena, and he just didn't touch or hurt her because she always tried to protect Lena.

"I- I know that part of that was my fault for not raising my son well, and that's why I'm sorry." Zora bowed to Lucien.

Lena was beside Ca.s.sidy's throne with other girls, watching the whole scene. She approached Lucien while he answered Zora.

"Maybe you're right. I think parents have to raise their children well. But this is a task for two people, and from what Angela told me, your husband was an idiot, so I really can't blame you for your son being an idiot too."

Zora was a lot more relaxed as she understood that Lucien wouldn't hurt her.

Lena reached Lucien's side, and he naturally wrapped his arm around her waist while still talking to Zora. "Lena told me that you were always kind to her, in addition to protecting her from your son."

"So, I must thank you and apologize for killing your son. Although he was not a good person, he was still your son, and so you have every right to hate me."

Before Zora could answer, Lena spoke. "It wasn't Lucien who killed him, but me. I must apologize to you, Zora."

Lucien tenderly rubbed his face on Lena's. "But I was the one who attacked them, so we are both to blame for his death. Still, I would do it again without repenting to rescue my beautiful princess."

Everyone thought it was very bizarre how Lucien easily changed his personality from a cold-blooded killer to a tender husband so quickly. Well, these two personalities do not cancel each other out, as he will never be cold to his wives or merciful to his enemies.

Zora couldn't help but envy Lena. She had once said that an incredible, powerful, and handsome man would not just appear out of nowhere, but apparently, Lena got that lucky.

"Maybe I should hate you..." Zora spoke in a sad tone. "But I don't blame you. Lucien, you were just giving Lena justice for what my son did to her. If anyone was to blame, it was me for being a bad mother and his father for influencing him so much."

Not only because he heard Zora's heartbeat normalizing, but also because Lucien was starting to get good at knowing when people were being honest or not, he could see that she is sincere.

Lucien held out a hand to Zora while continuing to hug Lena with his other arm. "I don't think we will ever be true friends, but we don't have to be enemies either. We should work together to give a good life to the people of your Kingdom."

Zora shook Lucien's hand. "Yes, I hope we can work well together. And thanks for not hating me."

In those few minutes, Lucien showed very different behaviors to everyone in the throne room. Well, his women already know his personality and love everything about him.

But other people were impressed to see him being brutal, merciless, fair, caring, friendly, and more.

People understand how Lucien came to the conclusion that it was better to kill Radyn and spare Zora; after all, their situations were quite different.

Still, n.o.body wanted to have to say whether someone deserves a second chance or not. That is the kind of thing that could cause someone to have nightmares. This kind of responsibility is too heavy for most people to carry.

But Lucien, not only as King but also as the husband of many wives, will always be the one to bear that responsibility.

He will be the only one to get his hands dirty and suffer the consequences so that his wives can remain safe and happy.

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