Fifteen million derks—that wasn’t just enough to buy an estate, but nearly enough to purchase a decent ship.

“That’s not all. Evidence has been discovered of transactions with diplomats from the neighboring Kingdom of Jusek, selling internal confidential information for compensation. Clear evidence has already been submitted to the court, but Duke Seyfried continues to deny all charges. This is a serious crime that goes beyond simple financial misconduct—it has greatly damaged the dignity and trust of the Avont imperial family.”

“The crime is certainly grave.”

The Emperor nodded and listened to Carlos without interruption.

Daphne felt uneasy inside.

Though she’d heard from Phaios that the Emperor backed the duke, looking at the endlessly stern Emperor again, he didn’t seem like someone who would show mercy.

Moreover, the opponent was the First Prince. No matter how dissolute he was, he couldn’t have been careless in preparing to eliminate the duke.

Soon Duke Seyfried stood and began his own defense.

“O radiant sun of Avont, we have never used internal imperial information to gain unfair profits or sold confidential information to other nations.”

“Are you now daring to question the credibility of evidence presented by royalty?”

Carlos shouted in fury. The Emperor raised one hand with a sharp voice to restrain his own son.

“Silence!”

A heavy silence fell where even breathing could be heard.

The Emperor looked at the first witness, the Deputy Minister of Finance.

“Deputy Minister, through what channels did you obtain the first document alleging unfair profits? Who conducted the audit of this document?”

“It was information provided by a third party.”

The Deputy Minister answered confidently, but the Emperor looked displeased.

He soon muttered.

“Then we cannot rule out the possibility that the evidence was fabricated.”

Carlos looked like he had much to say, but didn’t dare easily refute the Emperor’s words.

“While Duke Astaire Seyfried assisted me, I submitted an official report that the flow of imperial funds he was partially allocated was abnormal. I request your review.”

The Emperor read the report, then glanced once at the ducal couple.

“It is certainly strange.”

Hearing the Emperor’s assessment, this time it was Carlos who smiled.

Daphne looked at Astaire.

He remained silent as ever. Evidence kept emerging, yet why wasn’t he saying anything?

She was getting anxious.

But she knew nothing and couldn’t speak up herself. That fact frustrated Daphne.

“Before I deliver the final verdict, do you have anything to say, Duke and Duchess Seyfried?”

The Emperor closed all the documents and looked at the ducal couple. Daphne realized this was the last chance.

That’s when it happened.

Astaire quietly raised his hand and stood.

“I will submit final evidence to overturn our charges, Your Majesty.”

The door opened and Astaire’s aide Germo appeared.

Germo greeted the Emperor respectfully, then presented a large box.

Inside the box were countless letters.

Daphne finally asked Astaire beside her.

“What letters are these?”

“Letters exchanged between the First Prince and his subordinate Rowell Blaine. Letters containing evidence that he planned to pin all charges on me and fabricate evidence in collusion with the Ministry of Finance.”

Daphne gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

“This is clearly Carlos’s handwriting.”

The Emperor, who had been reading the letters for a while, spoke. This time, his eyes alternating between the ducal couple and the First Prince were different from before.

And Daphne clearly saw it.

The Emperor’s lips curling up ever so slightly.

So the Emperor was Astaire’s backer—could this be what it meant?

The courtroom atmosphere reversed with the evidence Astaire presented.

Carlos also stammered in confusion, but soon couldn’t say anything.

“Rowell Blaine has left the First Prince as well.”

Then Astaire quietly added.

Daphne could understand the general situation. Rowell Blaine must have provided that evidence to Astaire.

She recalled the person who had come all the way to Timaru to propose she side with the First Prince.

Fate truly is unknowable.

“Silence! I will now deliver the verdict.”

The Emperor shouted in a rough but loud voice that echoed throughout the courtroom. The nickname ‘Iron Emperor’ felt real.

Daphne waited for the verdict with her hands clasped.

Just as she squeezed her eyes shut, Astaire took one of her hands.

“It’ll be alright.”

Strangely, those simple words brought reassurance.

Feeling like she might cry, Daphne quickly bowed her head deeply.

“I find Duke and Duchess Seyfried not guilty of embezzling the imperial treasury and leaking confidential information.”

When the declaration finally fell.

Only then could Daphne breathe roughly. Everyone in the gallery connected to Astaire let out great sighs of relief.

“I told you.”

Then their eyes met.

“That I’d come back.”

This time he reached across the desk and firmly grasped her hand. His grip was solid, like he would never let go no matter what happened.

Daphne didn’t bother pulling her hand away from the man’s.

Just as the trial ended and the atmosphere was calming, Carlos stood abruptly and looked at Daphne.

“This isn’t the time to smile, is it, Duchess Seyfried?”

He was clearly addressing Daphne, not Astaire.

Daphne was flustered by Carlos looking down and glaring at her. She had nothing to say.

