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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: 0004_58
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News that Ariana’s custody trial would reopen by Imperial Decree spread quickly. When the Western Duke’s carriage arrived at the courthouse, the area in front was packed with people.
Ariana’s breathing grew increasingly ragged from the pain, but she tried her best to breathe calmly as she followed the Western Duke and Rachel. With each step she took, the knife inside her moved, tearing at her flesh.
‘It’s fine. This is nothing. I’ve been in more pain than this before. It’s bearable.’
She pushed herself forward, fighting the urge to collapse, and entered the courtroom.
‘I can’t collapse, at least not until the trial begins and the witness appears.’
The Eastern Duke was already present. This time, he was seated in the defendant’s chair. As it was a sudden trial, he hadn't been able to bring a lawyer. However, the same was true for the Western Duke’s side.
Eastern Duke Russell cast a sympathetic glance at Ariana, but Ariana was too preoccupied to return his gaze. All she could do was struggle to stay conscious.
Finally, she reached the plaintiff’s seat and sat down, and the pain lessened slightly.
‘Quickly…’
She knew that rushing things could make them worse, but she was anxious.
‘Before I collapse.’
To distract her mind from the pain, Ariana looked towards the spectators’ gallery and spotted Third Prince Harold sitting in the front row.
Her breath hitched.
‘Harold Blenwith!’
She nearly screamed, unable to hold it in.
She felt as if she had forgotten where she was and had been transported back to the days she spent with him, almost crying out in despair.
The pathetic image of herself, deceived by his sweet words and leaping into the flames, played out before her eyes as if it were yesterday.
How foolish must I have looked then? How idiotic must I have seemed, braving terror and rushing towards death, just to hear a few sweet words, just to be acknowledged as a useful person?
She wanted to rush over, grab him by the collar, and ask him.
Did he enjoy using her like that? Was he happy on that high seat, having driven a foolish woman yearning for love into a death trap?
‘Hold on. Not yet.’
Ariana quickly lowered her head before her eyes could meet Harold’s.
‘He just likes interesting things, so he must have come to watch. I shouldn’t let him see me.’
Another reason not to collapse had just appeared.
At least in front of Harold, she absolutely, under no circumstances, wanted to show any weakness.
Cold sweat trickled down her back. She felt both cold and too hot. Several times, she fought off the blackness that threatened to swallow her vision.
After what felt like an eternity, the Chief Judge and the Cardinal entered. It was Chief Judge Tuveson and Cardinal Eodes again. But unlike last time, they didn't immediately sit down; they remained standing.
“His Imperial Majesty arrives!”
Someone announced loudly from outside the courtroom doors.
Everyone rose from their seats. Ariana did the same.
“We greet the Sun of the Empire!”
The Emperor, clad in his uniform, strode silently across the long, red carpet. His red cloak, embroidered with gold, fluttered behind him.
The Emperor walked towards the high chair situated between the Chief Judge and the Cardinal. His gaze briefly lingered on the Eastern Duke. The subtle glint in his eyes towards the Eastern Duke lasted only a moment before the Emperor sat down and nodded to his aide.
“Everyone, be seated.”
At the aide’s cry, everyone took their seats.
Ariana also sat down, her eyes cast downwards as she sank into thought. Thinking calmly, the situation no longer seemed as favorable as it had before.
‘There’s no guarantee this will necessarily be advantageous for me.’
The Emperor held ill feelings towards the Eastern Duke.
‘Perhaps this witness is someone the Emperor hastily arranged to bring down even the Eastern Duke. No, that’s highly probable. No matter how interesting the trial, there’s no reason for the Emperor himself to attend a mere custody trial.’
If the Emperor had orchestrated this situation to side with the Western Duke and deliver a decisive blow to the Eastern Duke, then it was over.
‘The Emperor sitting there might mean he intends to finalize this trial’s outcome with an Imperial Decree. If an Imperial Decree dictates my custody remains with Rachel, and the Eastern Duke is also brought down… there’s nothing I can do.’
At this point, having to contend with the Emperor was far beyond Ariana’s plans. Currently, Ariana had no way to counter an Imperial Decree.
If an Imperial Decree regarding custody was issued, even if Rachel openly tortured or killed Ariana, Ariana would have no way to escape Rachel.
Because an Imperial Decree was perfect and absolute.
If Ariana defied the outcome and fled, the Imperial Knights would move to apprehend and kill her.
Because those who defied an Imperial Decree were not allowed to exist in this world.
‘What should I do? Is there nothing I can do right now?’
She was debating whether it might be better to reveal her physical condition and collapse right then when the Emperor spoke. His solemn voice echoed through the vast Grand Court.
“There is a witness who questioned this trial and requested a retrial from Us. It seems the matter was urgent, so We regrettably issued an Imperial Decree.”
The people in the courtroom widened their eyes in surprise at his words. Who could possibly rush the Emperor enough to warrant an Imperial Decree?
“The arguments from the plaintiff and defendant concluded yesterday, so now we shall hear the testimony of this witness. Bring in the witness.”
Everyone craned their necks to see the witness who had moved the Emperor.
The courtroom doors opened.
