Chapter 175. The Trial
Whether it was out of consideration for public opinion, or due to some form of pressure, I don't know, but the Pulder court exceptionally quickly accepted Olivia's request. Perhaps it was both.
The Sunrise survivors gathered in front of the court, setting up camp and demanding an investigation into the truth every single day.
However, instead of accepting the request, the court set a condition. Olivia had to prove that she was Oliver.
A trial related to this was also held quickly.
Noah, seated in the gallery, glared at Ansen Wilhelm with fierce eyes, then turned his gaze to Olivia, who sat on the opposite side.
Olivia, her hair neatly tied up, exuded the aura of a sleek lioness today as always. Her upright posture and relaxed demeanor were elegant, but her gaze was sharp, even to him.
Olivia would do well.
He began to believe it because she wanted him to believe it. And then, before he knew it, he truly believed it.
In the end, it seemed everything stemmed from one's gaze and thoughts.
At that moment, Ansen Wilhelm's senior counsel, who had been droning on with the preamble, got to the main point.
"Therefore, our corporation cannot acknowledge the document submitted by The Princess of Herod as evidence."
Ansen refused to acknowledge the proof that Olivia had registered her patent under the name 'Oliver' due to procedural issues.
Rick Winford immediately retorted.
"Are you saying you won't acknowledge a document bearing Ansen Wilhelm's signature? The seal, stamped twice for forgery prevention, is undoubtedly that of the Wilhelm Corporation."
"The seal's authenticity must also be questioned. There is absolutely no such document within the Wilhelm Corporation."
The judge, observing the situation, asked Ansen.
"Mr. Ansen Wilhelm, do you not acknowledge the document submitted by The Princess consort?"
Ansen, avoiding Olivia's gaze, replied.
"I do not acknowledge it."
Rick Winford, regardless, spoke to the judge.
"The handwriting analysis confirms the signature is undeniably Ansen Wilhelm's, and I believe the suspicion of seal forgery is not even worth a response, Your Honor. Furthermore, please look at the Princess consort's notebook submitted alongside it. It contains detailed information on the process through which the Magic Dome was created."
At his words, the judge picked up the notebook he had already seen.
As the judge flipped through the pages, he looked at Olivia, who was seated. She sat with a straight posture, meeting his gaze with calm eyes.
The judge lowered his gaze, ran his fingertips over the worn notebook, and closed it.
He could not fail to recognize the long hours and hard work poured into it.
"However, as the Wilhelm Corporation ultimately refuses to acknowledge this fact, we wish to summon Princess Marguerite Astrid as a witness."
Immediately, the Wilhelm Corporation's lawyer protested.
"You must summon someone who can provide notarization as a witness!"
"I believe the submitted diary confirms that the Princess was aware of the series of events."
The judge looked down at two luxurious leather-bound notebooks. He never imagined Princess Marguerite would offer her diary to have her summoned as a witness.
"A diary can be easily fabricated! It has no legal effect as evidence!"
"I write my diary like a logbook. I record everything that happens each day, both my private and public affairs. The submitted diary is a vast record spanning three years."
Margo said, as if spitting it out.
"Surely you don't intend to claim that I accurately remember events from five to six years ago and wrote them down in detail, do you?"
"B-but the possibility of content being added to an existing diary..."
"Do not worry about that. Before it was accepted as evidence, it was confirmed by the court's verification agency that it was not recently written."
The judge nodded, looking at Margo.
"Princess, please testify."
Margo rose from her seat and looked at Olivia. She had always kept that small girl in her heart. Now, the grown girl smiled as if understanding her feelings.
Margo slowly opened her mouth, as if confessing.
"I have known about this matter for a very long time. The reason I remained silent, knowing it was unjust... was purely out of selfishness. I left Herod having promised not to cause any disturbance at any moment."
Margo's face grew hot. Unable to face Olivia, she turned her gaze to the judge.
"However, at every moment, it felt like a thorn in my heart. My testimony and feelings remain fully recorded in the submitted diary."
Margo paused for a breath. Then, she declared to the judge.
"I, Marguerite Astrid, pledge all my rights, my status, and the blood of the Astrid ancestors flowing within me, that Olivia Rosemond Astrid is Oliver, the developer of the Magic Dome. If this is false, I will relinquish my position."
The judges, as well as the Wilhelm Corporation's senior counsel, stirred. A royal family staking their position as a condition was by no means a common occurrence.
Margo felt the intangible pressure that had been weighing her down begin to slightly recede. She smiled at Olivia, whose eyes were red as she looked at her, then turned her head to face Ansen.
The boy walking in the schoolyard overlapped in her vision, and it was truly bitter.
"Ansen."
"......"
"If you cover the sky with your palm, will it be covered?"
Despite her weighty question, Ansen ultimately did not open his mouth.
As Margo finally returned to her seat, the judge drew everyone's attention.
"We have examined all the evidence submitted by both parties. We will render a verdict after reviewing this evidence and today's proceedings. If you have any final words, please speak them now."
The judge first gave Olivia the floor.
