Capitulo 123
Episode 123
Julius’ face went white as he looked at the photo.
Martin was our hidden card.
His presence and photograph were used as evidence to keep the Cassels from coming out as innocent.
Raymond’s lawyers didn’t hold back and pushed him.
The mood was definitely leaning our way.
I would have to put a letter in here.
I looked at the judge.
Although he was a judge who had to protect justice more than anyone else, he was also a man and a member of the aristocracy.
During the trial, I heard that the Archduke had contacted the judge’s wife.
It must be intimidation or conciliation.
He seemed a bit nervous.
The power struggle between the nobles and the imperial faction was intense.
Also, Andrew was present at every trial and observing.
It won’t be easy to side with someone in this situation.
Miss, look over there.
At Sasha’s words, I bowed my head and looked toward the second floor.
There was an unexpected man sitting there.
He hid his beautiful hair color, but the man was definitely Aster.
Although he didn’t dress much different from ordinary people, he still had an unusual sense of intimidation.
Wait there…
Why are you here, Your Majesty?
We didn’t seem to be the only ones aware of Aster’s existence.
The nobles around him whispered.
Rarely had the emperor intervened so actively anywhere.
Perhaps that was why his presence seemed to have surprised not only the nobles but also the judge and jury.
Uh, hmm. There seems to be a lot to investigate in this case. Let’s take a break and meet again in three days.
The presiding judge declared a break and hurriedly left.
When Aster got up, I settled in as well.
Just as I was contemplating whether to go down and get him, Aster’s servant approached.
Princess. Her Majesty requests to see you for a while.
Seeing the nobles talking from where they were, it seemed they had no intention of hiding it.
Okay, where can I go?
Follow me. Sir Raymond will be waiting with you.
It didn’t seem like he was just asking me to see it as a personal matter.
I calmed my strangely beating heart and made my way to where the servant was leading me.
* * *
The attendant led me to the waiting room at the back of the courthouse.
As I entered, Aster, Raymond and the judge were seated.
Come here, princess.
Aster greeted me with a bright smile.
He jumped out of his seat and walked over to me and took my hands.
How have you been?
Thanks to His Majesty’s concern, I had a great time.
As I greeted him, I could see Raymond’s face soften a little as he sat there.
To say that my concerns protect the welfare of the princess, I have to do it many more times a day.
The judge’s face darkened at his playful comments.
Perhaps the relationship between Aster and me felt heavy.
He was not shy.
He wanted to clearly show that he can’t just look into Andrew’s eyes.
Don’t stand there like that, come over here and sit down.
At Raymond’s forceful voice, Aster nodded his head as if in agreement.
I’ve been entertaining you for a long time. Sit like this.
He walked me over and I sat down on the sofa next to the table.
Why did his majesty come to this trial?
Aster shrugged at Raymond’s words.
I hear the Archduke always attends. Not sparing especially on schedules. It’s overtly revealing that he wants to influence this trial, but I wanted someone from the princess’s side to show up.
A smile came to my mind when I said he had come for me on purpose.
Raymond looked at us with a strangely shaky face.
If that’s all…
Aster opened his mouth first, grabbing Raymond, who wanted to leave quickly.
I have something to tell you, so I asked you to stay.
Aster silently pulled a small video ball out of his chest.
This one…
Don’t ask where and how I got it.
When he released his magic power, what was recorded on the video sphere played.
The video begins with Julius’ wife bringing in their newborn baby, Ethan.
[You, where did you get that child from?!]
[When I said I’d raise him as a successor, she gave him away. Why not bring him?]
Maybe Ethan was Julius’ illegitimate son.
The child born outside was brought in by Mrs. Cassel.
The scene soon changed.
Julius was looking at the child.
The look that watched Ethan as he walked was unbearably cold.
He grabbed Ethan and disappeared somewhere.
And the scenery changed again.
Ethan looked to be about six years old.
[What the hell did you do to him!]
[This child is too ordinary for the Cassel family.]
[He’s your son! Didn’t you mean you wanted him to die in that facility?]
Julius burst out laughing like a madman.
He grabbed Ethan’s face and showed it to Mrs. Cassel.
His normal brown eyes had turned gold.
[Didn’t you say you wanted to raise him as the heir to the Cassel family? This child will make our family perfect]].
The video stopped there.
Even Ethan, who was an illegitimate child, and Julius, who experimented directly with his own children.
There was an overflow of disgusting desires that made me nauseous.
Raymond laughed as if exasperated.
If you have this kind of evidence, why didn’t you come forward?
I hadn’t been able to find it for some time. Above all, there was another reason.
Aster shrugged and opened his mouth to look at Raymond.
I want you to take over the Cassel family.
Raymond’s face hardened at her words.
Because I…
If the Cassel family collapses like this, it will have a huge impact on the imperial economy. If the imperial family swallows that big business, there will be a lot of negative reactions and there will be a lot of families who will want the business.
At my words, Aster smiled and nodded.
There is also a Grand Duke among them.
Raymond had an unattractive face.
I don’t want to be in a place like that.
He didn’t even want to imagine being part of a family he had hated for the rest of his life.
As long as you haven’t inherited the authority of the Magic Tower, you must at least obey my orders as Emperor.
Are you talking about fighting now?
He jumped up from his seat and revealed.
Let’s fight, this is an order. Raymond Cassel.
Aster also smiled and accepted his words calmly.
I let out a sigh of relief at the increasingly harsh atmosphere.
Stop it, both of you.
Aster shrugged and stepped back.
Why me, there must be plenty of people who would be greedy for the position besides me.
Sir Raymond will have no choice but to accept it. I’ve already looked for other successors in the Cassel family, but they’re all in bad shape. Perhaps Ethan made them that way.
They say that the successor of the Cassel family is chosen only by skill.
Even after becoming an heir, if he made a small mistake, it could change the position of the successor.
Ethan could have screwed up the other candidates to prevent that from happening.
I will let Ethan take over the Cassel family in this way.
What does that mean?
I explained my plans to Aster and Raymond.
Raymond, what do you think you would do if your enemy knew?
Enemy? You must want to kill him right now.
Yes. That’s all. If Raymond has this evidence and there are rumors that the Cassels need an heir.
Obviously they won’t stand still.
Besides, Raymond is in a difficult state. If it wasn’t now, they would think there might not be a chance forever.
Are you saying you want me to be the bait?
I smiled and nodded.
* * *
Raymond had no choice.
Aster handed me a copy of the video sphere he had.
I wanted to show it in court right away, but I had to be careful.
I handed the note to the young head of Raymond’s household for Fio.
Leave this in the room of a man named Ethan.
It was the most perfect way to get it directly to Ethan without passing through anyone’s hands.
Fio nodded and quickly jumped out the window.
I stayed up all night impatiently until he returned.
It’s later than I thought.
Considering Fio’s speed, he would have been back in about an hour.
However, there was no word from Fio until dawn.
After worrying about where he might have been injured, Fio finally returned.
Fio, what happened?
Fio, who had been rolling his eyes in surprise, opened his mouth.
[Big, big problem.]
What’s going on? Who found out that you’re a monster?
[No, that red-haired man killed a man.]
What do you mean?
[I mean, he killed the old man I saw in the courtroom.]