TGDHC Chapter 188

Chapter 188 – Departure

“Is the prisoner’s name Meisel?”

The administrator standing in front of the iron bars asked.

“I’m Meisel Avoir! The daughter of the Avoir family!” Meisel answered urgently as the formal verification procedure went on.

Ahem.

The administrator cleared his throat and began reading the sentence.

“Prisoner Meisel has committed multiple serious crimes, including treason, blasphemy, violation of magical doctrines, fraud, and deception… the depth and weight of her sins are truly immeasurable. Therefore, she is sentenced to lifelong labor. The prisoner shall serve her sentence faithfully until death and atone for her crimes.”

The administrator, looking tired, collected the documents and added,

“The detailed list of crimes is too long to read aloud. The sentence is to be executed immediately. The labor site is a waste mine. The prisoner must live the remainder of her life in atonement.”

Meisel, acting instinctively, called out to stop the administrator as he was turning away.

“Wait a minute! Something is clearly wrong!”

“Wrong?”

The administrator looked back, startled. He had a face that showed he did not want extra work.

“I’m the daughter of the Avoir family! How can I be sentenced to labor? I’m a noble!”

Nobles cannot be sentenced to labor. For women, unless it’s the death penalty, the harshest punishment would normally be confinement in a convent.

“Ah… I see.”

The administrator visibly relaxed and let out a relieved sigh.

“The prisoner was officially removed from the Avoir family as of midnight yesterday.”

“What… what did you say?”

Meisel stammered in shock.

Being removed from her family meant that Meisel Avoir no longer officially existed.

And the so-called “waste mine” was no ordinary labor site—it was a place where magical beasts’ remains were dismantled, burned, and buried. The work involved touching all sorts of filth and innards, in the coldest, most remote mountains of the North. It was known as the harshest labor site.

‘They want me to work there until I die?’

She thought it would be better to be executed—it felt like a living hell.

“Since the sentence was given after removal from the family, there’s no problem,” the administrator confirmed again and handed the signed document to the knight in charge of the transport.

Seeing the knight, Meisel frantically leaned toward the bars.

“Sir! Where is Sir Tiern? I’m his cousin! Please call him!”

If her older brother heard this, he wouldn’t have hidden his reaction no matter how disappointed he was.

Just as she held onto this faint hope, the knight replied,

“Sir Tiern has left the castle on a campaign.”

“This… can’t be…!”

At least she had wanted some promise that someone would try to get her out of the mine. Now, all hope was gone.

Meisel was crushed.

“I don’t like Sir Tiern, but honestly, it’s better he didn’t see this,” the knight said coldly.

“How can you even shamelessly ask about him? If even part of what you tried had worked, Sir Tiern would have died for failing to protect the Grand Duchess.”

No, that wasn’t fair.

‘I just wanted the Grand Duke…’

Why is everyone being so cruel to me?

Everyone abandoned her—her father, the Grand Duke, even Tiern.

She felt sorry for herself and tears streamed down her face.

But there was no one to witness her sorrow.

The carriage jolted and started moving.

Meisel was still wearing the old dress from the monastery.

The early morning wind pierced through the thin fabric, and she shivered.

She curled up and looked out at her estate, now fading into the distance with no lights on, as if no one cared she was leaving.

At the Royal Gallery

“Truly, these are all low-quality works.”

The Empress sneered as she looked at the paintings hung in the royal gallery.

“Indeed. How could such untalented artists have their works displayed in the palace?”

The noblewomen standing behind her nodded cautiously.

This exhibition, hosted by the Crown Princess, featured works by many young artists.

It was a political move, of course. While the Empress tried to impress high noble families, the Crown Princess cared about her reputation across the empire.

That’s why she was popular among young nobles and the middle class.

The Empress thought that once the Grand Duke and Duchess were involved, the rest didn’t matter.

‘Seems the Crown Princess is aiming for the same strategy.’

The Empress clenched her teeth at the thought.

If only she had enforced discipline before the marriage…

Apparently, the Crown Princess had declined the invitation as well.

The Empress frowned, thinking of a reason to write to Blenheim again.

At that moment, the Crown Princess appeared in the gallery with her attendants.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Long time no see.”

The Crown Princess forced a smile.

The Empress intentionally omitted her title when speaking—a common practice between them.

“How do you find the works?”

“They’re light and easy to view.”

The Empress subtly implied that the works were not serious enough for the palace.

“But sometimes it’s nice to have something like this instead of leaving the gallery empty.”

The Crown Princess’ ears turned red at that comment.

This exhibition was meant to support young artists in the empire.

‘If I fall for such a provocation, I’d be foolish.’

“Maybe these are just trends for young people. You might find them unfamiliar, Your Majesty,” the Crown Princess said boldly.

“Perhaps I’m getting old,” the Empress replied surprisingly, softening the exchange.

‘So will it be boring to talk to young ladies like me?’

“Why worry? The Grand Duchess is still young. She’ll likely enjoy speaking with me.”

“And besides, Prince Valentin is present as well, isn’t he?”

The Empress laughed softly.

“Will the Grand Duchess attend?”

“Since she has connections with the Frais family, it’s natural I should look after her,” the Empress said proudly.

The Crown Princess’ face stiffened.

‘So the Grand Duchess is siding with the Empress?’

From her previous behavior, she thought the Duchess might have cut ties with the Frais.

If the Empress intended to pull the Duchess to the capital, the Crown Princess would act first.

‘Why didn’t I think of this sooner?’

During a tea meeting with Radriel, she had heard of the illegitimate daughter from the Frais family causing trouble.

‘The Grand Duchess is no ordinary person, but it’s fine.’

The Crown Princess only needed to send a proper letter to the Duchess in Blenheim to influence her.

She quickly asked her attendants for pen and paper.