The Duchesses

Chapter 36 : Another Day, Another Trial for Duchess Natalie (2)

"Does that mean Duchess Natalie and Princess Isis were never in the same carriage in the first place?" Natalie's question prompts everyone to consider this.

"Yes, as we travel to an unknown location. When the assassins removed our blindfolds, we realised Duchess Natalie wasn't there," Daphne continues to answer the Duchess' question bit by bit.

"Thank you very much. That's all I have to say, Your Honour," Natalie stated as her throat became itchy.

The audience is quiet as the judges continue to deliberate on both claims. Finally, they contradict each other, but they decide to go along because Harren may want to cross-examine the witness.

"Does the opposing party want to cross-examine the witness?" the head judge asks, looking at Harren.

"Yes, Your Honour," he replied.

Harren walks over to Daphne and stands in the middle of the court. Every gaze fixes on him except Medea, who looks up at the Imperial families, including Hera. The Crown Princess of the Angelos Empire feels happy when she meets the Duchess' gaze, but she must act in public to avoid being caught up by people, particularly Ares.

Then her gaze was drawn to a certain blonde being held as a criminal. Harren's interrogation of Daphne continues.

"You mentioned that you had other friends with you and Her Highness, Princess Isis, at the secret location, correct?"

"That is correct. As I previously stated, we were both confined to another room while Princess Isis was separated from us," Daphne tries to be transparent as possible.

"Have you ever seen Princess Isis in the flesh, in your presence?"

"I've never met her in person. When the rescue party led by Duchess Medea arrived, Princess Isis screamed and tried to fight them off. We can't help them because we're confined. Then, while the Duchess and Crown Princess were elsewhere, I accompanied a friend to the secret location to avoid the assassins returning to them."

Harren simply nods off, concluding the cross-examination with Daphne with two simple questions. Many would think he is at his wits' end trying to overturn this trial because Henry's testimony appears useless against the Duchess. But instead, Medea observes Harren's demeanour, noting how calm he seems to be for someone so clumsy and messy.

"He is so calm, although Daphne's testimony can make Henry's testimony to be useless. His question is not like he wants to search for any hole in her story, but instead, he tries to confirm something," Medea thought, crossing her hands while watching the trial.

As Medea looks up, she notices Ares' face, which has a creepy grin but quickly vanishes. She feels terrible about this as if missing out on something. She intends for this to be better, but if a surprise element is about to arrive, it could derail part of the entire plan.

"I am well aware that witnesses from both sides are at odds with one another. That is why I am calling another witness to clarify the situation," Harren asserts, throwing off the court again.

"As Daphne has stated, her friend has been severely injured and is being treated at a secret location. However, yesterday, a Crassore Empire citizen wandered into my area needing immediate medical attention," Ares smiles internally as it turns out this way.

The Crown Prince was thinking about a backup plan. He manipulates everything because what Harren says is true: the servant stumbles into his area and 'accidentally' meets him. But do it on accident? Of course not. Ares had planned this all along, considering every possible outcome. But, to be honest, Ares expects Henry to blow up the testimony because he is a coward and useless in public.