Chapter 5 – Judgment Day

5.1

“Long live His Majesty Arno van Kapel, the great ruler of Kremlenberg and protector of peace, who will become the father of all people, wise and benevolent. It is an honor to meet the esteemed judges who uphold the law and justice of this land, and the noble representatives of His Majesty’s word, distinguished guests. Today, we have gathered in the King’s court to reveal the true culprit behind the poisoning of Viscount Michael Cloet, an incident that has stirred the entire nation.”

As the presiding judge read the proclamation aloud, Vanessa clasped her sweaty hands together.

“First, the accuser, Vanessa Cloet, was sentenced to death by the Magistrate for the charge of poisoning her husband. It is against protocol for a Viscountess to be judged by a local Magistrate, so she appealed the verdict and requested a retrial from Earl Plar. However, Vanessa Cloet fled to the Arenshen estate before the verdict was given.”

At this, a small commotion arose. People whispered that she must have fled because she was guilty, questioning why she went to the Arenshen estate, noting the poor relations between the two Earls. Vanessa tried to ignore the voices ringing in her ears. The sound of someone clearing their throat brought silence to the room. Meanwhile, the presiding judge continued reading the proclamation without interruption.

“…Since the claims of both sides are sharply opposed and could escalate into a larger conflict, the King’s court will mediate and clearly identify the criminal. The criminal will be sentenced to death according to the relevant laws.”

The presiding judge struck his gavel to announce the opening of the court.

“We will begin the official inquiry to ascertain the facts of the case. I command Vanessa Cloet, the accuser, and Miriam Cloet, the second daughter of the defendant, Viscount Michael, to faithfully participate in the inquiry. Both of you, please rise.”

Vanessa stood facing the splendid throne under the arch-shaped ceiling adorned with gold leaf. Sitting on the throne draped with crimson velvet was a young king with a face as beautiful as jade. His weary expression was overlaid with a cold demeanor, creating a somewhat apathetic atmosphere.

Having been on the throne for less than a year, King Arno was overwhelmed with various duties. Now, with an allied nation that had helped him achieve victory on the verge of war, he was busy preparing for another conflict without a moment to spare.

It would have been ideal if everyone worked together for the prosperity and strength of Kremlenberg, but local nobles like Earl Plar were only interested in their own benefits. While grinding his teeth over how to deal with the uncooperative local nobles, Earl Arenshen secretly approached him.

He suggested that this case was a good opportunity to deal with Earl Plar without getting his hands dirty. Although the outcome of a trial by combat is in the hands of fate, Earl Arenshen persuaded the king that they could use the opportunity to investigate Earl Plar’s actions and pressure him. Thus, this trial was merely a prelude to future events for the king.

Dozens of judges sat with cushions on the long, backless chairs lined up on either side of the throne. The nobles attending the trial sat across from them with stiff and formal expressions.

In one corner, the scribes were prepared to transcribe every statement, their noses buried in parchment and ears perked up. Standing before the low partition that separated the courtroom platform from the attendees’ area, Vanessa felt her shoulders hunch under the weight of the focused gazes.

She calmed herself by recalling the emotional reunion with her son a little while ago. The feeling at that moment was like regaining a lost part of her body. Joy and relief were interwoven like warp and weft.

She had scolded her son, who was crying in her arms, asking what his father had said before he passed and telling him that as the sole heir of the Cloet family, he should not show such weakness.

It was harsh to say such things to a five-year-old, but Robin had stopped crying at those words. His face had matured several years in the time they had been apart. As a child with Cloet blood, he had a naturally strong character.

Glancing back, she saw her sister-in-law, Anna Spitzer, holding Robin’s shoulder with a stern face. Robin was enduring the situation well with his eyes wide open, so as a mother, she couldn’t show any weakness. With her mind resolved, Vanessa stood with her back straight.

“To objectively understand the situation at the time, we will first hear the testimony of the Magistrate who sentenced Vanessa Cloet to death….”

