Translator: Nox

Chapter 10

Charlotte let out a small "Ha..."

"You don't even remember that, do you?"

"What?"

"Three years ago, at the princess's birthday ball. You rushed ahead to be first in line and shoved me, making me fall. But not only did you not apologize, you didn't even notice. For a villainess like you to dare, dare to do that to me..."

....

That was it?

My mind went blank.

Of course, shoving someone is wrong. But was that a crime worthy of the guillotine?

It didn't even seem intentional, yet she'd framed me with such an enormous setup over that?

Even knowing full well what would happen to Aristina if accused of poisoning Serene?

Once the truth came out, chills like this were unprecedented.

'What the hell. This is too scary? High society is a complete savage jungle.'

This world was no joke after all. To survive here, I could never yield to anyone. Losing the mental battle meant the end.

With that thought, my hand moved on its own...

Slap!

With an enormous sound, Charlotte's body flew backward.

'I have to show them something proper.'

Thinking that, Aristina's cheek-slapping technique emerged automatically.

A killing move that instantly spotted the opponent's weakness like toppling a block tower and struck to bring them down.

And that wasn't all.

'Scary. Too scary—where can I even survive?'

Lost in a daze from the thought, I came to my senses to find my shoe firmly stepping on Charlotte's fallen hand.

"If I'd paid for some other crime, I'd let it slide. But trying to put me on the execution platform and turn the Rosen Ducal House to ashes over that one thing?"

I interrogated her fiercely.

"And what about Serene? As everyone knows, she would've been in mortal danger if her physician hadn't acted fast. Just to get revenge on me, it's okay to kill an innocent person? You're irredeemable trash."

"There was another reason for that. A thoroughly pragmatic calculation, you could say."

Ruelian, who had been watching with keen interest, said with a sneer.

"Our investigation found not just that protocol maid, but many other dismissed employees from the Remiel family. Why dismiss long-time servants with no conflicts? What do you think, Duchess?"

"Money, obviously."

"Exactly."

Ruelian nodded slightly toward Charlotte.

"The Remiel family wasn't as prosperous as they appeared. Right? I hear you were a strong candidate for Crown Princess too. With your house in dire straits, that position must've been tempting, but when Serene was chosen instead, you felt despair and jealousy at once. So you figured you'd eliminate Serene and get rid of Aristina too in one go. Killing two birds with one stone?"

The filthy truth she'd desperately hidden was laid utterly bare for all to see.

In the end, even the last pillar supporting Charlotte Remiel crumbled.

Charlotte twisted her face and wailed.

"No! I don't want the death penalty! I'll do anything!"

Watching Charlotte dragged away, disheveled and resisting, the spectators were unable to hide their shock.

"To think..."

Their gazes alternated between Charlotte and me.

The fact that such a refined, dignified noble lady had schemed something so ugly was naturally shocking.

And the fact that I—who they'd expected to spectacularly self-destruct this time—had survived unscathed seemed utterly unbelievable too.

"We have to spread this astonishing news to everyone else!"

"It's probably already all over the rumors. And it's not over yet!"

Someone shouted loudly from the murmuring gallery.

"Isn't that right, Yeha? This is knowing one thing and ignoring two. Though Duchess Aristina cleared her name through the holy trial, you are a cold judge, Yeha. Taking advantage of when you were in prayer to steal Holy Church property without permission! Separate from the poisoning charge, she deserves severe punishment."

Ruelian nodded.

"You're right. The verification of the revelation is complete, so we must proceed. The duchess is only on temporary reprieve."

People's gazes turned to my wrist.

There, a serpentine bracelet glowed white. The Church's restraint bracelet.

In principle, one shouldn't leave during a holy trial. But when I insisted on capturing the suspect myself, Ruelian granted temporary reprieve.

After fitting me with the restraint bracelet, which could inflict agonizing pain on the wearer at any time and could only be removed by the sanctuary's holy power.

Ruelian glanced at the bracelet and spoke.

