Chapter 119 - North Rabbit

Episode 119

The reason Ludwig had demanded a public trial was simple.

‘He wants to humiliate me as much as possible.’

Spectators were likely gathered like clouds.

Even the crowd I witnessed on my way to the courthouse entrance was immense.

They had all flocked here, their curiosity piqued to the extreme by today’s trial outcome.

People held today’s Espitolage in their hands. The main content primarily cast doubt on my relationship with Lord Beltain.

For a typical noblewoman, forcing her way through that crowd to get here would have been a horrific ordeal.

Of course, I’ve had my head chopped off before, so it’s nothing to me.

The demand for a public trial was one of Ludwig’s means of intimidation. Do as I wish.

But I refused that and accepted the public trial.

Because I was confident.

So, I shook my head at Arpad, who had extended his hand.

“Right now, I’m entering the courthouse as the accused. You cannot come with me.”

When entering a courthouse, the only person an accused can bring along is a lawyer.

But I hadn’t brought a separate lawyer. I judged that I was sufficient on my own.

Arpad grinned and kissed the back of my hand.

“Today, I shall be your lawyer.”

“…You don’t have a lawyer’s qualification, do you?”

“I may lack the qualification, but I have the privilege of royalty.”

When I tilted my head, Arpad kindly explained.

Lately, this man’s tone of voice had become strangely affectionate. To an almost burdensome degree.

“Royalty may set foot anywhere where the authority of Artanus descends.”

“Ah……”

The courthouse is a place symbolizing the judicial authority of the Imperial Household.

Though it is the judges who carry out the actual trial, they are merely proxies of the Emperor.

For that reason, inside the courthouse, above the judges’ heads, the crest of the dragon Artanus is engraved.

So it seems there is no problem with Arpad entering with me.

“…….”

Somehow, the feeling was peculiar.

During my three regressions, I had stood in the defendant’s seat of a courthouse quite a few times.

Because it was a situation where securing a proper lawyer was difficult.

As a result, I was accustomed to appearing in court alone and being found guilty, suffering all sorts of humiliations.

This time too, I had planned to enter alone, as was familiar.

After all, unlike before, I was fully prepared for a certain victory.

I answered spiritedly, showing him the Star of Stattilia he had given me.

“Don’t you trust me? Don’t worry. You said I’m worth more than this ring, didn’t you?”

“…….”

I thought I had spoken quite forcefully and confidently, but Arpad’s expression grew even more troubled.

He let out a small sigh and spoke to me patiently.

“Of course I trust you. That I want to go with you now isn’t because I don’t trust you.”

Somehow, his attitude was like teaching something simple to a child who knows nothing.

“Rather, it’s because I cannot bear the thought of you advancing alone into a space filled with nothing but hostility and humiliation.”

Arpad subtly gritted his teeth.

“Truthfully, I don’t want to let you go at all, but since you said you could use this incident as an opportunity, I have no choice but to send you.”

I cautiously asked.

“Is that… you worrying about me?”

Finally, he smiled.

“Now you understand properly. It took far too long.”

Arpad nodded gently with a soft smile.

“Separate from trust in your abilities, I worry you might get hurt and want to protect you.”

Somehow, I felt a little dazed.

‘It’s the first time. Someone saying this to me.’

It’s the first time someone has wanted to accompany me to court purely out of worry for me.

And that someone… is Arpad.

A situation that feels unbelievable and utterly unfamiliar.

But simultaneously, it felt as if something warm was welling up in my chest.

A clear sense of joy and gratitude, and relief.

‘Good heavens. That the person making me feel this is none other than Arpad…….’

It was surprising and novel.

That the man who first put a knife to my neck when I went to request a marriage of abduction has changed like this.

Somehow, it felt as if the emotions that had hardened solidly within my chest were melting a little.

“I may not be a real lawyer, but I want to stand by your side and take your part. Isn’t that what a lawyer is, really?”

It might not have been a wrong statement.

