Aurelia stood on the podium, her eyes locked with Milan.
He went too far; not only did he oppose her, but he had somehow gained the approval of the bishop.
She took a deep breath. "You are all idiots! Did you think this vote was to decide my fate?"
They were silent, they dared not speak to a princess who slaughtered some of the most powerful paladins in the employ of the Bishop.
No, they weren't silent merely because of that; they were silent because she had done it so mercilessly.
It was unbecoming of the 'Princess of Fools'.
"I truly wish to spare you all... But Duke Milan's actions have assured..." Aurelia made an exaggerated sigh, "That only Duke Jole and Duke Jarn deserve to remain."
Just as they were to protest, Aurelia continued, she was done being disrespected when all she wanted to do was save these people from her beloved's wrath.
She lifted her head, "I give you one more chance, Support or Die!"
Silence told her everything; only Jole and Jarn would be spared.
"Perhaps..." She smiled warmly as she locked her gaze with Milan's.
His eyes were wide in disbelief, and his face that of someone who had just seen a ghost.
"Others will understand... the futility of their resistance." She turned to Raguel before stepping back, using the opportunity to retreat to Cedric so that she could enjoy his warmth.
As much as she wished to cling to his arm, it was time to show power. Once they returned to the palace, Aurelia would be free to cling to her hero.
"Raguel, make an example out of Milan and Volt..." She spoke solemnly, to which Raguel merely nodded.
"You have been warned... and yet you refused the grace of the Father and the First Star." Her voice cracked in anger.
A scale appeared in her hand.
"Wait, wait! I only rescinded my vote because I was scared for my life!" Volt tried to defend himself.
Raguel did not care, they were to silently accept their judgment.
Senate hall turned into a dimension of anguished faces once more, their expressions forever carrying the regret of past sins.
She lifted the scale up; all those who belonged to Volt and Milan, including the dukes themselves, had their souls ripped and weighed.
Everyone witnessed the judgment.
Those who were observing were to be witnesses to what would happen to those opposing the First Star.
The spectral clock appeared behind Raguel once more.
Her form in their eyes did not resemble the beautiful woman, but the wheels of many eyes.
Volt wanted to beg for his life.
Milan scrambled to run, but it was over.
Darkness sat on the opposite side of the scale.
The scale tilted into the darkness.
Tick.Tock.Tick.Tock
Their Judgment was unfavorable.
[Final Judgment], Raguel swung her blade like she did with the paladins, and in the next moment, both Milan and Volt were sent to Hell.
There was no time for a fight, there were no screams or fear.
Where Volt and Milan sat now was silence.
The world returned to normal, and the anguished faces disappeared.
Raguel took a moment, "Do you see a consequence of your actions now?!"
"Aurelia, the First Star is kind and wished to show you mercy, and you spit in her face despite my warnings." She clicked her tongue in anger.
She turned to Aurelia, her eyes refused to connect with the terrified nobility.
She still wished to grant them a chance despite everything, something that Raguel and Father weren't blind to.
"You have one more chance, submit or die!" She shouted, her voice threatening to shatter the very walls.
Jole chuckled. he loved how Raguel acted; it was something truly inspiring and alluring. "House Topaz stands with Aurelia no matter what!"
"House Emerald still stands with Aurelia!" Jarn shouted.
However, other nobles were still frozen, they believed they were here to punish a pretender, to vote and denounce Aurelia.
And after everything, execute her.
"Make it quick... I am giving you 1 minute to cast your vote... otherwise you will join Volt and Milan in hell." She crossed her arms while staring daggers at the nobility.
They understood now just how badly outmatched they were.
Even if they supported and obeyed Aurelia, they would most certainly try to undermine her, however, Father had already prepared countermeasures.
Killing all nobility was a bad idea, as it would destabilize the kingdom just as the major war with demons was about to happen.
It was decided by the Allmighty Father to assign an Angel to each of the nobles.
The Angels would guide and execute nobility if they dared act against the First Star.
One by one, Nobility stated their support, not that it mattered.
This whole farce was merely meant to show them the futility of resistance.
Soon after, every single remaining house raised a hand in support; nobody sane would dare defy The First Star, who was capable of slaughtering powerful Paladins of Chrunus and Raguel, who was able to effortlessly end the lives of everyone present.
While they were not aware of Cedric's capabilities, they knew that he, too, was at least equally dangerous as the two women.
As the approval was reached, Raguel stepped aside, prompting Aurelia to step forward.
'How can I ever thank them...' Aurelia sighed as she glanced at Cedric, then at Raguel.
They had let her take a spotlight, allowed her to display her new power.
And most of all, her new family believed in her.
She leaned forward.
"You may still have issues with accepting me as a Queen, but I assure you this is the only way that our kingdom remains intact!" The murmurs erupted.
She took a moment, her eyes wandering to Cedric and Raguel.
It was time to announce the declaration of war they had received.
"A while ago I received a war declaration, signed by Grand Emperor Iguva..." His name shut the nobility up.
"In less than 3 months, Demi Human Empire will invade. So I want you all to wholeheartedly trust me, for only the Holy power of God may guide us through this."
Nobody dared object.
"Once I am crowned, my future husband's forces will root out the church of Chrunus. And in its place, a new church will be established!"
Her statement sent the nobility into a frenzy, which a single glare from Raguel stopped.
"There is no place for resistance, You will be allowed to keep your positions... for now." She smiled briefly, "If you do still wish to resist, do remember what happened to Duke Volt and Duke Milan."
With a bow, she made her way out of the senate, closely followed by Cedric and Raguel.
Soon, a coronation ceremony would be held, and Valar would finally gain First Queen and First Christian ruler.