~Chapter 60~
The atmosphere of the council was leaning in Roselia’s favor.
“Who has gained the most from Sunday’s Exposé? None other than Killian Winters. Everyone here already knows that, don’t you?”
“That’s not certain. Duke Killian has never enjoyed being the center of gossip. When he returned after ending the war, he was terribly uncomfortable with the attention.”
“That’s right! Even considering his usual conduct, it’s clear. The Duke has always obeyed imperial command, fought on battlefields, and shed blood to defend Draxion. How could such a man be tied to a scandalous magazine like that?”
“Or maybe we’ve all been fooled. Perhaps he wore the mask of Draxion’s hero, while secretly running that filthy magazine!”
“My thoughts exactly. Tell me—would a man planning treason openly declare it from the start?”
“Are you implying Duke Killian is plotting rebellion?”
“Who knows? In fact… some of you here might already know the truth. Why else defend him so eagerly?”
Though Killian’s supporters tried to argue, the fight was already one-sided.
The reason was simple.
Roselia sat in the highest seat of the hall. She had called this council, set the agenda, and now sat watching everyone. It meant she was also watching carefully who dared to stand for Killian.
“Things are getting a little too heated,” said Grand Duke Valtrich Vartenbelk, trying to mediate.
“Please calm down. The more important the issue, the more rational we must remain.”
But Killian’s supporters looked grim.
‘He’s a branch member of the imperial family. He acts neutral now, but in the decisive moment, he’ll side with the Empress Dowager.’
They never trusted him. And truly, if Valtrich were capable of true neutrality, he would never have been chosen to preside here in the first place.
“Respected Grand Duke,” said Duke Dilsen, raising his hand politely.
“If I may, I will explain why we believe Duke Killian Winters is connected to Sunday’s Exposé.”
“Go ahead.”
Dilsen rose slowly, nodding forward. His knight brought out a rolled map and spread it wide on the table—it was a map of Draxion.
“As you all know, the northeastern territories have expanded steadily for the past three years.”
“Indeed! That was all thanks to Duke Killian, who won the war against our enemies!”
“Correct. Without him, that expansion would have been impossible. He fought at the frontlines, bled for Draxion. But…”
Everyone stiffened at that “but.”
“What we see is not always the whole truth. Especially when power is at stake.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“What lies north of our empire’s new territories?”
At his prompt, Baron Crawford sighed dramatically and answered.
“…The Aldrosia Empire.”
“Exactly.”
Dilsen smiled like a trained actor delivering his lines.
“For months now, rumors have spread that Duke Killian has been making secret contact with Aldrosia.”
“What did you say?!”
“Yes. To be precise, with the former Emperor’s faction—those who lost and fled, desperate for restoration.”
It was an outrageous lie. In reality, Roselia herself had conspired with Aldrosia’s exiled faction.
But she was clever. If she could destroy Killian today, she wouldn’t need Aldrosia’s help at all.
The best lies are not wholly invented—they are truths twisted with falsehoods.
And Roselia had all the correspondence with Aldrosia in her possession, ready to use as fabricated evidence.
“Think of it! Killian deliberately expanded territories to border Aldrosia, making secret meetings easier—while pretending to be a loyal hero of Draxion!”
Dilsen clicked his tongue in feigned pity, then turned his sharp gaze ahead.
“Baron Hayden. Did you not once warn the Empress Dowager herself about Duke Killian?”
The baron stiffened.
“I’ve heard you said, ‘Duke Killian Winters came with private soldiers and demanded a meeting.’”
Hayden instantly realized—this trial was not just meant for Killian. Roselia was also pushing him to her side, here and now, in front of everyone.
“And that’s not all,” Dilsen pressed. “Killian then used a cheap magazine to cover his schemes—turning his bloody reputation as a war demon into that of a beloved noble. Through Sunday’s Exposé! Everything fits perfectly!”
Killian’s supporters paled. They knew it was all lies, but the case was woven too neatly, like a spider’s web.
“Now, Baron Hayden! Tell us yourself what words Duke Killian dared to say at that meeting!”
Ah… so this is how it ends.
Hayden closed his eyes tightly, letting out a heavy sigh.
Roselia’s smile widened with victory.
“I…”
But just as Hayden opened his lips to speak—
Bang!
The great doors burst open with a deafening crash.
There he stood—soaked in blood—Killian Winters.
“D-Duke Killian…?”
“You’re late.”
Killian stepped fully into the hall, curling his lips into a cold smile.
“I hear this council concerns me. Since my title hasn’t been stripped yet, I believe I still have the right to attend… don’t I, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager?”
His mocking words rang through the hall, and Roselia’s eyes blazed with murderous fury.
