(186) Destruction (1)
The door to the audience chamber opened.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the open door.
Two figures stood in front of the door. One was tall and slender, while the other was small and frail. Behind them stood four Imperial Knights.
Geor and Ariana stepped on the long carpet laid out in the audience chamber.
Even though the Emperor had called them 'sinners,' their posture was dignified. Straight backs and unrestrained movements. Like generals returning victorious rather than having committed a crime, they walked without hesitation.
Victoria did not like the way Ariana walked so haughtily, even in the midst of this. She was annoyed by the way Ariana acted so nonchalantly when she could have been beheaded at any moment.
At that moment, Ariana's gaze briefly fell on Victoria. The instant their eyes met, Ariana wore the smile she had worn every time their eyes met.
Every time Ariana smiled like that, she was reminded of what had happened to her, and her heart sank, but she quickly composed myself.
'You won't be able to help it this time. The Emperor's heart is leaning this way.'
The Emperor declared Ariana and Geor 'sinners' even though no conclusion had been reached yet.
Victoria remembered something Western Lord had said once.
"The Emperor is as greedy as he is timid. You must grasp this well and act accordingly, Victoria."
Still, considering he was the monarch of the largest country on the continent, she doubted whether he would actually move just by touching on that aspect. However, the Emperor was far more foolish than Victoria had thought.
"Prolonged peace tends to dull both body and mind."
It was truly so. The Emperor did not even realize that he had fallen for the bait and was floundering.
Ariana still looked relaxed, but that didn't bother her anymore.
Victoria was even excited at the thought of seeing Ariana scrambling, unable to find a way out.
The Emperor, who had been casting a cold gaze at Ariana and Geor, opened his mouth.
“Geor White, Ariana White. You entered the Empire harboring wicked intentions and attempted to harm the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the Little Suns of the Continent. Furthermore, unable to forget past grudges, you sought revenge against the Duke of Bronte in the West using heinous means. Do you admit to these crimes?”
Even while hearing the icy rebuke, Ariana and Geor's expressions did not waver.
Ariana had told Geor something before being summoned by the Emperor.
"I'll handle it, Geor. From now on, it's my fight."
Geor did not refute it.
"Alright, I'll just stay by your side and pray to God."
Dozens of people were present. They were all powerful figures sufficient to vouch for this situation.
As Ariana walked toward the Emperor, she observed their expressions and gazes. While some cast unfriendly glances, most appeared to be filled with worry and confusion.
They also know that this situation is not normal.
'You guys.'
Ariana glanced back at Harold, Victoria, and Rachel.
'You won't be able to escape.'
Ariana recalled her past, when she had been toyed with to her heart's content by them, only to die framed for a crime she had not committed.
Her heart has hardened.
Ariana returned for this very moment.
“We do not admit to that crime, Your Majesty.”
“The gift box sent from the East contained a mixture of tea leaves and poisonous herbs. And yet, you still refuse to admit it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I do not admit it. Isn’t there a possibility that someone secretly put poisonous herbs in a box sent from the East?”
“Do you know that the imperial palace storehouses are strictly guarded by storehouse keepers?”
“Someone might have bribed the warehouse keeper.”
“Who would dare bribe the Imperial Palace storehouse keeper?”
“Wouldn’t he be easy to approach the warehouse keeper? Perhaps he is someone who remains in the palace out of necessity, even though he is old enough to leave.”
Upon reaching adulthood, the Princes each received their respective titles and estates and left the imperial palace. The only Prince remaining in the palace long after becoming an adult was the Third Prince, Harold.
Everyone's eyes turned to Harold.
Harold was flustered and about to say something, but he closed his mouth when the Empress lightly patted his forearm.
The Emperor asked in disbelief.
“Surely you aren’t trying to frame the Third Prince, are you?”
“Your Majesty, what would the East gain by causing harm to His Highness the Crown Prince? However, the Third Prince certainly has something to gain. Isn’t it rather strange? I find it suspicious that he remains in the Imperial Palace when he is well past the age to leave and govern his own territory.”
The Emperor glanced at Harold.
Although he had thought it was strange, Harold was deeply devoted to his mother. He knew he cherished her, looked after her by her side, and stopped by every day to chat.
The Royal Consort Aelra used to say the same thing. That she was sorry the Third Prince did not want to leave out of concern for his mother.
