Chapter 278: The Husband’s Plea
[Silthara Palace — Malika’s Private Residency — Private Courtyard — Later]
The private courtyard had begun blooming once more; the scars of war still lingered upon the ancient marble, yet life had already started reclaiming what death had stolen.
Gardeners quietly knelt beneath the morning sun. Fresh white lotus flowers were carefully planted around the sacred pond. Young jasmine vines climbed the carved pillars once again. Hibiscus was planted again. The fragrance of damp earth and blossoms drifted gently through the courtyard.
Upon a long lower diwan overlooking the gardens... Levin sat surrounded by countless parchment scrolls; some remained sealed, and others had already been opened.
His blue eyes calmly moved from one report to another. Every decree...every royal order...and every treaty issued during Slyvarakh’s reign...had to be examined.
Nothing could be trusted and without lifting his gaze, Levin spoke. "Bring me every royal decree issued under Slyvarakh’s seal."
His fingers continued turning another parchment.
"I want every tax order...every military command...every agreement...and every execution record. We still do not know how deeply he poisoned this empire."
Lady Arinaya bowed respectfully. "I have already dispatched inspectors throughout Zahryssar. They shall examine every province...every noble territory...and every military outpost."
Levin nodded as he carefully rolled another scroll closed. "Good, for an empire to heal...it must first discover every wound."
Silence.
Then...his eyes slowly lifted. "What of High Ensi Rakhane? The reports Lord Sharukh sent me...claim he has completely changed."
Lady Arinaya exchanged a glance with Captain Raevahn, who stood silently behind Levin. Finally...she answered.
"It is true, Malika. Since the false funeral Slyvarakh held for Malik Zeramet...he has become..." She hesitated. "...almost gentle."
Levin looked up. "Gentle?"
Lady Arinaya nodded. "He no longer raises his voice; he no longer humiliates servants. He has personally compensated families who suffered beneath his authority, and he has even begun resolving disputes without violence."
Silence.
Yet...she slowly clenched her hands as her eyes grew colder. "My instincts refuse to believe it. I have watched High Ensi Rakhane for too many years; my brother is a serpent capable of smiling while sharpening the knife behind his back. He may deceive every noble..."
She slowly shook her head.
"...But I cannot bring myself to believe he has truly changed."
Raevahn respectfully stepped forward. "My Malika...may I speak?"
Levin nodded. "You may."
Raevahn folded both hands behind his back. "I understand Lady Arinaya’s caution, and perhaps...she is correct, but... what if he truly regrets what he became?"
Silence.
"We have witnessed impossible things these past months. We have watched enemies sacrifice themselves. We have watched monsters become victims. We have watched rulers lose everything. Perhaps...a serpent can change."
Lady Arinaya sighed softly. "Or perhaps...he merely wishes us to believe he has."
Silence settled over the courtyard. Levin quietly folded the parchment before him. Then...he looked toward the blooming flowers surrounding the pond; his voice remained calm.
"A serpent that hisses openly...rarely concerns me." Both Raevahn and Lady Arinaya looked toward him as Levin continued. "But the serpent...that chooses silence is often the one preparing to strike."
Silence.
"We shall neither condemn him...nor trust him. We observe, we verify, and until certainty arrives...we remain alert."
Both immediately bowed. "As you command, Malika."
Levin nodded. "Good."
Lady Arinaya carefully gathered several scrolls into her arms. "I shall personally examine every decree issued under Slyvarakh’s authority; perhaps we shall discover what he intended before his death."
Levin inclined his head. "Proceed."
She had barely turned—
"LET ME SEE THE MALIKA!!" The desperate shout shattered the peaceful courtyard. "PLEASE!! I BEG YOU!! I HAVE TO SEE THE MALIKA!!"
Every gardener immediately stopped working; the attendants froze. Raevahn’s hand instantly moved toward the hilt of his sword. Lady Arinaya turned sharply. Levin slowly rose from the lower diwan, his brows furrowed.
"...That voice..."
Another desperate shout echoed from beyond the entrance.
"PLEASE!! I BEG YOU!!"
Levin immediately recognized it. "...Raviel."
Without another word...the three of them hurried toward the entrance of the private residence. Outside, several royal knights had already formed a barrier.
One knight pleaded respectfully. "You cannot force your way into the Malika’s private residence. Please compose yourself."
Raviel struggled to move past them; his breathing had become uneven, and his eyes were red not from anger but from grief.
