Eden looked down at his hand. Even with this little touch, his heart raced like a teenage boy's, and his throat tightened.
“...Because it was already promised.”
It was funny, but he didn't hate it. It was a strange thing.
“I’m a bit worried about how you, with such a weak heart, will survive in this harsh world from now on.”
Eden spoke in a slightly lower voice. Cecilia laughed softly. It was ridiculous that he was worried about the decision she had made because she didn't want the traitors to die in peace.
“With Your Highness by my side, what could I fear?”
Cecilia whispered softly, slowly moving her hand over Eden’s. Her slender fingers brushed over his manicured nails, then over his long, outstretched fingers.
“...Right?”
At last, when her fingers reached the back of his hand, Cecilia and Eden's hands were completely interlocked. Eden let out a soft sigh as he realized this.
"Is it so."
Eden gently hugged Cecilia's waist with one arm. Because Eden was sitting on the edge of the bed, Cecilia's body, which was being dragged like a paper doll, came a little closer to the edge of the bed.
“It was something I just had to do my best.”
Having said that, Eden put his face against Cecilia's nape. Cecilia raised her hand and stroked his soft brown hair. Then she relaxed her body and leaned against him.
As if she had infinite trust in her companion.
"That's right."
Eden, who felt that, laughed softly. And he hugged Cecilia’s body, who was answering slyly, with more force. Cecilia, who was in his arms, closed her eyes and thought. She didn’t know much yet, but one thing was clear.
Everything changes. The fate of the Lane family, her own fate, and the fate of those who threatened her in her past life.
That meant that what Cecilia knew might not become reality. But Cecilia was determined not to fail in this battle of life.
She was confident about that.
“...Because it was already promised.”
It was funny, but he didn't hate it. It was a strange thing.
“I’m a bit worried about how you, with such a weak heart, will survive in this harsh world from now on.”
Eden spoke in a slightly lower voice. Cecilia laughed softly. It was ridiculous that he was worried about the decision she had made because she didn't want the traitors to die in peace.
“With Your Highness by my side, what could I fear?”
Cecilia whispered softly, slowly moving her hand over Eden’s. Her slender fingers brushed over his manicured nails, then over his long, outstretched fingers.
“...Right?”
At last, when her fingers reached the back of his hand, Cecilia and Eden's hands were completely interlocked. Eden let out a soft sigh as he realized this.
"Is it so."
Eden gently hugged Cecilia's waist with one arm. Because Eden was sitting on the edge of the bed, Cecilia's body, which was being dragged like a paper doll, came a little closer to the edge of the bed.
“It was something I just had to do my best.”
Having said that, Eden put his face against Cecilia's nape. Cecilia raised her hand and stroked his soft brown hair. Then she relaxed her body and leaned against him.
As if she had infinite trust in her companion.
"That's right."
Eden, who felt that, laughed softly. And he hugged Cecilia’s body, who was answering slyly, with more force. Cecilia, who was in his arms, closed her eyes and thought. She didn’t know much yet, but one thing was clear.
Everything changes. The fate of the Lane family, her own fate, and the fate of those who threatened her in her past life.
That meant that what Cecilia knew might not become reality. But Cecilia was determined not to fail in this battle of life.
She was confident about that.
***
Soon after, the trial of Count Nova's crimes was held. There was no reason to postpone the trial since all the evidence had already been collected.
“What was he thinking when he did that?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Cecilia heard whispers coming from the row behind where she, Eden, and the Crown Prince were sitting.
“He used to enjoy his power by pretending to be a tiger in a tiger-less den, so did he really think he was a tiger?”
Tsk, the tongue-clicking voice contained more resentment than regret. This was because it could have happened to him at any time. Since the families who stayed in the townhouses of the system usually had a proxy to manage the estate.
“I will now commence the trial of the Count Nova family for tax embezzlement and abuse of power of attorney.”
Of course, it was rare to grant such authority to a vassal family that was not even a collateral line. And it was also a promise to grant whatever he wanted once. It was said that he had once saved the life of the head of the household, but it was too much trust to show to a stranger.
“Count Nova used his power as an agent to blind the Duke of Lane, exploit the people of the territory, and even embezzle taxes that should have gone to the imperial family.”
