TKMLTE 92

CHAPTER 92

Translator: Rae

***

Evil People’s Words

Witney headed with Cheston to a cafe on Foltory Street downtown. Whitney headed to a café on Foltrolly Street with Cheston.

They still had some time before the trial started, and Whitney planned to attend to see how things would end. As the victim, the witness, and the accuser, she was concerned about what Maurice had said.

“If she walks away without facing true punishment… then I’ll have to deliver justice with my own hands.”

Maurice’s unwavering confidence as she faced Whitney kept lingering in her mind. Whitney had spoken boldly, but if the queen was indeed backing Maurice, there was little she could do. It was clear that the King wouldn’t intervene in this matter. If he had chosen to wage open war against the queen, he wouldn’t have waited for Cheston to take the first step.

"You seem to have a lot of worries."

“Oh… I met Maurice, and her behavior concerned me. I think she has someone looking out for her.”

Whitney put down her teacup. Perhaps it was the warmth of the tea that brought her a sense of relief. Yet, no matter how much she rinsed her mouth with it, the rough sensation lingering on her tongue wouldn’t fade.

“She asked me to spare her.”

“Duchess Regnant of Orléans."

She lifted her head slightly at his voice. He dipped his fork into the cake and held it to her mouth.

“Open.”

He parted his lips slightly. Before Whitney could even grasp the situation, a sweet piece of bread was suddenly pushed into her mouth, making her blink in surprise.

"Eat first. Then we’ll talk.”

“…”

"I heard this is delicious, but it seems that the cake doesn’t suit your taste buds.”

She shook her head. The cake was sweet, and the soft whipped cream melted without sticking to the sides of her mouth. The fruit between the layers of the cake gave it a refreshing taste and helped to cut the richness. With the soft, moist texture of the crushed bread under her tongue, Whitney was already savoring the taste.

"It's delicious."

"Well, that's a relief."

He didn’t stop at just one bite—he kept feeding her pieces of cake several times. Only after she had finished an entire piece did he finally set down his fork with a satisfied expression.

 

"Don't worry. What you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

“...Do you mean it?”

“It doesn’t mater if Maurice has someone backing her. I’m backing you, too.”

Come to think of it, why did he come to court?

Whitney could understand her own attendance at the upcoming trial, but not his. Since there seemed to be no particular reason for his presence, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Why did Your Highness come to court?"

"I told you, I'm looking out for you.”

He smiled and brushed the whipped cream off Whitney's lips with his hand. 

“If anyone tries to stop you from going where you want to go, I’ll get rid of them. Just push on.”

It seemed he was aware that the queen was backing Maurice. His hair, kissed by the summer sunlight, swayed gently in the cool breeze. The unease that had been gnawing at her vanished in an instant and calmness took over.

"I will.”

***

The atmosphere in the courtroom was solemn. Given the widespread attention on the trial, the attending judges wore grim expressions. Among them, the most striking figure was the chief presiding judge.

He looked at the crowd with a somewhat anxious expression. However, his eyes inevitably lingered on Whitney and the figure beside her—Cheston. He inclined his head slightly, as if beckoning something.

Whitney turned her head and looked at Cheston.

“It seems he intends to make his sentencing in accordance with his conscience.”

He maintained his earlier attitude. He was also anticipating the outcome of this trial. Whitney turned to look at Louise Anne and Maurice, who sat in the defendant’s seat. Whitney’s lips twitched slightly at the sight of the faint smile peeking through the strands of hair that had fallen over downcast eyes and reddened lids.

‘She seems certain.’

Maurice seemed to believe that she could get away from this. Unfortunately for her, Cheston appeared to think otherwise. Whose words would prove true was something that would only be revealed once the trial had concluded.

“I will begin the trial of Louise Anne and her daughter, Maurice."

Everyone became serious as the chief presiding judge began the trial.

He went through through the documents and listed the crimes the two had committed so far.

“Louise Anne and Maurice, under the guise of commoners, deceived the nobles and exploited their goodwill, masquerading as widows to siphon off the wealth of the Baron of Elaize’s family. 

Louise Anne’s fraudulent schemes led many to invest in nonexistent businesses, resulting in significant financial losses. Furthermore, they sold uncertified cosmetics, which caused severe skin necrosis, affecting numerous victims in the village of Caen. 

Moreover, their crimes didn’t stop there. They traveled to Hartfall, where they seduced the Marquis of the Weston, poisoned his wife to take her place, and ultimately orchestrated the Marquis’ d*ath in an attempt to secure the noble title.”

“Lies! It’s all lies! How could I commit those things? Conspiring to m*rder a nobleman?!”