The court bailiff, with a baton at his waist, whispered something to the presiding judge.

“What? He hasn’t come to his senses yet? Ahem, then we have no choice. We will first hear the statement of the witness, Madame Anna Spitzer.”

At this, Earl Plar raised his hand from where he was seated.

“Dear King, Your Majesty, Judges, I apologize for speaking out of turn, but she lost her maiden name when she married into the Spitzer family, so she is no longer part of the Cloet family, is she not? I believe a woman should not meddle in the affairs of another household.”

“My aunt is the most suitable person to represent the opinion of the Cloet family. She stands in this court as my representative, so please treat her as my equal, not just a mere woman.”

Robin countered Earl Plar’s words, reciting the lines Anna Spitzer had taught him. Vanessa secretly smiled proudly at her child.

“Madame Anna Spitzer is an important witness in this case, so I will allow her statement. During the inquiry, I ask all attendees to refrain from unnecessary remarks.”

The presiding judge lightly struck his gavel, warning the audience. Anna Spitzer stood and moved close to the central partition of the courtroom. She began speaking after bowing politely yet gracefully to the king.

“As you know, my brother, Sir Michael Cloet, lost his first wife and then sent his two sons to heaven during the Holy War. To have a male heir, he remarried three more times. Both his second and third wives died under suspicious circumstances shortly after marrying, and I believed Miriam was behind these deaths.”

“Nonsense!”

Miriam, standing to the left of the throne, shouted in fury. The audience could not hide their surprise at the shocking statement right from the start.

When news of the young wives’ consecutive deaths spread, people had merely pitied Sir Michael’s unending misfortune. But if all those deaths were not simple misfortunes but intentional? As the case revealed a new aspect, excited voices erupted from all around.

“Please be quiet! The statement is not finished yet.”

The presiding judge struck his gavel vigorously and raised his voice. Once the commotion had subsided a bit, Anna continued her statement.

“I had long warned my brother Michael about Miriam’s immorality. I told him that her greed and impurity would harm the family and that she should be kept far from the Cloet estate. Although Miriam is my niece, murder is a serious crime. I could not cover up all her faults.”

“That alone cannot serve as evidence that Miriam killed the two people.”

At the presiding judge’s words, Anna nodded lightly in agreement.

“I had only circumstantial evidence, but through my persuasion, my brother sent his daughter Miriam to a convent. After that, when my brother married Vanessa, she did not die and lived a normal married life for six years. However, shortly after Miriam returned to the Cloet estate, Sir Michael was poisoned, which is evidence enough.”

“Can you take responsibility for your statement?”

“I have lived as the hostess of the Spitzer family for over thirty years. I managed the estate in place of my husband and raised five children healthily, all of whom are now married. What more could I wish for? My remaining mission is to help my brother’s only remaining heir grow up right without losing his mother.”

The calm voice of the elderly woman with graying hair resonated throughout the courtroom. Her voice carried an undeniable determination.

As soon as Anna Spitzer returned to her seat, Miriam jumped up from her chair.

“I will rebut. Please allow me.”

“Miriam Cloet, please come closer.”

With the presiding judge’s permission, Miriam, dressed in mourning attire as dark as midnight, hurriedly stepped forward. The mourning clothes, worn only once during the funeral and then stored away, looked as clean as new. Miriam’s face, revealed from under the black veil, was stained with genuine anger and fabricated sorrow.

“This is unfair! I loved and respected my father deeply. How could I possibly poison my father, whom I regarded as heaven? The rumors surrounding me are not true. The reason I have not married yet was to stay by my father’s side, who was heartbroken after losing two sons, to care for and comfort him.”

Miriam continued, her voice quivering with grief.

“And the unfortunate deaths of my stepmothers have nothing to do with me. How is it my fault that one died in childbirth or another fell down the stairs due to carelessness? I wanted to be with my father for life, but to rid our family of misfortune, I entered the convent. I prayed and prayed for my father every day. But this slander? It’s absurd.”