Volume 4 Chapter 11 (Unwanted Story) Interrogation Committee
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, to sum it up, we’re looking into whether Ms. Carlamia hid some things and Ms. Annabella helped her by lying about it, right?”
”That’s right. I’d like to hear your opinions on what punishment should be given to the two of them.”
The room buzzed with murmurs again.
Amidst the noise, Giuliana raised her hand.
”What they did is a crime. As someone who also leads an organization, I believe crimes should be met with strict punishment.”
Annabella was crying at Giuliana’s words.
Carly also looked like she was filled with regret.
”Giuliana, what kind of punishment would you suggest?”
”Hmm, for the main culprit, Carlamia, I propose using Lord authority to assign her the [Criminal] job and exile her. As for the accomplice, Ms. Annabella, I suggest removing her as Head Maid and demoting her from concubine status to slave.”
”What?! Exiling Miss Carlamia? And reducing Ms. Annabella to a slave is going too far!”
Lina opposed the harshness of Giuliana’s proposal, which was indeed severe.
However, to maintain the organization’s discipline, such punishments might be necessary.
”Ms. Giuliana! That’s too harsh-nya! Everyone here has been cared for by Ms. Annabella, and Ms. Carlamia is the main force of the Hunting Group-nya. I think it’s better to show them mercy and let them continue working-nya.”
Manon defended the two.
Following her lead, more voices of support began to emerge.
”Silence! Raise your hand if you have an opinion! Alright, Ines, go ahead.”
”I think imposing a fine on the two of them for this crime would be enough, Sir Kent. Ms. Annabella just wanted Sir Kent’s child, and Ms. Carlamia seems to be reflecting on her actions.”
Ines suggested that a fine would suffice to forgive them.
The commanders were demanding harsher punishments, but I had intended to let them off with a fine.
Ane and Noemi, who had recently become concubines, agreed with Giuliana’s proposal.
Annabella and Carly listened to the exchange with solemn expressions, staying silent.
Eventually, all the opinions were laid out.
Roughly, 2 opinions held the majority.
One was to show leniency and simply impose a fine on the two, letting them off.
The other was to enforce strict punishment: exile for Carlamia and dismissal from Head Maid for Annabella, reducing her to a slave.
Both opinions had about equal support, so the decision was left to me.
For me, it’s hard to side with either.
Annabella is carrying my child, and Carly is a key member of my Hunting Group
I don’t want to exile them or make them slaves, but without punishment, the organization might become too lax.
No punishment is difficult… So, I’ll have to find a middle ground…
I decided to propose a compromise between the two opinions.
”For now, as punishment, Carly, being the main culprit, will be reduced to my personal slave and stripped of her concubine status. However, she’ll retain her position as a Hunting Group member, and if she pays a redemption fee of 50 large gold coins from her hunting rewards, her status can be restored. Also, if she’s pregnant with my child, the fee will be reduced.”
Everyone listened to my proposal.
”Next, Annabella, as an accomplice, will be dismissed as Head Maid but retain her current status. To recover the losses from the embezzlement, she’ll be appointed as the unpaid guild master of the newly established Silver Mace Merchant Guild, funded by the Blackdagger family. However, since she’s pregnant, to avoid overworking her, Helga will serve as vice guild master, assisting and overseeing until the guild is stable.”
I believe I’ve given Carly and Annabella punishments that fit their crimes while allowing them to contribute.
For now, since this is a matter within the Blackdagger family, I didn’t want to impose overly harsh punishments.
”If Ms. Annabella is dismissed as Head Maid, who will take her place?”
Feria asked about Annabella’s successor.
However, since there was no suitable candidate for Head Maid, I decided to have Milly take on the role for now.
”I plan to have Milly serve as Head Maid. After all, it was Milly who encouraged Carly to steal. As punishment, I’ll assign her the most demanding role of Head Maid. She’ll also handle the morning service and breakfast preparation that Annabella used to do.”
