The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 31
“This is the handkerchief used to gag His Highness that day. This handkerchief was soaked with a liquid made from ground herbs, and this herb is none other than ‘parmakia’. Parmakia, when used in small amounts, induces sleep, but in excessive amounts, it can be fatal.”
It was the most definitive evidence that the Vasans were behind it. The royal physician had already confirmed the presence of parmakia on the handkerchief.
“This herb is banned from use and distribution domestically and cannot be cultivated here. The only place where this herb is grown is the Kingdom of Vasa.”
“…….”
“They claimed to be merchants, but His Highness clearly heard the word ‘sacrifice’, and the Baron was already aware of this. They are by no means simple merchants.”
After Ainous finished questioning the witness and presenting the evidence, Duke Brahe’s representative, Lore, stood up.
Duke Brahe maintained a calm expression throughout the testimony. He did not flinch even when Theo’s use of ‘Vasa’ caused gasps of surprise around the courtroom, as if he had something to rely on.
“Your Highness, I am very sorry for the unfortunate events you experienced. Could you please explain in detail how you managed to escape after being kidnapped that day?”
Axel had anticipated this question.
In fact, how Theo escaped was not the crucial part of this trial. The key issue was that the kidnapping was carried out by the Vasans.
However, Duke Brahe aimed to undermine the credibility of Theo’s testimony by logically proving that his escape could not be explained.
“Uh… When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t see anything. I was in a narrow, strange place, and I couldn’t move my body, so I struggled to remove the handkerchief that was gagging me. And then…”
Theo hesitated once more.
Theo knew that the adults did not understand what he was saying.
Hailey also said she believed him, but she admitted she didn’t quite understand and suggested they figure it out gradually.
But Theo had to protect Mommy Hailey. He continued speaking calmly.
“I pushed the lid several times. Then suddenly, the lid just opened, and I got out.”
“You mean to say that you opened it by yourself, not that someone opened it for you?”
“Yes.”
“Is this the box you mentioned?”
Lore’s representative brought in the iron box and lock that were presumed to have confined Theo at Lint Port that day. The box was securely locked.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Was this lock also attached?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm. That’s strange. This box seems impossible to open with the strength of a five-year-old child, let alone an adult like myself. Yet, you claim that it opened just by pushing it a few times?”
“It’s true.”
“Your Honor, to verify the witness’s statement, please allow us to bring in a child of the same age as His Highness to test it.”
In noble trials, the one who dominates the atmosphere wins. All it takes is an opportunity to capture people’s attention and lead the narrative. That was Duke Brahe’s strategy.
If they could demonstrate in this courtroom that Theo’s testimony was not true, it would leave a lasting impression on people’s minds, and even the judges could not ignore it.
Even if a child gives 100 accurate testimonies, proving one of them false and claiming the rest are also unreliable by association would suffice.
Duke Brahe had no intention of winning this trial from the beginning. But he also had no intention of losing.
In the end, if the trial became too tense, even the King, who had the final decision-making power, would find it difficult to rule in favor of the Prince. In that case, they would have no choice but to re-enter the negotiation process.
“Are you suggesting putting the child in that box?”
“It is the child of a servant working for our family, and it is solely for the purpose of fact-checking, so please grant permission.”
Despite the absurdity, the judges reluctantly granted permission since there was no explicit rule against it.
A boy dressed in shabby clothes, slightly larger than Theo, entered the courtroom.
The boy, who looked somewhat frightened, was firmly grasped by Representative Lore.
The boy was blindfolded and placed inside the box as Theo had described.
After locking the box, Representative Lore told the boy inside to try and get out.
“…….”
Theo stared at the box blankly. He hadn’t lied. A miracle had happened to him.
However, Theo vaguely knew. That miracle had been caused by Theo himself.
‘But can that boy also cause a miracle?’
Theo thought it was unlikely. That boy would not be able to get out.
Although he was a stranger of the same age and not a friend, Theo was the only one who knew what it felt like to be trapped inside.
The box rattled, and then there was a sound of banging from inside. But the lid of the box did not budge.
Representative Lore’s lips curled slightly.
“Your Honor, we did exactly as His Highness described, but as you can see, it cannot be opened. It was an impossible story from the start. This iron box is so sturdy that even most knights cannot open it.”
Despite Representative Lore’s continued explanation, the boy inside the box kept knocking on the door.
Theo couldn’t hear the words of the mustached villain. He only focused on the box.
“Therefore, we request that the witness’s testimony be reconsidered, as it lacks credibility…”
It was at that moment.
As soon as the boy inside the box started crying, the lock clicked open.
Representative Lore turned his head in disbelief.
Soon, the boy opened the lid of the box.
‘Just pretend to knock until they let you out.’
The boy had been instructed to do so, but once he was trapped inside the box, he was so scared that he cried and struggled to breathe. So, he pushed the lid with all his might, and it actually opened.
The boy, terrified and with a face covered in tears and snot, couldn’t get out and huddled inside the box, trembling.
“How, how is this possible…?”
It wasn’t just Representative Lore who was shocked. Everyone in the courtroom saw it and was astonished.
It really just opened. Exactly as Theo had testified.
Of course, it didn’t just open by itself.
‘As expected.’
Everyone else was focused on the rattling box, but Axel was watching Theo.
Theo had been staring intently at the box without blinking. Only after the lock opened and Theo showed a relieved expression did he finally blink.
Axel couldn’t explain how it was possible, but he was now certain that Theo had used some unknown power.
As Representative Lore stammered, lost for words at the unexpected result, Ainous stood up with a relaxed expression.
“Your Honor, since His Highness’s testimony has been proven, we request that the poor child be released.”
“Release the child.”
The boy was finally able to leave the box and ran to a man who appeared to be his father, who had been anxiously watching from the corner of the courtroom.
Representative Lore stepped forward, agitated.
“Your Honor! This is absurd! Someone must have manipulated it!”
“What are you talking about? Didn’t you personally lock the box? Who could have manipulated it to open the lock you secured without touching it?”
“That is…! Just give me one more day! I will prove it. This is a trap!”
At the request for more time, the King, who had been watching silently, frowned and raised the gavel.
“Are you mocking me? Didn’t we agree that the trial would conclude in one day? If you continue, I will strip you of your position as a representative and imprison you for contempt of court.”
“…….”
“If there are no further questions for the witness, the witness may return to his seat.”
Theo looked at Axel, seemingly contemplating something. Axel nodded, indicating it was okay to come down.
Theo stepped down from the witness stand and ran to Hailey, calming his pounding heart as he embraced her.
“Your Majesty! There is another witness!”
“Another witness? The only witness scheduled to appear today was His Highness.”
“The witness’s attendance was uncertain, so we were unable to submit it in advance.”
“This is absurd! You cannot present a witness who was not pre-approved!”
“But this witness is crucial to the case! They are directly related to the incident, so please grant permission.”