8. The Trial Begins, Truth Before Our Eyes

The morning of the trial day, in the grand ducal residence’s office.

As if he had spent a long night awake, fatigue was evident on Theodore’s face. In front of him lay various documents about Ruben Darka and handwriting analysis results. Theodore anxiously spoke, looking alternately at William and Ian.

“Has Chaos not arrived yet?”

“Not yet, Your Highness. The trial starts around noon, so he should arrive before then.”

Ian answered with a tense face. He should have arrived by now. But for some reason, there was no news. Theodore quietly stood up. His eyes, as he stood by the window, held a resolve more intense than the sunlight.

“It’s certain that the letter was fabricated. The problem is that those words need to come directly from Ruben’s mouth.”

At that moment, a servant entered the meeting room, breathing heavily as he opened the door.

“Your Highness, it’s time to move to the courtroom!”

Theodore sighed anxiously and nodded.

“Let’s go. The truth must be revealed to the end.”

※※※

The courtroom just before noon.

The courtroom, already filled with nobles and numerous people, was tense with anticipation. When Theodore and Kayla appeared together, the murmuring of the people grew louder. Soon after, the Chief Justice entered and the noble representatives took their seats. The eyes of Marchioness Clara and Frea watching them were sharp. Frea bit her lip and muttered to herself.

‘It’s over now, Kayla. Your future will disappear today.’

When the Chief Justice announced the start of the trial, the room instantly fell silent. William whispered softly to Theodore.

“Your Highness, Chaos has still not arrived…”

Theodore’s expression instantly hardened.

‘We must hold on. Even for just a moment.’

※※※

“I will call the first witness.”

As the trial began amid tension, the witness prepared by Frea entered. A gaunt man in worn clothes awkwardly entered the courtroom.

His posture was slouched, and dirt was caked under his fingernails. Looking like a homeless person, he stood unsteadily at the witness stand. The smell of alcohol and staleness still emanated from him.

“State your name.”

“J-Jean Pelno.”

“What was your relationship with Ruben Darka?”

The man stammered and barely managed to answer the Chief Justice’s question.

“I-I was his servant. Y-yes, drove carriages… did odd jobs… things like that.”

The Chief Justice’s eyes narrowed at the clumsy response.

“You were present when Baron Grenville and Ruben Darka conducted slave trades?”

“Y-yes. And… that woman was there too.”

The man pointed at Kayla with his finger.

“Y-yes, that’s right. Lady Kayla, she was definitely there. I remember clearly.”

When the Chief Justice asked, he answered in a trembling voice. Yet despite the trembling, it was an exactly rehearsed sentence. The Chief Justice frowned.

“Are you certain?”

“Y-yes, she saw us trading that day but just turned her head… she tacitly approved the deal.”

The Chief Justice turned to Kayla and asked.

“Lady Kayla, do you have anything to say?”

Kayla quietly rose from her seat. Her eyes were fixed on the Chief Justice without the slightest waver.

“Respected Chief Justice, Your Grace, I was not at the scene, nor have I ever seen this man.”

Her voice was resolute.

“If I had remained silent about such a terrible transaction, I would not have been able to forgive myself.”

At that moment, Theodore stood up and spoke.

“Chief Justice, Your Grace.”

His voice was low but resonated throughout the courtroom.

“He claims to be Ruben Darka’s servant. All servants who worked with Ruben Darka are registered in the Empire’s registry. However, upon investigation, this person’s name is nowhere to be found. Also, judging by his appearance, he is likely a homeless person living on the streets. Please consider the possibility that he is a hastily fabricated witness.”

The courtroom stirred. The Chief Justice nodded and summarized.

“Hmm, Grand Duke Theodore is correct. Since the credibility of the witness is low, I dismiss this testimony. Also, I order the witness to be detained until his identity is confirmed.”

“Ah, no!”

He looked at Frea as he was dragged away by soldiers. But she merely covered her face with a fan and turned her gaze away. Next, a letter supposedly written by Kayla was submitted. When the Chief Justice read the letter and disclosed its contents to the gallery, the courtroom began to stir.

“Lady Kayla, is this letter indeed written by you?”

The Chief Justice asked in a solemn voice. Kayla calmly shook her head.

“No. I have never written such a letter.”