Even now, Harold and Royal Consort Aelra were standing affectionately, glaring at Ariana with slightly displeased expressions.
“Nonsense. Because of what the East has done for the Empire, I treated you well and did not punish you even though you committed a grave crime; now you are trying to pin the blame on my son!”
Ariana's eyes did not waver even at the Emperor's icy rebuke.
Ariana met the Emperor's eyes and spoke firmly.
"I will call a witness."
“What?”
"I will call the warehouse keeper who was bribed as a witness."
“You say you know who the warehouse keeper was on the very day the poisonous herbs were hidden in the box sent from the East? Seeing that you know something even I don't, you must be the culprit.”
“Wouldn’t that become clear if you brought a witness and questioned them?”
"There is nothing more to hear..."
"Please listen."
The Empress, who had been quietly observing the situation, interrupted the Emperor. The Emperor glared at the Empress with wide eyes.
“Since this concerns my son as well, I wish to make the guilt clear. Even if punishment is to be imposed, wouldn’t it be better to clarify the situation enough so that no defiant protests come from the sinner’s mouth?”
"I also agree with my mother's words."
Princess Charlotte whispered softly. The Grand Chancellor and Cardinal Eodes Cediora also looked as if they agreed. The Crown Prince appeared disoriented, as the poison had not yet completely worn off, even though it was his own business.
The Emperor groaned and nodded.
"Right, then we'll have to postpone the trial."
“No, Your Majesty. The witnesses have already arrived outside the palace. If Your Majesty grants permission, the witnesses can be brought in immediately.”
No one present realized that Ariana had said 'witnesses'. The Emperor gestured as if annoyed.
"I grant permission."
The servant ran outside.
For quite a long time, the audience chamber was enveloped in palpable tension and silence. Eventually, the door to the audience chamber opened, and a burly man entered carrying something on his shoulder.
The man with navy hair, white skin, and blue eyes walked without hesitation, even though he was carrying a large bundle.
“Little Duke White...”
One of the nobles who recognized him muttered.
Averaster stopped beside Ariana and Geor, bowed to the Emperor, and then set down the bundle he was carrying on his shoulder.
Dump-
At the dull sound, the Emperor narrowed his eyebrows.
“Was the witness you mentioned young Duke Averaster White? This man can’t be a warehouse keeper.”
"The warehouse keeper is inside."
Averaster unfolded the package.
People gasped at the sight visible inside.
Inside the bundle was a half-rotted corpse. It was covered in dirt, as if it had been dug up from the ground.
The Emperor jumped up in anger.
“What on earth are you doing! Do you really want to die right here!”
“He is the warehouse keeper, Your Majesty.”
Unlike the enraged Emperor, Ariana remained calm.
"The person who bribed the warehouse keeper killed him to silence him and buried him deep in the mountains, but we found it."
“Ha! How easy is that? So easy. Did you think this matter would be settled just by bringing a corpse and babbling on as you please? Do I look that ridiculous to you? What did the Eastern Lord say about me that you thought you could get away with such a trick!”
"Of course, the dead cannot speak. Therefore, we have also apprehended the one who killed him."
“W-what?”
Lanster dragged a man in through the door of the audience chamber, which was not yet closed. The man's wrists were bound, and a cloth was stuffed over his mouth so that he could not bite his tongue.
As the unexpected situation unfolded, not only the Emperor but everyone present opened their eyes wide in surprise. Several of those present had seen a man captured by Lanster a few times before.
He was Penter, the bodyguard of the Third Prince, Harold.
Harold could barely breathe. His vision repeatedly blurred and then brightened.
'Why? How?'
Harold killed those whose use was over so that they could never open their mouths again.
The warehouse keeper had served his purpose, and to prevent him from making a slip of the tongue, he instructed Penter, an assassin living disguised as a knight, to kill the warehouse keeper.
Ariana knew how Penter disposed of the body after killing someone on Harold's orders. She also knew where the tavern Penter stopped by before returning to the Imperial Palace after finishing his job.
After killing the warehouse keeper, Penter stopped by a pub and could not return to his master.
Harold was busy with other matters and hadn't even realized that several days had passed since Penter had been away.
"I witnessed this person disposing of that body."
Lanster said curtly.
