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The palace attendant went to fetch Princess Diana. The saint leaned on Crown Prince Carlos and whispered something to him.

“How dare you do such a thing.”

It seemed she was tattling about what had happened while the crown prince was away. The crown prince furrowed his brow and glared at Luigi.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a close friend of the saint?”

Luigi flinched.

“The Holy Lady tried to use me, her close friend. I am justified.”

“That’s shameless, but there’s a limit. You’re not expecting to be fine after slandering the saint, are you?”

Under the strong aura of the crown prince, Luigi looked at John with worried eyes. Just from Luigi’s reaction, it was clear John had been scheming.

‘How did he persuade Luigi?’

I had heard that Luigi’s family was suing, but I didn’t think he would change his attitude just because of that.

“Ha! Why are you looking over there? Are you worried about the mastermind behind this?”

“Your Highness, I merely told the truth.”

“That’s the truth advantageous to the Duchess of Blanchet, isn’t it?”

Carlos openly mentioned John. John shrugged as if he had been waiting for that.

“Why do you think I did that?”

“Because the princess herself told you.”

Carlos confidently referred to Princess Diana.

The princess said that she was forced to act because the Duchess of Blanchet threatened her.

“Did the princess really say that?”

“Isn’t it something you’d hear soon anyway?”

At that moment, the saint behind Carlos burst into tears.

“Oh, finally, Diana has mustered up her courage.”

“It’s thanks to you, the saint, supporting her.”

“I haven’t done anything…”

Princess Diana hadn’t arrived yet. But Carlos was already acting as if she had given a definite testimony.

‘Did Diana really betray me?’

Thinking that, I felt a strange pang inside.

‘Yeah, Luigi also betrayed the saint, so there’s no reason Diana wouldn’t do the same.’

Still, it hurt a little because I had considered Diana a friend of sorts. I wasn’t the only one swayed by the crown prince’s confident attitude.

“Are you really saying Princess Diana testified that way?”

“I had a feeling Luigi’s words were a bit strange, but well…”

People quickly turned to the idea that the saint would never do such a thing.

‘Is it because of her position as a saint?’

I always felt that the world favored Stella. As the attention centered on her, Luigi stepped back.

“No, I merely told the truth.”

“So you suddenly felt that way after the Duchess of Blanchet sued the lady?”

“That’s…”

“If you honestly confess now, I won’t accuse you of insulting the royal court with false claims.”

Luigi’s hesitation was obvious. Stella pleaded with Luigi.

“Yes, Luigi. I don’t know what happened to you, but I’ll help.”

“I…”

“Yes, Luigi.”

Luigi closed his eyes as if making a decision and spoke.

“Actually, I negotiated today’s court case with the Duke of Blanchet.”

The nobles gasped in surprise. Carlos smirked.

“Indeed.”

I found the whole situation extremely suspicious.

‘Did John really mess up so badly?’

Looking back, the fact that Luigi was sued was suspicious too. For him to pressure Luigi so blatantly and change his attitude—wouldn’t that make anyone doubt the truth?

“There’s something going on.”

At that moment, John glanced at me. His red eyes, meeting mine, lazily curved. I could tell one thing for sure, no matter what else, this was all part of John’s plan.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

Carlos was very pleased.

‘It’s going so easily.’

Luigi’s sudden betrayal had surprised him, but Carlos managed to turn it to his advantage.

“What did you negotiate with the Duke of Blanchet? Did you threaten his family?”

Honestly, I knew there was a certain effective way of threatening.

‘I also threatened Princess Diana that way.’

In this confirmed situation, Princess Diana would have no choice but to follow the mood and testify that she was coerced by the Duke of Blanchet—specifically, that she was manipulated into slandering the saint.

Luigi still looked hesitant, biting his lip and covering his face with both hands.

“The Duke of Blanchet promised to support us, saying he’d withdraw the charges if I testified favorably for her, and help prevent our family from suffering damage.”

“Such a terrible deed…”

John asked flatly, expressionless.

“Me?”

“Yes. So I had no choice but to do it for my family…”

While giving his testimony, Luigi again looked at the crown prince, caught between the Duke of Blanchet and him. It seemed he eventually decided to side with the prince.

“All of this is my fault. No matter how I do it for my family, I’ve caused the saint too much harm. I wonder how I can atone.”

“It’s okay, Luigi.”

The saint approached Luigi with a kind expression and embraced him.

“I knew you had some reason you couldn’t tell me. I’m glad you found the courage to come forward now.”

“Saint…”

The two looked at each other like the best friends in the world. John tilted his chin and asked.

“Any evidence?”

“…What?”

“Do you have any proof that I threatened the lady and made her change her testimony?”

Luigi’s face stiffened, but she stood her ground confidently.

“I am the evidence! The testimony I just gave couldn’t have come out if the Duke of Blanchet hadn’t threatened me…”

[Anyway, it’s true that the saint has been slandering the Duchess of Blanchet, right? Everyone who’s close to her knows—even if they pretend not to—that she hates the duchess.]

Suddenly, a strange sound echoed over Luigi’s voice. Luigi’s expression warped in discomfort.

“What… what is this…”

“I prepared it just in case.”

John pulled out a magic tool that emitted magical energy from his bosom.

“This is the conversation I had with Lady Luigi.”

“Th- there really is such a magic tool…”

“Because it’s newly made.”

John’s calm tone made Luigi tremble like a leaf.

“Do you know if the Duke of Blanchet staged this? Manipulated magic—”

[Honestly, there’s no need to make anything up. Just tell what John ordered you to do.]

