I Plead the Villain’s Innocence

One day, while living as a cutthroat lawyer who only cared about money,
I woke up as Elena Christie, a penniless extra in a rofan novel.

“Let’s see whose head has the biggest bounty on it.”

To escape the poverty-stricken hell that was scarier than the actual fiery one, I decided to defend Grand Duke Benedict Richard, the greatest villain in the story, who was on the verge of being sentenced to death for murder. My contingency fee was half of his confiscated assets.

“Is there any evidence here that the defendant committed the murder?”

I thought I had torn up the courtroom with my airtight defense…
What? They’ll only return his assets if I catch the real culprit?
I’ll catch that culprit.
I’ll get that money.
And so, I ran myself ragged trying to catch the murderer, and even saved the Grand Ducal Territory from financial ruin, as it was teetering on bankruptcy due to the confiscated assets. I also managed PR for the Grand Duke, who was branded as a murderer, hoping it would help with the acquittal. I gave my all to protect my precious contingency fee.

“We have a contractual relationship, that’s it. Don’t have any other expectations.”

The Grand Duke declared, far too solemnly, that there would be no special incentives other than the agreed upon compensation.

I shook my head at how stingy he was for someone his size.
***
“Haa…”

Benedict Richard let out a troubled sigh. This was serious.
He frowned deeply and muttered, touching his forehead.

“I think Elena Christie is in love with me.”

Something strange was definitely going on.