The Emperor, in confusion, looked back and forth at Lanster, Penter, the corpse, and Ariana, then turned his eyes to Harold, who had a pale face.
Pale Harold looked suspicious even from a distance.
At that moment, Royal Consort Aelra, standing beside Harold, lowered the ends of her eyebrows, sent a pitiful look, and shook her head. Then, she mouthed the words.
"It's a lie."
The warehouse keeper was dead, and Penter's mouth was gagged. The East had not yet been able to prove or explain anything.
"Putting the blame on the dead is something anyone could do. Besides, Penter is currently in a position where he cannot offer any explanation!"
“It is not over yet, Your Majesty. There is another witness.”
“There is nothing more to see. Playing along with the East’s ridiculous antics is getting old. To think they dare to pin their crimes on the Royal Family. As if trying to harm the Crown Prince wasn't enough, now they're trying to drag the Third Prince into it? Arrest those bastards immediately and throw them back in prison...”
"Your Majesty."
The Empress pressed down firmly on the Emperor's arm on the armrest.
"I think it would be good to hear more."
“Empress, do you think this makes sense? Surely you are not listening to slanderous words directed at your son out of jealousy of the Royal Consort Aelra?”
The Emperor irritated the Empress by saying something unnecessary. Hiding her annoyance, the Empress spoke softly.
"The situation is looking serious, so wouldn't it be better to wait until we have fully reviewed what the East has prepared before making a decision?"
“If we end it here, no one will be able to let go of their suspicions about Harold. Wouldn’t it be better to listen to the end, find the blind spots, and completely clear up the doubts that have reached Harold?”
Charlotte helped the Empress in a low voice.
The Supreme Court Justice said.
“Your Majesty, the matter is serious. If you conclude it here, only suspicions will remain; I believe it would be best to verify all witnesses and clearly uncover the truth.”
The Emperor held his breath and looked around at the people in the audience chamber.
The people summoned to prove the East's guilt were now casting suspicious glances at the Third Prince.
The Empress, the Princess, and the Grand Justice were right.
Since Ariana has raised suspicions, if they are not cleared up now, there is a possibility that problems will arise later.
The Emperor ordered.
“Alright, bring another witness.”
The door to the audience chamber opened.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the open door.
Two figures stood in front of the door. One was tall and slender, while the other was small and frail. Behind them stood four Imperial Knights.
Geor and Ariana stepped on the long carpet laid out in the audience chamber.
Even though the Emperor had called them 'sinners,' their posture was dignified. Straight backs and unrestrained movements. Like generals returning victorious rather than having committed a crime, they walked without hesitation.
Victoria did not like the way Ariana walked so haughtily, even in the midst of this. She was annoyed by the way Ariana acted so nonchalantly when she could have been beheaded at any moment.
At that moment, Ariana's gaze briefly fell on Victoria. The instant their eyes met, Ariana wore the smile she had worn every time their eyes met.
Every time Ariana smiled like that, she was reminded of what had happened to her, and her heart sank, but she quickly composed myself.
'You won't be able to help it this time. The Emperor's heart is leaning this way.'
The Emperor declared Ariana and Geor 'sinners' even though no conclusion had been reached yet.
Victoria remembered something Western Lord had said once.
"The Emperor is as greedy as he is timid. You must grasp this well and act accordingly, Victoria."
Still, considering he was the monarch of the largest country on the continent, she doubted whether he would actually move just by touching on that aspect. However, the Emperor was far more foolish than Victoria had thought.
"Prolonged peace tends to dull both body and mind."
It was truly so. The Emperor did not even realize that he had fallen for the bait and was floundering.
Ariana still looked relaxed, but that didn't bother her anymore.
Victoria was even excited at the thought of seeing Ariana scrambling, unable to find a way out.
The Emperor, who had been casting a cold gaze at Ariana and Geor, opened his mouth.
“Geor White, Ariana White. You entered the Empire harboring wicked intentions and attempted to harm the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the Little Suns of the Continent. Furthermore, unable to forget past grudges, you sought revenge against the Duke of Bronte in the West using heinous means. Do you admit to these crimes?”
Even while hearing the icy rebuke, Ariana and Geor's expressions did not waver.
Ariana had told Geor something before being summoned by the Emperor.
