Chapter 54……………………………………….
Bang, bang, bang!
The judge’s slow, deliberate strikes of the gavel jolted everyone’s attention.
“An unintended incident occurred, but please remain quiet. Plaintiff, please return to your seat as well.”
As the voices settled and I sat down, the judge spoke again.
“I have heard the testimonies of the two witnesses. It seems the defense has no further witnesses to summon or evidence to submit regarding this matter.”
The atmosphere leaned toward the ruling, and everyone listened intently to the judge’s next words. Yet what he said was entirely unexpected.
“Since it is quite late, today’s proceedings will end here.”
For those who had anticipated a conclusion today, it was like a thunderclap.
“The next session will be in two days at 2 p.m. You may all return home. Thank you for your efforts.”
“What? I thought it would end today.”
“Just when it was getting really interesting, too.”
The murmurs of disappointment went ignored as the judge quickly departed.
Watching his retreating back, I thought,
‘Looks like he realized this isn’t a matter he can control anymore.’
This was a trial discussing the reproductive ability—or lack thereof—of Liandro, heir of the great Cassius dukedom. Even the judge and the emperor likely did not anticipate how delicate this issue would be.
It was extremely sensitive. Potentially, it could heavily affect the succession of the Cassius family.
From the moment the judge first heard of it, he must have agonized over the emperor’s reaction, Cassius’ response, and the societal implications. The conclusion: postpone.
He would probably consult the emperor privately, or perhaps the emperor would convey his wishes first.
‘Anyway, the important thing now…’
…was that today’s trial had ended. What the judge or the emperor might do next was beyond my reach.
“Viscount, it’s fine. Let’s return to the mansion and prepare our next steps.”
Parell comforted Liandro and stood. As he passed us, a faint sneer lingered in his eyes—a subtle message that luck ultimately favored the Cassius, a believer in the goddess of fortune named Riena.
“I’m sorry.”
Sharon spoke in a tired, drooping voice.
“I wanted to finish this today if possible, but my abilities weren’t enough.”
“Don’t blame yourself so harshly.”
“I’m frustrated. I wanted to be helpful as much as you recognized me for. But…”
She whispered softly.
“In the end, it went exactly as you thought, Lady Edel.”
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
“Indeed. The butler almost couldn’t arrive in time, but the conclusion unfolded as I expected.”
I had foreseen this. Ideally, the ruling would affirm divorce, reflecting the advantage we held.
‘But the world doesn’t hand out such perfect results.’
Even the judge was just an ordinary human when faced with matters beyond his control.
Though I could not meddle with the communication between the judge and the emperor, that did not mean I had nothing to do.
“Let’s head back. It’s time to see this fight through.”
I gathered my things and exited the courtroom with Sharon. Because of the large crowd, the guards allowed the plaintiff and defendant to leave first.
Before the gallery dispersed, I encountered Liandro and Parell, and outside, the Cassius father and daughter waiting.
The Duke glared at me.
“How did you get Kaiden on your side?”
In his mind, I was already the villainess who had corrupted the innocent butler.
“You seem to be asking that casually—perhaps you didn’t hear the trial’s details.”
Liandro avoided my gaze, and Parell frowned. Naturally, it would be difficult to explain that his son had just endured another humiliating suspicion.
“Discuss that among yourselves. I have other business.”
I looked the Duke in the eye and declared:
“I will visit the Cassius townhouse at 10 a.m. tomorrow.”
“By whose authority?!”
“Do you object? I’ll be bringing Kaiden with me.”
“…!”
“Soon, many people will be around. We’ll be quite a spectacle. Especially your son.”
The Duke looked at Liandro. His expression was still grim.
“Since we cannot converse calmly here, I’ll visit tomorrow—bringing Kaiden, whom you most want to speak with.”
“Edel Wallis, you…”
“If you dislike it, stay here and play the part of a zoo monkey. I’m going.”
A growl escaped between the Duke’s teeth.
“Fine. Be at Cassius tomorrow. I’ll wait personally.”
To be honest, my legs were trembling. He was rightly feared, a “war demon” and a “devil duke” in reputation. Even his presence alone could crush someone like me. I drew every ounce of strength to maintain a firm posture.