"And so another intriguing case showing human wickedness comes to an end. The ducal house's disgrace is washed away, and we've informed the imperial family, so the sinners will receive due punishment. Everything is back in place, so that's settled. Now the duchess must face punishment for sacrilege."

"Wait. I request the right to defend."

Duke Karnel hurriedly interjected.

His house had barely survived utter ruin, only for a second wave to crash down. His face said he'd throw his frail body to block it if needed.

But...

I was utterly relaxed.

No need for any defense rights? Everything had gone perfectly according to my scenario.

I hadn't detoured somewhere before plucking that priceless flower for nothing.

"No, Father. If I committed sacrilege, I should face due punishment."

I stood straight toward Ruelian.

"However. I didn't commit sacrilege."

Then I reached into my bosom and proudly pulled out 'that.'

"What is that? Huh? What's that?"

People jumped from their seats.

Ruelian gestured for them to sit and ordered,

"Clerk!"

"Yes!"

The court clerk took the paper from my hand and read it aloud. The contents echoed loudly.

"...?"

The spectators, who had anticipated watching the 'villainess Aristina' dragged away for sacrilege, gaped.

Doubt even crossed Ruelian's face.

The contents were this.

The face of the cold, strict holy judge twisted.

I subtly raised my hand to cover the triumphant smile at my lips.

'I knew it'd be thrilling, but it's even more satisfying than expected.'

Dozens of hours ago.

Trembling in fear of repercussions before plucking the Amarancia flower, I racked my brains fiercely.

Then I recalled one very important piece of information.

"Miss! No! This flower is endangered; you absolutely can't pick it!"

"Has anyone been seen picking flowers here?"

"That's botanists! Miss! Stop being stubborn and come out!"

The conversation between Aristina and the employees when she first went to pick the flower. This was golden info.

Analyzing it revealed the Church permitted botanists to collect for research.

An ordinary person couldn't become a botanist overnight.

'But I have money!'

So before raiding the flower field, I visited the Imperial Academy first. That place with zombie-like people coming and going.

"I'd like to make a donation..."

Academia here or there, always strapped for budget.

The academy president nearly prostrated himself at the sight of 'Aurora's Star' I offered.

As thanks for the donation, he gladly granted the honorary chairman position of the rare plants academy that I requested.

"As chairman of the Rare Plants Academy, I merely collected just one flower on behalf of our poor scholars researching day and night. How dare I commit sacrilege? Especially after Yeha warned me so strictly."

"...."

A genuine appointment letter stamped with the academy president's seal.

Even Ruelian, who had confidently steered the trial, was speechless for the first time before it.

He looked at me with an incredulous face.

"Buying off the academy to escape punishment..."

"Why not buy it when I have the money? The scholars were thrilled at the abundant budget. Any problem, Yeha?"

Of course not.

Not even the world's holy judge could nitpick anymore.

"It was all planned from the start."

He said resignedly.

"Regulations permit collection for academy botanical research purposes, so I'll rule not guilty."

"Thank you, Yeha."

I curtsied gracefully as was ingrained in the body.

"Ah, no way, this can't be..."

I escaped unscathed.

The high society nobles in the gallery stared at me dumbfounded.

Seeing that, I couldn't resist saying something.

"You all must've come early this morning eager to see my downfall—what a pity I couldn't meet expectations."

I looked around at the people. Some averted their eyes and muttered.

"Wh-when did I ever..."

"'That villainess isn't the culprit? Even my dog's bark is more logical than that!', 'I don't want to breathe the same air as a murderer!', 'Open your mouth right now and pour in the same poison!'"

Seeming not to remember, I kindly refreshed their memories.

Who could complain about gossiping? It's their freedom. Just keep in mind your words might be permanently etched.

When they'd spewed curses at my back from the defendant's seat like knives in their mouths.

Seeing them all speechless as if their lips were sewn shut was so refreshing.

'Sesame seeds and salt. Pure sesame salt.'

Thrilling! The best!

With my dazzling blonde hair swaying, I turned coolly and approached Ruelian. Then I demanded confidently.

"Well then, time to remove this now, right?"