Louise screamed, veins bulging as she lashed out. Her desperate struggle for survival was nothing short of pathetic. In contrast, Maurice clung to Louise’s arm, tears streaming down her face.

“H-huhu. Mother! Why did you do that? M*rder?!”

"What are you talking about? Are you crazy, too?"

Louise shoved Maurice’s hand away, her eyes wide with fury. Chief Presiding judge Renoto cleared his throat and issued a stern warning. If they caused another disturbance, they would be expelled from the courtroom. Louise clenched her jaw shut, trembling with rage.

“We conducted an autopsy with the consent of the retainers of the Weston Family. Poison was detected, and the invidual who traded toxic herbs with Louise Anne has confessed, proving this claim. Furthermore, regarding the carriage accident of the Duchess Regnant of Orléans, the coachman has admitted to the act, and we have verified the corresponding bank transaction records.”

At the chief presiding judge’s words, Louise lifted her head and let out a twisted smile. Her refusal to admit her guilt until the very end made the expressions of the presiding judges contort in displeasure.

“Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Louise Anne embezzled the Orléans Family’s wealth and withheld funds meant for the people in the duchy, resulting in the near-collapse of agriculture in the Diorthos region and causing immense financial damage to the ducal house. Considering the severity of her crimes, which are beyond redemption, the court sentences Louise Anne to d*ath.”

"AHH! No way! Even if I spent that much money, what harm would it do to the nobles?! It’s so unfair!”

Louise's shrill screams filled the courtroom. Maurice looked up at the chief presiding judge with tears dripping down her eyes. Her eyes were full of hope.

“I admit that Louise Anne’s daughter, Maurice, was too young to clearly distinguish right from wrong.”

“…!”

Maurice’s eyes widened. Even though she tried to conceal it, the corners of her mouth rose upwards, and she dropped her head, her body trembled.

"However."

For a moment, Maurice slowly lifted her head at the chief presiding judge’s words. The exhilaration that once filled her eyes began to be overtaken by unease.

The chief presiding judge looked at her and continued.

“Whitney Orléans was aware of the former duke’s impending d*ath and had knowledge of the illegal activities that followed, making it impossible to claim her innocence. Taking into account the circumstances of her childhood, it is deemed appropriate to grant her an opportunity for repentance and thus, she is sentenced to life imprisonment.”

“...This is ridiculous. Why am… I? I didn’t know anything! I swear! Your Honor! I just thought everything my mother did was right! What could a possibly know?!”

"This is the end of Louise Anne and Maurice’s trial."

At the chief presiding judge’s words, all the magistrates rose from their seats.

“This can’t be happening! I… I was promised to be saved! How could you betray me like this?!”

“Please escort the two convicts out. They have caused a disturbance in the courtroom and can’t stay any longer.”

Renato shouted at the guards. They dragged the two out of the courtroom. Whitney smiled faintly at Maurice as she thrashed in the guard’s hold.

Whitney finally felt like she could visit her father’s grave and hold her head high.

***

As she stepped out of the courtroom, her footstep felt lighter. Cheston remained steadfast by her side, gently brushing her hair as he smiled.

“You should go back and take a rest.”

"How did you do it? How did you change presiding judge Renato’s mind…”

“I merely let things take their natural course. Receiving the punishment one deserves—that is the way of justice.”

Cheston opened the carriage door and helped her inside. Whitney looked at him with her bloodshot eyes.

"I didn't do it to make you cry."

“This is tears of happiness.”

"But I’d rather see you smile than cry.”

He kissed the back of Whitney’s hand gently and was about to close the door.

"I...!”

She stopped the door from closing. He tilted his head at her actions.

“I have somewhere I need to go...… Would you be willing to come with me?"

She still lacked the courage to go alone. But with him by her side, she felt like this time, she could finally do it. The crinkles on the corners of Cheston’s mouth deepened.

He hopped onto the carriage and closed the door.

“Wherever you go, I will go with you. Don’t cry anymore.”

Whitney eventually cried her heart, overwhelmed by the unwavering devotion he showed her. He was still as kind as ever.

"Doesn't Your Highness ask me where we’re going?"

"I think I know. I don't have to ask."

“...Your Highness is really strange.”

“I hear that a lot. Aaron never miss a day without saying so. Sometimes, I don’t like how perceptive he is, but at times like this, it’s actually nice.”

 

“…”

"More than anything, I'm grateful that you took me with you."

He definitely seemed to know where Whitney was headed. Cheston reached out and gently brushed her cheek. She leaned into his warm palm and closed her eyes.

***

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