The lawyer spoke with emphasis on each word. Count Nova and his son lowered their heads slightly and said nothing.
“I have prepared witnesses and evidence regarding this matter. First, I would like to call on the commoner, Hamilton, as a witness.”
All the evidence was out there from the start. Besides, if he wanted to lighten the severity of the sentence he would receive, he had to listen to Cecilia.
“I, I paid the poll tax, toll, and liquor tax without fail. I had no idea that I had been reduced to a slave.”
“You really didn’t know? You didn’t receive any special treatment?”
“If I had become a slave in the first place, why would I have paid taxes? It’s unfair!”
When the investigator questioned him, Hamilton, who had been brought in as a witness, protested with a look of injustice on his face. He was right. If he had really been a slave, it would have been illegal to collect taxes from him.
“Then why is your name on this list? Any guesses?”
“Soo, at the bar...”
Hamilton stammered.
“There was someone who said he would give me a special tax discount if I wrote my name... I didn’t do it because I believed in that!”
It was just something that happened as a joke in a bar where commoners gathered to drink and hang out.
“If I had known that my status would be reduced to that of a slave and that I would still have to pay the same amount of taxes, why would I have done so?”
He never thought he would be putting his name in such a ledger. He didn't even sign it himself, because he couldn't read or write.
“There are countless victims like Hamilton. I brought a couple more just in case...”
“Everyone, come out.”
At the judge's words, those who had fallen from commoners to slaves appeared before the court, trembling. They all said the same thing as Hamilton.
“Also, I submit three copies of the ledger. One is a list of slaves, another is a statement of the taxes levied on them, and the last is a ledger prepared for submission to the Duke of Lane.”
The date on which the witnesses were reduced to slavery was the same as the date on which they met the suspicious person at the bar. In addition, there was a record of receiving money, but their names and tax payment records were deleted from the ledger that was actually intended for Curtis.
“Does Count Nova have anything to say about this?”
The judge opened his mouth with a loud, low cough. All the evidence was clear, and there were no excuses from Count Nova. All he could say was that he was deeply remorseful.
“There is no room for doubt since there is no objection.”
It was a trial that had already been concluded. No matter what Count Nova protested, he had to make the verdict the Emperor wanted.
“The crime of intercepting taxes that should have been paid to the imperial family, neglecting one’s duties, and blinding the lord’s eyes and exploiting the people of the territory whom one should have taken care of as his agent.”
At least things are going smoothly. The judge began reciting the verdict he had memorized.
“That sin cannot be measured in price.”
“Therefore, it is proper to confiscate the property and remove the family from the Noble House. However, I intend to handle it considering that the disposal of such cases is usually done according to customary law.”
Count Nova's jaw was clenched shut, and his son had his head bowed with a grave expression.
“First, we will restore the status of those who were unjustly enslaved. Also, we will confiscate their family properties and give half to the Duke of Lane and half to the Imperial Family.”
Ilya and her mother were no exception to that despair. Countess Nova was already crying her eyes out, and Ilya was biting her lips with tears welling up in her eyes.
“In addition, the ringleaders, Oliver Nova and Jason Nova, are sentenced to three years of hard labor.”
Cecilia observed the whole scene with an expressionless face as if watching a play.
“However, Count Nova has devoted himself to Duke Lane for more than ten years.”
The judge's powerful voice resonated through the otherwise quiet courtroom, enough to hear the rolling of a needle.
“Since the Duke of Lane and His Majesty the Emperor were willing to be lenient regarding a single incident that lasted a little over a year...”
Dorrr, Cecilia's eyes slowly rolled towards the judge. It was not a decision to revoke the titles, nor a decision to take their lives.
“I will make sure that his legacy remains in the Noble Encyclopedia.”
However, tears fell from Ilya's eyes like large pearls. As the tragedy of beauty is always beautiful and delicious, the eyes of men who were worse than maggots secretly gathered around Ilya.
“The trial is thus concluded.”
Hearing the final verdict, Cecilia met Ilya's gaze. Ilya was glaring at Eden and Cecilia as if she were the victim.
Still useful, not even realizing how lucky it was that her pretty head didn't fall off her neck today.