“Exactly what I hoped for.”
“Hmph! Let’s go.”
The Duke, cloak billowing, led his household toward the main gate of the courthouse.
“New sister-in-law.”
Riena lingered, seemingly wishing to say something.
“Riena!”
But her father’s urging made her turn away.
In the plaintiff’s waiting room, about ten minutes after Sharon and I returned, the butler and Laura appeared.
We hadn’t achieved a visible victory yet, but the mood was favorable. Not only had the butler reached the podium safely, but by the end, we had fully controlled the trial.
I grabbed the butler’s hand and shook it.
“You made it safely!”
He appeared angelic, even haloed in my eyes.
The butler smiled sheepishly.
“Apologies for holding things up.”
“No matter. The outcome is what matters.”
“I heard you set a meeting for tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. As I said before, if you prefer, I can go alone.”
He inhaled deeply, eyes closed.
“That is impossible. As his father, he must face his past eventually.”
Tomorrow, we would settle things at the Cassius mansion.
“Let’s make him regret his actions.”
Recalling the Duke, who had blamed the butler as a traitor while forgetting his own faults, my resolve burned.
“By the way…”
I glanced at the now-closed door behind the butler.
“Where is Tey?”
Since the butler had arrived on time at the courthouse, Terrence must have intervened—but his figure was nowhere in sight.
The butler’s expression darkened.
“He…”
Hearing the rest of his explanation, I bolted from the waiting room.
I ran through the garden behind the central courthouse. Vibrant, fragrant flowers greeted me, but I paid them no mind.
“He should be around here…!”
When I asked about Terrence’s whereabouts, the butler replied:
“He accompanied me to the courthouse entrance, then let me enter while he disappeared somewhere. He asked me to tell Lady Edel to return after the trial.”
Ordinary enough. Terrence was not idle—perhaps he had other matters.
Yet an uneasy feeling tugged at me. Somehow, I doubted he had given up watching the trial.
‘He said he was looking forward to observing, and he helped buy back the jewels for my plan.’
I could still picture Terrence’s amused face.
I questioned the butler on the precise circumstances. He looked troubled, yet relieved, as he revealed the truth.
“He asked me to keep this secret, but in truth…”
Terrence had strained himself locating the butler and was not in top condition.
‘The water Terrence drank must have been the herbal tea I prepared.’
The tea alleviates headaches that appear after exerting energy—better than nothing.
‘But it’s not a cure-all!’
The tea worked for ordinary headaches but could not fully counter the strain of extreme exertion.
Even Mikhail in the novel sought Riena after intense exertion, as her blessing offered the fundamental solution.
‘If he came all the way here, it’s not too serious.’
Logic said that, but my worry persisted. I headed for the most natural area in the garden.
A similar scene appears in the novel—Terrence hides in the forest after overexerting himself.
If it was a habitual response, he would likely be here in the garden now.
“Did you hear? The Viscount Cassius’ divorce trial.”
“Of course. Everyone’s making a fuss over it.”
Hearing them, I quickly hid among the bushes.
‘I prepared, but still—careful, careful.’
I was dressed differently from the trial. Sharon had handed me the outfit while I rushed out.
“Who’s the center of attention now! If you’re going, change into this and wear a hat!”
The outfit was meant to help evade reporters—something I had grabbed in advance. I hadn’t thought of that in the moment.
Two courthouse staff passed nearby, engrossed in conversation.
“The Cassius dukedom is so petty.”
“Right? Making servants lie, causing disturbances in court, getting thrown out.”
“But is it true? That the Viscount can’t… perform at night.”
“There were rumors before. Maybe the family tried desperately to suppress them back then…”
As they walked away, I could no longer hear the conversation.
Public opinion was heavily against the Cassius, just as I wanted.
Yet I did not smile. Strangely, I was not happy.
“Ugh.”
I needed to find Terrence quickly.
“Why a sigh? Isn’t this good news?”
A familiar voice came from above. The source: the tree beside me.
“Tey!”
Terrence was perched on a thick branch, partially hidden by foliage.
“There you are!”
“Why are you here?”
“…Huh?”
His voice sounded unusually cold.
“Didn’t you hear my message to return first?”
