C49
"So, why didn't he change his habits even though his wife rejected his invitation several times?
"He planned to change it when he could afford it. But this situation came before that.
The battle between Sharon and Farrell reached no turning point and was slow.
"We'll take a short break at this point.
The lower judge banged his gavel.
"I think I need time to closely review the evidence presented by both parties so far.
Before I knew it, a stack of documents presented by Sharon and Farrell had formed a tower in front of the judge.
Usually, when there's a lot of evidence like this, it's submitted to the court in advance for review. It can't take up time during the trial.
But this time the case is different. The trial proceeded unusually quickly under the influence of the emperor. Like us, they didn't seem to have reviewed all the evidence beforehand.
The judge sighed slightly as he looked at the large amount of documents he had to quickly review during the recess.
"If there's any witness scheduled to be called next, prepare them.
Farrell responded as if he had been expecting.
"We invite the head maid of Duke Cassius, Marianne Neuer, as a witness. She can be considered the general manager of the employees working in the Cassius mansion.
The head maid with whom I had a conflict over the portrait incident was also here.
"Alright. Let's resume in 30 or 40 minutes.
And so the trial ended for a moment.
"Tay still hasn't arrived.
Robbie, who was outside the courtroom, saw us and ran over to whisper. So far, there was no news about Terence or the butler who went to fetch him.
"It's okay to take a two-hour break instead of 40 minutes.
I murmured as I checked the clock hanging in the hallway.
Anyway, it was good for us to have a break. Given Farrell's personality, I thought he would have prepared quite a bit of evidence, but my prediction was correct.
"Come on, let's do what we can.
Sharon pressed her furrowed brows with her fingers.
"I never expected it to turn out like this. It would be better to go back to the waiting room and discuss how to refute it...
Someone interrupted.
"I'm very disappointed, little lady.
The head maid of Duke Cassius looked at me with resentment as if I were her enemy.
"I trusted the little lady. I tried to believe her until the end, but how could she do this to me?
It seemed she was referring to the destruction of Liena's portrait in Cassius Castle.
She seemed to have finally realized that my logic was nothing more than sophistry.
"It wasn't just any portrait but Lady Liena's. Doesn't the little lady have any blood or tears?
She doesn't think there's anything wrong with arbitrarily hanging a portrait in someone else's room.
However, the maid, who was always described as kind in the novel, also tried to understand me.
"That's right. What can I do? She must have been corrupted because she grew up with parents who didn't support her. In a way, I feel sorry for the little lady.
Instead of consoling me, it only angers me.
"What do I have to do? Why don't I try to provoke her?"
If the head maid has a simple personality, she can easily get angry. All I have to do is drag Liena into it and make her fall.
At that moment, the audience members who came out for a break looked at us. They were curious to know if there was any new topic for me, the center of the issue.
"If the provocation works and the maid makes a loud noise, it will be an advantage for me."
Because it shows at a glance how disrespectful the duchy servants are to me. It will strengthen my claim that I was mistreated in Cassius.
"Moreover, since there are judicial officials nearby, it will definitely reach the judge's ears."
Alright. The final result is the final result. It was when I made a decision and was about to say something provocative.
"Marianne, you're here.
Liena jumped.
"Why is the atmosphere like this? Were you saying something bad about my sister-in-law?
"Oh, no, miss.
"Haven't I told you many times that you must treat my sister-in-law with the utmost respect?
Liena gave me a shy look.
"I'm sorry. Was Marianne rude?
"... It wasn't a big deal.
I'm putting up a strong defense in case the head maid says something unreasonable. If I can't get what I want, it's better not to confront it.
"Liena, what are you doing there?
At that moment, Duke Cassius, who was nearby, called Liena.
"Oh, let's go now! Marianne, come along too.
Liena took the head maid and headed towards the duke. The duke affectionately put his hand on Liena's shoulder, then looked at me and turned away.
"Tsk, I don't like you either. Do you think if you stare at me, I'll be scared...? Oh?"
For some reason, I felt uncomfortable. Feeling like something was missing.
I tilted my head and asked, "What's wrong?" and soon realized the cause of my discomfort.
Duke Cassius is fine.
"Strange. I'm sure he heard a report from his subordinates that they found the head butler."
There's no way the duke doesn't know the information Robbie mentioned before the trial. They say they've made a hundred concessions and that access is restricted during the trial, but it's currently in recess.
Given the Duke's personality, he would probably try to go to where the head butler is as soon as he hears about it. Why is he here with such a carefree expression?
