“I heard Duke Seigan is participating today not as a plaintiff but as a special observer.”

“Hmm…”

Listening to people’s conversations, Leah thought to herself.

‘Good. Duke Seigan seems to have been swept up in this because of his daughter rather than actively participating in this farce. If so, we’ll have more ammunition to throw at Count Trow’s side.’

Her eyes narrowed.

“Leah, you look pleased.”

At Helix’s whispered words, Leah managed her expression.

“Is it showing? It shouldn’t.”

“It’s not showing now.”

“Good. Stop me if I can’t control my expression. After preparing everything so thoroughly for this battle, I can’t let small things ruin it.”

Leah had prepared meticulously. Not just documents and witnesses, but even her appearance – she paid attention to every detail from head to toe to look different from usual.

With her hair pulled back tightly and eyebrows set firmly, matched with a dark navy silk dress, she strived to project a neat and trustworthy impression.

‘It felt like preparing for a job interview…’

She sighed inwardly. With perfect timing, Helix passed her some mana.

Pop.

“Don’t worry.”

He said while looking ahead.

“In this courtroom, no one will look down on you for being a woman, Leah. I’ll help you exude charisma with mana.”

It felt reassuring, like having armor around her heart. Leah responded while deliberately maintaining an expressionless face forward.

“I’ll only trust Helix.”

“Don’t lie.”

Helix added quietly.

“You trust yourself too, don’t you?”

She almost burst out laughing without realizing it.

Even though she contained it, the laughter pooled in her stomach supported her firmly. Her back naturally straightened, chin lifted, and shoulders squared. Light settled in Leah’s eyes.

‘Alright. It’s starting.’

***

Count Trow and his eldest son Lord Yan Trow sat in the special viewing seats. They inwardly rejoiced at seeing Leah being condemned.

“Finally this day has come, Father.”

Lord Trow spoke quietly, unable to hide his excitement. The Count chided him with a smiling face.

“Be quiet. And when you smile with your front teeth missing, you look foolish.”

“…I’ll be careful.”

“Tsk tsk. I told you to be moderate with your night outings. What were you doing to get beaten up like that?”

Having nothing to say, Lord Trow could only grind his teeth inwardly.

This happened because of those rat bastards. A few days ago, those impudent rats had sneaked into his reserved room at his regular secret club.

They were lowborns trying to steal a romantic tryst, but their figures and faces behind the masks looked quite decent. He had thought to frighten them and have some fun as a diversion, but the rats displayed unexpected ferocity.

‘The man dared to punch a noble with his fist, and that woman actually hit someone’s head with a chair.’

They behaved completely fearlessly.

‘You dare make me eat dirt at that secret club?’

He had tried to find them in the reservation list to teach them a proper lesson. But unfortunately, the fire spread to the club’s main building, and he lost the timing while escaping.

If he ever ran into them again during his night outings, he would teach them a lesson. As he ground his teeth, the Count said.

“On such an important day, you need to testify well too. You need to appear trustworthy.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure to hide my missing front teeth.”

Lord Trow nodded.

His father spoke correctly. Today marked both the day of battle and harvest. The father and son had worked tirelessly to lay this trap.

Approaching Duke Seigan and advising that his daughter Yuria Seigan’s debutante should become a topic of conversation. Persuading the cowardly Baron Durford who hid away to follow Lady Yuria around.

The nickname Peirose that Yuria Seigan received, the War of Roses and Lilies that shook the social circles – they orchestrated practically everything. And that wasn’t all.

‘Peirlily is past her prime, Peirose represents the trend.’

‘They say Ruyan Piert sharpens his blade for Baron Durford because of the War of Roses and Lilies.’

They had worked hard fanning the flames while spreading rumors that disparaged Peirlily and the Piert family.

The social circles, already secretly jealous of the Piert Ducal Family’s success, swallowed these tempting baits readily.

Now the time had come to catch the big fish in their net.

‘Our efforts weren’t in vain.’

A royal special trial pointing to Peirlily and Ruyan Piert as culprits – who could have imagined this just a few months ago?

“We’ll get to see that smug look on Ruyan Piert’s face crumble.”

The thought of that glossy face bound in ropes and stained with humiliation made him laugh involuntarily.

Count Trow slightly shook his head.

“Don’t expect too much. He remains the second son of a ducal family and the kingdom’s greatest swordsman. We can’t bring him down with just one suspicion.”

Contrary to his words, a smile crept onto the Count’s face.

“But isn’t making a blemish what matters most?”

