Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Someone burst into tears as soon as Frey finished speaking. It was Median. She burst into tears as if she could not believe that she had become a criminal.
"Your Honor! Is that really true? She might even buy a witness!"
Mielle's voice, pretending to be sick, filled the courtroom. It was she herself who had recruited the witness.
"We've done the research so strictly that anyone can be convinced of it. If you want to check, you can make a request later. That's all the court's punishment is, but the three of you will have to undergo a separate investigation into the hallucinogen test later."
It was only then that Wendy, who realized how ridiculous the case she had been involved in, began to cry. It was only now that she realized how unjust it was to take the false charge. Only after being dismissed did she know that it was punishment... 'What a foolish woman she is.'
"If it's a punishment for hallucinogens...?"
"I'm going to tell them."
As if he had waited for Aria's question, Asher replied with a smile. They must have never dreamed that the job, which had been deliberately left to the Crown Prince by the Aristocratic Party due to the difficulty of tracing and investigating, would seize their ankles. It would not end easily if Asher would deal with it.
"Finally, the charges against Roscent Mielle."
And the sentence that she had waited for began. Mielle stared at Frey with a very nervous face. Her pale look was so serious that she could collapse immediately.
"For you, I heard that you were there alone when the Count fell down the stairs, and a witness saw the golden-haired lady there."
Frey's eyes were sharpened after a short pause. So Mielle swallowed her breath, and Aria took the hand of Asher. She hoped Mielle would be punished severely.
"I've confirmed that you're a real criminal who tried to kill Count Roscent and sentence you to twenty years in prison."
'Twenty years in prison?' It was heavy for the punishment inflicted on the aristocratic lady. So Mielle, who was trembling so badly as Frey's words fell, jumped out of her seat. Then she tried to rush straight at Frey, but the attempt was stopped by guards waiting around.
"No! It's not me! That's what she did. Don't be ridiculous!"
More than a dozen guards surrounded Mielle's perimeter and blocked her from moving anywhere, whether Frey had ordered in advance before sentencing.
"Your Honor! I have something to tell you. The county family retreats this accusation...!"
Cain, who had been bewildered by the more severe ruling than expected, came out late, but Frey shook her head.
"The execution of the sentence starts today. If you have any objections, I hope you'll do it later, and this is the end of the trial."
There was no mercy behind it when she turned coldly.
The news of Mielle's murder of her father quickly spread throughout the empire.
* * *
"Are you really going to go back to the mansion?"
"Yes, it's my home now."
Aria nodded to Asher's worried question. Although Mielle was punished, he seemed worried because Cain was still in the mansion. It was because Cain had chased after Mielle who had been dragged out and had stared at Aria and Asher several times. The look was as full of murderous spirit as Mielle.
Asher did not release Aria's hand and persuaded her again, "Why don't you go to my villa? There's another one in the capital city as well as one in the woods. If that's inconvenient for you, I'll find a place for you."
It wasn't that his worries didn't make sense. She had already been framed by Mielle, so she didn't know what danger would befall on her. It might be a good choice to leave the mansion, as Asher said.
"... No. My mother is still in the mansion, and I'm sure the employees in the mansion are worried."
Aria smiled bitterly and made an excuse that the Countess remained in the mansion. He could not answer though he tried to say something.
'I'm sorry to bother you, but the truth is that I didn't finish Mielle perfectly yet, so I need to stick to the mansion. That way, I can get her information faster, and how to punish her.'
Twenty years in prison. It was a severe punishment for the noble lady, who was underage. It was clear that the sentence was set on the premise of an appeal. In addition, at the end of the trial, Cain had said he would cancel the charges. So no matter what he would do, he must do anything to get Mielle out. It wasn't that difficult for the nobles. And another problem was that it was not so easy for a minor, aristocratic youngster to leave home without reason.
Maybe he reminded himself of a lot of problems, but he said in a very sad tone, "I hope you will become an adult soon."
It was not like other good things would happen when she grew up. Though she had realized much from the past experience, she could see what he wanted from the warmth that held her hands together. He seemed to want to be with Aria as soon as possible.
"Then I will be able to protect you, by keeping you beside me. I can boast of being my own person."
"Isn't that what you're doing now?"
Today he had been stirring the capital with a splendid carriage. Asher laughed a little at her.
"It's hard to deny. But I hope there will be a place where I can officially be with you... so you don't have to act weird."
Aria, who recalled her touch in front of everyone today, lost her speech with her eyes wide open. A little shame came in.
'Why do you bring up those words again and embarrass me?' If she had been questioned by someone other than Asher, she would have been able to deal with it flexibly. However, she couldn't do that because her opponent was Asher, as usual... So Aria said curtly, "... I won't do it again."
"No, you can do it, but I hope you do that when there's no one."
"I won't."
"Please."
"No, I won't even talk anymore."
"I'm sorry. It's okay when there's a person, so do as you like."
Eventually, Aria, relieved by his tender smile and apology, smiled after him. It was also a smile that melted away the joy of having achieved what she had long hoped for.
* * *
"You cannot cancel it because the trial has already been terminated."
"... Then I'll appeal. I'll give you bail, so please release Mielle."
Cain, who had never expected such a big punishment, replied with embarrassment.
'How dare the court refuses so harshly?' If it were the Count who had the broad personal network, it would have been easier to deal with things, but this time the Count was a victim, and Cain was just a naive nobleman who has just graduated from the academy.
Of course, it could be solved easily, but Frey was standing in the way. Besides, the Crown Prince's breath was in it.
Cain gritted his teeth and asked for an interview, "Mielle has never been in a place like this before, so I think I should check it out. She's still young."
"I see. You'll have to fill out the paperwork, so you can come with me."
Cain was not able to meet Mielle until he had completed a fairly complicated document.
It was a humble place compared to the mansion, but it was a prison for the nobility, so there was no strange thing to find fault except that it was a little narrow.
"Brother...!"
"Mielle."
Cain came close to Mielle, who greeted him with tears. His eyes were swollen as if to cry all the time after the trial. So Cain hurriedly handed over the handkerchief to Mielle.
"Well, what am I supposed to do now...?"
"I'll get you out, so don't worry."
Sob sob... In Cain's answer to get her out, Mielle began to cry aloud. As he saw that she couldn't give a proper answer and just squeeze out tears, she seemed to be in a very unstable state of mind.
The guard glanced inside as he had heard that she might have taken a hallucinogen.
Mielle, who had found some stability in Cain's comfort, began to curse Aria again, "My life is... because of that vulgar woman...! I'm scared of what everyone will think of me in the future...! Sob sob... how did I keep the image? What would Oscar think? What am I going to do if the engagement is broken?"
Mielle cursed Aria, listing each of the things she had lost. It was a way of saying that all these things had come from Aria. She passed all the blame on to Aria.