-------------------------
"This is a big problem."
Duke Cassius's head butler, Kayden, bit his lips in silence.
He was currently in a carriage with Cassius's knights. It wasn't something he willingly boarded. He was almost forced onto the carriage, as if pushed.
From then on, he was overwhelmed by the feeling that something was wrong. Although he resigned and disappeared, he had been the duke's closest confidant for the past few decades.
But, oddly, the handling is rough. In general terms, it was something difficult to happen.
Kayden repeated what he had said a moment ago.
"Why not? Didn't I say I would meet the Duke in person and tell him the reason I disappeared?"
The one who seemed to be the leader of the knights replied.
"The Duke is currently observing the trial of the young Duke."
"Then I will go to the court."
If he goes to the Central Court, he can pretend he wants to meet the duke and appear as a witness. The argument was based on such calculations, but the knight shook his head.
"It's impossible. The order is to take the head butler to the city house."
"... Whose order is that?"
"What?"
"I have served the Duke for decades. I know his character better than anyone. He is calm, but sometimes fiery."
"......"
"He found that his confidant disappeared without saying a word, but he is not the type of person to sit still and wait."
"It seems that the decades have been in vain. Please do not make unnecessary assumptions."
"Was it Liena?"
The area under the knight's eyes contracted. It was an answer that turned Kayden's assumption into certainty.
"It is so. Now that I think about it, you are someone I have never seen before. It turns out the young one brought you into the family."
The man laughed.
"You are making an unnecessary distinction. The Duke's name is the young one's name, and the young one's name is the Duke's name."
"How can the young one's name be the Duke's name!"
"Then answer me. Will the Duke punish me if he learns of all this?"
The butler was speechless. As he knew his master well, he also knew very well that even if his master was angry, he would be relieved with just a few words from his beloved daughter.
Moreover, Duke Cassius quite understood Liena's dogmatism. Even if you didn't understand it immediately at that moment, looking back later, it was always a beneficial action for Cassius.
"See? He won't punish me, will he?"
"......"
"So stop resisting in vain and stay calm. I will take you to the duke's side in a few days."
"What you said about going to the city house was a lie."
"It's not a lie at all. After investigating a bit in a villa near the capital, you can move to a townhouse."
"Investigate?"
"Because there are contingencies."
"Why? Do you think they might have bought me?"
"I don't want to doubt the butler, but... There's nothing wrong with taking a cautious approach, is there?"
"Ah. Just be honest. They want to lock me up because I, who ate another family's money, might try to take the lives of my superiors."
"That's a radical statement. If you can prove your innocence, you can return to enjoying the same status."
"It's the same status as before..."
When was there such a thing? Kayden wanted to ask that.
He had been an old man in the background for quite some time. Titles like chief butler or general manager of employees were just a facade.
Even now, isn't he being treated roughly by a knight that Liena brought in just a few years ago?
At some point, important positions in the Cassius family began to be filled with people supported by Liena. As he was reluctant to Liena, he had no choice but to distance himself from power, whether willingly or unwillingly.
"I'm sorry, Ethel-nim."
He saw no way out. The knights had surrounded him, and the carriage was already far from its original accommodation.
If he asked, Cassius would take care of Joshua, who was left alone in the dormitory, but there was no way they would send Kayden to court.
"I wanted to repay you for helping me realize my mistake, even if it was already too late."
The moment Ethel looked him straight in the eyes and placed in his hand a piece that Joshua had made when he was young.
"Since you have lived as a servant to your master until now, why not live the rest of your life as the father of your son?"
Only then did he feel his eyes opening. It was as if a haze in his head had suddenly dissipated.
Ethel had told him several times that she was truly grateful to be his witness, but in reality, she was his benefactor.
But now it's over. Not only could he not repay the favor, but it's also unclear if he could be an honorable father to Joshua. The Duke's family will never let him go easily.
At that moment. Crack!
The carriage window shattered, and suddenly something entered the carriage from outside. When he looked closely, he saw that it was an arm.
"What?!"
The knight sitting by the window had his face caught in the hand before he could draw his sword.
"Ah!"
A dark red light sprouted from his hand, and the knight fell screaming.
Then the hand quickly opened the carriage. The door opened, and a black figure climbed into the carriage.
"Who is it?"
In response to the head knight's question, the person whose face was hidden behind a mask murmured softly.
"Well. A warrior of justice?"
It was a playful tone that didn't fit the situation.
Soon, a dark red light covered the inside of the carriage.