A Change of Husband - Chapter 56

The day had come when one of the many annoying issues that had troubled them for so long would finally be resolved.
Because of that, everything felt different from the start of the morning.

When Esperad woke up, he found Asilie already awake, but instead of getting up, she was staring blankly into space. He called her name.
“Asilie.”

At the sound of his voice, Asilie turned to look at him.
“Did you just wake up?”
“Yes. Did I interrupt your thoughts?”
“No, not at all. I’m just a bit nervous.”

Hearing that, Esperad slowly reached out and gently stroked her hair.
Today was the day of the trial for Joseph, who Esperad had submitted to the Council of Nobles, so he fully understood why Asilie was feeling tense.

“Everything will go well. Just as we hoped.”
“Do you think so?”
“Are you worried?”
“I guess I am.”

The outcome of the trial was certainly important, but that wasn’t the only reason for her anxiety.
For a noble to accuse another noble and bring them to trial meant not just going against the other person’s family, but also turning against other related noble families.

Esperad had taken that risk for her—even though at the time, she had only been his contract marriage partner.
Remembering that again, Asilie found herself unable to get out of bed first as she usually would.

“…I’m nervous about how the number of observers might affect the verdict. I heard that most of the capital’s nobles have requested to observe this trial.”
“It will be fine, Asilie.”
“After this, the conservative nobles will probably see you as a complete enemy, won’t they?”
“Even so, if Young Lord Bonaparte realizes what he has done, I’ll be okay. Besides, the conservative nobles were already threatening us, weren’t they?”

What Esperad said was true.
They had always tried to attack House Camédici by siding with Count Mirk.
Still, the thought of officially becoming “enemies” unsettled Asilie.

Every time something happened that hadn’t occurred in her life before she returned in time, it made her anxious.

“Asilie.”

When her expression didn’t relax, Esperad gently called her name and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Feeling his warmth, Asilie finally opened her eyes wide and looked up at him.
“Esperad…”
“It’ll be all right. I’ll never let anything happen that could break your heart.”
“Really…?”
“As long as you trust me.”

Esperad whispered softly and kissed her forehead.
Asilie closed her eyes and nodded.
“I trust you. I always do.”

Since today’s trial, hosted by the Council of Nobles, was a conflict between two great houses—House Camédici and House Bonaparte—many nobles had requested to attend.

Knowing she would run into many noble ladies she often saw at social events, Asilie dressed herself very simply today.
Wearing a plain white dress with almost no decoration and her hair neatly tied up, she stared quietly at her reflection in the mirror.

The only accessory she wore was her wedding ring.
“Are you really going to go like that, ma’am?”

Sophia asked with concern.
“What are you worried about?”
“You look so simple today, ma’am. People might spread silly rumors that His Grace is trying to save money on you or that you’ve fallen out of favor. Of course, I know you won’t care…”
“That won’t happen.”

Esperad always cared for her with such attention that those rumors would never take hold. Today would be no different.
If any rumors did spread, it might be something like House Camédici having financial troubles—but even that was something Asilie was willing to bear today.

She understood very well how appearances could influence people’s judgments.
Just because someone was a victim didn’t mean they had to be innocent or weak in every way.
But many people attending the trial today didn’t think that way.
People believed that victims should appear fragile and ready to break at any moment.

So Asilie decided to use those biases and stereotypes to her advantage.
Rather than claiming she was insulted and harmed by Joseph while dressed up in a lavish outfit, appearing as she did now would make her claim more believable.

Especially when everyone has a say in the decision…

Asilie preferred looking clever over looking beautiful.

Since Esperad was waiting for her, she soon headed for the carriage.
As soon as she arrived, the carriage began moving toward the courthouse.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Though she tried to act calm, Esperad seemed to notice that something was different.
As he gently held her hand to comfort her, Asilie looked into his eyes.
“I’m trying not to be, but it’s hard.”
“I won’t leave you alone.”

His words were kind and reassuring.
Even though she should have been used to his affection by now, Asilie was still touched and surprised every time she felt his tenderness.
Like magic, the heart that had been trembling with nerves just moments ago began to calm, and a warm breeze seemed to settle in her chest.

That was what Esperad always did—he made her feel safe.

“Everything will be okay, right?”
“Of course, Asilie. Though it won’t be easy. Since both sides’ honor is at stake, they will have prepared thoroughly.”

He spoke honestly and calmly.
“But we’ve also hired an excellent representative, and the nobles observing the trial will want to make decisions that protect their own honor. So you don’t need to worry too much. Now then…”

The carriage stopped, and Esperad opened the door, stepping out and reaching his hand toward her.
“Let’s go.”

Asilie hesitated for a moment, then took his hand tightly.
Together, the two of them entered the courtroom slowly.

The rumor that an unusually large number of people had applied to observe seemed true. The courtroom was so packed that it was hard to find a place to sit.

When Esperad and Asilie, the main parties in the trial, appeared, the room fell silent and all eyes turned toward them.

Even though she had prepared herself, Asilie still felt a bit nervous.
Sensing her unease, Esperad gently squeezed the hand he was holding.

Once they were seated in their designated places, the nobles finally began whispering among themselves.

Rather than the murmuring of strangers, Asilie was more conscious of Joseph sitting confidently across from them and the members of House Bonaparte seated behind him.
Especially Countess Bonaparte, who was glaring at her as if she would kill her on the spot. That hateful stare made Asilie tense.

