Chapter 60
Veronica Under Attack
“Hey, you two?”
Despite my call, Abel and Niel continued staring at each other, completely ignoring me. It was infuriating.
“Haha… hey. Want some cake?”
Not even a response. Why did they keep glaring at each other so seriously, ignoring me like that?
Just then, Abel finally turned his head and said,
“Let’s go eat cake, Dia.”
“Mm.”
He naturally reached out his hand. Without thinking, I reflexively reached for it.
But I couldn’t grab his hand. Niel had swatted Abel’s arm away faster than anyone else could.
I froze, blinking in surprise at this unexpected move.
“What is this?” I muttered.
“Don’t touch my hand.”
“Hah, who do you think you are?”
And just like before, the two of them stared at each other as if they could kill one another. It seemed like this was going to go on forever.
“Fine, then I’ll go alone.”
“Come with us, Dia!”
Sighing, I turned back with Sophia, and finally, the two boys hurried after us. Sophia let out a small laugh, her shoulders shaking.
What is it with these boys? Their thinking was completely beyond me.
“Little master, and young sirs, today we have many delicious desserts prepared.”
“Wow!”
Sophia spoke with confident cheer, and sure enough, the parlor had a wide variety of desserts laid out, just as she said.
But why does this feel… weird?
“Try this, Dia,” she said.
I couldn’t shake the odd feeling that had settled over me. Maybe it was because the divorce seemed too easy, almost casual.
“This is good too,” I said as I sampled the sweets.
Veronica habitually reached to touch the necklace around her neck—the one made from the gem her daughter Claudia had given her.
Both Abel and Niel, as if their previous tension never existed, picked up their chosen desserts and fed me little bites.
Seeing the gem, Veronica instantly recognized it as the ruby she had received from Claudia before, but she played it off. After all, she appreciated her daughter’s feelings.
One held a Mont Blanc, the other a Sachertorte. As I glanced at them, Sophia slipped a strawberry tart into my mouth.
“Is it good, little master?”
“Mm!”
Although the two looked disappointed, I felt quietly satisfied with this small revenge.
“Now behave until Veronica returns,” I thought, eyeing Abel and Niel with disapproval and clicking my tongue.
Soon, the judge entered the room. People stood aside, and the judge’s gaze lingered on the empty seat of Cedric.
“Marquis Lionel is not attending today?”
“Hmm, we will proceed nonetheless.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, Veronica had arrived at the courtroom, preparing for the trial. Cedric, refusing the divorce, did not appear.
As expected, under Dantellion’s pressure, the judge ignored Cedric’s absence and continued with the proceedings. The divorce was likely to be approved without issue.
“Then let’s begin.”
The courtroom went quickly. Veronica recalled the events leading up to this day. Since everyone already knew the circumstances, both her lawyer and Cedric’s only made formal statements.
It had happened during a walk with Dantellion in the garden of the Winston townhouse. Cedric’s lawyer seemed to have given up entirely, speaking with no energy.
I’ve always loved you, Veronica. I’ve always liked you.
From the beginning, this marriage had been arranged under royal supervision. Even the divorce had the emperor’s influence. There was no reason for the judge to refuse.
“Then I will render the verdict immediately.”
Dantellion, standing with the physique of a strong man but the face of a boy, confessed to Veronica.
Hearing his sincere confession, Veronica’s heart swelled, and she realized she loved him too. Relief washed over her as she met the judge’s impassive gaze.
The judge began to speak:
“The divorce filed by Lady Veronica…”
Veronica, still legally under another man’s name, couldn’t respond to Dantellion yet. She decided she would answer him only after the divorce was finalized, and Dantellion likely understood her feelings.
Just then, before the judge finished speaking, something sharp flew toward Veronica.
“Miss!”
Raven acted instantly, grabbing Veronica just in time. Although he had resumed sword training after returning to the Winston household, he hadn’t fully regained his former strength. Fighting assassins in this confined space was nearly impossible, and the room favored the attackers.
A small, thin blade landed where Veronica had been seated. It was clearly aimed at her.
Who is it?
Veronica bit her lip. Raven was holding his ground, but other knights were already falling one by one. If things continued like this, everyone would die.
Black-clad assassins appeared everywhere, attacking people in the courtroom without warning.
“Ugh!”
“Miss!”
“Ahhh!”
“Uwaaah!”
An assassin’s sword came dangerously close to Veronica. She gritted her teeth, watching it narrowly miss her. Time seemed to slow.
There were nobles in the courtroom observing the trial, so many were injured in the chaos.
“Miss! You must dodge!”
[Shall I help?]
“But the people…!”
“Hurry!”
At the last moment, the power from the necklace burst forth, pushing the assassin back. Raven, realizing quickly that Veronica was the target, shouted loudly. Veronica, clenching her teeth, nodded and turned her body.
She looked at the necklace in surprise.
Someone is trying to kill me.
Strangely, her mind felt calm. At the same time, she pictured the faces of those who tried to harm her.
Was Cedric behind this insane attack? Did he intend to ruin the trial even if it meant murder? It seemed likely, but the logic behind it was unfathomable.
“Miss!”
“Ugh!”
Unfortunately, Veronica couldn’t think for long. In the enclosed courtroom, escape was impossible; there was only one way in or out.
“Raven!”
“Ugh.”
The knight struggled to wield his full strength. There were too many assassins, and their skill was formidable.
This won’t do.
Raven was struck on one arm. If the blade was poisoned, his life was in danger.
Veronica gritted her teeth. Wearing a dress, she drew the small knife she kept hidden in her thigh. Since Claudia’s incident, she always carried a weapon secretly.
“Ugh!”
Clang! Veronica’s blade clashed with the assassin’s. The sharp sound of metal slicing through the air echoed.
