Chapter 3 – Part 7

The circuit court was crowded. People gathered eagerly, like piranhas, anticipating how the corrupt lord would be dismantled by the managing officials of a decaying family.

Moreover, the court official selected as the judge was a well-known figure to them.

“My Lady, the judge has arrived.”

When Melanie announced this, Olivia looked up from her papers in the waiting room. Uncrossing her legs, her boots hit the floor with a thud.

“Let him in.”

As Olivia set down her papers, the door opened. A man with white hair tied back entered.

“Knight Illehan. It has been a long time since I last had the honor of seeing you, my lord.”

Illehan bowed deeply, not hiding his reddened eyes. Olivia rose from her seat.

Despite standing with the aid of a cane in his only remaining right hand, Illehan exuded more dignity than any noble she had met since her possession.

“Thank you for coming, Illehan.”

Though she had no personal memories, Olivia could feel how much the original Olivia had cherished him from the surge of emotions.

“Thank you for staying alive.”

And for coming, despite being late.

In response to his tearful greeting, Olivia simply embraced Illehan. Though unfamiliar, the affectionate gesture felt surprisingly comforting.

“Illehan, this trial isn’t just about taking down Harry Palmer. It’s the beginning of restoring the Charbert family to its rightful state.”

Establishing herself as head of the family, capturing those who tried to kill her, and crushing people like Harry Palmer.

“Can you do it, Illehan?”

“Of course.”

And those five words were enough.

* * *

“Surety? Has the defense finished their argument?”

Illehan’s deep voice resonated through the cleanly prepared circuit court. Kevin Kalt, the man called the witness, firmly shook his head.

“No, Your Honor. We’re going to rely on the example of the Charbert family’s interrogation to suggest that Her Ladyship may have used unreasonable methods to extract answers from that man.”

The blond man glared sharply at Olivia, seated among the spectators. Olivia smirked at him.

In this world, surety functions similarly to modern-day lawyers. Wealthy quasi-nobles or gentry could hire witnesses by spending a fortune, akin to hiring top law firm lawyers. Currently, the trial is in full swing.

“Look at this man’s face. He has bruises on his eyes and a broken arm. As the defendant’s surety, I cannot ignore the possibility of coercion.”

The spectators nodded in agreement, giving the surety more confidence.

“Therefore, I demand the interrogation records from the Marchioness.”

Illehan signaled Olivia, asking if they should comply with Kevin Kalt’s request.

Olivia examined John from head to toe. Complaining about a few bruises and a broken bone. There was nothing to hide.

Harry Palmer was glaring at Olivia with all his might, his emaciated face standing out despite his fancy clothes. That sight brought Olivia a certain satisfaction.

She smirked at Harry, as one would at a cockroach in a cage, further infuriating him.

Olivia nodded to Illehan, who turned to face the front again.

“Then the Marchioness’s side will submit the interrogation records.”

At Illehan’s demand, the surety internally smirked. He planned to use this opportunity to highlight how Olivia had failed since escaping Harry Palmer’s grip and how much the Charbert family relied on Harry’s finances.

Kevin was about to speak when Olivia had anticipated this scenario and prepared the interrogation records in advance. She knew they’d claim the documents were manipulated, discredit her due to her recent changes, and argue the records were unreliable.

The world’s view of her sudden transformation wasn’t entirely positive. Her behavior, unusual for a noblewoman, had led many to question her sanity. The other side wouldn’t hesitate to use that card.

Harry’s lips twitched as he conversed with Kevin, likely planning to use something Olivia said in the records to attack her.

Kevin, having finished his conversation with Harry, turned forward. At the same moment, Olivia nudged John.

“John?”

“Y-yes…”

John gulped. What kind of woman smiles so brightly while making threats? He wanted to scream but restrained himself.

“Your Honor! Look at this record. In this part, the Marchioness says…”

As Kevin confidently flipped through the papers, John suddenly shouted.

“My nails weren’t pulled out!”

“What?”

Kevin, who had been standing proudly, was momentarily dumbfounded. John clenched his fists tightly. Double the reward!

“Isn’t torture supposed to involve pulling out nails and hanging people upside down? My nails weren’t pulled out.”

“……”

Kevin was taken aback but couldn’t back down. Clearing his throat, he spoke again.