“No, I mean—”

[Proof? They keep calling people to the temple all the time. How could I have proof? But since many people have been summoned by the saint, it’s easy to gather witnesses.]

“No!”

Luigi yelled desperately.

“Saint, I never said anything like that! The Duke of Blanchet used magic!”

“Lu, Luigi…”

“Do you really think I’d do that?”

John didn’t bother to justify himself extensively.

“Even if that’s the case, can you trust the lady’s words?”

John’s attitude was calm, elegant, seemingly sincere.

“I find Luigi’s testimony hard to believe.”

“Honestly, he keeps changing his story, so I wonder if I should believe him…”

The emperor pressed his forehead with his hand and said.

“This is absurd. I never thought a reckless lady would do such a thing in a royal court trial. Don’t you fear being accused of insulting the royal family?”

“Your Majesty, I…”

“When will Princess Diana arrive? Isn’t it about time she came?”

Ignoring Luigi’s plea, the emperor called the palace attendant.

A loud creaking sound announced the opening of the door exactly on time. But what entered the reception hall was not Princess Diana, whom everyone had been waiting for.

“Your Majesty, this is urgent. There was an attack on the room where Princess Diana was staying.”

“An attack?”

“Yes. It appears she was kidnapped by some mysterious intruder. I don’t know what to do…”

John watched the unfolding chaos with a slight smile.

“How unfortunate. All the witnesses gathered are just like that.”

His voice was devoid of any concern.

Estelle, watching John, fell into thought.

‘From the start, I never intended to leave Luigi alone.’

Because Luigi was also one of those scheming with the saint and tormenting her. It was all planned from the beginning—he wanted Luigi to betray, then built the scenario accordingly.

‘Now Luigi’s reputation is in the gutter…’

And Diana’s disappearance made the trial even bigger.

The weight of the royal court trial, combined with the various intertwined incidents, drew even more attention.

‘Now the imperial ruler has no choice but to step in.’

And there, John’s true goal would finally be revealed.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

As the atmosphere of the trial grew chaotic, the emperor postponed it to another day.

I returned to my room before John did. On the table was a bottle of wine prepared for the duke and duchess.

‘Since it’s from the palace, it must be expensive, right?’

I don’t usually drink wine, so I don’t know how good it really is. Holding the glass, I pulled back the curtain and looked out the window.

Night had fallen.

In the darkness, the imperial palace shone even more brilliantly.

“Madam, what are you looking at?”

John entered the room wearing only a gown.

“Oh, I was just looking outside for a moment.”

It felt like I should be used to his gown, but every time I saw him, my heart fluttered. His broad shoulders, muscular chest swelling with strength, and perfect inverted triangle shape were striking.

‘Who wouldn’t be excited seeing that?’

Honestly, regardless of how much I liked John, he was an incredibly perfect man.

“The palace at night is more beautiful than during the day.”

John stood by the window with me, gazing outside. Then he naturally poured wine into my glass.

“Would you like a sip?”

“Sure.”

The wine had a sweet aroma. I kept sipping, enjoying the flavor, and the alcohol began to take effect. John, quietly gazing outside with me, suddenly spoke.

“Want to hear an old story?”

He looked different from his usual expression—somewhat unfamiliar. I nodded with a tense face.

“What story?”

“A man who survived the conspiracy at the Libertan estate and took revenge.”

Anyone could tell he was talking about himself. Seeing my surprised face, John’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“You knew?”

“Well, I happened to hear something.”

“It’s a very famous story, so it’s understandable.”

John took a sip of wine and spoke in a low, serious tone.

“The Duke of Libertan falsely accused the Duke of Blanchet of treason and had him executed. My family was unjustly destroyed.”

“…”

“I hate Libertan.”

I never thought those words would come out of John’s mouth.

My mind went blank, and an uneasy feeling crept in. I watched him smile sweetly amid my racing heart.

“…Then, John, do you hate me?”

“What do you think?”

I couldn’t find the words. I rolled my eyes, unsure how much I should pretend to know.

“I’m not sure. I’m not John. But I think it wouldn’t have been good.”

“You, even though you’re so lovely?”

“Still, I’m the daughter of the family John hates.”

John looked at me and chuckled softly.

“You’re mistaken.”

His red eyes shimmered like jewels. As he gave a light smile, an alluring, lazy charm radiated from him.

“I’ve never hated you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The crimes are those of the Duke of Libertan—your sins are not yours.”

“…”

“Why would I hate you?”

John gently pinched my cheek, soothingly, as he always did, with a sweet expression of affection.

“Were you worried I might hate you?”

“No matter what, feelings aren’t always resolved rationally.”

“That’s true, but I wasn’t.”

His gaze held no doubt or wavering. It was such a magnificent, beautiful secret I’d want to believe it wholeheartedly.

I want to believe it just as I love him.

“Then, why did you marry me?”

“Because I felt sorry for you.”

John whispered into my ear, holding me close.

“You’re adopted, not related to Libertan. I didn’t want you to suffer because of Libertan’s sins.”

“Why do you treat me like that…”

“I don’t know myself. Is this fate?”

John, with a sly smile, rubbed his nose against my face.

“It seems my destiny was to love you.”

“…”

“I should have said so earlier if I knew I’d care this much. Sorry, my lady.”

‘I should be happy.’

Because now the chance of John abandoning me has decreased. Maybe he loves me just as much as I love him.

But I wasn’t happy. Not at all.

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.

See you then!!