FLNL 11

Chapter 11

The trial was to be held at the Imperial Palace, and as per tradition, official notices were sent to all nobles in the capital.

But given the nature of the case, it was no exaggeration to say that not only the nobles of the capital but those from the surrounding regions had flocked in as well.

There weren’t enough spectator seats, and complaints from lower-ranking nobles pushed out of the hall rang out loudly.

Sensing all this commotion from inside the carriage, Maia clenched her hands nervously.

The carriage stopped. A servant approached and opened the door.

“Maia.”

As the Duke of Western stepped out first, the deafening noise outside died down as if it had all been a lie.

The atmosphere outside was so silent, it felt eerily still. Maia clenched her teeth and reached out her hand.

The Duke’s hand, large enough to cover hers entirely, held her firmly in support.

“This is the Duchess of Western.”

“Well… not quite as beautiful as the late Princess, but still a great beauty.”

“No wonder even that ghost-like Duke fell for her so helplessly.”

Unlike when the Duke descended, whispers began erupting everywhere.

“She’s beautiful. Truly beautiful.”

“Where? You’re only saying that because you’ve never seen the late Princess in person.”

“Her dress doesn’t match the code. Maybe the rumors of discord were true.”

A mix of emotions swirled around her in the form of voices that buzzed in her ears.

Yet the Duke of Western showed no sign of agitation—his poise and beauty gave him the appearance of a god incarnate.

Maia kept her eyes forward, ignoring the stares, and took her steps supported by the Duke’s escort.

A massive golden sculpture of a founding myth hero loomed over the iron steps of the tribunal, staring down at her.

This was the place where every part of her plan would finally reach its end.

“That’s the Duchess of Western.”

“She’s been quiet for a while, and now she’s shaking the capital once more.”

The moment she entered, a storm of chatter and stares—no different from those outside—rushed toward her.

Though the hall was filled with nobles from prestigious families highly respected by the people, their whispered conversations were no different from those of lower nobles.

Endless comparisons to the Princess. And more comparisons.

Spiteful whispers full of jealousy, mocking glances.

For the first time, Maia felt genuinely thankful that her mother wasn’t a noble.

At least her mother wouldn’t witness such a lowly spectacle.

Feeling sincerely relieved, Maia took her seat with the Duke of Western.

“…Are you alright?”

A sudden whisper pierced her ear. Startled, Maia turned her head.

On the surface, he appeared unchanged, but the Duke of Western was looking down at her with concern.

“…What could possibly not be alright?”

Maia answered, startled, just speaking whatever came to her lips.

He opened his mouth, hesitating.

“We now receive His Majesty, Emperor Sahar Lakedaimon Adelstein!”

At that moment, the Emperor entered.

Maia quickly rose from her seat.

“Rise.”

A soft, rippling voice echoed through the quiet courtroom.

The first thing that caught her eye was the short-cut dark blue hair near the nape of his neck—so similar to the Duke’s.

Beneath that, his face, far too young and beautiful to believe he had grown children, shimmered in her vision.

The Emperor silenced the kneeling nobles with a single word and walked soundlessly forward.

Maia stood stiff as ice, looking down at him.

The Emperor, the Duke’s maternal uncle, was a man so mesmerizing he seemed like a rose blooming on white snow.

She had admired him so deeply it made her heart sink—but the moment their eyes met, she instinctively recoiled from the cold light in his blood-red irises.

To be honest, it sent chills down her spine.

Those inorganic eyes, devoid of any emotion, thought, or warmth…

“……!”

Then it happened. The Emperor turned his gaze directly toward Maia.

Their eyes met—his red as blood, hers wide in shock.

Her entire body stiffened. Maia bit the inside of her cheek, barely suppressing her reaction.

Despite his middle age, the aura he exuded still made one’s knees go weak.

Fortunately, the Emperor quickly looked away.

He strode to the seat of highest authority and, with a faint smile, opened the session.

“Without further ado, let us begin the trial initiated at the request of the Duchess of Western.”

At his subtle nod, the main doors opened, and the head maid—gaunt and with her hands bound—was dragged out.

The trial had finally begun.

“The Duchess of Western collapsed after vomiting blood some time after eating food brought by a kitchen maid. According to the attending physician’s report, a large quantity of deadly poison was found, suggesting a deliberate attempt on her life.”

“What kind of poison was it?”

“It is suspected to be a toxin extracted from the corpse flower native to the Parma Islands.”

Gasps rippled through the hall. The investigator flipped the page and continued.

“Initially, the kitchen maid was thought to be the culprit. However, Lady Scarmander, who gave critical testimony against the maid, later changed her statement and claimed that the head maid ordered her to go to the kitchen early—almost as if she knew in advance the Duchess would be poisoned.”

The head maid trembled occasionally during the report but showed no other reaction.

Maia watched the proceedings calmly, having already predicted how things would unfold.

“And the most decisive piece of evidence is the confession of the head maid herself—Lady Helia Jabeth Delphon.”

The investigator activated a magical device embedded in his cuff.

Maia recognized the familiar voice of the head maid as it echoed through the hall.

[“The one who poisoned the food the Duchess ate… was me. I planned to kill the woman who took the Princess’s place.”]

“My god…”

“That really is Lady Delphon’s confession?”

“Her loyalty to the late Princess was… too strong.”

“Even if the Duchess has humble origins… this crosses the line.”

Whispers of shock, pity, and disappointment spread throughout the courtroom.

“After reviewing all the evidence, it is only right that Helia Jabeth Delphon be stripped of her title and sentenced to a severe punishment. We await Your Majesty’s judgment.”

The investigator fell silent.

Maia intertwined her fingers, waiting for the Emperor’s ruling.

His voice rang out, carrying a gentle resonance.

“To call the Duchess of Western, acknowledged by the imperial family, a lowly woman who stole the late Princess’s place…”

Contrary to expectations, the Emperor did not immediately issue a verdict.

“To slander her and attempt to poison her—how arrogant. Did you truly believe you had that right?”

His icy sarcasm sliced through the air, directed at the head maid.

The woman began to cry, stammering her response.

“I… I just couldn’t forget how deeply the Princess loved the Duke…”

“To cling to my dead daughter like that—how pathetic. I’m sick of it.”

Despite stories that he had cherished the Princess more than even the Crown Prince, his voice sounded genuinely disgusted.

Maia furrowed her brows, feeling a strange unease.

“No deliberation is needed. Helia Jabeth Delphon shall be stripped of her noble title and executed by hanging in the public square.”

“Y-Your Majesty, please!”

“Also, her family’s title will be confiscated.”

The head maid screamed.

“I was the late Princess’s trusted maid, treated like a sister! How can trying to kill a mere merchant’s daughter deserve such cruelty? Please, show mercy, Your Majesty!”

But the Emperor’s cold eyes held not a single flicker of compassion.

“Why the hesitation? Must I order your tongue cut out before you come to your senses?”

At his faintly angry command, the knights hurriedly grabbed the woman.

“Your Majesty! Our family is one of the founding houses of the empire! We have upheld the Adelstein name for thousands of years! Your Majesty!”

The head maid resisted violently, banging her forehead on the floor repeatedly.

But the more she struggled, the deeper the Emperor’s anger grew.

Frightened by the ominous aura, the knights forcibly dragged her away, paying no mind to the nobles watching.

Maia closed her eyes. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth.

“It was a rightful sentence.”

“His Majesty is harsher than expected. I understand his reasoning, but still…”

“Yes… anyone who saw the Princess in life would…”

But it wasn’t over yet. Maia opened her eyes.