“Lady, please calm down. And may I ask you a few more questions?”
“Yes……”
The investigator inquired as Vivian nodded.
“Lady, you stated that you accepted His Highness’ order because you yearned for Him. But why are you now revealing your beloved’s deeds? Isn’t it common for people to cover up their love’s deeds?”
“I am… I am the opposite.”
“Opposite?”
“Yes. Because I truly love His Highness so much that I’m compelled to say this. I thought that if I were the only one punished in this way, His Highness would not repent of his mistakes and would continue to do the same thing indefinitely.”
Vivian pressed her chest with both hands and spoke slowly.
“I sincerely hope that His Highness will make use of this chance to repent of his sins.”
Vivian, who had finished speaking, shook her shoulders and lowered her head.
I couldn’t see her face, but the irregular shaking of her shoulders or sobs I heard were those of someone regretting doing something she shouldn’t have done for the sake of a loved one.
When Vivian, who had already made a poor impression, presented such a side, the atmosphere of the presiding judge who was defending Enosh changed as easily as turning their hand upside down.
Vivian couldn’t possibly have such feelings after what she did.
However, humans were originally creatures who were easily seduced by sight.
Most people who watched the trial felt sympathy for Vivian, even if only for a brief moment.
Those who are experiencing unrequited love nodded, as if they understood Vivian’s situation.
On the other hand, Enosh, who saw such a scene, was going crazy.
‘Oh my God, this is driving me insane……!’
If someone asked him to write down his feelings right now, he could easily fill ten pages in an instant. That demonstrated how absurd and ridiculous he felt at the time.
Enosh recalls Vivian’s previous appearance.
When he mentioned making her his empress, she expressed her displeasure by saying she didn’t need it and didn’t like him. Furthermore, she was never the type to like him.
It was definitely like that, but what were those words and look like now?
He wanted to open his mouth like someone who had a missing jaw joint, but his noble pride, which had grown as a member of the royal family, instinctively saved his facial expression.
“Stop framing me. Lady, I saw with my own eyes that you despised me. But now you’ve told me you love me? Do you think I’m too stupid to realize you despised me?”
“But framing is what Your Highness doing……”
Vivian, who was lowering her head, raised her face.
Tears welled up in her large eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
“How could you… Nobody but you, Your Highness… How could you do this to me? You approached me first, knowing how much I like you, and taught me how to kill Lady Oreu!”
“What the……?”
“You’re the one who told me to give you the herbal powder I saw for the first time, bury it in a handkerchief, take it on the day of the hunting competition, and intentionally injure Lady Oreu and wrap her wound around the handkerchief. You said that if I do that, the demonic beast from the royal hunting grounds will take Lady Oreu away!”
Enosh has never been so taken aback in his life.
He and a few of his minions were the only ones who knew Leppards lived in the royal hunting grounds and got excited when he mixed blood with specific herbs.
He never thought that Vivian would ever know that.
“Do you agree with what Lady Vessel said, Your Highness?”
“Admit!? How can I admit it? And a handkerchief? It’s all nonsense that I’ve never heard before.”
“Please accept my apologies, Your Highness. There is already evidence regarding the handkerchief mentioned by the young lady.”
“Evidence? What evidence?”
“A ripped piece of the handkerchief was discovered at the scene. In addition, members of the Royal Knights testified that they saw Lady Vessel wrapping a handkerchief for Lady Oreu.”
“So you want me to provide you with evidence to refute? Can’t my denial serve as proof?”
“But those are just words……”
“So, what proof should I provide? Today was the first time I heard any of that.”
“No, His Highness certainly did that. His Highness told me that he would propose to His Majesty a hunting competition to be held at the royal hunting ground where the demonic beast lives, and that it would be an excellent opportunity to kill Lady Oreu!”
“You were the first to say it……!”
Enosh exploded at the words that had previously scratched his nerves while telling lies.
He yelled reflexively as he opened his eyes.
When he saw the investigator’s surprised expression next to Vivian, his reasonings returned.
He quickly closed his mouth, but he had already responded.
Not only the investigator was taken aback by his unusual reaction.
The people in the courtroom, as well as the Emperor and Empress, looked at him in awe.
I made a mistake.
A bad feeling arose as soon as the thought reached.
Unknown goosebumps ran down Enosh’s spine as he suspected something was wrong.
No, something is clearly wrong.
