CH 269

Ariel put on a beautiful smile at Theon’s pleasant voice.

Perhaps remembering something, Ariel’s pretty face hardened, and she opened her mouth carefully.

“How is His Majesty the King? I couldn’t sleep for a few days as I was worried.”

“That’s… unexpected. You looked so bright that I thought you were delighted.”

“How can you say something so terrible? His Majesty needs to get back his health quickly… Ah right, I heard that Your Highness was looking for me.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Is anything going on?”

“See for yourself what’s going on.”

Theon rolled up the corners of his mouth and extended his hand in front of him.

At the place where his fingertips were pointing, a large, ornately decorated iron door stood imposingly.

***

She couldn’t even count how many doors they had already passed.

Seeing that there was such a secret place in a place she didn’t know, he was a man that she didn’t know at all.

“Your Highness, where are we going?”

“…”

Despite Ariel’s worried voice, Theon didn’t answer.

He just kept leading the way while rushing her steps.

Seeing that, Ariel secretly pursed her lips.

‘What on earth is he scheming?’

She couldn’t help but follow Theon at his tacit pressure, but she felt uneasy.

If she was a lady that was ignorant of the world, she would have been filled with excitement and unfolded her imagination even at this moment.

But she wasn’t.

At least she wasn’t so naive to be consumed by frivolous thoughts and make gasping noises.

She knew that the woman he wanted wasn’t her.

Of course, she even knew who the person he really wanted was.

Simple kindness, amid all that? A romantic event?

It was absurd. It was miserable, but that was the reality.

‘That’s why I’m even more angry.’

Ariel, who was following Theon, quietly clenched her fists.

The sharp nails dug into her skin, forming drops of blood.

“We have arrived.”

With Theon’s formal voice, a large wooden door came into Ariel’s sight.

The splendid majesty of the royal palace, which she had been facing until a while ago, was nowhere to be seen.

Silence and stillness, and a heavily sinking atmosphere.

She felt like she couldn’t breathe at the sight, without a single gap.

Immediately, Theon’s long fingers headed for the doorknob.

The tightly closed wooden door opened slightly with a screech.

The interior was painted white.

Ariel’s anxious gaze, which had been rolling from place to place, was fixed on one place.

‘Astraea…’

The large statue of the blindfolded goddess holding a scale.

And the Supreme Court justices sitting around it, along with a person wearing a robe.

As if aware of the situation, one corner of Ariel’s mouth rose fishily.

Soon, Ariel shot sharply at Theon with a cold voice.

“What are we doing here?”

“As you can see, the trial is about to start.”

“A trial? For whom?”

“I’m not sure.”

Theon tilted his head and shook his shoulders lightly.

Ariel tried to control her trembling lips and continued.

“You’re not saying you’re going to put me, your fiancée, on trial, are you?”

“Why? Did you do something wrong?”

“How could I? The people of the Stellen Kingdom are keeping an eye on me. Since I’m going to become the queen, I need to be careful of my behavior.”

“The story I heard is a little different, but luckily, it seems like that’s not the case?”

“Explain it so I can understand, Theon. It’s becoming unpleasant now.”

“We secretly prepared for the story about the Princess stealing the Stellen Kingdom’s treasury.”

“You don’t believe those ridiculous rumors, do you?”

“I also hope they’re not true. I want to believe that you’re not that lowly.”

“Your words are excessive.”

“Even now, I’m giving the Princess plenty of opportunities.”

“Opportunities? What opportunities? is suspecting and cornering the person who is going to become your wife the opportunity Your Highness is talking about?”

“If you are guilty, confess now. I’ll take action so that the relevant punishment is received in the Libert Kingdom.”

Ill intentions could not be felt in Theon’s voice.

Clenching her teeth as she held on to reason, Ariel’s big eyes shook quickly.

“Do as you please. I’m not guilty.”

“There’s no helping it. We have no choice but to distinguish who’s right and who’s wrong.”

Theon’s heavily sinking eyes turned to one of the Supreme Court justices.

Soon after, the formal voice of the Supreme Court justice broke the silence.

“Let us begin the trial of Jaden Serdian’s alleged tribute embezzlement.”

At the same time as the majestic Supreme Court justice spoke, the man in the center took off his robe.

“Count… Serdian?”

As soon as she saw the Count, Ariel’s eyes opened wide as if they were going to pop out at any moment.

Then, Ariel lowered her gaze, pursing her lips.

It was only a few days ago that she had ordered for the Counts to be thoroughly monitored.

She had to think of the reason why the person who was supposed to be cooped up at the Libro Community of Merchants was here, or how he was able to come.

Was there a breach in the surveillance?

Or was there a traitor?

Whatever it was, it was clear things went wrong.

Enough that it was considered impossible to deal with it any further.

Ariel’s brown eyes were shaking anxiously towards the floor.

Theon tapped Ariel’s shoulder with his fingertips and approached her side.

“I’ve given you plenty of opportunities. The Princess made the choice. Please… don’t blame me.”

Ariel’s thin body trembled at Theon’s low voice.

Following that, the Supreme Court justice’s sharp voice was heard.

“In addition, the trial of Princess Ariel of the Libert Kingdom will also be conducted.”

Damn it.

Rough swearing flowed out of Ariel’s mouth.

***