The trial for Duke Bermund’s crimes took place exactly one week after the incident. His secret military buildup and the order to attack Crown Prince Ryan during the hunting competition were recognized as treason.

Additional charges included his attempts to harm Rachel and Erika, daughters of Count Pluret.

During the formal trial, Duke Bermund maintained his innocence, but his defense was rejected by the court due to testimony from Crown Prince Ryan, Tervan, heir to the Sanchez duchy, and Edward, candidate for the next Magic Tower Master.

Rachel, though the primary victim, chose to observe the proceedings from the gallery rather than testify.

“Duke Morgan Bermund has threatened the safety and order of the Empire. Despite the evidence and witness testimony presented, he refuses to acknowledge his crimes and continues to claim innocence, making his offenses all the more severe,” the judge declared.

While the judge delivered the verdict, Rachel shifted her gaze toward Duke Bermund. He was staring back at her, teeth clenched, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. Yet Rachel looked down at him with indifferent eyes, unmoved by his threatening demeanor.

Just then, someone took her hand. Turning her head, she saw Viola sitting beside her, offering a reassuring smile with kind eyes meant to comfort her. Rachel returned a faint smile.

“Therefore, I hereby strip Morgan Bermund of his ducal title and order the confiscation of his assets, which will revert to the imperial treasury. Furthermore, for the heinous crime of treason, I sentence Morgan Bermund to death.”

The sound of the gavel echoed through the quiet courtroom.

“This is absurd!” Duke Bermund jumped to his feet, shouting. Even in this situation, he continued to glare fiercely at Rachel. “Rachel Pluret, if it weren’t for you…!”

“Guards!” the judge hastily called as Bermund attempted to lunge toward Rachel.

The guards who had been standing by rushed to restrain him, grabbing his flailing limbs. Rachel frowned at the sight, as did Viola.

“Let’s go, Rachel. Nothing good will come from staying here any longer,” Viola urged, rising from her seat.

“You’re right.”

Rachel agreed and stood up, leaving the gallery with Viola and exiting the courtroom. Behind them, Duke Bermund’s furious shouts continued to echo, but that was all. He couldn’t break free from the guards to reach Rachel, nor would anyone in the courtroom allow him to.

“What a terrifying man,” Viola grumbled beside her. “I never dreamed he harbored such sinister thoughts.”

Her reaction was understandable. Before the incident, Viola had actually felt favorably toward Duke Bermund, as evidenced by what happened at the birthday party. Rachel smiled silently, recalling that memory.

“Anyway, I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt.”

“Thank you for saying that, Viola. And I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Well, if you’re really sorry, try to avoid danger next time. It’s too risky.”

“I will.”

“By the way, what’s going on between you and His Highness the Crown Prince? Things seemed rather intense last time I saw you together.”

Viola narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she asked. Rachel simply responded with a small smile, avoiding the question.

“What? What happened? Don’t tell me you and the Crown Prince… Ouch!”

Viola, who had been pressing Rachel for answers, bumped into someone and let out a small groan.

“Sorry, Viola. Are you alright?” asked the person she had collided with, checking on her condition.

The voice was familiar, and when she looked up to see who it was, she found their childhood friend Tervan.

“I’m fine. But why are you blocking the hallway?”

Viola complained to him as he stood in the middle of the corridor.

“I thought you’d stop walking. You should have been watching where you were going. It’s dangerous.”

Since Tervan wasn’t wrong, Viola closed her mouth and pouted. Rachel felt a nostalgic warmth spread through her. The everyday life she had first sought to reclaim was unfolding before her eyes.

“Were you waiting for us?” Viola asked.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

Viola narrowed her eyes, looking back and forth between the two.

“Alright then, I’ll give you some space.”

“No, you don’t need to leave.”

When Viola offered to step aside, Tervan shook his head. Viola, who had assumed they needed to speak privately, widened her eyes in surprise at his response. Tervan smiled at her before shifting his gaze to Rachel.

“I realized I haven’t properly said what I needed to say to you, so I came to do that.”

“…Okay.”

“I already apologized before, so this time I want to say something else. Thank you, Rachel. Truly… thank you for saving my life.”

Tervan bowed his head to Rachel. Viola, unaware of the details, looked between them with wide eyes.

Rachel etched the image of Tervan bowing into her memory. Though she hadn’t acted with the expectation of gratitude, receiving his thanks seemed to release some of the long-harbored emotions within her.

Tervan slowly raised his head. Rachel could clearly see the complex emotions swirling in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he smiled, attempting to hide those feelings.

“We’re still friends, right?”

Rachel gazed at Tervan silently before nodding. “Of course.”

At Rachel’s answer, Tervan exhaled in relief.

“What about me?” Viola, who had been watching, asked Rachel.

“Absolutely!”

When Rachel confirmed it, Viola burst into laughter. A familiar voice then approached the group.

“So this is where you are, Rachel.”

Ryan called out cheerfully, and all three turned to look at him simultaneously.

“Brother!”

Edward was also at Ryan’s side.

“What were you all doing here?” he asked.

“Nothing much,” Viola answered in Rachel’s place.

“Oh, that reminds me, don’t we have something else to attend to?” Viola said, grabbing Tervan and Edward by the arms.

“Well then, Rachel, we’ll be going first! Your Highness, please excuse us for leaving so abruptly after just meeting you.”

“Wait, Viola!” Edward called out in surprise as she immediately pulled the two men away.

Nevertheless, he soon seemed to resign himself to the situation, chuckling as he followed her lead. Tervan did the same.

Rachel and Ryan looked at each other after watching the three depart, and at some point, they both broke into small smiles.

“You have interesting friends,” Ryan remarked.

“Yes, I think so too.”

Though she had once resented them, those old feelings had completely vanished now.

“If you have time, would you spare some for me?” Ryan asked, extending his hand toward Rachel.

Having nothing particular to do, Rachel reached out and placed her hand on his. “Gladly.”

Ryan and Rachel left the courthouse and walked through the streets, just as they had when he had seen her off at the Magic Tower. Their attendants had been instructed to follow at a distance.

“You’ve been through so much,” Ryan suddenly said.

Rachel glanced at him briefly and nodded. “You’ve had your share of difficulties too, Ryan.”

Despite Rachel’s response, Ryan remained silent for a while.

They left the crowded streets and arrived at a well-maintained garden. The park, which would normally be filled with people taking walks, was strangely empty of even shadows. Rachel sensed something unusual but didn’t mention it, assuming Ryan’s attendants had cleared the area in advance for the Crown Prince.

A cool breeze blew past them, carrying the fresh scent of grass. It was a calming fragrance.

Just as she was thinking how pleasant the breeze felt, Ryan stopped walking. Rachel halted alongside him. Unlike his usually relaxed expression, he appeared noticeably tense.

Wondering what was happening, Rachel remained quiet, waiting for him to speak.

“Do you remember what I said to you before?”

“Pardon?”

Though the question seemed abrupt, Rachel quickly realized what he meant. On the day of the incident at Duke Bermund’s residence, Ryan had promised to confess to her again once everything was over.

“Yes, I remember,” Rachel affirmed in a soft voice.

Ryan released her hand, stepped back, and bent one knee. In his hand was a jewelry box he had prepared in advance. Inside lay a diamond ring.

“Rachel, will you marry me?”