Lord Trow listened carefully to Count Trow’s words.

“Even an ironclad reputation will shake when blemished. If we push and nudge someone with a blemish towards death’s door…”

Lord Trow asked in a lowered voice.

“What do you mean by death’s door?”

The Count whispered almost inaudibly.

“If a small border conflict with the Oken Empire were to break out now, or if the Oken Empire demanded the elimination of bandits near the border. Who would have to go?”

Lord Trow understood.

Normally, Ruyan Piert would have no reason to go. However, after being accused of attempting to murder a royal, he would need to prove his loyalty to the royal family and restore his honor.

And soldiers falling to friendly fire on the battlefield happened not uncommonly.

Understanding his father’s deep intentions, Lord Trow let out an admiring groan.

“This son can only marvel. To think you had planned this far ahead.”

“Ruyan Piert marks just the beginning.”

Count Trow said, still smiling.

“From now on, we’ll slowly squeeze the life out of the Piert Ducal Family.”

***

“May the mercy of Goddess Temira and the justice of His Majesty the King of Peiren be with this court.”

The judge on the platform announced the start of the special trial.

“His Majesty could not attend today as his cold has worsened.”

Leah inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

‘It’s fortunate that the King isn’t attending.’

Though he had granted Grand Duke Calosi’s request, this likely sent a message that he wouldn’t completely turn against the Piert Ducal Family. She glanced at Grand Duke Calosi.

The Grand Duke frowned briefly at the news of the King’s absence but soon regained his composure. His expression showed confidence that this trial already guaranteed his victory.

Indeed, reasons supported that expression. The witnesses began appearing one after another.

“Lord Ruyan Piert possesses more than enough capability to commit such acts.”

The witnesses for Grand Duke Calosi’s side stated as they took the stand.

A noble claimed to have been bedridden for a long time after Ruyan beat him. He said Ruyan had knocked him unconscious at a club for talking about Peirlily.

“I barely said a few words about Peirlily, but he immediately resorted to violence.”

“What did you say about Peirlily?”

“I only talked about how lily decorations were becoming trendy because of Peirlily.”

He conveniently omitted how he had mocked that those decorations would become popular among prostitutes.

The following witnesses presented similar stories.

How easily Ruyan could harm people. And especially how matters concerning his sister triggered him. Various eyewitness accounts and testimonies poured out.

Leah almost scowled without realizing it.

‘What on earth has this brother been doing…’

The nobles in the audience whispered in surprise.

“To think he behaved so barbarically. Isn’t he just an unbridled colt?”

“A colt would behave better. He’s the kingdom’s greatest swordsman. It resembles having the fiercest of beasts roaming without a leash.”

“A knight should exercise caution about drawing his sword, but he resorts to violence at the slightest provocation.”

“Looking at his actions, doesn’t he act just like a common thug? He doesn’t deserve the title of the kingdom’s greatest swordsman.”

The excited nobles spat out their words.

In this heated atmosphere, a new witness took the stand. Yan Trow, the eldest son of the Trow family, approached.

Though not usually eloquent, he demonstrated skill with words, but today for some reason he mumbled while barely opening his mouth.

“When I went to see Baron Durford after the last harvest festival, he complained of indigestion and poor health. Since he usually maintained good health, I inquired about the reason.”

Lord Trow glanced at the defendant’s seat and continued cautiously.

“It turned out he hid in fear, afraid of retaliation from Lord Ruyan Piert.”

The audience, who had wondered why he seemed so uncomfortable, understood the situation.

‘He’s acting this way because he fears retaliation from the Piert Ducal Family, especially Ruyan!’

Still, Baron Durford had royal blood.

If Ruyan had made him tremble so much he couldn’t leave his mansion, they could imagine how much courage Lord Trow displayed now. The judge asked.

“Did Baron Durford do anything to deserve retaliation from Lord Ruyan Piert?”

“He merely praised Lady Leah Piert’s lovely appearance. With the lily’s fragrance being so deep, doesn’t following such grace and scent come naturally?”

The audience nodded at Lord Trow’s words.

Baron Durford had merely been blinded by Peirlily’s beauty and gone a bit too far, but hadn’t caused any serious harm, had he?

‘This is infuriating…’

Leah tightly closed her eyes instead of grabbing her stiffening neck.

‘Baron Durford hiding away seems pitiful, but the stress and deteriorating health I suffered from his public courtship, stalking, and rumor-spreading means nothing?’

Leah wasn’t the only one who felt angry.