The three presiding officials were all hard to read from their expressions.
She had already experienced it once with Ollas, so even if she couldn’t see his expressions, she was confident he was fair.
However, the verdict would be decided after discussion among the three.
Moreover, the situation was one where authority was clearly concentrated with Emperor Perida.
On top of that, the knight commander belonged to the Imperial Family.
They were all the Emperor’s subjects, so how many of them would make a decision that went against his will?
‘I can never tell what Father is really thinking…’
In effect, all decisions in this trial were no different from being in the Emperor’s hands.
‘Judging by how readily he provided the documents, he must have expected I would bring them as evidence.’
His ambiguous attitude made it impossible to blow the trumpet of victory lightly, even in a trial where a win seemed assured.
He was the kind of person who could reduce even a fully finished matter to nothing, which made it all the more so.
When the matter of House Diconu came up, Miro, who had been approaching the trial with a rather observant stance, argued desperately.
“Though it is a collateral line, House Diconu and House Gloria are completely unrelated, entirely unconnected Houses.”
Since the evidence Liselotte submitted was unfavorable to House Gloria, it seemed the defense was trying to draw a line for now.
‘Does he not know that Anix is from a collateral line…?’
Since it was a House that had fallen long ago and had faded from people’s attention, it was difficult to find evidence.
Even Liselotte would have found it hard to prove the connection if not for the records remaining in the Imperial Family.
‘Isn’t it only satisfying when you dig into what someone vehemently denies?’
Liselotte smiled brightly and argued more cheerfully than ever.
“There is a connection. Anix Gloria was born of House Diconu, a collateral line, and was adopted into House Gloria because there was no heir.”
Her lively voice echoed through the courtroom.
Inside the courtroom, which didn’t even stir with murmurs, a heavy silence settled.
Even the knight commander seemed startled, a flicker of confusion passing over her usually expressionless face.
The same was true of those seated in the gallery.
Amid the heavy silence, Liselotte continued speaking with a bright smile.
“In other words, the claim that the defendant has no connection to House Diconu is false. Since adoption registers are kept by each House, I request an order for the preservation of the adoption register held by the defendant.”
Even in the midst of this, Ollas, who had been listening leisurely while stroking his beard, showed a hint of curiosity.
“Oho, I will grant it. The defendant’s side shall complete all official procedures required to legally secure and certify this evidence within two weeks.”
Amid the stunned crowd, an endlessly light voice rang out.
Only then, as if awakening from ice, murmurs began to pour out from behind Liselotte.
“Th-then wasn’t Duke Gloria the legitimate eldest son?”
“No, then does that mean he went on like that toward the nobles of the East all this time while being from a collateral line himself?”
“It seems the rumors were true. Until my father passed away, he always said the East was swallowed up by a family of swindlers and couldn’t be trusted.”
“Hah, this is absurd.”
Perhaps because it had been a case that progressed quietly within the East, there were those hearing it for the first time at all, and quite a few who had heard of it but dismissed it as mere rumor since they had never seen proof.
Miro, breaking out in a cold sweat, took a handkerchief from his inner breast pocket and wiped his forehead.
Ahem. Clearing his throat and stalling for time, he was unable to give any answer regarding House Diconu.
Watching this, Ollas asked again.
“Defendant’s side. This is an order for the preservation of evidence. You heard it, right?”
“Yes, yes…”
Reluctantly bowing and lowering his head, Miro’s eyes quickly swept over the surroundings beyond his narrow gaze.
It was obvious he was turning things over in his head.
At last, as if something had come to him, he smiled and raised his head.
“Honorable Presiding Official. We will comply with the preservation order, however, responsibility for House Diconu is a matter to be resolved within the East. If this is considered an issue, then the plaintiff likewise encountered the same problem during the recent joint subjugation with the West. In that case, this serves as evidence that the plaintiff has always been negligent in matters of joint subjugation.”
‘I knew it would come to this.’