"I'll handle it, Geor. From now on, it's my fight."
Geor did not refute it.
"Alright, I'll just stay by your side and pray to God."
Dozens of people were present. They were all powerful figures sufficient to vouch for this situation.
As Ariana walked toward the Emperor, she observed their expressions and gazes. While some cast unfriendly glances, most appeared to be filled with worry and confusion.
They also know that this situation is not normal.
'You guys.'
Ariana glanced back at Harold, Victoria, and Rachel.
'You won't be able to escape.'
Ariana recalled her past, when she had been toyed with to her heart's content by them, only to die framed for a crime she had not committed.
Her heart has hardened.
Ariana returned for this very moment.
“We do not admit to that crime, Your Majesty.”
“The gift box sent from the East contained a mixture of tea leaves and poisonous herbs. And yet, you still refuse to admit it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I do not admit it. Isn’t there a possibility that someone secretly put poisonous herbs in a box sent from the East?”
“Do you know that the imperial palace storehouses are strictly guarded by storehouse keepers?”
“Someone might have bribed the warehouse keeper.”
“Who would dare bribe the Imperial Palace storehouse keeper?”
“Wouldn’t he be easy to approach the warehouse keeper? Perhaps he is someone who remains in the palace out of necessity, even though he is old enough to leave.”
Upon reaching adulthood, the Princes each received their respective titles and estates and left the imperial palace. The only Prince remaining in the palace long after becoming an adult was the Third Prince, Harold.
Everyone's eyes turned to Harold.
Harold was flustered and about to say something, but he closed his mouth when the Empress lightly patted his forearm.
The Emperor asked in disbelief.
“Surely you aren’t trying to frame the Third Prince, are you?”
“Your Majesty, what would the East gain by causing harm to His Highness the Crown Prince? However, the Third Prince certainly has something to gain. Isn’t it rather strange? I find it suspicious that he remains in the Imperial Palace when he is well past the age to leave and govern his own territory.”
The Emperor glanced at Harold.
Although he had thought it was strange, Harold was deeply devoted to his mother. He knew he cherished her, looked after her by her side, and stopped by every day to chat.
The Royal Consort Aelra used to say the same thing. That she was sorry the Third Prince did not want to leave out of concern for his mother.
Even now, Harold and Royal Consort Aelra were standing affectionately, glaring at Ariana with slightly displeased expressions.
“Nonsense. Because of what the East has done for the Empire, I treated you well and did not punish you even though you committed a grave crime; now you are trying to pin the blame on my son!”
Ariana's eyes did not waver even at the Emperor's icy rebuke.
Ariana met the Emperor's eyes and spoke firmly.
"I will call a witness."
“What?”
"I will call the warehouse keeper who was bribed as a witness."
“You say you know who the warehouse keeper was on the very day the poisonous herbs were hidden in the box sent from the East? Seeing that you know something even I don't, you must be the culprit.”
“Wouldn’t that become clear if you brought a witness and questioned them?”
"There is nothing more to hear..."
"Please listen."
The Empress, who had been quietly observing the situation, interrupted the Emperor. The Emperor glared at the Empress with wide eyes.
“Since this concerns my son as well, I wish to make the guilt clear. Even if punishment is to be imposed, wouldn’t it be better to clarify the situation enough so that no defiant protests come from the sinner’s mouth?”
"I also agree with my mother's words."
Princess Charlotte whispered softly. The Grand Chancellor and Cardinal Eodes Cediora also looked as if they agreed. The Crown Prince appeared disoriented, as the poison had not yet completely worn off, even though it was his own business.
The Emperor groaned and nodded.
"Right, then we'll have to postpone the trial."
“No, Your Majesty. The witnesses have already arrived outside the palace. If Your Majesty grants permission, the witnesses can be brought in immediately.”
No one present realized that Ariana had said 'witnesses'. The Emperor gestured as if annoyed.
"I grant permission."
The servant ran outside.
For quite a long time, the audience chamber was enveloped in palpable tension and silence. Eventually, the door to the audience chamber opened, and a burly man entered carrying something on his shoulder.
The man with navy hair, white skin, and blue eyes walked without hesitation, even though he was carrying a large bundle.
“Little Duke White...”
One of the nobles who recognized him muttered.