After all, being a lawyer must have originated from the act of shielding someone and making excuses on their behalf to others.

Looking at it that way, perhaps it’s only in this fourth life that I’ve finally gained my own advocate.

This was something I simply couldn’t refuse. In the end, I smiled and nodded.

“Alright. I’ll be in your care. Mr. One-Day Lawyer.”

“I shall devote my utmost sincerity. My client.”

It seems it’s my fate to be this man’s client every time.

* * *

When I entered the courthouse holding Arpad’s hand, people were astonished.

Especially shocked and furious was Ludwig. He protested to the judge through his own lawyer.

“Isn’t it the principle that no one other than a lawyer can enter with the accused?!”

The judge pointed to the Artanus crest hanging on the wall behind him and said.

“There is no place where the glory of Artanus reaches that royalty may not set foot. As Your Highness the Grand Duke is also one who falls under this, you must be well aware.”

In the end, I stood in the courtroom escorted by Arpad.

From all directions, curious or hostile gazes and whispers rained down like arrowheads.

“Who would have thought the Crown Prince would come along……”

“If the accusation were true, the Crown Prince wouldn’t come with her, would he? Isn’t she innocent?”

“Tsk. It’s possible His Highness simply doesn’t know and believes her.”

Amidst the unsettling gazes, I could find the person I expected.

A woman standing at the very back of the spectator seats, her face veiled in gray.

‘Evangeline!’

As the mastermind who manipulated Ludwig to orchestrate this incident, I naturally thought she would come.

‘It would be more troublesome if she didn’t.’

Though veiled, I could clearly tell our eyes met.

So I smiled back at her. The veil seemed to tremble slightly.

And behind Evangeline stood two men.

A man in white priestly robes with long black hair hanging down. Archbishop Bio.

Next to him, a man with chestnut-colored short hair and glasses was also familiar.

‘Wilhelm Filerermo.’

The publisher of Espitola, who had passionately reported on today’s trial.

Evangeline had lined these men up beside her as if to show them off, glaring at me.

As if striving to display superiority.

I turned my head, having given her a mocking smile.

Arpad was still holding my hand.

* * *

“Indeed, as the rumors say, and as I have seen, His Highness the Crown Prince seems to have the utmost affection for his wife.”

Archbishop Bio’s voice sounded almost as if he were mocking Evangeline.

Evangeline had clearly seen Hilia mocking her just moments ago.

Already in a bad mood, her irritation surged sharply when Bio, who should be on her side, spoke like that.

“That will end soon too. What man would continue to love a woman after learning she was unfaithful?”

Wilhelm chimed in, as if trying to placate Evangeline.

“That’s right. Once His Highness learns the truth, his heart will inevitably cool.”

But Archbishop Bio merely crossed his arms and retorted.

“However, today’s topic is ultimately a matter from before the marriage, isn’t it? If he loved her enough to take her in a marriage of abduction, one might think that degree wouldn’t be a problem.”

Evangeline glared at the clergyman with narrowed eyes.

‘Whose side is this man on, anyway?’

A sharp remark came out.

“Your Excellency the Archbishop speaks as if you truly wish for that?”

Then he smiled kindly.

“Well, the Temple of the Lord is the greatest guardian of the marriage vow. I merely hope His Highness will uphold the sacred marriage vow.”

It was an excuse that he wasn’t taking Hilia’s side.

Evangeline coldly jabbed.

“That excuse had better be true. To achieve the goal Your Excellency desires, you will ultimately need my help, after all.”

Evangeline turned her head.

Bio looked down at Evangeline for a moment with a contemptuous gaze.

Soon, the sound of a gavel announcing the start of the trial rang out, drawing everyone’s attention that way.

Thanks to that, neither Evangeline nor Wilhelm standing beside her noticed Bio’s unsettling gaze at all.

The trial began with Ludwig’s hysterical shout.

“That woman is an unfaithful wretch who brought another man into her bedroom while she was my fiancée!”