Chapter 131
The End of Revenge
Suddenly, a woman’s face appeared in her mind.
Her golden hair flowed slowly, and her lavender eyes looked down with elegance and coldness. It was Eleanor, the one who had saved Damian’s life.
But that wasn’t all.
“Nora, come with me,” the soft smile, and the hand she extended.
“Eat more, Nora. I’m already full,” the voice as she gave half of her snack to Nora.
“Happy birthday, Nora. It’s not the exact date, but I’m still really happy you were born.”
Every year, she never forgot to give her gifts and always hugged her warmly.
The memories of their long time together came rushing back to him now.
Nora clenched her teeth tightly.
After a long period of thought, she mustered the strength to slowly rise from her seat. No one helped her, but standing up alone was something she could still manage.
“…Prepare a carriage.”
“There’s no carriage left. They took it all.”
Mary, who had been watching her from behind, swallowed a laugh as she answered.
“If you need to go somewhere, you can catch a cart.”
Mary had expected Nora to shout, but unexpectedly, she didn’t respond angrily. Instead, she stared at Mary, then slowly walked out into the devastated garden.
Mary didn’t ask where she was going. As she watched Nora’s figure grow smaller, she left as well. She had completed her tasks for her lady and now it was time for her to leave this wretched estate.
***
An hour later, the trial resumed.
Thanks to the long break, the atmosphere in the courtroom had calmed down.
Baron Griffith’s father had finally calmed down and sat in the front row of spectators. However, with his red eyes glaring at Duke Astria, it was clear he would charge at him as soon as the trial ended.
“We have discovered new evidence,” the judge’s clear voice rang out in the courtroom.
“The brooch that Baron Griffith wore on the day he disappeared was found at the Astria estate. Furthermore, a witness saw the Baron being dragged into the estate, and there were signs of torture in the basement.”
Boom! Again, there was a loud noise from the spectators. It was the sound of Baron Griffith’s father collapsing to the floor.
“The victim’s testimony is consistent, and the evidence we have gathered seems to corroborate this. Therefore, we have decided to merge the charges of attempted murder of Astria’s adopted daughter and the murder of Baron Griffith for trial.”
At the word “murder,” murmurs filled the courtroom.
Murder and attempted murder were different crimes. Now that another victim had been added, there was no way to spin the story of a fake adopted daughter or a father and daughter conflict.
“I know nothing about this! This is definitely something that girl has made up out of spite! The creditors have stolen everything from my house, yet Baron Griffith’s belongings are perfectly intact. This is just something she took to frame me for the murder!”
“The Emperor’s knights confirmed that the victim’s room was secluded compared to the rest of the household, and because there was nothing to steal in her room, it remained untouched.”
Duke Astria quickly pointed out the suspicious aspects, but the prosecutor was quick to retort.
“Even so—!”
Duke Astria, who had been shouting aggressively, suddenly fell silent.
The reason was simple. He locked eyes with Eleanor.
Eleanor stared at him with a blank expression, as though looking down at a despicable insect.
An insect struggling in front of death.
In fact, Duke Astria had known from the moment Eleanor mentioned Baron Griffith that his future was already sealed.
He had been caught in a trap that Eleanor had carefully set, and the Emperor had helped too. Without any preparation, he had been trapped, and the consequences were severe.
There was no way out of this.
He realized there was nothing he could say to win at this point.
After making his judgment, Duke Astria simply closed his eyes in frustration, feeling both rage and helplessness after so many years.
With his silence, the trial moved swiftly.
The judge gave the final explanation to the jurors, and not long after, their verdict was announced.
Unanimously guilty.
“The defendant kidnapped and tortured a young noble of the Juvnal Empire and killed him in revenge. Furthermore, to cover up the crime, he attempted to murder his own daughter. This is a crime that can never be justified.”
Eleanor stood quietly, watching the judge announce the verdict.
Perhaps because it was the moment she had been longing for, she felt a shiver run through her body.
“The court has considered all the circumstances of this crime and has applied the charge of first-degree murder to the defendant, Caleb Astria, and sentenced him to life imprisonment with the possibility of freeing him after 30 years.”
It was the harshest sentence possible in this trial. It felt like the Emperor’s influence had been deeply involved in this decision.
Bang, bang, bang! The judge struck the gavel, sealing the sentence.
The spectators cheered, and some wept for their son’s death, while the jurors looked proud of the historic decision they had made.