“……Your Majesty the Emperor, whom I respect.”
The investigator continued, looking up at the Emperor.
“I beg you to detain the Crown Prince and allow me to question him and conduct a thorough investigation.”
“It’s all a lie, Your Majesty!”
Enosh quickly added.
“Trust me! I’m totally innocent.”
He pleaded desperately, but the emperor remained silent.
He just stared at his son, completely baffled.
The longer the silence lasted, the more tense Enosh became.
His hands were suddenly drenched in cold sweat.
‘There’s no way he could let that happen.’
It will not be.
He would never, ever do something like that.
He was the Crown Prince himself. At the same time, he was the “sole heir” of this empire.
He couldn’t say he was going to restrain him just because he was agitated at the time.
It couldn’t have happened.
Not to mention the affection of the person who became a parent, despite his position.
“Investigator.”
The emperor finally spoke after a long silence.
Enosh had not given up hope until that point. He was actually looking forward to it. Expectations that his parents will not abandon him.
However, the emperor averted his gaze from Enosh’s.
“Detain the Crown Prince…….”
Investigators and other knights at the court arrested the crown prince as soon as the emperor’s order was issued.
With a vein of blood around his neck, the prince screamed as he was dragged away.
“Your Majesty! How could you do this to me?! How could you do this to me just by listening to such a crazy girl?”
“Crown Prince!”
“I am the only heir to this empire! You can’t do this to me! I am the empire’s sole pillar!”
Even if Enosh had used harsh words all along, he had only done so in his mind.
Some aristocrats were disgusted by the sight of him actually shouting “crazy girl” in front of everyone watching.
Furthermore, the emperor and empress’ faces were darkened by the words that seemed to emphasize that he was the only heir.
When the crown prince was dragged out, the presiding judge, who had become flustered due to the unexpected accusation, fell silent.
The trial could not continue after that and was put on hold until the investigation into the crown prince was completed.
The knights also took back Vivian.
After the trial, the empress staggered while she rose from her seat. The emperor went out in support of her.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
It felt like I’d been through a lot.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling. It indeed was a big deal.
Because no one else has been taken away, but the Crown Prince.
He didn’t file a complaint and get arrested, but strangely, it kept bothering me.
Perhaps because I was on high alert the entire time, a glass of wine that I would normally drink lightly passed out drunk me.
Caleb came up the stairs hugging me because he couldn’t stand watching me stagger.
Originally, he planned to leave me on the bed.
However, when I told him I didn’t want to sleep right now, he dropped me off on the balcony chair and left the room, saying he would bring me water.
I sat still for a while at first, then stumbled and walked toward the railing when I became bored. And I crossed my arms and looked up at the sky.
The stars in the night sky glowed like the Milky Way.
“Pretty……”
It was such a wonderful sight that I had never seen it in my previous life.
But the sight made me realize something new.
The fact that this is not where I originally lived.
As I was taking in the scenery of the sky, I heard the sound of the door opening.
“Elena?”
When I turned around, I noticed Caleb staring at the chair, as if he was looking for me.
Why can’t he find me?
After a brief moment of puzzlement, I realized I was in a blind spot when viewed from the door.
“I am here.”
Caleb only looked relieved when I leaned to the side and poked my face out.
“Were you there? I thought you would stay seated.”
“I was going to, but I was bored staying still.”
I looked up at the sky after watching Caleb walk toward me.
Caleb, who had moved next to me, had already extended a cup to me.
“Drink it up.”
It was a moment when I casually put it in my mouth after saying thank you.
I hesitated at the sweetness, which was mixed in with the hot steam.
“It isn’t water.”
“It’s citron tea. I brought it instead of water because the maid recommended it for hangovers.”
I suppose so.
‘It must be similar to honey water.’
When I found out what the drink was, I gladly put my mouth to it.
Citron tea with an appropriate temperature went over the throat comfortably, and the unique fragrant and sweet taste of citron lingered in the mouth.
‘Well, I’m not sure if I’m sober, but it’s delicious.’
I also enjoyed the sensation of warming my body with a warm drink.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
Very much.
Caleb inquired while I was still leaning against the railing, sipping citron.
“Is it bothering you?”
“What?”
“About today.”
With a hum, I placed the cup on the railing.
“What made you think that?”
“I just had a feeling.”
Is this the ‘I can tell just by looking at your eyes‘ concept that was said to exist only between lovers?
