It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 73

“Didn’t you ask me to contact Perlo Shanaiyer before?”

His accusatory tone made me swallow hard.

Indeed, I had. After hearing Perlo Shanaiyer’s declaration at the auction, I had desperately wanted to meet him—even going so far as to ask Erich for help. So this question wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“Yes. At the time, I had no way to contact Perlo Shanaiyer. But while I was staying at the Edelheit estate, I had a few chances to run into him when he came to visit my brother. That’s when I saw him. I didn’t know until then that my brother knew Perlo Shanaiyer.”

I tried to explain as calmly as possible. Erich seemed to accept my explanation and relaxed his grip.

“You met Perlo Shanaiyer at the Edelheit estate?”

“Yes, but only a few times.”

“And what did you… do when you met him?”

The question felt strange. I made up an answer carefully to avoid giving him anything to use against me.

“I just asked him about Motus. He was very busy and didn’t stay long.”

“…You speak his name so freely.”

What was that supposed to mean?

It seemed like he was grasping at straws, trying to provoke me. I stayed cautious—Erich’s traps were never simple.

“Well, I can’t call him ‘Motus Artisan’ every time.”

“…”

Erich said nothing more and turned his gaze to the floor. I could feel his displeasure radiating. I gave up trying to approach Giskal and quietly sat back down.

I had expected questions about how Giskal and Perlo met, and had prepared answers. But Erich didn’t ask about any of that—only irrelevant things. Still, fewer lies were better, so I kept quiet.

“The verification is complete,” announced Count Melton.

Erich lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp like a finely honed blade.

With a gesture from Erich, the trial resumed. The imperial Motus artisans, now witnesses, were visibly excited and spoke enthusiastically.

“Perlo Shanaiyer is truly a genius. How could he conceive such a technique?”

“Thanks to Perlo, we’ve taken a step closer to unlocking the secrets of Motus.”

“It’s a blessing to have someone like Perlo Shanaiyer in our empire.”

They had forgotten they were in the Parmine Palace and were singing Perlo’s praises. Yet, despite their admiration, Perlo’s expression was stiff. He wasn’t someone who enjoyed taking credit for others’ work.

“So everything Perlo said is true?” asked Count Melton.

A representative of the imperial Motus artisans replied:

“Yes. Until now, used Motus stones were no better than pebbles, and it was impossible to trace their previous teleportation paths. But with the technique Perlo Shanaiyer introduced, even those discarded stones can now reveal traces of teleportation. Therefore…”

He glanced at Count Leten but didn’t stop speaking.

“It’s been confirmed that Count Leten used that Motus stone to teleport—five hours before Her Highness the Third Concubine did.”

Count Leten had been staring at the floor since the trial resumed, making it hard to read his expression. I looked instead at Marquis Parmati, who sat with his eyes closed, gripping his staff with both hands. Meanwhile, nobles from the high aristocracy tried to defend Leten with wild claims.

They argued that, just as I had been teleported, perhaps Count Leten had been too. Maybe someone stole the Motus stone during those five hours and framed him.

Even the slimmest possibility could become a headache if enough nobles insisted. Giskal, with a dignified expression, listened to their protests and then gestured toward someone. A pale woman stepped forward—the priestess who had handed me the blood-stained cup.

“She is a key witness in this case. Now that the Motus traces have exposed Count Leten’s deception, no one can claim her testimony is fabricated.”

Trembling, the priestess confessed. She needed urgent money for her sick mother and accepted Count Leten’s offer. He had instructed her to embed a Motus stone in the cup meant for the Third Concubine.

I turned to Giscal in surprise. During our meeting with Perlo, he hadn’t mentioned finding another witness. Yet in just one day, he had secured this crucial testimony. If Count Leten had contacted her directly, surely the high aristocracy would have noticed…

Everything was exposed. Count Leten had no escape. He was pale and breathing heavily.

As everyone sensed the conclusion, Erich stood.

“It seems everything is in order.”

I quickly looked at Marquis Parmati. He was next after Count Leten. Surely he knew this. Yet he still didn’t open his eyes.

From the highest seat, Erich looked down at the nobles and delivered his verdict.

“Count Leten’s guilt is confirmed. He dared to target Arne, and such a crime must be repaid with death. The Leten family shall be abolished, and its members exiled from the empire. The Second Concubine is no exception.”

Gasps filled the room—from both high aristocrats and others. Even Count Melton, Erich’s close ally, looked stunned. The punishment was harsher than expected.

“The Leten family’s dissolution shall proceed swiftly. Count Leten will be imprisoned in the imperial underground dungeon. Since he attempted to assassinate a royal, we must uncover any co-conspirators. Does anyone object?”

Erich scanned the room. Silence. Unbelievable silence. Count Leten still hung his head, and Marquis Parmati remained motionless.

They accepted the punishment so easily? Even with the possibility of uncovering co-conspirators, Marquis Parmati didn’t object?

Then the hall doors opened, and someone entered. Backlit, their face was unclear at first, but gradually the figure became visible.

Wearing a refined dress and elegant headpiece, the woman was none other than Rosadel del Parmati. She bowed respectfully to the emperor.

“What’s this? Doesn’t she know a trial is in session?”

Erich’s irritation was clear, but Rosdel’s graceful smile didn’t falter.

“I apologize for the intrusion. The matter is urgent.”

“You claim something is more urgent than punishing someone who attempted regicide?”

“Yes.”

Rosadel stood tall.

“Compared to Your Majesty’s honor, the safety of a mere concubine is insignificant.”

She was referring to Erich himself. He tilted his head slightly.

“Fine. Let’s hear it.”

With his permission, Rosadel raised her head. Our eyes met.

She smiled at me—like someone relieved after cleaning away filth.

“Arne von Edelheit, the Third Concubine, has engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Perlo Shanaiyer. I ask Your Majesty to punish her and restore the honor of the royal family.”

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