“Cecilia. Don’t respond.”
Ilya was the actress in the play that Cecilia wanted. She hoped that one day Ilya would play the role of killing Eden.
How delicious would it be to kill the person you once loved the most, and to die by the hand of the person you loved the most?
“If only the letter hadn’t disappeared in the middle...”
Cecilia turned her gaze to Eden, who was looking at the seats where Ilya and Countess Nova were sitting, as she heard a low, raspy voice.
“I want to stop talking about that, Your Highness. It was just a mistake. It’s something that cannot be undone, even if you regret it.”
The evidence of the conspiracy that Ilya exchanged with her father disappeared from the world. It was a letter that had to be submitted as evidence, but Cecilia neglected to take care of it, and the maid threw it away. It was only later that they found out its whereabouts, but there was no way to get the letter back since it had already been burned.
“Yes. There’s no way to recover anyway.”
However, no one was punished even though such valuable evidence was lost.
“It must be more painful to be floating in a state of neither here nor there.”
Because Eden had already guessed that Cecilia had saved her accomplice, Ilya, from getting involved.
“Just go back.”
Cecilia stood up, holding Eden's hand. Aster was already striding down the central passage. Everyone else could leave only after he, the Emperor's representative, had left.
“I want to have a drink tonight.”
Cecilia muttered, half impulsively.
“Let’s listen together.”
Eden immediately agreed. Cecilia turned her gaze back to Ilya. Their eyes, still staring at Eden and Cecilia, met instantly.
“...”
She wanted Ilya to know that deep, distant despair lies far below what she now considers the bottom.
Cecilia quietly raised the corners of her lips and smiled, like the insulting sneer Ilya had once given her.
“What was he thinking when he did that?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Cecilia heard whispers coming from the row behind where she, Eden, and the Crown Prince were sitting.
“He used to enjoy his power by pretending to be a tiger in a tiger-less den, so did he really think he was a tiger?”
Tsk, the tongue-clicking voice contained more resentment than regret. This was because it could have happened to him at any time. Since the families who stayed in the townhouses of the system usually had a proxy to manage the estate.
“I will now commence the trial of the Count Nova family for tax embezzlement and abuse of power of attorney.”
Of course, it was rare to grant such authority to a vassal family that was not even a collateral line. And it was also a promise to grant whatever he wanted once. It was said that he had once saved the life of the head of the household, but it was too much trust to show to a stranger.
“Count Nova used his power as an agent to blind the Duke of Lane, exploit the people of the territory, and even embezzle taxes that should have gone to the imperial family.”
The lawyer spoke with emphasis on each word. Count Nova and his son lowered their heads slightly and said nothing.
“I have prepared witnesses and evidence regarding this matter. First, I would like to call on the commoner, Hamilton, as a witness.”
All the evidence was out there from the start. Besides, if he wanted to lighten the severity of the sentence he would receive, he had to listen to Cecilia.
“I, I paid the poll tax, toll, and liquor tax without fail. I had no idea that I had been reduced to a slave.”
“You really didn’t know? You didn’t receive any special treatment?”
“If I had become a slave in the first place, why would I have paid taxes? It’s unfair!”
When the investigator questioned him, Hamilton, who had been brought in as a witness, protested with a look of injustice on his face. He was right. If he had really been a slave, it would have been illegal to collect taxes from him.
“Then why is your name on this list? Any guesses?”
“Soo, at the bar...”
Hamilton stammered.
“There was someone who said he would give me a special tax discount if I wrote my name... I didn’t do it because I believed in that!”
It was just something that happened as a joke in a bar where commoners gathered to drink and hang out.
“If I had known that my status would be reduced to that of a slave and that I would still have to pay the same amount of taxes, why would I have done so?”
He never thought he would be putting his name in such a ledger. He didn't even sign it himself, because he couldn't read or write.
“There are countless victims like Hamilton. I brought a couple more just in case...”
“Everyone, come out.”
At the judge's words, those who had fallen from commoners to slaves appeared before the court, trembling. They all said the same thing as Hamilton.
“Also, I submit three copies of the ledger. One is a list of slaves, another is a statement of the taxes levied on them, and the last is a ledger prepared for submission to the Duke of Lane.”