Olivia slowly rose from her seat. She felt Noah's gaze from the VIP seats. He was looking at her with eyes full of trust.
Olivia gave him a bright smile, then turned her head to the judge. And she softly spoke the words she had practiced dozens of times.
"This is not the first time I have filed a constitutional petition. Olivia Liberty filed a petition a little over two years ago, but I had to turn away without even submitting the documents. And now, I stand here."
"......"
"Why was it not possible then, but is possible now? I thought and thought. However, this is not a matter for me alone to consider, but a problem that you, the judges of Pulder, who champion equality, must also ponder deeply."
The judge bowed his head with a heavy heart towards The Princess consort, who was looking at him with stern eyes.
"I understand what you are saying."
Olivia returned his greeting and then, looking at Ansen, said.
"I am the developer of the Magic Dome. Whether someone acknowledges it or not, that fact does not change."
"......"
"The guiding principle of the Magic Dome is 'safety.' I designed the Magic Dome with that goal in mind. To this end, I put my heart into ensuring it would not stop, even if one or two parts malfunctioned. However, my design was blocked by the Wilhelm Corporation's clause stating that the machine room door must not be opened, even in a life-threatening situation."
Ansen's eyes trembled violently, and Olivia's voice grew sharper.
"I opposed that clause. But it was not accepted. Isn't that right, Representative Wilhelm?"
"Your Honor, The Princess consort is not making a defense, she is interrogating!"
Wilhelm's lawyer immediately objected, but the judge did not stop her. Olivia turned to the judge and declared.
"The Magic Dome must prioritize people's safety over corporate profits."
"......"
"Your Honor, I earnestly request a wise and just judgment. I sincerely hope that your decision will contribute to the safety of all humanity, beyond my personal rights."
As soon as Olivia finished speaking, the judge looked at Noah. He glanced alternately at the couple, who bore a slight resemblance, and then turned to Ansen and asked.
"Do you have anything to say, Mr. Ansen Wilhelm?"
At his question, Ansen's lips moved several times, but he ultimately could not utter a single word.
The judges looked at him with dark eyes and shook their heads slightly.
While the judges left the room for deliberation, Olivia remained seated. She looked at Ansen, whose face was shadowed, then turned her gaze to Noah.
He smiled brightly and whispered with his lips.
'You did well!'
They say the entire universe is needed for a single tree.
If she had been alone, she would never have come this far. At first, that fact angered her, but as time passed, the emotion turned into gratitude.
A moment later, the judges returned.
The judge read out a clear verdict.
The main points were that the evidence presented by Olivia was sufficient and proved her to be the developer.
The fact that Ansen Wilhelm's side could not present any clear personal details of 'Oliver' as requested by the judge also worked in Olivia's favor.
"Therefore, this judge acknowledges Olivia Rosemond Astrid as 'Oliver,' who was registered as a joint patent holder of the Magic Dome 5 years and 8 months ago, and recognizes all legal rights pertaining thereto."
At his declaration, Olivia exhaled a breath she had been holding, and Margo and Noah sprang to their feet. Rick Winford silently raised both hands, and the Wilhelm Corporation's senior counsel lowered his head.
The judge looked at Olivia with wrinkled eyes and leaned forward slightly.
"Your Highness, The Princess consort."
"Yes."
He smiled gently.
"I sincerely hope that my judgment will contribute to the prosperity and well-being of Pulder and Herod, and furthermore, of humanity."
Upon this, the black lion of Astrid let out a long laugh. Then, with a confident expression, she declared.
"Watch. You will never regret this."
'The Magic Dome of the Wilhelm Corporation may not actually belong solely to Ansen Wilhelm!'
It was natural for public attention to be focused on the court's decision. The area in front of the court was packed with people.
Angry survivors, reporters with cameras, and politicians seeking votes were gathered in crowds.
Yet, among them were those who remained silent, not belonging to any of these groups.
At first glance, they resembled a group of scholars, exchanging only glances occasionally, without uttering a word.
It was when a man with a bushy beard among them was quietly looking up at the court.
A woman appeared from beyond the high steps.
The moment she appeared, a disheveled silence fell over the bustling area. The woman's presence was even greater than that of the imposing central courthouse.
"...Is that person, The Princess of Herod...?"
As soon as someone's voice was faintly heard, a man appeared beside her.
The man, resembling the piercing sunlight, gently grasped the woman's hand.
The handsome couple, like a painting, looked at each other's faces, then began to descend the stairs with smiles. And with her smile, as if realizing something, a cheer erupted from the survivors' side.
"The Princess consort has won!!!"
"Ansen Wilhelm has lost!!"
The precarious silence shattered.
Amidst the pouring camera flashes and cheers, Olivia squeezed Noah's hand a little tighter.
"You hate this kind of thing..."
"I usually do, but today I like it."
However, contrary to his words, Noah's gaze towards the reporters showed a distinct difference in temperature.
The reporters eagerly wanted to approach Olivia, but they dared not in front of Herod's Messenger, who bared his teeth secretly.
'Enough, enough.'
It was as if a fierce voice could be heard.
