The day of trial has arrived.
Killian walked down the stinking prison corridors and into the escort carriage. He recalled his conversation with Giovanni a few days earlier in the carriage.
“How did that work out?”
“I’m sorry. Madam's intentions were so strong that I couldn’t stop her.”
Fortunately, nothing much seems to have happened so far, but Killian is frustrated with the situation where he can't do anything.
“We’re all here now. Please get off.”
The courtroom was filled with onlookers, not so much because of the case, which was a mafia murder, but because of the appearance of Killian, who committed the murder.
'Wow, this is a real feast for the eyes.'
'What good is being handsome? It's a waste of looks.'
People could be heard murmuring about his appearance. Killian ignored the noise and entered the courtroom.
Emily, John, and other members of the Starr organization sat in the front row.
And also...
'Why did that man come here?'
Charles was also sitting in the same row as Emily.
“Come this way.”
The knight escorting Killian placed him in the suspect's seat. Killian cast a displeased look at Charles as he sat down.
Shortly after everyone took their seats, the judge entered the courtroom.
“The trial will now begin.”
The courtroom, which had been noisy, suddenly became quiet, and not even the sound of a collar rustling could be heard.
“First, please tell us what Sir Nick Moore found in the case.”
At the judge's words, Nick Moore rose from his chair and began to recite the case.
After telling the story of when and where Big was found murdered and what the murder weapon was, he listed the evidence that made Killian a prime suspect.
“On the day the incident occurred, someone witnessed Marquis Killian Starr leaving the palace.”
Count Enoch Blois sat in the witness stand.
“Witness, please speak.”
After taking the oath of office, the Count of Blois told what he had seen about Killian.
“When you saw the witness, was Marquis Killian alone?”
“Yes, he was alone the whole time.”
“Was he alone when he left the palace?”
“Yes, he was alone.”
Emily jumped up from her seat at the unexpected perjury of the Count of Blois.
“That’s a lie. My husband left the palace with me.”
"My Lady, you have no right to speak, so please remain seated. If you continue to cause a disturbance, you will be asked to leave."
At the judge's words, the Starr family, including Emily, trembled with anger.
“And there’s one more thing I want to tell you.”
When Enoch Blois raised his hand, the judge allowed him to speak.
“There was an unpleasant incident with the Marquise de Starr at the Galerie Molineux Casino.”
That was something that was kept under strict surveillance by everyone, so it was not leaked to the outside or made into an article.
"The one who was with the Marquis at that time was Big. If you think about it as revenge for that time, I think there's sufficient motive for Marquis Starr killing the Big."
Killian looked at the Count of Blois as if he were going to tear him to pieces.
It was questionable that someone who wasn't even present at the scene knew about this, but his remarks were damaging to Emily's reputation.
“And your honor, this is evidence that was found at the scene of the crime.”
Nick Moore submitted a pair of gloves as evidence.
Killian quirked an eyebrow at the sight of the glove. It was his own glove, the one Enoch had promised to keep for him during their treasure hunt.
"Although we haven't found the murder weapon, the gloves are stained with blood. We've confirmed that the Marquis de Starr had them tailored for this ball."
“I will accept it as evidence.”
The atmosphere of the trial was almost unfavorable to Killian.
“Now, please defend the defendant.”
To prove Killian's innocence, Emily gave all the information to Pete.
Pete stood up with a solemn expression on his face.
“I am Pete Donahue, representing the Marquis of Starr.”
The judge was once again stirred by the sight of the warm-hearted lawyer.
“From now on, I will attempt to refute each and every one of the investigation findings conducted by the police.”
Pete, who had never stood in a courtroom before, leisurely commanded the attention of the audience.
"First, you said Big was murdered on National Foundation Day. I'm curious as to why you concluded it was National Foundation Day."
“That is the time obtained by measuring the body’s temperature at the time.”
"Body temperature isn't a very reliable indicator. There are too many factors that influence it, like the victim's weight, posture, and ambient temperature."
Pete presented the judge with a photograph of Big at the time of the murder.
“Considering the presence of maggots and flies and the form of the lesions, the time of death was the day after National Foundation Day, not on that day.”
Pete said, looking at where the security guard was sitting.
“Just hours before the security forces arrived, Big was murdered.”
“That’s nonsense!”
