Chapter 119

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 119

Chapter Title: The Public Trial

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Ludwig's reason for demanding a public trial was simple.

'He just wants to humiliate me as much as possible.'

There were probably crowds of spectators gathered like clouds.

The throng of people I'd seen just making my way to the courthouse entrance had been enormous.

All of them drawn here, buzzing with curiosity about today's trial verdict.

They clutched the latest edition of the Espitola in their hands. The main articles mostly speculated about my relationship with Sir Beltein.

For any ordinary noblewoman, forcing her way through that mob just to get here would have been a nightmare.

But I'd already had my head chopped off once, so it didn't faze me in the least.

The public trial demand was one of Ludwig's intimidation tactics. Do as he wished.

But I'd rejected that and accepted the public trial instead.

Because I had confidence in my victory.

So I shook my head at Arpad, who had extended his hand to me.

"Right now, I'm entering the courthouse as the defendant. You can't come in with me."

When entering the courthouse, the only person a defendant could bring was their lawyer.

But I hadn't brought one. I figured I could handle it alone just fine.

Arpad smiled faintly and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

"Today, I'll be your lawyer."

"...You don't have a law license."

"I may lack the qualifications, but I do have royal privileges."

As I tilted my head, Arpad explained kindly.

Lately, this man's speech had grown strangely tender. Uncomfortably so.

"As imperial royalty, I can set foot in any place blessed by Artanus's authority."

"Ah......"

The courthouse symbolized the empire's imperial judiciary.

The judges carried out the actual trials, but they were mere proxies for the Emperor.

That was why the emblem of the dragon Artanus was engraved above the judges' heads inside the courthouse.

So there was no issue with Arpad entering with me.

"......"

For some reason, it felt strange.

Across my three regressions, I'd stood in the defendant's seat at the courthouse quite a few times.

It was hard to secure a decent lawyer in those situations.

So appearing alone, getting convicted, and enduring all sorts of humiliations had become routine.

This time, too, I'd planned to enter alone out of habit.

Unlike before, I was fully prepared to win for sure.

I answered briskly, flashing the Star of Staretillia that Arpad had given me.

"Don't you trust me? Don't worry. I said this ring's worth more than its price, didn't I?"

"......"

I thought I'd said it with plenty of confidence and poise, but Arpad's expression crumpled even more.

He let out a small sigh and explained to me patiently.

"Of course I trust you. Wanting to go with you now has nothing to do with doubting you."

It was like he was explaining the basics to a clueless child.

"It's more that I can't bear the thought of you heading into a place full of nothing but hostility and insults all alone."

Arpad ground his teeth slightly.

"Truth be told, I'd rather not let you go at all. But since you said you can turn this into an opportunity, I have no choice but to let you."

I asked cautiously.

"Is that... you saying you're worried about me?"

Finally, he smiled.

"Now you've got it. Took you long enough."

Arpad nodded with a gentle smile.

"Separate from believing in your abilities, I'm worried you'll get hurt and want to protect you."

For some reason, I felt a bit dazed.

'This is a first. Someone telling me this.'

Having someone purely worry about me and want to accompany me to the courthouse—it was unprecedented.

And of all people... Arpad.

It was unbelievable, utterly unfamiliar.

But at the same time, a warmth welled up in my chest.

Clear joy, gratitude, and relief.

'Good heavens. Arpad, of all people, making me feel this way......'

It was astonishing, a fresh revelation.

The man who'd held a knife to my throat when I first came to commission a bride abduction marriage had changed like this.

Something hard and frozen in my heart seemed to melt just a little.

"I'm not a real lawyer, but I want to stand by your side and speak up for you. Isn't that what a lawyer does?"

He wasn't wrong.

A lawyer's role ultimately started with shielding someone and making excuses on their behalf against others.

In that sense, maybe this was the first time in my fourth life that I'd gained my own advocate.

I couldn't refuse that. In the end, I nodded with a smile.

"Alright. Looking forward to it, one-day lawyer."

"I'll give it my all, client."

I guess I'm fated to be this man's client every time.

As I entered the courtroom hand-in-hand with Arpad, the crowd gasped in shock.

Ludwig, in particular, was stunned and furious. He protested to the judge through his own lawyer.

"Isn't the rule that no one but a lawyer can enter with the defendant?!"

The judge pointed to Artanus's emblem hanging on the wall behind him.

"There is no place under Artanus's glory where royalty cannot tread. Your Grace is surely aware of this as well."

In the end, I took my place in the courtroom with Arpad escorting me.

Curious or hostile stares and whispers rained down like arrowheads from all sides.

"Who would've thought the Crown Prince would come with her......"

"If the accusations were true, the Crown Prince wouldn't be here with her. Doesn't that mean she's innocent?"

"Nah. The Crown Prince might just be clueless and believes her."

Amid the suspicious glares, I spotted the person I'd expected.

A woman standing at the very back of the spectator seats, her face veiled in gray.

'Evangeline!'

She was the mastermind manipulating Ludwig behind this whole affair, so of course she'd come.

'It'd be a problem if she didn't.'

Though hidden by the veil, our eyes definitely met.

So I smiled back at her. The veil seemed to tremble slightly.

And behind Evangeline stood two men.

A man in white priestly robes with long black hair cascading down. Archbishop Bio.

Beside him, a man with short brown hair and glasses—I remembered him too.

'Wilhelm Pillermo.'

The publisher of the Espitola that had so enthusiastically reported on today's trial.

Evangeline had them lined up at her side like trophies, glaring at me.

As if trying to flaunt her superiority.

I turned away, mocking her in return.

Arpad was still holding my hand firmly.

"Just as the rumors say—and as I've seen with my own eyes—Your Highness shows exceedingly deep affection for his wife."

Archbishop Bio's voice sounded almost like it was mocking Evangeline.

Evangeline had clearly seen Hilia sneer at her just moments ago.

Already in a foul mood, hearing the archbishop—who was supposed to be on her side—say that made her irritation boil over.

"That'll end soon enough. What man would still love a wife after learning she's an adulteress?"

Wilhelm chimed in, as if trying to soothe Evangeline.

"Exactly. Even His Highness will cool off once he knows the truth."

But Archbishop Bio merely crossed his arms and responded curtly.

"However, today's issue concerns events before the marriage, doesn't it? If he loved her enough to abduct her as his bride, he might not see that as a problem."

Evangeline glared at the priest with narrowed, axe-like eyes.

'Whose side is this guy on, anyway?'

She snapped sharply.

"You speak as if you hope that's the case, Archbishop."

He smiled affably in response.

"The Divine Church is the greatest guardian of marriage vows, after all. I merely wish for His Highness to uphold the sacred marriage oath."

It was a disclaimer that he wasn't taking Hilia's side.

Evangeline fired back coldly.

"You'd better hope that's true. To achieve what you want, you'll need my help in the end."

Evangeline turned away.

Bio looked down at her for a moment with a contemptuous gaze.

Soon, the gavel sounded, signaling the start of the trial, drawing everyone's attention there.

Thanks to that, neither Evangeline nor Wilhelm beside her noticed Bio's sinister look.

The trial began with Ludwig's hysterical shout.

"This woman brought other men into her bedroom while she was my fiancée!"