Because of the light streaming in from outside, the person standing in the center appeared only as a dark silhouette.
He walked proudly down the red carpet the Emperor had trod. His cloak fluttered, and as he drew closer, his silver hair became distinct.
Ariana watched the man enter, unable to breathe. The same was true for everyone else.
His tall stature and broad shoulders, his silver hair shimmering like the moon, his fair and beautiful face carved as if from marble, his sharp eyes beneath dark gray eyebrows, and his blood-red eyes.
Most in the chamber could guess the identity of the man, whose beauty was akin to a moon god descended to earth.
Finally, standing before the Emperor, he spoke.
“Northern Duke Cyrus Carha offers his gratitude to His Majesty for granting this troublesome request.”
A hush fell over the assembly.
They watched the scene unfold as if witnessing a superb play, taking it all in.
The Emperor and the Northern Duke.
While the Eastern Duke, who had fallen out of the Emperor’s favor, was an interesting spectacle, the Northern Duke surpassed him.
The fact that the austere ruler of the northern lands, whom the Emperor himself had to personally invite to parties and who never responded to requests for visits from countless nobles, was present, made them doubt their own eyes.
But their surprise was nothing compared to Ariana’s shock.
Ariana thought she was dreaming.
The Emperor spoke.
“Witness, give your testimony.”
Cyrus gazed intently at the Western Duke, who had been glaring at him, and began.
“Last March, I visited the Western Territory. After staying for a while at the Western Duke’s Rosen Castle, I set out for the Northern Territory.”
Before the Emperor, Cyrus’s tone was polite.
“Shortly after entering the Wayfun Mountains, I heard the voice of a woman calling for help. Leading my subordinates, I rushed to the scene and found several armed men attempting to kill a woman. After fighting the armed men and rescuing the woman, I asked the survivor why they had harmed the woman, and he replied.”
He said they were ordered by someone to kill that young girl.
At his words, some in the gallery gasped, while others leaned forward, intrigued.
“So I asked, ‘Who is this someone, and who is this young girl?’ And he replied. He said they were ordered by Duchess Bronte to kill the Bronte family’s second daughter.”
“Oh my!”
“Good heavens!”
The weight of the words from Cyrus’s lips was heavier than any other witness’s testimony.
Cries of shock and lamentations echoed here and there. Rachel and the Western Duke’s faces turned pale. The Western Duke shot to his feet, but the Emperor raised a hand, stopping his protest.
The Western Duke, trembling, had no choice but to sit back down, and Rachel gasped roughly, almost on the verge of fainting.
“While I am not well-versed in the affairs of the Bronte family, I could not stand by and watch a young girl in such a precarious situation. Therefore, I temporarily postponed my journey to the Northern Territory and escorted the young girl to the Eastern Territory. The fact that Miss Ariana and I traveled together can be confirmed by inquiring at the inns in each city where we briefly stayed.”
Cyrus turned to Rachel.
“Furthermore, lest Duchess Bronte use our companionship as an excuse to tarnish Miss Ariana’s honor, I will state beforehand that it was Viscountess Luiana Cheveni, commander of the Black Knights, who attended to our needs during the journey, not I, so it would be best not to misunderstand.”
Having finished speaking, Cyrus looked towards Tuveson, who was sitting at the judge’s bench.
“Chief Judge, you delivered an interesting verdict yesterday. Do you feel no shame in that ruling?”
Tuveson, suddenly singled out, swallowed hard and shook his head.
“Wh-what do you mean, Your Grace?”
“I am asking if you know anything about gold, jewels, and ten young slaves.”
“Th-that…”
Tuveson’s face turned ghastly pale. He looked as if he might suffocate at any moment.
Cyrus gave a cold smile and took a document from his pocket.
“I happened to pick this up on the street on my way here. It bears the signatures of yourself and Western Duke Rodian Obelen, so I brought it, wondering if it might be an important lost item.”
The Emperor gestured for the document. Cyrus walked to the Emperor and respectfully handed him the papers.
As the Emperor’s expression hardened while reading the document, the expressions of the Western Duke and Tuveson also changed by the minute. Tuveson blinked repeatedly and fidgeted in his seat, while the Western Duke’s lips trembled uncontrollably.
From their reactions, the spectators guessed what the document signified.
A bribe for a favorable trial outcome.
That meant yesterday’s verdict was the result of a bribe. If it was a matter urgent enough to resort to bribery, it was clear which side held the truth and which held the lie.
The Emperor lowered the document and spoke coldly.
“I decree.”
The bustling courtroom, filled with a string of astonishing revelations, instantly fell silent. Everyone bowed their heads to hear the Imperial Decree.
“From this moment forward, Ariana Bronte shall become Ariana White, and no one shall infringe upon that right. Furthermore, Rachel Bronte, who has persistently abused her child and attempted to block her child’s path to survival with false testimony, shall be severely punished for her crime. A fine of thirty million gold and six months of imprisonment are hereby imposed. Western Duke Rodian Obelen, who attempted to bring about an unjust outcome by bribing a judge, is commanded to pay a fine of ten million gold.”
The Emperor added coldly,
“Does anyone object?”
There was no one who would dare.
