I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 98

The inn overlooking Felicity Square was bustling with people from early in the morning. The crowd, which had gathered to watch the trial from a good vantage point, settled down for a meal or with the intention of watching the trial from the inn itself.

Otajur Eunice had arrived in Felicity the previous night and was staying at this inn. Thanks to this, he was able to secure a window-side table ahead of the other guests. He sliced a rather greasy piece of meat for breakfast with a sharp knife and stared out the window. The street was astonishingly full of people.

‘A dangerous situation where anything could happen at any moment, and yet this is incredible.’ The imminent danger hadn’t stopped the curiosity of the spectators. He could hear a few men with loud voices shouting right in front of the inn.

“Execute all those who slander the Imperial Family!” “Drive out the dukes who are destroying the foundation of the empire and create a new era!”

They had been yelling at the top of their lungs for hours. Occasionally, some people would agree with them, but most just looked at them with a ‘what’s-this-about’ expression and passed by. Their attitude of not caring whether anyone listened suggested they weren’t there voluntarily but were planted by someone to manipulate public opinion.

‘Even so, it doesn’t seem to be having much of an effect on the general trend.’

The conservatives were still vehemently criticizing the dukes’ collective actions from the perspective of the Imperial Family, while the relatively younger people were supporting the dukes’ side. Despite the Imperial Family’s efforts, it was clear that many of the people gathered in the square were in favor of the dukes. However, this didn’t necessarily represent the actual majority. It just seemed that way because the young and active people were the ones who had come out. The people in the provinces and outskirts, who had not yet received the news, would take the side of the Imperial Family without question, so their numbers couldn’t even be compared.

‘What is the best course of action in this situation?’

Otajur Eunice was in a position to make a decision on behalf of the southern Eunice family. His mind seemed to be made up, but it kept wavering in real-time. As he pondered, a carriage cut through the crowd and came into his view. It was an ordinary carriage with no crest, but Otajur swallowed hard. As he had expected, it stopped in front of the inn. The door soon opened and a man with a rough face entered. Without even a glance around, the man walked straight up to Otajur.

“Sir Otajur Eunice. Is that you?” “Yes, it is.” “I’ve come to escort you. Let’s go together after you finish your meal.”

His plate was already empty. Otajur rose without hesitation, shouldering the small bag he had placed beside him. He followed the man and got into the carriage, where a youthful voice greeted him.

“It’s been a while, Otajur.”

He had only seen him once from a distance a long time ago, but he recognized him at a glance. The freckles and striking red hair, characteristic of the Eunice family, and his tall stature. Adrian Eunice lowered his hood and greeted him with a smile.

“It’s been a while. How is your health?”

Although he was much younger and had not yet received his title, Otajur bowed respectfully.

“Yes. It’s bearable.”

Adrian’s expression wasn’t dark as he answered, but seeing the emptiness beneath his sleeve made Otajur feel a pang of bitterness.

“You came all this way and are staying at an inn. If you had given me a heads-up, I would have come to get you even in the middle of the night.” “No. I’m more comfortable in a place like this.”

Unlike Adrian, who was the direct heir of the Eunice family, Otajur came from a collateral branch and had earned his title through his own efforts, so his upbringing was only slightly better than a commoner’s. That’s why he was more accustomed to commoner-style places than luxurious mansions. Of course, the reason he stayed here was more to gauge public sentiment than for comfort.

“The Imperial Family will be watching you today. Is it alright for you to be in a crowd like this?” “Yes, don’t worry.”

Adrian said with a somewhat triumphant tone.

“I’m with some very important people right now.”

Upon hearing that, Otajur noticed there was another person sitting in the carriage besides Adrian. It was a kind-looking, well-built old man with a pleasant demeanor. He was dressed simply, not even wearing a cravat, but the high-quality fabric and his taut skin for a man with a full head of white hair showed he was clearly a nobleman.

“And that person is…” “Oh, right. My apologies.”

Adrian introduced the old man to Otajur with a slightly flustered attitude.

“This is Duke Arthur Bormea.”

Otajur was startled by the name. To him, being from the south, the duke was a being more like a god than the distant emperor.

“My, my, I am so sorry I didn’t recognize you. I am Otajur Eunice.”

Duke Bormea waved his hand as if to say it was nothing to the flustered Otajur, who was bowing his head.

“I heard you were sent by the Eunice family. What conclusion did the family reach?” “They decided to wait and see the situation first.” “So it’s up to you?”

Eunice looked embarrassed but nodded his head, as it was the truth.

“Now is the last chance to stop the trial. What are you going to do?” “Even if the family says something, I’ll do what I think is right.”

Adrian interjected, putting his foot down. Now that he was in this carriage and had met Duke Bormea, the choice was all but made. In fact, Otajur had already made up his mind on his way to Felicity, so he spoke in a frank tone.