“They will be punished for their sin. So you don’t have to worry too much.”
“It’s not that I am worried. Rather, I’m just……”
I reached out and wrapped my arm around Caleb’s neck.
Caleb looked perplexed, but leaned down so I could hug him comfortably. That thought elicited a small chuckle.
“This is what I’m more concerned.”
After I finished speaking, I kissed Caleb lightly on the cheek.
The kiss didn’t stop at once.
A low groan that he couldn’t suppress came out of his throat as I moved and kissed him little by little.
My lips, on the other hand, were quickly devoured.
Our bodies, like our lips, were in perfect contact as thick arms wrapped around my waist.
The sweet taste spread throughout my mouth, possibly as a result of the citron tea I had just consumed.
“Nnghh……”
With a kiss that was longer than usual, I dug into him fervently without realizing it.
I could feel a lot of strength in Caleb’s arms and hands that supported my back.
I had a sudden thought.
‘Isn’t this posture uncomfortable?’
Of course, I’m comfortable because Caleb is there to support me, but I suppose Caleb will be uncomfortable…… No, it must be uncomfortable.
In fact, this posture was also something Caleb could maintain for such a long time.
Ordinary men who did not engage in strength training would not have been able to withstand it effortlessly. How easy was it to support someone with both arms for an extended period of time?
Taking off my lips, I loosened my arm around Caleb and slipped back.
Caleb had been staring at me silently up until that point.
Things changed when I sat on the railing.
Caleb opened his eyes wide, as if he hadn’t expected me to do this.
All that remained in his black eyes, which had previously been filled with longing, was urgency and surprise.
But I didn’t mind.
This is because the railing made of stone was very thick and wide. I, at least one person, can easily sit down.
Nonetheless, Caleb rushed over and wrapped his arms around my back.
As if that wasn’t enough, he firmly gripped my wrist with his other hand.
“It’s dangerous, Elena. Please come down right now.”
It was a worried-sounding voice. But what I offered was not the answer he wanted.
With my other hand, I reached out and grabbed Caleb’s shoulder.
Holding my balance, I bowed my head and laughed, bumping my heads against Caleb’s.
“But aren’t we the same now?”
“Lady, please calm down. And may I ask you a few more questions?”
“Yes……”
The investigator inquired as Vivian nodded.
“Lady, you stated that you accepted His Highness’ order because you yearned for Him. But why are you now revealing your beloved’s deeds? Isn’t it common for people to cover up their love’s deeds?”
“I am… I am the opposite.”
“Opposite?”
“Yes. Because I truly love His Highness so much that I’m compelled to say this. I thought that if I were the only one punished in this way, His Highness would not repent of his mistakes and would continue to do the same thing indefinitely.”
Vivian pressed her chest with both hands and spoke slowly.
“I sincerely hope that His Highness will make use of this chance to repent of his sins.”
Vivian, who had finished speaking, shook her shoulders and lowered her head.
I couldn’t see her face, but the irregular shaking of her shoulders or sobs I heard were those of someone regretting doing something she shouldn’t have done for the sake of a loved one.
When Vivian, who had already made a poor impression, presented such a side, the atmosphere of the presiding judge who was defending Enosh changed as easily as turning their hand upside down.
Vivian couldn’t possibly have such feelings after what she did.
However, humans were originally creatures who were easily seduced by sight.
Most people who watched the trial felt sympathy for Vivian, even if only for a brief moment.
Those who are experiencing unrequited love nodded, as if they understood Vivian’s situation.
On the other hand, Enosh, who saw such a scene, was going crazy.
‘Oh my God, this is driving me insane……!’
If someone asked him to write down his feelings right now, he could easily fill ten pages in an instant. That demonstrated how absurd and ridiculous he felt at the time.
Enosh recalls Vivian’s previous appearance.
When he mentioned making her his empress, she expressed her displeasure by saying she didn’t need it and didn’t like him. Furthermore, she was never the type to like him.
It was definitely like that, but what were those words and look like now?
He wanted to open his mouth like someone who had a missing jaw joint, but his noble pride, which had grown as a member of the royal family, instinctively saved his facial expression.
“Stop framing me. Lady, I saw with my own eyes that you despised me. But now you’ve told me you love me? Do you think I’m too stupid to realize you despised me?”
“But framing is what Your Highness doing……”
Vivian, who was lowering her head, raised her face.
