Chapter 169: "Shall we?"

The citizens who had once admired him now stared with expressions ranging from disgust to disbelief. Some lowered their eyes, while others simply watched in silence. Even his own household guards refused to take a single step.

Jack’s breathing became frantic.

"I’ll confess!" he shouted. "I’ll tell you everything! Just don’t hang me! Please! Please!"

Queen Mia didn’t even blink.

"Carry out the sentence."

The executioner gave a respectful bow.

"By your command, Your Majesty."

Without another word, he kicked the stool away.

Jack’s body dropped.

The rope snapped taut with a sharp crack before he began kicking wildly. His legs thrashed beneath him, his fingers clawed uselessly at the noose, and muffled, choking sounds escaped his throat as his face turned red. Every desperate movement grew weaker than the last. His boots twitched against empty air, his struggles slowed, and before long his body hung completely still beneath the wooden beam.

A heavy silence settled over the square. No one spoke. No one looked away.

I kept my eyes on him for several long seconds before letting out a slow breath.

Then I smiled.

It was the same warm smile I had worn countless times before, except this one never reached my eyes. I raised my hand and gave his lifeless body a small, casual wave.

"Goodbye, Jacky."

He was gone.

The wind stirred the platform, making his body sway gently beneath the beam.

"Now that’s over," I muttered to myself.

"Ace Walker."

The Queen’s voice carried clearly across the silent crowd. I couldn’t see her through the sea of people, but I recognized that commanding tone immediately.

"Come meet me in the boys’ dormitory."

"Ah, shit," I muttered under my breath.

"Right now," she added without raising her voice.

I rubbed the back of my neck and let out a quiet sigh.

"Damn it."

ꨄ︎ꨄ︎ꨄ︎

The Queen stepped inside the room with her hands linked neatly in front of her. She took a few slow steps, glanced at the bunk bed Ken and I shared, then shifted her attention toward the window. I stood quietly behind her while General Tornhawk remained at my side.

After a moment, she walked farther into the room, and I followed. Tornhawk closed the door behind us before taking his place beside the Queen. They both looked at me in silence, studying my face. I could already tell what she wanted. An explanation.

The problem was, there wasn’t much of one to give.

I had been wrong.

Cadence was innocent.

I wasn’t some seasoned detective who solved murders for a living. If anything, I was far more used to being the person the law hunted than the one helping it. Looking into crimes was far more complicated than I had ever imagined.

"I nearly hanged an innocent man because of you, Ace," the Queen said calmly. "Would you like to say something?"

"I’m... sorry, Your Majesty." I lowered my head. "I never expected Jack to sacrifice his own son to save himself. I thought Cadence was guilty because every clue pointed toward him... spineless bastard."

"Mind your tongue when you speak before the Queen," Tornhawk said.

"Right. Sorry."

The Queen remained quiet for a few moments before asking, "Is there anything else I should know about this case, or is this truly the end of it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." I lied without hesitation. "That is everything."

She exchanged a brief look with Tornhawk. The General gave a small nod before walking over to the window and folding his arms behind his back. Although he looked outside, the room faced the rear courtyard, leaving him little to see beyond the distant roofs.

"I must admit," the Queen said at last, "I did not expect you to uncover the truth after leading us down the wrong path. Your methods were reckless, but your determination exposed the real culprit. For that, you have my acknowledgment."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I scratched the back of my head. "Though... didn’t you just tell me I almost caused an innocent man to die?"

"I did," she replied. "Commending your success does not erase your mistake."

"I suppose that’s fair."

She fell silent again, her expression growing thoughtful. It wasn’t difficult to guess what occupied her mind. Jack Merygold had been the head of one of the kingdom’s influential houses. His execution would leave more behind than an empty title. Merchants, servants, trade agreements, and countless political obligations would all have to be dealt with.

"I shall meet with Cadence personally," she said with a slightly tired tone. "He deserves a formal apology from the Crown for the injustice he suffered today. Once that is done, I will discuss the future of House Merygold with him and determine whether he wishes to continue overseeing his family’s tobacco trade."

"Yes, Queen," Tornhawk replied. "We must return to the royal palace within twenty minutes. The remainder of today’s schedule cannot be delayed."

"I am aware."

She turned toward the door before stopping and looking back at me one last time.

"Do try to keep yourself out of trouble, Ace."

"I’ll do my best, Your Majesty."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"I hope you will."

Tornhawk opened the door for her, and the Queen stepped into the corridor with the same graceful posture she always carried. The General followed immediately behind her, giving me one last unreadable glance before pulling the door shut.

The room fell quiet.

I stood there for another second before letting out a long breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My shoulders finally relaxed as I walked over to the lower bunk and sat down, rubbing both hands over my face.

"Fuck... that was close."

The door suddenly opened, and Ken hurried inside.

"There you are!" he said, closing the door behind him. "What happened? The Queen called you over right after the execution. I thought you were about to get arrested."

I let out a tired breath. "Not quite."

Ken pulled over the spare chair and sat down, leaning forward with both elbows resting on his knees. "Well?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Jack framed his own son. He was the one who raped Jelda, had her murdered."

Ken let out a long whistle. "Damn..." He leaned back in his chair. "That’s... actually insane."

"Tell me about it."

"I still can’t believe someone would throw his own son under the carriage just to save himself."

"Neither could I."

Ken shook his head slowly before turning toward his desk and dropping into his chair.

"People are messed up." He said.

"They really are."

I pushed myself off the bed and walked toward the window.

Outside, the rain had begun to ease. The heavy downpour had softened into a gentle drizzle, leaving tiny ripples across the puddles scattered throughout the academy courtyard. Students were already beginning to leave the covered walkways, and a few guards continued dismantling the execution platform in the circular street beyond.

I rested one shoulder against the window frame and folded my arms.

"So..." Ken said from behind me. "That’s it? The third suspect’s been found."

I didn’t answer immediately. My eyes drifted toward the wet stone path below before slowly lifting to the gray sky beyond the academy walls.

After several quiet seconds, I finally looked back at Ken.

"Yeah," I said with a small nod. "It’s done."

ꨄ︎ꨄ︎ꨄ︎

I got up when I saw Pix coming out of the girls’ dormitory. The moment she noticed me, her face brightened. She raised one hand in a small wave before walking toward the bench where I was sitting.

Once she reached me, I stood, and before I could even greet her, she wrapped both arms tightly around me.

"Thank you for finding her killer," she whispered. "Thank you."

I smiled faintly and returned the hug. "I just... did my best. For her."

She slowly stepped back, wiping away the tear gathering at the corner of her eye before it could fall. Taking a quiet breath, she composed herself, and together we sat back down on the bench. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees while turning slightly toward her.

"I was thinking about visiting Jelda’s grave," I said. "The problem is... I don’t know where she’s buried. Would you mind coming with me?"

"I was planning to visit her today anyway." A gentle smile returned to her face. "I wanted to tell her she can finally rest peacefully now that everyone responsible has been caught."

"Jack..." I muttered, shaking my head. "Can you even believe it?"

Pix looked toward the sky. The rain clouds had finally broken apart, leaving patches of blue peeking through the gray. "Miserable pervert."

I let out a slow breath. "Using his own son just to get close to Jelda..." I rubbed my forehead. "I honestly don’t have the words."

"I don’t want to think about that anymore."

She stood up, brushing the dust from her trousers before looking down at me.

"Shall we?"

I nodded and rose to my feet.

"Let’s go."

Together we left the bench behind and started walking through the circular street.