What else had he prepared?

“O radiant sun of the Empire, even if Duke Seyfried escapes all charges, there are still remaining charges against Duchess Seyfried.”

“That matter will be handled in the next trial.”

“It likewise concerns embezzlement of the imperial treasury. The imperial constitution states that serious crimes like embezzlement can have new trials opened even during trials for other charges.”

The Emperor stared quietly at Carlos. Then soon, he reopened the closed book of precedents and gripped the gavel.

“The First Prince is correct. For serious crimes like embezzlement, they must be judged promptly regardless of other trials.”

The trial ultimately couldn’t end and began again.

Daphne was anxious.

What was this about, her being charged with embezzlement?

She could count on one hand the proper outings she’d had in recent months because of Astaire. Yet she was charged with embezzlement?

“This concerns the duchess’s father, Viscount Brandley.”

The moment her father was mentioned, Daphne finally swallowed hard. A sudden intense headache seemed to rush in.

Astaire raised his hand to speak, but was stopped by the Emperor.

“Continue, First Prince.”

“The shipping company operated by Viscount Brandley received a total investment of 5 million derks from the imperial family half a year ago. Here, I submit the investment decision document from that time as evidence. An investment decision document bearing the signature of me, First Prince Carlos di Blanterian Avont, a member of the imperial family.”

Daphne clutched her head.

She could roughly guess what blade Carlos was drawing.

Astaire beside her must have felt the same, as he muttered a curse quietly.

“The First Prince approached Viscount Brandley, who was suffering from gambling debts.”

He muttered in a voice only loud enough for Daphne to hear.

Clever Daphne understood the entire situation.

Naturally, her father would have used that money to pay off his gambling debts.

Was that all?

He would have used those 5 million derks to indulge even more in gambling. That enormous sum that could have bought ten luxury estates.

She felt dizzy from the sudden headache. Her vision spun.

“Are you very uncomfortable?”

Astaire beside her grasped her hand and asked.

Daphne pulled her hand away and answered quietly.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ve brought the person who recklessly wasted the imperial treasury, Your Majesty!”

When Carlos shouted, the courtroom’s heavy doors burst open.

Beyond the door, her father Viscount Brandley was escorted in by the First Prince’s guards.

“Let, let go of me! How dare you treat someone like a criminal!”

“Silence, Viscount Brandley!”

At the Emperor’s angry voice, Viscount Brandley immediately shut his mouth.

The Emperor reviewed the documents the First Prince presented, then let out an incredibly deep sigh.

Daphne understood the meaning of that sigh too.

For some reason, even the Emperor who had become Astaire’s backer couldn’t overlook this matter—that’s what the sigh meant.

Her pounding heart seemed to plummet off a cliff.

She didn’t like her father, but thinking that he would be in prison for a long time for embezzling the treasury…

She felt very uncomfortable. She knew her father would never change, but she didn’t expect him to meet his end like this by touching what should never be touched.

Her father would probably never leave the imperial prison until he died.

Still, blood was blood, and her heart felt torn.

“And there’s something else important.”

Carlos continued triumphantly.

This time he was looking at Daphne.

His snake-like eyes glittered, and his red tongue swept across his lips like he was before prey.

Goosebumps rose on Daphne’s spine.

She was afraid of what else might come from that wicked mouth.

“According to Article 8, Section 17 of imperial law, embezzlement of the imperial treasury is among the most serious of crimes and is subject to guilt by association.”

Watching him recite legal provisions skillfully without a law book, Daphne had a premonition.

That Carlos had been preparing for this for a long time.

“Therefore, the current Duchess Daphne Seyfried, as a direct descendant of Viscount Brandley, cannot be said to be entirely free of charges.”

Carlos finished his statement with a confident expression.

Even the Emperor couldn’t arbitrarily misinterpret codified imperial law.

It was truly a stone already set—a situation where it couldn’t be removed.

All eyes fixed on Daphne.

The First Prince’s guards were already limbering up to seize Daphne at any moment.

‘What do I do?’

Daphne agonized internally.

“Do you have anything to say, Duchess?”

The Emperor looked at Daphne and spoke. She knew this was her last chance to argue.

But even when she parted her dry lips, she had nothing to say.

Even mobilizing all the legal knowledge she possessed, she couldn’t think of a way to counter Carlos’s attack.

Think, I need to think.

But perhaps because she was too flustered, her mind froze white and her thoughts stopped completely.

Her fingertips trembled.

“I…”

That’s when it happened. Astaire beside her quietly raised his hand.

“May I speak, Your Majesty?”

“Duke!”

Carlos shouted furiously.

Regardless, the Emperor looked at Astaire and permitted him to speak.

“Speak, Duke.”

“My wife is not in a condition to serve time in prison.”

“If she committed a crime, she should be imprisoned—what are you talking about now!”

Carlos shouted. However, some began to murmur, having caught the meaning of what Astaire said.