Averaster stopped beside Ariana and Geor, bowed to the Emperor, and then set down the bundle he was carrying on his shoulder.
Dump-
At the dull sound, the Emperor narrowed his eyebrows.
“Was the witness you mentioned young Duke Averaster White? This man can’t be a warehouse keeper.”
"The warehouse keeper is inside."
Averaster unfolded the package.
People gasped at the sight visible inside.
Inside the bundle was a half-rotted corpse. It was covered in dirt, as if it had been dug up from the ground.
The Emperor jumped up in anger.
“What on earth are you doing! Do you really want to die right here!”
“He is the warehouse keeper, Your Majesty.”
Unlike the enraged Emperor, Ariana remained calm.
"The person who bribed the warehouse keeper killed him to silence him and buried him deep in the mountains, but we found it."
“Ha! How easy is that? So easy. Did you think this matter would be settled just by bringing a corpse and babbling on as you please? Do I look that ridiculous to you? What did the Eastern Lord say about me that you thought you could get away with such a trick!”
"Of course, the dead cannot speak. Therefore, we have also apprehended the one who killed him."
“W-what?”
Lanster dragged a man in through the door of the audience chamber, which was not yet closed. The man's wrists were bound, and a cloth was stuffed over his mouth so that he could not bite his tongue.
As the unexpected situation unfolded, not only the Emperor but everyone present opened their eyes wide in surprise. Several of those present had seen a man captured by Lanster a few times before.
He was Penter, the bodyguard of the Third Prince, Harold.
Harold could barely breathe. His vision repeatedly blurred and then brightened.
'Why? How?'
Harold killed those whose use was over so that they could never open their mouths again.
The warehouse keeper had served his purpose, and to prevent him from making a slip of the tongue, he instructed Penter, an assassin living disguised as a knight, to kill the warehouse keeper.
Ariana knew how Penter disposed of the body after killing someone on Harold's orders. She also knew where the tavern Penter stopped by before returning to the Imperial Palace after finishing his job.
After killing the warehouse keeper, Penter stopped by a pub and could not return to his master.
Harold was busy with other matters and hadn't even realized that several days had passed since Penter had been away.
"I witnessed this person disposing of that body."
Lanster said curtly.
The Emperor, in confusion, looked back and forth at Lanster, Penter, the corpse, and Ariana, then turned his eyes to Harold, who had a pale face.
Pale Harold looked suspicious even from a distance.
At that moment, Royal Consort Aelra, standing beside Harold, lowered the ends of her eyebrows, sent a pitiful look, and shook her head. Then, she mouthed the words.
"It's a lie."
He suddenly snapped to attention.
"Putting the blame on the dead is something anyone could do. Besides, Penter is currently in a position where he cannot offer any explanation!"
“It is not over yet, Your Majesty. There is another witness.”
“There is nothing more to see. Playing along with the East’s ridiculous antics is getting old. To think they dare to pin their crimes on the Royal Family. As if trying to harm the Crown Prince wasn't enough, now they're trying to drag the Third Prince into it? Arrest those bastards immediately and throw them back in prison...”
"Your Majesty."
The Empress pressed down firmly on the Emperor's arm on the armrest.
"I think it would be good to hear more."
“Empress, do you think this makes sense? Surely you are not listening to slanderous words directed at your son out of jealousy of the Royal Consort Aelra?”
The Emperor irritated the Empress by saying something unnecessary. Hiding her annoyance, the Empress spoke softly.
"The situation is looking serious, so wouldn't it be better to wait until we have fully reviewed what the East has prepared before making a decision?"
“If we end it here, no one will be able to let go of their suspicions about Harold. Wouldn’t it be better to listen to the end, find the blind spots, and completely clear up the doubts that have reached Harold?”
Charlotte helped the Empress in a low voice.
The Supreme Court Justice said.
“Your Majesty, the matter is serious. If you conclude it here, only suspicions will remain; I believe it would be best to verify all witnesses and clearly uncover the truth.”
The Emperor held his breath and looked around at the people in the audience chamber.
The people summoned to prove the East's guilt were now casting suspicious glances at the Third Prince.
The Empress, the Princess, and the Grand Justice were right.
Since Ariana has raised suspicions, if they are not cleared up now, there is a possibility that problems will arise later.
The Emperor ordered.
“Alright, bring another witness.”
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