Chapter 248: Innocent Trial....

Chapter 248: Innocent Trial....



There are people trying to protect me from getting expelled...

Could it be Snow?

It would make sense; as a princess and the academy's student council president, Snow has both the authority and influence to sway the academy's decisions.

If anyone could face off against the administration on my behalf, it'd be her.

And since the principal mentioned "fellow students," it's reasonable to assume that other students close to me might be stepping up as well-Seo, Rose, Kagami, and perhaps a few others.

If I had to guess, it's probably these four leading the charge to defend me.

But in the grand scheme of things, they're all just students.

The academy isn't required to take their opinions into account, no matter how noble their intentions.

What I did went beyond breaking school rules; it bordered on a crime severe enough to warrant expulsion, if not imprisonment or worse.

I could even be looking at a sentence in a dungeon mining camp or, in a worst-case scenario, execution.

True, my ties to the duke and the emperor could be something they're cautious of, and Snow's interference might be pushing them to handle this delicately.

Still, it doesn't fully explain the academy's roundabout way of trying to discipline me.

Why not just lay down a clear punishment?

Why all this deliberation and hesitation?

From Professor Amelia to Dean Gale, and even the various deans and professors pressing me to provide some clear answer or reason behind my actions... it's almost as if they're fishing for something more.

These people... do they want something from me?

"This is your chance, Riley Hell," Principal Leilah spoke in a smooth, coaxing tone, her eyes glinting with calculated interest. "Just one small talk, a single justification for your actions. Whether we find your reasoning acceptable or not is ultimately for us to decide. But, rest assured, all the support you've garnered will also be taken into account. We could call this trial done and say goodbye to the entire ordeal..."

"You're saying that as if my punishment hasn't already been decided," I replied, sensing something beneath her words.

Principal Leilah gave a measured smile, her eyes narrowing in an almost playful way. "What makes you say that?"

This woman.

She certainly loves to play games. It's clear she didn't rise to the position of principal on raw power alone.

She's got more in common with someone like Clara, layered, and with a hidden snake lurking inside her business-like demeanor.

"If you're playing that game, then I won't mince my words, even if it sounds rude, Principal..." I held her gaze steadily.

"Oh?" Principal Leilah's brows lifted, intrigued.

"What do you want?"

"What are you talking about?" she replied, her expression neutral, but there was a flicker of interest in her eyes.

"Honestly, this whole trial feels like a sham..." I let the words hang in the air, noticing the subtle reactions from those around me. "This is supposed to be about punishing me. And yet, despite all the animosity in this room, it feels like some of you are trying to save me."

"Fufu~ Your eyes betray you; you know?" Leilah continued, studying me with an unsettling focus. "They may look apathetic, but they reveal more than you might think. You don't have to feel too bad about it, though."

Her tone was almost... teasing, but the words held a subtle, mocking edge.

This entire setup felt like they wanted to corner me, to force me into feeling remorse, even though I was still questioning just how much of this situation was actually under my favor at

this point.

"As we've made clear, the academy has no desire to delve deeper into your case, nor any matters indirectly related to you," Principal Leilah continued, her voice dropping to a low

tone.

"Quite frankly, as you've probably guessed by now, we can't exactly... touch you, you know?" She leaned back, studying my face carefully.

"This entire trial is a sham—a charade, if you will. A way for us to save what little dignity we have left. All the documents, reviews, rejections, postponements, and approvals involved in this are not only costly but incredibly troublesome. The academy is already on the brink of collapse even without the disruption you caused."

"Where are you going with this?" I asked, my gaze narrowing as her words sank in.

She smirked, clearly enjoying the game she was playing. "There are too many risks involved if we pursue any harsh punishment against you, Riley. But letting the matter rest quietly would damage our personal standings even more. That's why we need... a compromise. A proposal that secures both sides, don't you agree?"

With a flick of her wand, a shimmering projection appeared in the air before me-a letter, its wax seal glinting ominously.

Although I only took a single glance on it, that was all it took for me to absorb all the info

inside it...

Then, with a casual clap, the academy staff members who had just filed out began to return.

They took their seats, each one eyeing me with renewed intensity, clearly anticipating my reaction to what was in that letter.

I glanced at the principal, who was watching me intently, her gaze sharp and calculating.

This woman really was a snake... no, not her-the one pulling her strings.

Damn it! Since when had he established contact with her? And did Snow know about this?

Though it was only a projection, the insignia stamped at the top of the letter was unmistakable—the crest of the Germonia Imperial family.

The document in question was no ordinary correspondence; it was a directive from one of the empire's highest authorities, and in it lay an invitation.

More specifically, a hidden invitation to the Imperial Palace, with my name attached.

Inside the letter was a thinly veiled proposal, as much for her as it was for me - a way to dodge the consequences if I agreed to just one thing.

"The crown will personally handle any 'loose ends' following your statement. Your punishment will still be applied, of course, but now... with a 'reasonable approach.' Don't worry," she added with a faint smirk, "just as this trial is a farce, so too shall be your

punishment."

She paused, watching me carefully, her eyes glinting with a sharp, amused edge.

"Whether you accept or reject this offer is entirely up to you, Riley," she said, though her gaze

and the silent room around us betrayed the truth: every single person here expected me to say

yes.

If looks could kill they were practically drowning me with it... Pushing me into a corner-creating a situation where refusal was unthinkable.