The Villainess Who Rises Again

Synopsis

“They say she tried to kill the duke.”
“I heard she held a grudge because she wasn’t allowed to marry him.”

Amid the noisy lies spreading around her, Liel arrived before the gallows. The soldiers shouted at her to get down from the cart, and with legs that refused to move, she forced her feet onto the ground. Rough hands pushed her forward, urging her up the scaffold. Each shove sent her stumbling up the steps, the soles of her feet splitting open and bleeding as she climbed.

“Criminal Liel Tigris, for bearing a grudge over not being able to marry Theo Nobilis, son of Duke Berta Nobilis, and for attempting to murder Duke Berta Nobilis himself, shall be executed by hanging!”

Not even knowing what crime she had truly committed, Liel lowered her head as she listened to the charges declared by Marquis Veroka. The marquis glanced at her, then spoke again as he looked upon Liel’s faint, bitter smile.

“If the criminal has any last words, speak now.”
“….”

Liel swallowed dryly. After a brief silence, though her voice was weak, it was still clear and unwavering as she gave her final words:

“I, Liel Tigris, declare myself innocent.”

Her light body dropped. Suspended by the rope, the young noblewoman’s sword slipped from her hand, clattering to the ground. Yet no one noticed. In her other hand, hidden from sight, she still clutched a blood-stained necklace.