NOVEL NEXT Chapter 120
Jacob’s voice trembled softly.I answered calmly.“What do you mean? She will return with Cesare after the trial is over.”“But Eilish… poisoned the former Crown Prince, no matter what the process, do you think the Emperor will let her?”“I made a promise I will do my best to keep the Princess alive, and Cesare will keep that promise.”But in my heart, I was thinking that if the Emperor wanted Eilish to be punished, I couldn’t resist.I promised to save her life in exchange for Eilish’s cooperation, but… The cost of killing the former Crown Prince Franz was not erased just by confessing.It’s sad, but there’s nothing you can do about it.Jacob seemed concerned, too.“The Emperor will never forgive Eilish. I don’t know since I’m not a noble or an imperial family, but…. Still, all I know is that the current Emperor is a scary person.”“They have diplomatic relations with the kingdom, so he will not punish Princess Eilish unconditionally with the death penalty.”“She shouldn’t have spoken up after all. Eilish should have lived quietly in the Palace. And if the Duchess knew how frightened she’s been lately, she would never-”“Jacob.”I frowned and cut off Jacob’s words.I want to be nice, but he’s getting more and more arrogant.“Make sure you understand your situation. Now, even if I, and Cesare, have given you the freedom to move around in the mansion, that doesn’t mean your sins are gone.”Jacob made drugs that poisoned and killed many people.And Princess Eilish poisoned former Crown Prince Franz.I crossed my arms and said firmly.“You didn’t think you’d get away with it, did you? If so, you’d better think again.”“Duchess. Weren’t you trying to help me and Eilish escape?”“You must take responsibility for what you have done.”Jacob bowed his head.I could see Jacob’s hands on his knees trembling.Were my words so shocking?But I was just letting you know the reality as kindly as possible.Besides, isn’t it too naive to think that there would be no punishment for committing such a crime?“Are you really going to abandon us like this?“You must appear as remorseful as possible, and indeed you must be remorseful, and then perhaps the Emperor will be as sympathetic.”“Duchess!!”“Don’t raise your voice. We’ll talk about this later today, after Cesare returns.”Then I sighed and stood up from my seat.But at that moment, strangely, my head was spinning and I felt dizzy.Without realizing it, I staggered.I grabbed the armrests of the chair and barely supported my body.Jacob, who was sitting across from me, stood up and a shadow fell over me.A cold voice was heard.“It’s all the Duchess’ fault.”“Jacob?”“If the Duchess had helped me and Eilish as promised, this would not have happened.”A teacup appeared at the end of my blurred gaze.At that moment, it occurred to me that Jacob might have been playing a trick on the tea I drank.I took a deep breath and shook my head.“You… What did I put in my tea….”“I’m sorry. But the Marquis promised to spare Eilish’s life. He said that if I catch Duke Burstoad’s weakness, he’ll help us escape!”“Ugh…”“It’s all your fault! I didn’t betray you!”Even as my head throbbed at Jacob’s shout, my eyes grew more and more blurred.I tried to calm myself, but it felt like someone was forcing me to sleep.I met the knight’s eyes. He raised the corners of his lips.“He said he’d pay me handsomely for this. As madam knows, low-ranking knights earn only a tiny bit of salary.”“You… think Cesare is going to let you go?”“But you can’t miss a huge sum of money that will change your life.”This damn bastard…!The strength in my legs was released and I slumped down.I can’t lift a single hand.‘Cesare…!’So I lost my vision in an instant. ***** There was a strange atmosphere in the courtroom.The person charged today is Marquis Gallard.He is already the second high-ranking noble to be on trial after Cesare Burstoad.It was the law of the Empire that disputes should be settled by trial, but never before had such a high-ranking noble trial occurred so often.In addition, the Marquis Gallard was related to the current Empress.No one would have dared to put the Marquis of Gallard on trial unless they were willing to fight with the Empress.It was because of Cesare Burstoad’s anger.“If we are not careful, we will be swept away.”A nobleman shuddered and muttered.The crime Marquis Gallard was charged today was the distribution of illegal drugs.The Empress’s murder of the former Crown Prince Franz had not yet been formally charged, as Cesare had saved that for the trial.The moment he heard of the charge, he remembered a drug that had been popular for a while in a social club.In fact, anyone who has been close to Marquis Gallard has probably used it at least once.Because the drug was always with him at the parties he hosted.Those who tasted the drug at the party could, they could purchase additional drugs from the man who covered his face with a mask.Everyone was shivering, but they assumed that the man was actually the Marquis Gallard people.“They said if there are no traces left on the body, it will be fine.”“Hmm, that’s something I don’t know. I came here today just curious about the actions of the Duke of Burstoad.”“By the way, why is the Marquis of Gallard the defendant in today’s trial?”The young man cautiously questioned.The nobles looked at him curiously.“What do you mean?”“No, isn’t it a little strange? In fact, the person who brought the Duke of Burstoad to the court last time was Prince Gabriel.”“That’s true.”“If you want revenge, shouldn’t you be pointing out the Crown Prince? For example, mentioning the birth of the Crown Prince or taking issue with his immoral behavior…”“Shh. The Duke of Burstoad has arrived.”The young man suddenly stopped talking.Today’s protagonist, Cesare Burstoad, arrived at the courthouse in a majestic form.Cesare glanced across the left.Some stared, some couldn’t hide their curiosity, and some looked on drenched in fear.People with various emotions were staring at Cesare Burstoad.Suddenly, Cesare let out a smirk.He also didn’t think he would appear twice in this courtroom.‘Today is the last day.’I’ll get things done quickly and leave the capital.After all, the capital was nothing but a bunch of annoyances.He couldn’t wait to get back to his estate, with its vast hunting grounds and quiet woods.With his wife Daphne Burstoad.At that moment, another high-ranking person appeared in the courtroom.“… Gabriel Hylister.”Gabriel, who was accompanied by an attendant, also found Cesare right away.His handsome face frowned.It was as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have seen.“Tsk.”He clicked his tongue.The nobles looked at the two with interest.Cesare also wanted to spit in the face of that person.Because of the two-faced Prince, Cesare suffered a hardship that he did not have to go through.Is he the only one?Daphne, too, had been captured and imprisoned by him, and had just broken free.He should use his fists in, not spit.But that was not today.Whatever the past, today they had to be on the same side.For today was the day of the final battle, the day he would dethrone the Marquis Gallard and the Empress.Cesare twisted his lip.And one step closer, he drew closer to Gabriel.Gabriel raised his chin and accepted Cesare’s gaze without avoiding it.If it had been like before, he would have already lowered his head, tired of looking at it.Still, he seemed to have grown.A spark flew between the two of them.And an amazing thing happened.Cesare Burstoad bowed to Gabriel.“I see the Crown Prince.”It was such a simple, and surprising word.These two people stared at each other as if they were going to kill each other until the last trial.Of course, the eyes were the same today.It was truly a consistent relationship.The aristocrats murmured.“Since the last incident, I thought he would completely ignore him. My God, the Duke of Burstoad is the first one to bow.”“What’s the point of disrespecting the Crown Prince? Besides, the Dukes of Burstoad have been served the Imperial family for generations.”“It looks a bit like a declaration of defeat.”There was a lot of talk about it, but anyway, the effect was great.The idea that Cesare Burstoad was in league with the Crown Prince was now firmly planted in the minds of the aristocrats.And soon after, the Emperor and the Empress appeared.“Greetings, Imperial Sun.”.”The nobles greeted at the same time.The Emperor sat down with a tired face.“Come on, let the trial begin.”However, the defendant’s seat is empty. The Marquis Gallard had not yet arrived at the courtroom.