Tears welled up in her large eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
“How could you… Nobody but you, Your Highness… How could you do this to me? You approached me first, knowing how much I like you, and taught me how to kill Lady Oreu!”
“What the……?”
“You’re the one who told me to give you the herbal powder I saw for the first time, bury it in a handkerchief, take it on the day of the hunting competition, and intentionally injure Lady Oreu and wrap her wound around the handkerchief. You said that if I do that, the demonic beast from the royal hunting grounds will take Lady Oreu away!”
Enosh has never been so taken aback in his life.
He and a few of his minions were the only ones who knew Leppards lived in the royal hunting grounds and got excited when he mixed blood with specific herbs.
He never thought that Vivian would ever know that.
“Do you agree with what Lady Vessel said, Your Highness?”
“Admit!? How can I admit it? And a handkerchief? It’s all nonsense that I’ve never heard before.”
“Please accept my apologies, Your Highness. There is already evidence regarding the handkerchief mentioned by the young lady.”
“Evidence? What evidence?”
“A ripped piece of the handkerchief was discovered at the scene. In addition, members of the Royal Knights testified that they saw Lady Vessel wrapping a handkerchief for Lady Oreu.”
“So you want me to provide you with evidence to refute? Can’t my denial serve as proof?”
“But those are just words……”
“So, what proof should I provide? Today was the first time I heard any of that.”
“No, His Highness certainly did that. His Highness told me that he would propose to His Majesty a hunting competition to be held at the royal hunting ground where the demonic beast lives, and that it would be an excellent opportunity to kill Lady Oreu!”
“You were the first to say it……!”
Enosh exploded at the words that had previously scratched his nerves while telling lies.
He yelled reflexively as he opened his eyes.
When he saw the investigator’s surprised expression next to Vivian, his reasonings returned.
He quickly closed his mouth, but he had already responded.
Not only the investigator was taken aback by his unusual reaction.
The people in the courtroom, as well as the Emperor and Empress, looked at him in awe.
I made a mistake.
A bad feeling arose as soon as the thought reached.
Unknown goosebumps ran down Enosh’s spine as he suspected something was wrong.
No, something is clearly wrong.
“……Your Majesty the Emperor, whom I respect.”
The investigator continued, looking up at the Emperor.
“I beg you to detain the Crown Prince and allow me to question him and conduct a thorough investigation.”
“It’s all a lie, Your Majesty!”
Enosh quickly added.
“Trust me! I’m totally innocent.”
He pleaded desperately, but the emperor remained silent.
He just stared at his son, completely baffled.
The longer the silence lasted, the more tense Enosh became.
His hands were suddenly drenched in cold sweat.
‘There’s no way he could let that happen.’
It will not be.
He would never, ever do something like that.
He was the Crown Prince himself. At the same time, he was the “sole heir” of this empire.
He couldn’t say he was going to restrain him just because he was agitated at the time.
It couldn’t have happened.
Not to mention the affection of the person who became a parent, despite his position.
“Investigator.”
The emperor finally spoke after a long silence.
Enosh had not given up hope until that point. He was actually looking forward to it. Expectations that his parents will not abandon him.
However, the emperor averted his gaze from Enosh’s.
“Detain the Crown Prince…….”
Investigators and other knights at the court arrested the crown prince as soon as the emperor’s order was issued.
With a vein of blood around his neck, the prince screamed as he was dragged away.
“Your Majesty! How could you do this to me?! How could you do this to me just by listening to such a crazy girl?”
“Crown Prince!”
“I am the only heir to this empire! You can’t do this to me! I am the empire’s sole pillar!”
Even if Enosh had used harsh words all along, he had only done so in his mind.
Some aristocrats were disgusted by the sight of him actually shouting “crazy girl” in front of everyone watching.
Furthermore, the emperor and empress’ faces were darkened by the words that seemed to emphasize that he was the only heir.
When the crown prince was dragged out, the presiding judge, who had become flustered due to the unexpected accusation, fell silent.
The trial could not continue after that and was put on hold until the investigation into the crown prince was completed.
The knights also took back Vivian.
After the trial, the empress staggered while she rose from her seat. The emperor went out in support of her.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
It felt like I’d been through a lot.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling. It indeed was a big deal.
Because no one else has been taken away, but the Crown Prince.
He didn’t file a complaint and get arrested, but strangely, it kept bothering me.