Nick protested excitedly, but the public's attention was focused on Pete, a man of eloquence. The judge, unable to completely ignore the public's gaze, allowed Pete to continue his defense.
“If it is true that Big was murdered the next day, then Marquis Starr’s movements followed the official schedule, thus proving his alibi.”
After drinking a glass of water, Pete continued his defense.
“And this is a photo of Big’s sword. If you look closely, you can see the marks of the binding.”
And Pete submitted photos taken during a previous power struggle between the Giuliano family and other mafia members.
“The way the Giuliano family captures their enemies is the same way they captured Big.”
“There’s no way that can be evidence, right?”
Pete chuckled as Nick chimed in again, excited.
"That may be true. But consider this crucial detail. It was the work of a right-handed person, but Marquis Starr is left-handed."
Pete approached Killian and asked him to open his palm.
"Big's chest was almost pierced. To have been stabbed so deeply, the Marquis's hand should have suffered at least a small wound, but as you can see, it's remarkably clean."
Pete's defense, presenting evidence, was more persuasive than the police's own words, which concluded the investigation among themselves.
Pete actively defended Killian, making good use of the information Emily had provided.
Now the mood in the courtroom seemed to have completely shifted to Killian's side.
“After a brief recess, we will begin the trial.”
The judge stood up with a troubled expression.
He was going to pass judgment as the Crown Prince instructed, but the evidence Pete had prepared was more extensive than he expected. Anyone could see that Killian wasn't the culprit.
So it was a difficult situation to declare Killian guilty or innocent.
Nick Moore also left the courtroom very upset.
This time, if only Killian had been put in jail, he would have been promoted right away and received a huge amount of money, but he was on the verge of losing it.
How on earth did that bastard Pete Donahue manage to steal information that only the Sheriff's Office knew? Even Big's autopsy photos were supposed to be kept secret.
"No way?"
Nick Moore thought of Stella Lovell, who had recently arrived as the new chief medical examiner.
Killian walked down the stinking prison corridors and into the escort carriage. He recalled his conversation with Giovanni a few days earlier in the carriage.
“How did that work out?”
“I’m sorry. Madam's intentions were so strong that I couldn’t stop her.”
Fortunately, nothing much seems to have happened so far, but Killian is frustrated with the situation where he can't do anything.
“We’re all here now. Please get off.”
The courtroom was filled with onlookers, not so much because of the case, which was a mafia murder, but because of the appearance of Killian, who committed the murder.
'Wow, this is a real feast for the eyes.'
'What good is being handsome? It's a waste of looks.'
People could be heard murmuring about his appearance. Killian ignored the noise and entered the courtroom.
Emily, John, and other members of the Starr organization sat in the front row.
And also...
'Why did that man come here?'
Charles was also sitting in the same row as Emily.
“Come this way.”
The knight escorting Killian placed him in the suspect's seat. Killian cast a displeased look at Charles as he sat down.
Shortly after everyone took their seats, the judge entered the courtroom.
“The trial will now begin.”
The courtroom, which had been noisy, suddenly became quiet, and not even the sound of a collar rustling could be heard.
“First, please tell us what Sir Nick Moore found in the case.”
At the judge's words, Nick Moore rose from his chair and began to recite the case.
After telling the story of when and where Big was found murdered and what the murder weapon was, he listed the evidence that made Killian a prime suspect.
“On the day the incident occurred, someone witnessed Marquis Killian Starr leaving the palace.”
Count Enoch Blois sat in the witness stand.
“Witness, please speak.”
After taking the oath of office, the Count of Blois told what he had seen about Killian.
“When you saw the witness, was Marquis Killian alone?”
“Yes, he was alone the whole time.”
“Was he alone when he left the palace?”
“Yes, he was alone.”
Emily jumped up from her seat at the unexpected perjury of the Count of Blois.
“That’s a lie. My husband left the palace with me.”
"My Lady, you have no right to speak, so please remain seated. If you continue to cause a disturbance, you will be asked to leave."
At the judge's words, the Starr family, including Emily, trembled with anger.
“And there’s one more thing I want to tell you.”
When Enoch Blois raised his hand, the judge allowed him to speak.
“There was an unpleasant incident with the Marquise de Starr at the Galerie Molineux Casino.”