"I must see him! The Malika must hear me! Please..."
The knights hesitated; none dared lay a hand upon one who helped Malika during his tough time. At that moment—
"...Stand aside." Levin’s calm voice echoed through the courtyard entrance.
Every knight immediately stepped backward. "My Malika."
They all bowed deeply. Raviel turned the moment his eyes met Levin’s...whatever strength had carried him across the palace completely disappeared; he stumbled forward.
Then...
THUD.
Both knees struck the white marble, and his forehead touched the stone floor as his voice broke. "Malika...Please."
Levin stared quietly. "...Rise."
Raviel slowly shook his head. "...I cannot, not until Malika hears my plea."
Silence.
Raevahn frowned. Lady Arinaya looked between them in confusion. Levin descended the steps until he stood directly before Raviel. "What plea? As I promised, you will be rewarded for helping us during the tough time. I have promised you won’t be left disappointed—"
Raviel slowly lifted his head; fresh tears remained upon his face. "Malika...Please...Release Naburash."
Silence...an absolute silence. Even the breeze moving through the garden seemed to disappear.
Lady Arinaya’s eyes widened. "...Naburash?"
She looked sharply toward Raviel; his voice became colder. "How do you know the serpent imprisoned for treason against the Crown?"
Another long silence.
Raviel slowly closed his eyes, and when he finally answered...his voice carried neither shame nor hesitation.
"...Because..." His fingers slowly tightened against the marble beneath him. "...He is my mate."
The courtyard froze. Raevahn’s eyes widened. Lady Arinaya stood completely speechless; even the gardeners working among the flowers forgot to move. Only Levin remained silent, watching Raviel with unreadable eyes.
The day that had begun so peacefully...had suddenly become far heavier than any battlefield.
Silence.
The courtyard became unbearably still; even the gardeners who had been planting fresh lotus flowers lowered their heads. No one dared interrupt. Raviel remained kneeling.
His forehead pressed firmly against the white marble, his voice trembled. "My Malika...I beg you. Please grant him another chance."
Levin stood before him in silence, his blue eyes carried neither anger nor pity. Only quiet authority. Finally, he spoke.
"...Raise your head, Raviel."
Raviel slowly obeyed; fresh tears remained upon his face. Levin looked directly into his eyes. "You stood beside me when this empire was collapsing. You protected me...when I had no throne. You protected my children...before they had even entered this world."
A brief silence followed.
"For all of that...I shall remain grateful."
Hope slowly appeared within Raviel’s eyes. Then Levin’s expression became colder and his voice remained calm.
"But gratitude...does not erase blood."
Silence.
"You ask me to release Naburash." Levin slowly descended another step until he stood only a few feet before him. "Tell me...how am I expected to forget that he attempted to murder me...while I carried my children beneath my heart?"
Silence.
"How am I expected to forget...that he nearly took the lives of my kids before they had even taken their first breath?"
Raviel lowered his head, unable to answer. Levin continued, and his eyes became distant. "And before me...how many innocent brides entered this palace? Young women...who had committed no crime. Who dreamed only of becoming wives, of becoming mothers, and of beginning ordinary lives."
Silence.
"They were poisoned; they never returned home, and their families buried empty dreams...because Naburash chose to stain his hands."
The courtyard grew heavier; every attendant lowered their eyes.
"You ask me to forgive." Levin’s voice remained gentle. "So answer me this. Who shall ask forgiveness...for those women?"
Silence.
"Who shall return those daughters and sons to their parents?"
No one answered. Raviel clenched both fists until his knuckles turned white. Levin looked directly at him.
"I understand your pain. I truly do, but I am not merely Levin. I am the Malika of Zahryssar. My judgment cannot belong to my heart alone. It must belong...to every innocent soul who lost their life."
A long silence followed. Then Levin quietly spoke the words that shattered Raviel.
"...No. I cannot forgive him. The prison beneath Silthara...is where his remaining days shall end. No matter how deeply I am grateful to you...no matter how much you have done for me...I cannot pardon a serpent whose hands carry the blood of innocents."
Silence.
"...Never."
The single word echoed throughout the courtyard. Lady Arinaya stood beside him firm; Raevahn’s hands were still on his sword.
Both understood...Malika had already made his judgment. Raviel remained perfectly still, then...very slowly, he reached inside his robes. The surrounding Royal Knights immediately grasped their weapons.