Perhaps out of respect for Milly, no one pressed her about her role in Carly’s actions. As her husband, I decided to administer the punishment.
As my legal wife, I believe she bears the responsibility of managing the concubines.
”Milly. I know you have issues with Carly, but she’s also one of my concubines. Please don’t do anything like this again. I don’t want to scold you.”
”Huh? That I incited Carly… I can’t say I didn’t… I’m sorry. As the legal wife, I lacked consideration.”
Milly hung her head as I pointed out her wrongdoing.
After that, since neither side raised any objections, a vote was taken, and my proposal was unanimously approved.
Then, I decided to punish both of them.
”Carlamia, step forward.”
”Yes… Sir… Kent…”
”You admit to stealing the pregnancy and stamina potions, correct?”
”Yes, I admit it.”
”Then, I’ll announce your punishment. Carlamia, you are hereby obligated to serve as my personal s*x slave. However, your status as a concubine will be revoked. You can regain your status by paying a redemption fee of 50 large gold coins from your hunting rewards. However, if you become pregnant with my child, the fee will be reduced. That’s all for Carlamia’s punishment. Do you accept?”
”Yes, Sir… Kent. Carlamia is grateful for your merciful punishment. From today, I will dedicate myself entirely to serving you.”
As Milly had said, Carly looked at me with worshipful eyes as she expressed her gratitude.
I didn’t dislike the rebellious Carly, but the obedient Carly might have her own charm.
Next, I decided to announce Annabella’s punishment.
”Next, Annabella, step forward.”
Annabella stepped forward, as if switching places with Carlamia.
”Yes, Sir Kent.”
I walked over to Annabella, who was on the other side of the round table.
When I reached her, I hugged her tightly.
”First of all, well done! Thank you for carrying my child! From now on, take good care of yourself. If you feel unwell, report it to Lana immediately.”
”S… Sir Kent…”
Annabella was crying.
I wanted to believe they were tears of joy, her long-held wish finally fulfilled.
”However, what you did this time, Annabella, was a crime. You understand that, right?”
”Yes. I fully understand… I am truly sorry. I have betrayed the trust of Sir Kent and Lady Miriallia. My crime deserves death.”
”Then, I will pronounce your punishment. Annabella, you are hereby relieved of your position as Head Maid and will be appointed as the unpaid guild master of the newly established Silver Mace Merchant Guild. However, since you are pregnant with my child, you will work alongside Helga as an assistant and manage things without overexerting yourself. Your other statuses will remain unchanged. Understood?”
”Yes… I am deeply grateful for Sir Kent’s mercy. I will surely give birth to a splendid child. And I will make the Merchant guild Silver Mace the greatest merchant guild in the True Demon Kingdom. I will never betray the expectations of Sir Kent and Lady Miriallia again.”
Annabella bowed her head deeply.
”Head Maid Annabella… I am truly sorry. I dragged you into my thoughtless actions…”
Carly approached Annabella and prostrated herself.
She must have regretted involving Annabella in this as well.
”Carly… it’s alright. If you hadn’t said anything, I might have been the one to propose the transaction to you…”
”Head Maid Annabella…”
”The punishment has been decided. I expect both of you to work hard to atone for your respective sins.”
””…Yes.””
”Today’s inquiry is hereby concluded.”
I have declared the end of the inquiry.
After that, Milly used her mental magic to mark Carly as a slave.
According to Milly, this slave mark is meant to cause pain to the person who feels hostility towards me, her master, by sending out an electric current through it, but it may not be necessary for Carly, who has come to worship me.
But I asked Milly to wear a slave mark as a mark of respect.
This meant that Carly could no longer defy me.
And Annabella was given the opportunity to set up a shop for the Merchant guild Silver Mace in a prime location near the mansion, with funding from the Blackdagger family.
They decided to mainly sell miscellaneous goods and food.
Most of the profits from the merchant guild are paid back to the Blackdagger family.
I was hoping that Annabella’s Merchant guild Silver Mace would be another source of income for the Blackdagger family.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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