READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 20: The square
The next day came quickly and Sebastian had a sinister smile on his face since the moment he opened his eyes from his sleep. He was going to punish a human, Lord Irvington. It was about 8am in the morning and the square was bustling with people. The night before, the town crier announced to all the villages in Denver about a Lord that defaulted and was going to be punished. Nobles and peasants were all present, eager to know who the Lord was and watch how he was going to be punished. This included the Nolan family. Mr Nolan and Gabrielle were the ones present at the square, leaving Kayden, Mirabelle and Mrs Nolan back home.
The square was a vast piece of land in the centre of Denver not too far from the palace. It had nice tall trees and was often bustling with people because the monthly fair was usually held there. But offenders were also punished there. At the centre of the square, towered a scaffold where the criminals or offenders were executed or punished. The morning air was fresh and soothing to breath in but soon, it was going to be tainted by the smell of blood.
Sebastian looked outside his moving carriage to see the people he ruled hastily walk towards the square which he was yet to get to. Mirth enveloped his heart as he deeply missed the look of fear that glowed in the eyes of offenders before he punished them. Seeing humans beg was like a comedy to him and hearing them cry to him for mercy was like music to his ears. But this hate for humans didn't bloom in one day. It had been there since the moment something precious was taken away from him. Many, many years ago.
Benjamin also was happy that Lord Irvington was going to be punished for his deeds but he was sure his happiness didn't measure to the king's.
Arriving at the square, the peasants pushed and struggled between themselves as they surrounded the carriage that seemed to be the king's carriage, wanting to get even a glimpse of their king. The nobles on the other hand who hadn't seen the king before tried to control themselves, letting the peasants act like what they were truly addressed as. Though, some peasants also controlled themselves because they knew the king would eventually get on the scaffold where he would be visible to all. So they waited till that time. The king's guards ordered the people to move away from the carriage and the obedient ones did. The others who were so eager, didn't budge and were eventually pushed gently away from the carriage to allow Sebastian come out. Seeing the people had given them space, the Coachman got down from the horse and opened the door of the carriage while placing a stool for the king to step on. Benjamin got down from the carriage and Sebastian followed. Despite hearing the strange gossips about their king, the people couldn't deny the fact that ever since Sebastian became the king, Denver has flourished. Besides that, the respect his presence commanded was so much that the people found themselves saying to him "Oh King, may you live long!" They all hailed and praised. Sebastian had a smile on his face as his eyes scanned the people that gawked at him. In their midst, were some night creatures but the humans were oblivious to that fact. But the creatures of the night knew themselves and Sebastian and Benjamin also, could pick who the night creatures were from the crowd.
The guards paved Sebastian's way as he and Benjamin walked towards the scaffold. As he climbed the scaffold, his eyes surveyed the creatures of the night in the crowd who didn't look so different from the humans. Sebastian could identify only a few because the others masked their scent with a spell unknowingly to Sebastian and they were none other than the witches.
Lord Irvington who was chained was pulled to the top of the scaffold earning a gasp from some of the onlookers.
Sebastian was already seated on a golden chair, crossing his legs as he waited for everything to unfold.
The executioner stood before the crowd and told everyone of Lord Irvington's crimes and the crowd gasped once again. Mr Nolan whose leg was almost totally healed, leaving only a scar and slight pain turned to his daughter in shock. He had planned to go to the palace today to do his duties since his leg was better and he could walk with it but he heard the news about the Lord who defaulted and decided to come see for himself.