“Even so, this document proves the Marchioness used threats of torture…”

“Ah, is it because my arm is broken? I fell down the stairs trying to avoid being taken by the royal knights. If you want to sue someone, sue the royal knights.”

“What are you saying?”

Kevin swallowed his surprise. Had he caught the ‘Olivia Charbert syndrome’? How dare a mere commoner mention the royal family?

Kevin’s face turned red, but John couldn’t back down.

Olivia had made an offer to John.

“Following Harry Palmer around isn’t just about the money, is it?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Bad people threaten family members. Right? Truly despicable. Even if you ever betray me, I would never think of harming your loved ones. But Harry Palmer is different.”

“…”

“If you help me, I’ll ensure you and your daughter can live safely in a cozy place for the rest of your lives. That man will always try to keep you and your daughter under his thumb, even if you somehow survive and return.”

John’s testimony about not being tortured wasn’t a lie. In reality, Olivia had treated John’s injuries from his altercation with the royal knights and had slowly gained his trust over tea and conversation.

“If you join me, double the reward; if you refuse, double the sentence. What’s your choice?”

John surrendered immediately. She was right. As long as he owed Harry Palmer, his daughter would always be in danger.

“The bruises are from hitting the ground face-first. If I’d really been tortured, would I have received treatment like this? That bastard is the one who beats people until they comply!”

John stood up, his voice quivering with anger. Illehan motioned for him to calm down, but in his agitated state, John didn’t notice.

“That bastard… He buys up all the medicine and sells it at exorbitant prices, leaving my daughter untreated! Then he demands money from me if I want the medicine…”

“What nonsense is this?”

Kevin’s face turned pale at the unexpected turn of events. Harry was just as shocked. Had John been swayed so completely in such a short time?

“Hmph, it’s all information that can be verified through investigation. I trust the Marchioness will handle the rest.”

John slumped back into his seat, trying to suppress his anger. Olivia patted his shoulder as if to acknowledge his hard work.

‘I have a good eye for people.’

If they were willing to send a scout, it wouldn’t be a thug or an alcoholic. Olivia had seen that John wasn’t a completely irredeemable person. She had only given him a bit of a hard time because she was annoyed at being followed.

‘Only my taste in men…’

Olivia’s gaze shifted subtly to the side.

“What, Buddy?”

She found herself staring into the cheerful eyes of Marsden.

‘Why does he keep following me like a puppy?’

Despite being told he didn’t need to attend, Marsden had resolutely taken the seat next to Olivia, drawing many stares from the audience. She almost mistook them for members of Troy Marsden’s fan club.

Suppressing her discomfort, Olivia turned her attention back to the trial. John’s testimony had caused a significant stir, making Harry’s position precarious with just a few words.

“Is it right for a Marchioness’s vassal to extort and threaten commoners using unethical means? As the judge, I cannot disregard the testimony of a witness. I order a thorough investigation into the illegal sale of medicine and the extortion claims against the Mr. Palmer.”

“That’s ridiculous! There’s no obligation to listen to a mere commoner’s words…”

“Then I suppose I have no obligation to listen to the words of the surety and defendant either? After all, they’re commoners too.”

Kevin’s mouth snapped shut at Illehan’s retort. Olivia internally gave Illehan a double thumbs-up.

“This trial aims to clarify abuses of economic power and social hierarchy. As the judge, I have one last question. John, did Harry Palmer order you to illegally tail Marchioness Olivia Charbert?”

John glanced nervously at Harry before looking back at Olivia.

Olivia patiently waited. John’s lips quivered.

“…Yes.”

John’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

“He ordered it. He told me to monitor the Marchioness’s activities from the palace, claiming she might be a girl wearing the dead Marchioness’s skin…”

“Shut up!”

Harry’s chair crashed backward as he yelled. Guards rushed in to restrain him.

“It’s all lies! Lies!”

“The lies are yours, you crazy bastard!”

John’s furious outburst brought a chilling silence to the courtroom. With reddened eyes, he screamed.

“I’m done with your threats. I don’t want you as my master anymore!”

‘Let me go back to my daughter.’

John collapsed forward, covering his face with his good hand. Olivia silently vowed again to ensure that Harry rotted in prison until only his bones remained.

“Harry Palmer.”