Chapter 94 - Wounds May Heal, But The Scars Remain (End)

Although the highest level court — that deal with cases like the one Basil having — was located at the Capital, Basil didn't need to go there to be judged. As the Kingdom's authority had come here, he would be judged at Woster County's court.

Upon arriving there, Basil and his entourage entered the building like a celebrity. As the case was attracting many people's attention, many of the Nobles attending there planted their eyes on Basil.

They were curious to the young man who was dubbed as the second Charles Blois, even if they knew it was nothing more than a rumour.

When Basil entered the court room, he could see Justin was already there. He was alone, without Daniel, who was also involved int the tragedy, accompanying him.

Justin looked at Basil with the same empty eyes he had shown three days ago, and greeted Basil with a nod. Basil merely quirked his eyebrow in return.

"Listen, Basil. You don't have to be nervous, okay? We are on this together!" Diana held Basil's hand, and stared at him with bright eyes.

Basil merely smiled, and patted her hands reassuringly. "I will be fine, Viscountess Diana."

From the side, Julia quickly pulled her mother dress. "Mom, let go! Senior is a tough guy. He wouldn't even blink in front of a dragon, you know?"

She was embarrassed at her mother's unnecessary worry toward Basil. No, actually, she was afraid her mother was hitting on Basil!

"Oh, my! I am sorry if I bothered you, Basil. I can't help it. I can't just let my daughter's important person rot in prison for the wrong he didn't do." Diana winked her eyes at Basil.

While Basil merely nodded his head at the Vagus like woman, Julia, in the other hand, was cursing in her mind.

'This cougar! What do you mean by my important person? Are you referring him as my precious senior, or my future father?!'

Diana let Basil's hand go, and Basil quickly moved to the center of the room. He stood on his designated position, and the witnesses — Justin and Shirley — also positioned themselves to their designated position.

Basil's entourage also seated themselves on the chair reserved for them.

Basil stared in front of him. There were seven people wearing white and gold tunic with veil covering half of their face sitting in parallel. They were the people from the Kingdom's court, the people of the Church, the people who would judge him.

One of them stood up, and extended his hand. The whispering crowds, and juries alike were quickly silenced by his mere gesture. No one dared to disrespect the judge, who was also an important figure of Church.

"Without any further ado, I hereby declare the start of the trial!"

The judge sat himself before looking down at the Record Talisman containing the chronology of the happening, according to the eyewitnesses and Basil's narration.

The judge narrated the tragedy that had happened sequentially, and thee crowds would gasp from time to time, bearing the atrocities that's had happened. The juries were also starting to develop a pondering look on their face.

"Basil Cobham. What is your plea?"

"Should I make one when it is evident I have done the right thing?"

The crowd gasped in surprise. Although they agreed with Basil after hearing the chronology, they hadn't thought Basil would have the guts to talk like that.

While some of the Nobles were about to chide Basil on his insolence, the judge opened his mouth, surprising the people in the process.

"Very well. Then, allow me to ask you a few things. Did you have a personal grudge against your late father?"

"I would have ended him sooner, if I did."

Gasp!

Everyone couldn't believe Basil would actually say that. Although the implication wasn't malicious, the way he said that could cause a misunderstanding.

Then again, the judge surprised them.

"Very well. Did you kill your late father intentionally or unintentionally?"

Basil quirked his eyebrow. He was unamused by the stupid question.

"With all due respect, I know you are trying to figure me out with your 'Miracle' since the moment I entered the room. Why would you ask something that can be easily figured out by your 'Miracle'?"

Again, Basil answered the judge casually. While the people who were close to Basil were facepalming, the other Nobles were ready chew his arse off.

Surely, the judge surprised them once again by chuckling at Basil's comment.

"Very well. I have found nothing wrong in your words. If it was only me, I would end the court here. However, I have to follow the procedure. Therefore, I am going to ask the witnesses too."

Everyone was gaping at the trial that had never happened before. How could a convicted act insolently in front of the judge, and the judge just brushed it off? It was as unprecedented as it was impossible.

Surely, no one knew It was possible because this Capital's law "authority" had been paid with a large amount of money by Justin beforehand. This was what Basil had meant when he had asked Justin to be his witness.

