Chapter 39

‘As far as luck goes, I’m sure the Imperial Princess isn’t in a much better situation.”

Hughes gazed at the gorgeous pink hair that didn’t quite fit the atmosphere of the trial grounds before sighing.

She just killed him for his grave sin but received the death sentence without extenuating the circumstances.

From what I heard, they only had each other in their lonely palace. Sigh, I feel sorry for them, but I can’t do much.

Just think she was destined to die.

As someone was destined to die, another was destined to live.

With his arms crossed, Hughes glanced back and forth between Kathia and Deon. They seemed to have similar fates, but they are two people who would have different endings.

“The trial will commence now.”

As the judge began to speak, the absent-minded Kathia started to look around at her surroundings. Then, as she discovered the empty seat of the emperor, she began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Your Majesty. What is the matter?”

The startled Madam Murphy held her tightly, but the trembling didn’t cease. Uncontrollable rage and resentment overwhelmed her.

It wasn’t that she expected much from the emperor. But he should’ve at least been sitting there.

He should’ve sat his old, wrinkled ass there, and witnessed the sole outcome of his own lust.

You must love Mom, right? Nothing would justify all the filthy things you’ve done, but did you at least love Mom?

If you were going to abandon her like this, you shouldn’t have lusted for her. If you couldn’t nurture such a flower, you shouldn’t have plucked it, to begin with.

You took my family away, killed Dad, made Mom sick, and now, you just take off. How dare you just give up.

How dare…!

Kathia’s trembling that would not stop no matter how tightly Madam Murphy held her suddenly stopped.

It was more accurate to say she forgot to tremble at the sight of a distraction.

Right in front of her eyes, the bound-up Hannah was being dragged out.

Mom. As soon as Kathia twitched her lips, their eyes met, like magic.

Not seeing her for 10 days, Hannah was in arm’s reach; if she were to take her eyes off her, it seemed like her frail body could drift away.

‘Why did you get so thin?’

Hannah spoke without words. Her sunset-like eyes were glowing with worry.

‘Look who’s talking,’ Kathia thought and let out a hollow laugh.

What should I do? It’s beyond painful, it’s burning.

Her eyes are so full they’re about to burst, but the lava still doesn’t flow.

For sure, there was definitely something wrong with Kathia.

***

“That low-life b*tch! She killed the Crown Prince! My son…!

The haggard First Consort directed a blood-curdling screech towards Hannah who had collapsed in the defendant’s seat.

Hannah dropped her head. She understood the First Consort’s feelings well enough. Since she was a mother herself.

So if she was asked if she had any regrets, she would reply with ‘never.’

Because she herself is a mother.

“Let us commence the trial… A-Ahem.”

Initially, the three judges walked in proudly and openly scanned Kathia before halting.

What was worse was that one of the judges even turned into a stone statue with his mouth wide open; the other two, who had snapped out of their trance first, had to drag him and force him to sit down.

In many ways forgetting their sense of humiliation, all three were licking their chomps and shouting after aligning the date and the case number.

“Now, attendees may begin to speak up.”

In the Brezina Imperial Palace trials, there is no distinction of roles between prosecutor and lawyer; instead, attendees act on the behalf of the jury to inquire and present suggestions.

So if worthwhile issues were brought up, they weigh it towards the final verdict.

Of course, the judges make the standard of what is considered ‘useful information.’

For example, the trial system itself can be advantageous with connections.

Being right or wrong isn’t important, it could easily break out into a dogfight of whoever had closer ties to the panel of judges.

That’s why, once again, the First Consort and the Duke of Tanium put so much effort into appeasing the panel of judges.

The panel of judges quickly switched sides to those with the potential to give them a better future compared to the sickly old emperor.