Raevahn instinctively stepped before Levin. "My Malika."
Raviel ignored everyone; his trembling fingers carefully withdrew a small silk pouch. Inside rested an ancient necklace.
Pink Necklace.
The necklace once belonging to...Malika Ninsara. Levin’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Raviel gently placed it upon the marble before him.
"Malika...I have protected this necklace...Since the day I found this necklace, I have helped you with everything I could. I know your reward for this mere dealer is to grant me a noble position and some money, but today..." He slowly bowed until his forehead touched the floor once more.
"...I ask. I ask for the repayment I really wish for."
Another pause.
"...Release Naburash."
The words had barely fallen—
"HOW DARE YOU!"
Lady Arinaya stepped forward first; her eyes burned with fury. "You dare place a debt before the Malika of Zahryssar? You dare bargain with the Crown?"
Raevahn’s sword was already half drawn; steel flashed beneath the morning sun as his voice became dangerously cold.
"A mere thief who should be in a dungeon...do you think you have any right to even speak to Malika?" His voice became dangerously cold. "Those words alone are enough to condemn you. You would blackmail the ruler of this empire? The punishment...is execution."
The surrounding knights immediately drew their swords.
SHIIING!
The sound of steel echoed throughout the courtyard. Yet Raviel never looked toward them, not once; he remained staring only at Levin, his eyes held no arrogance, no rebellion...only desperation.
"...Execute me if you must." He whispered. "But I will still ask to release my mate."
Silence, an unbearable...crushing silence.
Levin looked down at the necklace resting between them. Then he slowly lifted his gaze; his blue eyes met Raviel’s unwavering eyes.
Neither spoke and neither looked away. One stood as the ruler of Zahryssar, the other...as nothing more than a husband begging for the life of his mate. Around them...the Royal Knights remained frozen with swords half-drawn.
Lady Arinaya’s fists tightened beneath her sleeves. Raevahn never lowered his guard; even the gardeners had forgotten the flowers they had been planting.
The entire courtyard held its breath...waiting for the judgment of the Malika of Zahryssar. At that very moment footsteps echoed from the corridor. Duke Aren entered the courtyard, followed closely by Zyvera; both paused immediately.
The strange silence before them felt heavier than any battlefield.
Zyvera looked around in confusion, then her eyes found Raviel kneeling upon the marble, and she blinked.
"...Brother?" She hurried a few steps closer. "...Why are you kneeling?"
Only silence answered her. Then she noticed his face, his eyes still wet with tears. "Brother, what happened?"
Duke Aren remained where he stood, his experienced eyes slowly swept across the courtyard. The drawn swords. Lady Arinaya’s expression. Raevahn’s guarded stance. The necklace lying upon the marble and, finally...Levin’s unreadable face.
He immediately understood something irreversible had happened. Neither Levin nor Raviel moved. Lady Arinaya finally broke the silence; her voice remained calm...though sorrow lingered beneath it.
"You arrived at an unfortunate moment." She slowly looked toward Raviel. "...Perhaps you do not yet know. Naburash does not have much time remaining. He may die at any moment."
Those words echoed across the courtyard, before anyone else could speak—
"I will never allow that." Raviel’s voice cut through the silence; his tear-filled eyes burned with unwavering resolve. "...Never. I searched for him...for half my life. I finally found him."
His breathing trembled.
"I refuse to lose him the very same day."
Silence.
Zyvera’s eyes widened. "...Naburash?"
She looked at Raviel, then back toward Levin, and then toward Lady Arinaya; realization slowly spread across her face.
"Brother, did...did you find your mate?"
Silence.
No one answered; no one needed to. The answer already lingered within every face surrounding the courtyard. Raviel never looked away from Levin, not once. The plea within his eyes never wavered. The determination within Levin’s gaze remained equally unmoving.
The distance between them...had become the weight of an entire empire because standing before the throne of Zahryssar...was no longer merely a dealer or a theif.
It had become something far more cruel, a husband...begging for the life of another husband. And before them stood the Malika...forced to choose between the mercy owed to a grieving mate...and the justice owed to every innocent soul whose blood had been spilled.
The day remained silent, the flowers continued blooming throughout the courtyard...every serpent present understood the same terrible truth.
Whatever judgment Levin spoke next would change not only the fate of Naburash but also the very meaning of justice within the Empire of Zahryssar.
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