Fortunately, the three judges entered soon after, giving her a chance to calm her nerves.

“It seems they were aware of the public’s attention,”
Esperad whispered quietly after checking the judges’ faces.

Each of the three judges had been chosen from a different faction—one from the conservatives, one from the moderates, and one from the progressives—so there was no strong political leaning.

“At least the trial will be conducted fairly.”
“It should be.”

There was no time for further conversation.
Soon, Count Holter, the neutral judge, began the trial.

“We will now begin the trial regarding Duke Esperad Camédici’s accusation against Young Lord Joseph Bonaparte for harassment of a noblewoman and defamation. Will the plaintiff clearly state the charges?”

As the judge began without delay, Baron Bresto, the representative for House Camédici, stood up and briefly explained the events.
“Does the defendant acknowledge this?”

At the judge’s question, the representative of the Bonaparte Count’s family stood up.

“We do not accept this. We request to question the witness.”

“Proceed.”

With permission granted, Baron Oleso, the representative of the Bonaparte family, approached Asilie, who was attending the trial as both the victim and a witness for the plaintiff.

It seemed she was the one he intended to question.

“I will ask the Duchess of Camédici. Are you claiming that you were simply standing still, and suddenly the plaintiff, Lord Bonaparte, came up to you and harassed you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s strange. Lord Bonaparte has always had a good reputation in society. It doesn’t make sense that he would suddenly approach the Duchess of Camédici, whom he doesn’t even know, and harass her.”

Asilie quickly understood Baron Oleso’s intention.

Since the opinion of the spectators had great influence in this trial, he seemed to be trying to steer the trial in a way that would win them over.

But she had expected this, so she spoke immediately.

“I also found it very strange… but it is true that Lord Bonaparte suddenly approached me, spoke of a ‘curse,’ and insulted me. Many people witnessed it.”

“Is there a witness who saw Lord Bonaparte approach the Duchess of Camédici first?”

Asilie opened her mouth to answer but then closed it.

That was because Esperad, from where no one could see, gently held her hand.

The Camédici family had secured a witness who saw Joseph harass Asilie, but they did not have one who saw Joseph approach her first.

Then, Baron Bresto, the representative of the Camédici family, stepped forward.

“What is clear is that there is a witness who saw Lord Bonaparte harassing the Duchess of Camédici that day. The main issue in this trial is whether Lord Bonaparte harassed the Duchess and damaged the honor of the ducal house. Let’s not lose sight of that.”

“We’re not losing sight of the issue. We are simply trying to clarify the facts. I have another question for the Duchess. Do you not believe that using violence against a nobleman in public is also an act of defamation?”

Again, Baron Bresto answered instead of Asilie.

“Verbal harassment is also a form of violence. The Duchess only used the one method available to her at that moment to resist his harassment.”

“For that to be valid, you must prove that Lord Bonaparte approached the Duchess first. As I asked earlier, is there a witness who can confirm that?”

Baron Bresto turned to look at Esperad.

When Esperad shook his head, Baron Bresto answered.

“No, there isn’t. But just because there’s no witness to prove that, it doesn’t mean the Duchess approached Lord Bonaparte first.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Baron Oleso gave a cold smile and shook his head.

“We have a witness who saw the Duchess of Camédici approach Lord Bonaparte first.”

As soon as he said that, Monica stood up from the Bonaparte side.

She looked a little nervous at first, but soon regained her calm and looked confidently at Asilie.

“Lady Bonaparte, please testify.”

“Yes. On the day of the incident, I had a small issue with the Duchess of Camédici and was watching her to finish our conversation. That’s when I clearly saw her approach Lord Bonaparte, who is now my husband.”

At Monica’s testimony, Baron Bresto frowned.

“Lady Bonaparte, are you saying there is not even a hint of falsehood in your statement?”

“Just the act of testifying here means I’m putting my honor on the line. Why would I lie?”

She answered curtly, and silence fell over the courtroom.

It was at that moment that Geoffrey turned toward the spectators and made a small, barely noticeable signal with his chin.

A moment later, a man raised his hand high and stood up.

“That testimony is false.”

His claim caused a stir in the courtroom.

People tried to guess who he was, but unfortunately, no one seemed to recognize him.

After a short discussion among the three judges, Count Holter spoke.

“Please state your identity.”

“I am Davis Kedillon, a servant working at the royal palace.”

Even if someone wasn’t a noble, palace staff had verified identities.

Count Holter, without further questions about his identity, asked about his claim.

“Why do you say the testimony is false?”

“Well…”

Davis looked around nervously.

Then, after meeting Geoffrey’s eyes, his expression changed and he began to speak.

“On that day, I was assigned to clean the resting area prepared for the royal banquet. At the time when the disturbance happened in the banquet hall, I saw Lady Bellucci leaving the resting area with a man.”

Baron Oleso frowned deeply and questioned him.

“Do you have any proof that the woman leaving the room was Lady Bonaparte?”

“Yes, I do.”

“What is it?”

“When I heard that Lady Bonaparte would attend today’s trial, I brought something to return to her.”

Davis pulled something out of his pocket.

What he held out were two items: a handkerchief embroidered with the Bellucci family crest, which Monica had once shown in front of many people as an apology to Asilie, and a pair of nearly torn undergarments.

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