He knew the court would think with their arse, and decided to make a stupid decision in the trial. He didn't want that to happen. Therefore, he had told Justin to pay this law "authority" a huge sum of money.

None of the lower Nobles like Viscount or below dare to bribe the people from Church. However, the higher Nobles knew more than anyone how rotten the Church actually was. No matter what name they carried, in the end, they were human.

Human are greedy in nature.

Thus, the whole trial was merely a joke, and as expected, Basil easily won the case. Everyone was made aware of the atrocities Nicholas had done to his wife and his daughter, while Basil was getting an appreciation from everyone for his decision.

Surely, the things happened next weren't within anyone's expectation.

Two days after the trial, Justin was found dead in his mansion. He had died due to suicide a few hours prior. His son, Daniel, was also found lifelessly nailed on the wall.

It was concluded Justin had done it himself. Many theories of conspiracy were made on the reason behind his action. However, the real reason remained unknown untill this day.

Surely, Basil knew Justin's reason of doing it. Therefore, he wasn't surprised. However, while he had predicted something like that would happen, he hadn't expected the scene he was seeing in front of his eyes would happen.

"Irene... How do you feel?"

"I have never been better, Young Master."

"I see. When you are healed, should we go on a shop together once again?"

"Ah, yes. I would like to do that, Young Master."

Irene held Basil's hand close to her chest, while caressing it warmly. With her droopy eyes, she looked at Basil's emotionless face. Raising her finger to Basil's eyes, she touched the corner of his eyes.

"Why are you crying, Young Master?"

"Your finger is just moist, Irene."

"You can't fool me, Young Master. I know you since you are a baby." Irene paused, and caressed his cheek.

"I remember those days when you played outside, and coming home bruised and battered. You told me you fell while playing, but I know you were bullied. Therefore, when I called you out on that, you would cry on my lap. Oh, it's so nostalgic!"

Irene laughed, before looking at Basil with moist eyes. While caressing Basil's cheek warmly, she stared at Basil with her blurry eyes.

"You have grown this big. You are already so powerful no one dare to bully you. In my eyes, you are already a mature man. Therefore, you can't cry, Young Master."

Drip. Drip. Drip.

"I am not Irene. This is what you called excessive tears."

Irene chuckled once again, "You and your another weird excuse." She sighed weakly, after that.

She motioned Basil to get closer, before mustering her power to speak, that was heard as a whisper.

"You are strong. Therefore, you will never lose. When the hardship is too much for you to bear alone, find a trustable comrade. When you feel you are alone, just remember I will be always by your side..."

Irene took a labored breath, before saying, "Stay safe, my son. I love you."

Irene kissed Basil for the last time, before finally closing her eyes for eternity. Her hand quickly lost its strength, and Basil held it closely to his face. Basil leaned his head on her chest to hear her slowly diminishing heart beat. He closed his eyes, and tears slowly poured out of his eyes.

The scene was entirely witnessed by everyone close to him. None of them could hold back their tears. Irene's last words, and the beautiful bond Basil had with Irene moved them so much.

Basil's reaction might be very tame. However, anyone could feel the sorrow he he hid behind the calm face he made. The powerful and suppressing aura he was usually exuding was replaced with a calm and deep one. People who knew Basil could instantly tell the difference.

Looking at Basil, who was just lying his head on Irene's chest while caressing her cold hand, made their heart bleed. Still, no one dare to make a sound.

They didn't want to interrupt Basil's silent mourning.

In the other hand, Basil merely sighed helplessly. He had been the one who had leaked Catherine's betrayal to Nicholas. He hadn't expected things would have escalated this way.

He had thought it would have merely stopped Catherine from pestering him. He hadn't expected Nicholas would have lost his mind.

Indeed, such a naive thought for someone as experienced as him! He was ashamed at his stupid decision.

While there might be people who would cope with their mistake like Justin, Basil wasn't such a person. He would strive far better, using his mistake as a reminder.

Today, he had just made his first mistake in his second chance. Today, he received a wound. Just like how it usually goes, his wound will eventually heal, but the scar remains with him for eternity.

Just like his mistake.