Liselotte snapped her fingers cheerfully.
At that signal, Hedmilton sprang up from his seat and raised the documents as if to provoke him.
Pointing with a sharp motion at the documents held plainly in his hand, Liselotte smiled brightly.
“There was indeed a minor issue related to a joint subjugation with the West. But we submit as additional evidence the incident report stating that it was resolved smoothly, along with a confirmation letter from Marquis Atra, Ruler of the West.”
As for this evidence, it could be considered nothing less than a proper textbook on how other regions handle matters when issues arise.
The more evidence like this there was, the better.
Since anyone could see that the East was making unreasonable demands, the evidence would shine all the more.
Hedmilton spun around once in front of the clerk, then submitted the evidence with an exaggerated flourish.
The sight was amusing enough that a few young ladies in the gallery let out small laughs.
Receiving the evidence, Ollas lifted the hair covering his eyes and read through the document.
“Ho, Marquis Atra writing a letter. The seal is certainly that of the West, so I will accept it.”
‘…Was he so lazy that he didn’t even write letters?’
Recalling Marquis Atra, who had seemed utterly devoid of vitality, Liselotte quietly closed her mouth.
As a result, Miro grew tense.
“Honorable Presiding Official. I was not speaking of the validity of the evidence but stating that this is a separate matter unrelated to this case!”
All responsibility for the East had to be addressed here.
Liselotte replied firmly.
“No. The duty of a ruling House is to take charge of subjugations in its assigned region and maintain public order. Reviewing the course of subjugations thus far is only natural.”
Unable to listen any longer to Miro’s desperate rebuttal, the knight commander cut in with a sharp voice.
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that this matter arose from differences in the subjugation methods each House has followed as custom until now. Therefore, it is only proper to examine those customary practices.”
Her piercing gaze fixed on Miro as she asked,
“Do you object?”
If he earned a presiding official’s displeasure, the verdict wouldn’t be favorable.
Knowing this better than anyone, Miro reluctantly closed his mouth.
“…Understood.”
“Does the plaintiff’s side have any additional arguments?”
There was more than enough evidence, but this was the time to hold back.
Judging by Miro’s reaction, he would fabricate evidence claiming that House Diconu and House Gloria were unrelated.
Liselotte smiled brightly and answered with vigor.
“No, there is none!”
“Then we will conclude the first round of arguments. The next hearing will be scheduled after the preservation of evidence has been completed.”
Bang, bang. At the clear sound of the gavel echoing out, Liselotte felt her mind ease.
Yes, that must be why she stood in this place.
***
After the trial ended, Miro didn’t return directly to House Gloria.
Rather than stopping near the Ducal estate, the carriage came to a halt in front of a southern bank located far away.
Miro, as if accustomed to the place, headed straight for the VIP room of the Eastern branch of the bank.
Seeing him, a bank clerk greeted him cheerfully.
“You have come on a day you normally do not visit, Sir. Do you have an additional amount you would like to deposit?”
“No. Instead, I am thinking of purchasing a residence in the East.”
“Ah, in that case, shall we transfer the matter separately to an Eastern bank?”
“Ah, no. Is it not possible to do so with your bank without transferring it to the East?”
“Yes. Such withdrawals are only possible when using the bank of the corresponding region.”
Miro rubbed his chin briefly as if in thought, then shook his head.
“Never mind. I will come again another time.”
“Yes, please do visit again. Thank you.”
Clink. With the sound of the bell, he exited the bank, immediately climbed into the carriage, and handed a gold coin to the coachman.
“To House Gloria.”
“Yes. Of course.”
The news that he had stopped by a southern bank wouldn’t reach the ears of Duke Gloria.
Settling comfortably into the carriage, Miro closed his eyes and curled his lips into a grin.
“For me, as long as I get my legal fee, that’s enough. I’ll watch how things turn out, and if it doesn’t work, I can either flee the East or take over House Gloria.”