Perhaps because I was on high alert the entire time, a glass of wine that I would normally drink lightly passed out drunk me.
Caleb came up the stairs hugging me because he couldn’t stand watching me stagger.
Originally, he planned to leave me on the bed.
However, when I told him I didn’t want to sleep right now, he dropped me off on the balcony chair and left the room, saying he would bring me water.
I sat still for a while at first, then stumbled and walked toward the railing when I became bored. And I crossed my arms and looked up at the sky.
The stars in the night sky glowed like the Milky Way.
“Pretty……”
It was such a wonderful sight that I had never seen it in my previous life.
But the sight made me realize something new.
The fact that this is not where I originally lived.
As I was taking in the scenery of the sky, I heard the sound of the door opening.
“Elena?”
When I turned around, I noticed Caleb staring at the chair, as if he was looking for me.
Why can’t he find me?
After a brief moment of puzzlement, I realized I was in a blind spot when viewed from the door.
“I am here.”
Caleb only looked relieved when I leaned to the side and poked my face out.
“Were you there? I thought you would stay seated.”
“I was going to, but I was bored staying still.”
I looked up at the sky after watching Caleb walk toward me.
Caleb, who had moved next to me, had already extended a cup to me.
“Drink it up.”
It was a moment when I casually put it in my mouth after saying thank you.
I hesitated at the sweetness, which was mixed in with the hot steam.
“It isn’t water.”
“It’s citron tea. I brought it instead of water because the maid recommended it for hangovers.”
I suppose so.
‘It must be similar to honey water.’
When I found out what the drink was, I gladly put my mouth to it.
Citron tea with an appropriate temperature went over the throat comfortably, and the unique fragrant and sweet taste of citron lingered in the mouth.
‘Well, I’m not sure if I’m sober, but it’s delicious.’
I also enjoyed the sensation of warming my body with a warm drink.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
Very much.
Caleb inquired while I was still leaning against the railing, sipping citron.
“Is it bothering you?”
“What?”
“About today.”
With a hum, I placed the cup on the railing.
“What made you think that?”
“I just had a feeling.”
Is this the ‘I can tell just by looking at your eyes‘ concept that was said to exist only between lovers?
“They will be punished for their sin. So you don’t have to worry too much.”
“It’s not that I am worried. Rather, I’m just……”
I reached out and wrapped my arm around Caleb’s neck.
Caleb looked perplexed, but leaned down so I could hug him comfortably. That thought elicited a small chuckle.
“This is what I’m more concerned.”
After I finished speaking, I kissed Caleb lightly on the cheek.
The kiss didn’t stop at once.
A low groan that he couldn’t suppress came out of his throat as I moved and kissed him little by little.
My lips, on the other hand, were quickly devoured.
Our bodies, like our lips, were in perfect contact as thick arms wrapped around my waist.
The sweet taste spread throughout my mouth, possibly as a result of the citron tea I had just consumed.
“Nnghh……”
With a kiss that was longer than usual, I dug into him fervently without realizing it.
I could feel a lot of strength in Caleb’s arms and hands that supported my back.
I had a sudden thought.
‘Isn’t this posture uncomfortable?’
Of course, I’m comfortable because Caleb is there to support me, but I suppose Caleb will be uncomfortable…… No, it must be uncomfortable.
In fact, this posture was also something Caleb could maintain for such a long time.
Ordinary men who did not engage in strength training would not have been able to withstand it effortlessly. How easy was it to support someone with both arms for an extended period of time?
Taking off my lips, I loosened my arm around Caleb and slipped back.
Caleb had been staring at me silently up until that point.
Things changed when I sat on the railing.
Caleb opened his eyes wide, as if he hadn’t expected me to do this.
All that remained in his black eyes, which had previously been filled with longing, was urgency and surprise.
But I didn’t mind.
This is because the railing made of stone was very thick and wide. I, at least one person, can easily sit down.
Nonetheless, Caleb rushed over and wrapped his arms around my back.
As if that wasn’t enough, he firmly gripped my wrist with his other hand.
“It’s dangerous, Elena. Please come down right now.”
It was a worried-sounding voice. But what I offered was not the answer he wanted.
With my other hand, I reached out and grabbed Caleb’s shoulder.
Holding my balance, I bowed my head and laughed, bumping my heads against Caleb’s.
“But aren’t we the same now?”