“Then you’re saying this is a forged letter?”

“Yes.”

At Kayla’s firm answer, people became even more excited. At that moment, Theodore stood up and said.

“Chief Justice, Your Grace, I have called an expert regarding this letter. A document authentication expert. He can verify the authenticity of the letter.”

As he finished speaking, the door opened and Dr. Aldo entered. He quietly spoke while adjusting his glasses.

“Aldo Ravel, document authentication expert from the Royal Scribes.”

As the Chief Justice nodded, Dr. Aldo immediately began his explanation. He placed Kayla’s past letter and the forged letter on the table.

“The length of strokes, pressure, and even the position of dots are all different. Additionally, the ink and paper are of a quality not commonly used by nobles in the capital. This letter is not written by Lady Kayla, but is a meticulously forged piece of false evidence.”

Frea’s face hardened. She was about to say something but firmly closed her mouth. At that moment, the courtroom door suddenly opened. It was Chaos, covered in blood. He walked with determined steps toward the witness stand.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, I’ve brought the witness. This is Ruben Darka.”

The courtroom stirred greatly once again. Ruben was dragged in with a terrified expression on his face. Theodore spoke to him with cold eyes.

“If you tell the truth, I’ll guarantee your life. False testimony will not be tolerated.”

Theodore’s gaze was chilling. Ruben opened his mouth, wiping sweat with trembling hands.

“W-well… the truth is Lady Kayla… wasn’t there… someone came to me… gave me money to write a fake letter…”

Theodore said with an expressionless face.

“Who was this person?”

“I-I don’t know exactly… he wore a black cloak… I only heard the name Marcel…”

At that moment, Theodore’s gaze changed. Ian hurriedly whispered to him.

“Your Highness, he’s the person who watches Frea’s back.”

“So all this was really planned by Frea…”

Theodore sighed deeply. He needed to reveal her true nature right here. By now, Frea’s face had turned deathly pale. The Chief Justice raised his hand to calm the courtroom.

“I don’t think we need any more testimony. Now all the truth is before our eyes.”

Theodore quietly took Kayla’s hand. Her hand was cold but no longer trembling.

When the Chief Justice declared a brief recess for deliberation, Theodore moved toward the injured Chaos.

“What exactly happened?”

Chaos straightened his disheveled collar and clutched his injured shoulder as he spoke.

“We were attacked by bandits. I apologize for being late, Your Highness.”

Theodore placed his hand on his shoulder and said firmly.

“Don’t say such things. Thanks to you, we’ve gained the upper hand in this battle.”

“… Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Get treatment first, that’s an order.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Chaos withdrew, Theodore returned to Kayla. She looked up at Theodore and muttered quietly.

“What will happen to Lady Frea?”

“Are you concerned?”

“… Yes.”

Despite being the person who had cornered her, Frea’s fate weighed heavily on one corner of Kayla’s heart. If her crime was revealed here, people would not remain silent.

“It can’t be helped. Marquis Rosehill seems to already know.”

“What?”

“For justice, he’s prepared to bear his daughter’s karma.”

Kayla turned her head to look at Marquis Rosehill. His eyes were closed, and beside him, the Marchioness was sobbing, seemingly pleading with him for something. Watching that scene, Kayla’s eyes wavered slightly. Theodore carefully took her hand.

“You don’t have to watch, Kayla.”

Shortly after, the Chief Justice returned to his seat after completing deliberations. The murmuring courtroom fell into silence, and all eyes turned to the Chief Justice.

“I will announce the verdict.”

His voice resonated clearly through the building.

“Given that the evidence was fabricated, the witness lacks credibility, and it has been confirmed that someone deliberately forged evidence, the claim that Lady Kayla Raenor wrote that letter does not stand. Therefore, I declare Lady Kayla Raenor not guilty!”

In an instant, the courtroom was filled with cheers and applause.

“Long live Lady Raenor!”

“Long live the Grand Duchess!”

The Chief Justice added.

“I also order an investigation into the person named Marcel who commissioned Ruben Darka to forge evidence.”

Just as he was about to finish speaking, Marquis Rosehill stood up, raising his hand.

“There’s no need for an investigation.”

The courtroom stirred, and all eyes fixed on Marquis Rosehill. He walked forward with an upright posture and spoke before the audience.