Eleanor watched it all, knowing she would remember this moment forever.
Those celebrating someone else’s misfortune, those who lost their sons but didn’t realize it, and her father’s face, full of arrogance even in his pathetic state—she would never forget it.
She stood there, certain of it.
***
Eleanor left the empty courtroom only after everyone had left.
Karsian, understanding her mood, followed a few steps behind in silence. The sound of their footsteps matched in rhythm.
As they walked slowly, a knight from the Emperor’s court gestured for Eleanor to follow him.
‘Yes. It’s not completely finished yet.’
She hadn’t fully completed her task. To do so, she needed to speak with the Emperor, to finish the final step of her revenge.
When they reached the reception room behind the court, Emperor William IV was already waiting for her. She was grateful that he had called her here first.
“Grand Duke of Royster, could you leave for a moment?”
Upon seeing Karsian, the Emperor asked with a somewhat unpleasant expression.
Karsian didn’t respond but simply looked at Eleanor, waiting for her decision.
Eleanor nodded slightly, signaling for Karsian to leave. She didn’t want him to overhear the conversation with the Emperor.
“I’ll wait outside. Call for me if you need anything.”
Karsian spoke politely, and although Eleanor was used to this, it surprised the Emperor, who looked between them both with raised eyebrows.
“Looks like there really is something between you two.”
When Karsian left, the Emperor whispered jokingly.
Eleanor only smiled in response.
The Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly got to the point.
“You’ve done well, Princess.”
Emperor William IV gave her a warm and gentle smile.
“Everything is thanks to you. I’m not sure how to express my gratitude.”
“It’s nothing. I couldn’t have achieved this without Your Majesty’s help.”
“What do you mean? Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to avenge my son. I didn’t even know the true enemy, and now I do. I feel terrible that you gained nothing from all this.”
The Emperor didn’t quite understand the situation.
To say she gained nothing was absurd. She had achieved everything on her own.
But it was fine. Eleanor didn’t mind letting him think that way. She looked down shyly instead of revealing the truth.
As expected, the words she was waiting for came from the Emperor’s mouth.
“If there’s anything you want, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to fulfill your request.”
This was exactly what she had been hoping for. Eleanor carefully suppressed the smile rising inside her and spoke cautiously.
“If you say so… there’s one thing I’d like to ask, Your Majesty.”
“Of course. What is it?”
Was it money to use as a dowry? Permission to marry Karsian?
The Emperor tried to guess what Eleanor might want. However, the poor Princess of Astria surprised him with an unexpected answer.
“It’s about my father’s treatment.”
“…If you’re asking me to reduce his sentence, I can’t do that.”
The Emperor, who had been smiling kindly, suddenly became serious.
Eleanor quickly shook her head.
“No, I would never ask for something so bold. I simply ask for my father to have a slightly more comfortable environment while he serves his sentence.”
“Comfortable? What do you mean?”
“As you know, my father is very sensitive and has sharp hearing, so he cannot share a room with anyone. He would rather bite his tongue than interact with dirty, lowly prisoners or guards.”
The Emperor knew very well about Duke Astria’s foul personality. Eleanor’s words were true, and he understood how troublesome the Duke could be, even in prison.
However, he didn’t expect her to ask what she did next.
“So, Your Majesty, I sincerely ask that you assign my father to a solitary confinement cell where he can live out his days in peace.”
Such a brutal request. He hadn’t expected it.
“I also ask that the guards avoid speaking to him as much as possible and that his food be provided in large quantities so it doesn’t spoil. He should have everything he needs for his solitude.”
The Emperor was silent for a moment, his lips trembling.
Did Eleanor truly understand what she was asking?
He wanted to ask her, but he couldn’t bring himself to. The faint smile on her face, as she seemed like a good daughter trying to protect her father, suddenly seemed chilling.
“Your Majesty?”
Suddenly, a chill ran through the Emperor’s skin, and he became certain.
Eleanor Astria was someone who should never be approached too closely. Not only was her engagement with Arlo a mistake, but no man could ever handle this woman.
He was glad that the engagement had been broken.
“Will you grant my request?”
Eleanor looked up at the Emperor with a slight tilt of her head.
Her beautiful yet chilling smile overwhelmed him for a moment, and he found himself agreeing before he realized it.
He would imprison Duke Astria in a solitary cell, cut off from all contact, the worst punishment possible.