That was something that was kept under strict surveillance by everyone, so it was not leaked to the outside or made into an article.
"The one who was with the Marquis at that time was Big. If you think about it as revenge for that time, I think there's sufficient motive for Marquis Starr killing the Big."
Killian looked at the Count of Blois as if he were going to tear him to pieces.
It was questionable that someone who wasn't even present at the scene knew about this, but his remarks were damaging to Emily's reputation.
“And your honor, this is evidence that was found at the scene of the crime.”
Nick Moore submitted a pair of gloves as evidence.
Killian quirked an eyebrow at the sight of the glove. It was his own glove, the one Enoch had promised to keep for him during their treasure hunt.
"Although we haven't found the murder weapon, the gloves are stained with blood. We've confirmed that the Marquis de Starr had them tailored for this ball."
“I will accept it as evidence.”
The atmosphere of the trial was almost unfavorable to Killian.
“Now, please defend the defendant.”
To prove Killian's innocence, Emily gave all the information to Pete.
Pete stood up with a solemn expression on his face.
“I am Pete Donahue, representing the Marquis of Starr.”
The judge was once again stirred by the sight of the warm-hearted lawyer.
“From now on, I will attempt to refute each and every one of the investigation findings conducted by the police.”
Pete, who had never stood in a courtroom before, leisurely commanded the attention of the audience.
"First, you said Big was murdered on National Foundation Day. I'm curious as to why you concluded it was National Foundation Day."
“That is the time obtained by measuring the body’s temperature at the time.”
"Body temperature isn't a very reliable indicator. There are too many factors that influence it, like the victim's weight, posture, and ambient temperature."
Pete presented the judge with a photograph of Big at the time of the murder.
“Considering the presence of maggots and flies and the form of the lesions, the time of death was the day after National Foundation Day, not on that day.”
Pete said, looking at where the security guard was sitting.
“Just hours before the security forces arrived, Big was murdered.”
“That’s nonsense!”
Nick protested excitedly, but the public's attention was focused on Pete, a man of eloquence. The judge, unable to completely ignore the public's gaze, allowed Pete to continue his defense.
“If it is true that Big was murdered the next day, then Marquis Starr’s movements followed the official schedule, thus proving his alibi.”
After drinking a glass of water, Pete continued his defense.
“And this is a photo of Big’s sword. If you look closely, you can see the marks of the binding.”
And Pete submitted photos taken during a previous power struggle between the Giuliano family and other mafia members.
“The way the Giuliano family captures their enemies is the same way they captured Big.”
“There’s no way that can be evidence, right?”
Pete chuckled as Nick chimed in again, excited.
"That may be true. But consider this crucial detail. It was the work of a right-handed person, but Marquis Starr is left-handed."
Pete approached Killian and asked him to open his palm.
"Big's chest was almost pierced. To have been stabbed so deeply, the Marquis's hand should have suffered at least a small wound, but as you can see, it's remarkably clean."
Pete's defense, presenting evidence, was more persuasive than the police's own words, which concluded the investigation among themselves.
Pete actively defended Killian, making good use of the information Emily had provided.
Now the mood in the courtroom seemed to have completely shifted to Killian's side.
“After a brief recess, we will begin the trial.”
The judge stood up with a troubled expression.
He was going to pass judgment as the Crown Prince instructed, but the evidence Pete had prepared was more extensive than he expected. Anyone could see that Killian wasn't the culprit.
So it was a difficult situation to declare Killian guilty or innocent.
Nick Moore also left the courtroom very upset.
This time, if only Killian had been put in jail, he would have been promoted right away and received a huge amount of money, but he was on the verge of losing it.
How on earth did that bastard Pete Donahue manage to steal information that only the Sheriff's Office knew? Even Big's autopsy photos were supposed to be kept secret.
"No way?"
Nick Moore thought of Stella Lovell, who had recently arrived as the new chief medical examiner.
He heard that she had come through an introduction from Captain Philippe, but it seems that someone higher up was involved.
It was also suspicious that Duke Sadie had suddenly come to the police station to conduct an inspection... Nick Moore, who had been struck by something, made a shocked expression.
“Could it be that Duke Sadie is on the side of Marquis Starr?”
“Hello, Sir Moore.”
Nick Moore was startled and fell to the floor as Charles greeted him by grabbing his shoulder.
