Chapter 16 – Part 1

“Yes. That’s right.”

As the executioner spoke, Kristin lowered her head and cautiously replied.

“How did things turn out? Are they being punished?”

When Kristin asked the executioner, he took a bundle of scrolls from the carriage, unfolded one, and read aloud slowly.

“Vernon Edith, the Viscount of Edith, and his wife, Rose Veronica, are found guilty of the murder of Viscountess Elesia Edith, which occurred six years ago at the Edith estate, and are sentenced to death.”

“Did you just say the death penalty?”

Kristin exclaimed in surprise, and the executioner alternated his gaze between the scroll and Kristin, took a deep breath, and continued.

“However, in the history of the Empire, there have been cases where those who committed no crime were falsely accused and unjustly sentenced to death. In such cases, the death penalty is not executed. These two are not such cases; having committed murder, they are sentenced to life imprisonment. Furthermore, Dr. Finn Declan, who was aware of their actions, administered medication to Viscountess Elesia without suspicion, and turned a blind eye to the situation, is sentenced to 10 years in prison.”

This meant that her father would likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

Although this pained Kristin, she couldn’t forgive her father, so she nodded in understanding towards the executor.

Moreover, she was somewhat relieved that Dr. Finn Declan would also be sentenced to ten years for his crime, but just then the executioner spoke again.

“As such, I offer my condolences to Kristin Edith, a member of the late Viscountess Elesia’s family. The money earned through the forced labor of the three criminals during their imprisonment in the Imperial Prison will be paid to Kristin Edith, the victim’s family.”

“I don’t need that money,” Kristin said.

No longer looking at the scroll, the executioner turned his gaze to Kristin.

He had been reading the document with a neutral expression, but now he adjusted his posture to a more relaxed one and smiled.

“Why won’t you accept the money, My Lady? If you don’t accept the money, how else will you be compensated for your loss?”

At his words, Kristin hesitated for a moment before responding slowly.

“Even if I receive money as compensation for my mother’s wrongful death, it won’t bring me any happiness. Moreover, I have been betrayed by my father, whom I trusted, and my late mother would surely be heartbroken as well.”

“That’s true. However, it is common practice in the Empire for victims to receive compensation, even if it’s just material compensation. Victims must receive compensation, at least in this form. And there is also the principle that criminals are not granted human rights. The death penalty is not carried out because the executors do not wish to become murderers like the criminals. It is for the sake of the executors, not the criminals.”

“You may be right, but I…” Kristin trailed off.

“The Empire can only offer you this much, Lady Kristin. I hope you will accept this small token of our regard,” the executor said gently.

Kristin pondered for a moment, then, as if something had come to her mind, she spoke.

“In that case, please don’t give me this money. Instead, it should be allocated to orphanages in the Empire and to an academy for commoners in need of education. Even if I receive this money, it won’t bring me any happiness.”

Kristin had a reason for saying this.

After sending her father and Rose to the Imperial Prison, she hadn’t stopped thinking about her mother, Elesia, even once while staying at the estate.

Her mother’s life was in shambles even now.

Even though she had died, that tragic death wouldn’t disappear, so Kristin wanted to do something to console her mother’s spirit.

And she believed that using the compensation money to help others was the right thing to do.

She felt that this was the only way her mother’s spirit would find peace.

“My mother would support the decision I’ve made,” Kristin said.

“Well, I’ve never encountered a victim who made such a request. I will tell His Majesty about this,” the executor replied.

“Understood. Oh, and what about the witness investigation? I haven’t been summoned to the palace yet,” Kristin asked.

Although the verdict was already concluded, Kristin had prepared for the possibility of being called out, but the executioner shook his head, indicating that it wasn’t necessary.

“The evidence is sufficient, and since Duke Raphael has spoken on behalf of Lady Kristin Edith, there is no need for you to worry any further.”

“Oh, Duke Raphael,” Kristin murmured.

“The Duke has been working continuously for your sake since yesterday afternoon, Lady Kristin. From what I’ve heard, he only returned to his estate this morning,” the executor explained.

Kristin nodded silently. Raphael had devoted all his time to helping her.

As she thought of him, Kristin initially believed that he had done so because he was a duke, but the executor’s next words made her reconsider.

“I’m also puzzled as to why Duke Raphael handled this matter in such a way. Normally, for a case of this magnitude, the Empire would assemble an investigative team to conduct a thorough investigation. Although His Majesty trusts Duke Raphael and assigns him important tasks, it is unusual for a duke to spend an entire day handling such a personal matter.”

“Is that so? He must have been so exhausted.”

Kristin felt both puzzled and guilty.

She hadn’t expected Raphael to take care of her situation in such a manner.

She felt uncomfortable for not being able to express her gratitude to him, but she also thought that she should never meet him again.

The past was already enough.

She was afraid of relying on him, trusting him, and giving him her love again.

She had loved him once, but all that had come from it was betrayal, and she didn’t want to hope for anything anymore.

She knew that if she saw him again, she would undoubtedly waver.

So Kristin forced herself to stop thinking about Raphael and responded to the executor.

“I understand. For now, I will return to the Imperial Palace and convey Lady Kristin’s wishes. You should receive a letter with the results in due course. I will take my leave now.”

After finishing his words, the executioner bowed to Kristin and got into the carriage, which then started moving vigorously.

Even after the carriage had left, Kristin walked slowly into the mansion, lost in thoughts of Raphael.

* * *

A few days later, rumors about Kristin began to spread widely throughout the Empire.

Stories about Vernon and Rose, who were imprisoned in the imperial prison, sparked public sympathy for Kristin.

Nobles began sending letters to comfort Kristin, and those who had any acquaintance with Elesia started sending condolence wreaths to the Edith mansion.

Only after the disgrace of the Viscount had been removed did the family start to return to its former status.

Word also spread that Kristin had decided to donate the compensation money to others, leading to a growing perception that Kristin Edith was completely innocent and a victim caught up in a horrific incident.

Kristin showed no reaction to these responses.

Even the noble ladies who had disliked Kristin began to send her letters of condolence, but she carefully stored these letters in a box without reading them.

A few days later, Kristin heard that Rose was causing a commotion in prison and refusing to eat.

Kristin calmly told Cindy, who had delivered the news,

“She no longer has anything to do with me, so there’s no need to inform me of such things anymore.”

After Kristin said this to Cindy, none of the household staff spoke of Rose or Vernon again.

About a week later, Kristin was finally able to smile in peace.

And then, one day, someone came to visit the Edith estate.

“I’m here to see Lady Kristin Edith.”

The servants were shocked to see who had arrived—it was Selena Scarlet, whom they had only heard about in rumors, standing at the entrance of the Edith estate.

“Who is it?” Kristin asked.

“She said her name is Selena Scarlet,” replied a servant, who seemed flustered.

Kristin hadn’t seen her since the debutante ball.

They had no particular connection, but since Selena had helped Kristin during the debutante ball, Kristin hurriedly tidied her appearance and went down to greet her.

As the door opened, Selena Scarlet began to enter.

She was holding a large bouquet of Lilies.

Handing the bouquet to Kristin as a gift, Selena spoke.

“Lady Kristin, how have you been? I’ve heard about you. I’m very sorry to hear about your mother.”

“Oh, Lady Selena.”

“I thought you might be surprised by my unexpected visit today. After hearing what you’ve been through, I wanted to propose something.”

“A proposal?” Kristin asked.