The date on which the witnesses were reduced to slavery was the same as the date on which they met the suspicious person at the bar. In addition, there was a record of receiving money, but their names and tax payment records were deleted from the ledger that was actually intended for Curtis.
“Does Count Nova have anything to say about this?”
The judge opened his mouth with a loud, low cough. All the evidence was clear, and there were no excuses from Count Nova. All he could say was that he was deeply remorseful.
“There is no room for doubt since there is no objection.”
It was a trial that had already been concluded. No matter what Count Nova protested, he had to make the verdict the Emperor wanted.
“The crime of intercepting taxes that should have been paid to the imperial family, neglecting one’s duties, and blinding the lord’s eyes and exploiting the people of the territory whom one should have taken care of as his agent.”
At least things are going smoothly. The judge began reciting the verdict he had memorized.
“That sin cannot be measured in price.”
“Therefore, it is proper to confiscate the property and remove the family from the Noble House. However, I intend to handle it considering that the disposal of such cases is usually done according to customary law.”
Count Nova's jaw was clenched shut, and his son had his head bowed with a grave expression.
“First, we will restore the status of those who were unjustly enslaved. Also, we will confiscate their family properties and give half to the Duke of Lane and half to the Imperial Family.”
Ilya and her mother were no exception to that despair. Countess Nova was already crying her eyes out, and Ilya was biting her lips with tears welling up in her eyes.
“In addition, the ringleaders, Oliver Nova and Jason Nova, are sentenced to three years of hard labor.”
Cecilia observed the whole scene with an expressionless face as if watching a play.
“However, Count Nova has devoted himself to Duke Lane for more than ten years.”
The judge's powerful voice resonated through the otherwise quiet courtroom, enough to hear the rolling of a needle.
“Since the Duke of Lane and His Majesty the Emperor were willing to be lenient regarding a single incident that lasted a little over a year...”
Dorrr, Cecilia's eyes slowly rolled towards the judge. It was not a decision to revoke the titles, nor a decision to take their lives.
“I will make sure that his legacy remains in the Noble Encyclopedia.”
However, tears fell from Ilya's eyes like large pearls. As the tragedy of beauty is always beautiful and delicious, the eyes of men who were worse than maggots secretly gathered around Ilya.
“The trial is thus concluded.”
Hearing the final verdict, Cecilia met Ilya's gaze. Ilya was glaring at Eden and Cecilia as if she were the victim.
Still useful, not even realizing how lucky it was that her pretty head didn't fall off her neck today.
“Cecilia. Don’t respond.”
Ilya was the actress in the play that Cecilia wanted. She hoped that one day Ilya would play the role of killing Eden.
How delicious would it be to kill the person you once loved the most, and to die by the hand of the person you loved the most?
“If only the letter hadn’t disappeared in the middle...”
Cecilia turned her gaze to Eden, who was looking at the seats where Ilya and Countess Nova were sitting, as she heard a low, raspy voice.
“I want to stop talking about that, Your Highness. It was just a mistake. It’s something that cannot be undone, even if you regret it.”
The evidence of the conspiracy that Ilya exchanged with her father disappeared from the world. It was a letter that had to be submitted as evidence, but Cecilia neglected to take care of it, and the maid threw it away. It was only later that they found out its whereabouts, but there was no way to get the letter back since it had already been burned.
“Yes. There’s no way to recover anyway.”
However, no one was punished even though such valuable evidence was lost.
“It must be more painful to be floating in a state of neither here nor there.”
Because Eden had already guessed that Cecilia had saved her accomplice, Ilya, from getting involved.
“Just go back.”
Cecilia stood up, holding Eden's hand. Aster was already striding down the central passage. Everyone else could leave only after he, the Emperor's representative, had left.
“I want to have a drink tonight.”
Cecilia muttered, half impulsively.
“Let’s listen together.”
Eden immediately agreed. Cecilia turned her gaze back to Ilya. Their eyes, still staring at Eden and Cecilia, met instantly.
“...”
She wanted Ilya to know that deep, distant despair lies far below what she now considers the bottom.
Cecilia quietly raised the corners of her lips and smiled, like the insulting sneer Ilya had once given her.
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