“Your Excellency, Duke!”
"I know you took a bribe. I won't say who, though."
“I don’t know what you’re talking about...”
"I've already had a thorough discussion with the judge, so it's best to act properly. His Majesty the Emperor has also instructed that this matter be investigated fairly."
“His Majesty the Emperor?”
The Emperor was furious when he learned that his son had framed the Marquis of Starr to get Emily.
“And Marquis Starr paid off the royal family’s debts. If His Majesty ignores this matter, won’t it be embarrassing for His Majesty as the Emperor?”
Because of these conflicting interests, the Emperor also granted the Duke of Sadie's request.
"But during the investigation, the Crown Prince's name must not appear anywhere. If you keep that in mind, I'll turn a blind eye to your involvement in that mafia bastard's murder."
“Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince will proceed with the investigation without any involvement.”
Between loyalty and honesty, he chose loyalty.
After the recess, the trial resumed.
Nick Moore, who had lost the will to put Killian in jail, did not offer any particular opinion.
The jury's minds were also inclined towards not finding Killian to be the culprit, and most importantly, the judge who was supposed to conclude the case chose the Emperor, not the Crown Prince, as the one who would take his life.
“Then I will now pass judgment.”
Everyone present listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word.
“Marquis Killian Starr is acquitted, citing the clear alibi at the time of the crime and the insufficient evidence brought by the police to prove the charges.”
“Wow!”
The Starr family members who were sitting in their seats stood up and cheered.
Killian is finally back!
Emily, who had been suffering greatly, also had tears in her eyes. Of course, there was a question that needed to be addressed here: the identity of Count Enoch Blois.
Enoch Blois. He was aware of the Galerie Molineux incident, lied to frame Killian as the culprit, and even deliberately left his gloves at the scene of the crime.
'He is clearly related to the Giuliano family.'
Killian looked at him with sharp eyes.
Meanwhile, Enoch Blois was walking out of the courtroom in an irritated manner.
It was also suspicious that Duke Sadie had suddenly come to the police station to conduct an inspection... Nick Moore, who had been struck by something, made a shocked expression.
“Could it be that Duke Sadie is on the side of Marquis Starr?”
“Hello, Sir Moore.”
Nick Moore was startled and fell to the floor as Charles greeted him by grabbing his shoulder.
“Your Excellency, Duke!”
"I know you took a bribe. I won't say who, though."
“I don’t know what you’re talking about...”
"I've already had a thorough discussion with the judge, so it's best to act properly. His Majesty the Emperor has also instructed that this matter be investigated fairly."
“His Majesty the Emperor?”
The Emperor was furious when he learned that his son had framed the Marquis of Starr to get Emily.
“And Marquis Starr paid off the royal family’s debts. If His Majesty ignores this matter, won’t it be embarrassing for His Majesty as the Emperor?”
Because of these conflicting interests, the Emperor also granted the Duke of Sadie's request.
"But during the investigation, the Crown Prince's name must not appear anywhere. If you keep that in mind, I'll turn a blind eye to your involvement in that mafia bastard's murder."
“Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince will proceed with the investigation without any involvement.”
Between loyalty and honesty, he chose loyalty.
***
After the recess, the trial resumed.
Nick Moore, who had lost the will to put Killian in jail, did not offer any particular opinion.
The jury's minds were also inclined towards not finding Killian to be the culprit, and most importantly, the judge who was supposed to conclude the case chose the Emperor, not the Crown Prince, as the one who would take his life.
“Then I will now pass judgment.”
Everyone present listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word.
“Marquis Killian Starr is acquitted, citing the clear alibi at the time of the crime and the insufficient evidence brought by the police to prove the charges.”
“Wow!”
The Starr family members who were sitting in their seats stood up and cheered.
Killian is finally back!
Emily, who had been suffering greatly, also had tears in her eyes. Of course, there was a question that needed to be addressed here: the identity of Count Enoch Blois.
Enoch Blois. He was aware of the Galerie Molineux incident, lied to frame Killian as the culprit, and even deliberately left his gloves at the scene of the crime.
'He is clearly related to the Giuliano family.'
Killian looked at him with sharp eyes.
Meanwhile, Enoch Blois was walking out of the courtroom in an irritated manner.
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