“I didn’t come here to stop you. I just have one thing I want to confirm.” “What is that?” “Is the mastermind helping you Count Calabria?” “Yes. But he’s not the only one.”

After hearing the answer, there was no need to think any further.

“I felt a lot when I saw him during the Hakmersia subjugation. If it’s something he’s doing, I believe in it. I’ll do everything I can to help, so I hope you achieve your goal today.”

The slight nervousness on Adrian’s face melted away.

“Thank you. I will make sure it happens.”

Determination shone in Adrian’s eyes. If what he said was true, he must have been imprisoned for a long time, so it was amazing that he was so energetic. Thinking he had great mental fortitude, Otajur added.

“Besides the trial, is there anything you need me to convey or ask of the family? I will let them know.” “Oh, actually…”

Adrian hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

“I do have some other good news, but I’ll tell you about it later.”

His expression as he spoke was strangely shy.

‘It must be a woman.’

Even in the midst of all this hardship, he’s still a young man. Otajur smiled inwardly and nodded.

“Now, let’s go directly to the courtroom.”

The carriage began to move. Otajur looked at the carriage and its surroundings through the window. The man who had come into the inn to get him was nowhere to be seen.

“Is it okay to travel with just this many people?” “There’s no need to worry.”

Adrian nodded.

“We have the world’s best protection.”

Of course, they wouldn’t send him alone. It seemed that the Behind Knights, known as the world’s best for covert operations, were guarding them. As a fellow warrior, he was curious and observed the outside meticulously, but he couldn’t find a single trace. As he did, Adrian turned his gaze to the coachman’s seat. He could see the back of a tall, slender coachman through the window. The look in Adrian’s eyes as he watched him was filled with admiration and pride.

‘Is he not a coachman but a knight escort?’

Otajur tilted his head and leaned back against the carriage seat.

Duke Claude Lowen, his red judicial robes trailing behind him, stepped out of the carriage. When he appeared, all the nobles who were seated rose to their feet. Claude, with his usual solemn expression, looked straight ahead and walked past them. He pretended not to look, but his sharp mind was taking in the surrounding situation.

‘There are many armed people.’

Most of the nobles were wearing swords, and some were even wearing armor instead of uniforms. It was as if they thought something could happen at any moment. Claude’s gaze, after sweeping over the high-ranking nobles, turned to the highest point in front of him.

‘He’s here.’

He had heard that the Emperor was keeping a low profile, feigning illness, and had suspected his true intentions. However, the Emperor was unmistakably seated on the central throne in the courtroom.

“Lord High Justice Claude Lowen. Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor.”

After bowing according to the etiquette, he raised his head and looked at the Emperor. His face was pale and stiff, perhaps due to his illness. The princess sitting beside him had a healthy complexion and a sorrowful expression. The sight of the delicate girl in a white dress had the power to stir people’s hearts with pathos.

‘That will be the last day she gets to appear like that.’

Claude imperceptibly clenched his fist. Whether their side won or lost, the princess’s true nature would be revealed to the world today. Claude, sitting in his designated seat, spoke in a solemn voice.

“The trial regarding the complaint filed by Adrian Eunice, the eldest son of the Eunice family, will now begin.”

The lengthy opening speech, filled with various flowery words, was omitted, and the court was immediately called to order. The air surrounding the square became serious, and the murmuring voices died down as if a bucket of water had been poured on them.

“Today, witnesses for Adrian Eunice will come forward to testify and present evidence. According to the list, have the first witness come to the stand.”

At the judge’s command, knights soon escorted the witness in. The first to appear was a small girl with a face as pale as a blank sheet of paper. She was bowing her head as if she was very intimidated, not even daring to look at the Emperor.

‘In this place, I always see the victim bowing their head more than the perpetrator.’

This was a trend he had felt through repeated trials. Claude swallowed his bitter feelings and looked at the girl on the stand.

“Witness, after swearing to tell only the truth, state your name.”

At Claude’s command, the girl lifted her head just a little.

“I swear to tell only the truth on my loyalty to the Empire and the honor of my family.”

Her voice was trembling, but it could be heard because the surroundings were deathly quiet.

“I am Biancasta of the Marquis Vais family.”

When her name rang out, a murmur arose. This was likely because many people, while not knowing her face, had heard the name of the infamous villainess. There had been some disagreement about putting her, who was still notorious and a major source of instability, as the first witness, but Eleanor had said with a firm voice,

‘This trial needs a story that can move people’s hearts. Biancasta is the right person to start it.’

Surprisingly, her argument, despite her being a commoner, was accepted. Claude was not on the side that agreed with it, but he was intrigued. How would the script written by the empire’s best storyteller unfold?

“You may begin your testimony.”

Claude’s eyes gleamed as he tapped the gavel.

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