Chapter 62: CH 62

‘Is that so?’

What the Countess said came to mind when I insisted that Cesare would be released soon.

She spoke as if she knew something.

Considering the Countess’s personality, it might just be a bluff.

Whatever that woman says, Cesare will soon be released.

For what reason are they going to lock him up? Besides, Cesare is a great aristocrat.

Right, Cesare?

My heart was pounding thanks to Countess Peliard, who returned with increased anxiety.

She’s really unhelpful. Why is she chasing after me all the way here?

*****

Gabriel was watching the Duke again today.

Gabriel rubbed his forehead as he confirmed that Count Peliard’s carriage had left.

Although it was Gabriel himself who moved the Countess Peliard, but he was displeased.

“Hah….”

Knock—

As Gabriel opened the door, the servant shook his head and handed him a small note.

“The message you have been waiting for has arrived, His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

“You came on time.”

Gabriel pursed his lips. The note had the answer Gabriel wanted.

[You must keep your promise, Crown Prince. A promise to give my son the Duke of Burstoad. I will only believe in that.

The Elder Burstoad nobles will support His Majesty the Crown Prince at the trial tomorrow.]

Gabriel smirked.

The things Gabriel had been hoping for were coming into his hands one by one. All the necessary cards have been collected. Now that the trial is over tomorrow…

‘Daphne. You will come from there too. Peliard and Burstoad too. Nothing can’t hold you back.’

Daphne was the beginning of Gabriel. Had it not been for Daphne, he might have met a tragic death in that dungeon.

So, this time, Gabriel personally presents Daphne with freedom.

Just like Daphne freed Gabriel from the dungeon.

Gabriel handed the note back to the attendant.

“Burn it.”

“Yes, His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

It didn’t matter what the Burstoad was. No matter who takes that seat.

It had nothing to do with the fact that the son of an elder nobleman was a pathetic gambler or did nothing.

What matters to Gabriel is Daphne. She was only one Daphne.

Gabriel’s carriage set out. His carriage was running for tomorrow.

*****

The trial has begun.

All the aristocrats sat down.

Soon after, Cesare came in. The great Court and the royal family also sat down.

It is the Court justice who has absolute power here.

He was the one who made the final decision by gathering the opinions of the nobles.

“Sir Duke…!”

Cesare looked back.

Joseph sees through the door that is about to close. Today Joseph was not allowed to participate in the trial.

Cesare licked his lips.

‘Please take care of Daphne.’

Joseph suppressed his trembling and nodded.

The door closed. As if that signaled, the nobles began to speak.

“Duke Burstoad must pay a price for this. Even the great aristocracy can’t avoid responsibility.”

“You’re right. You have to pay a price commensurate with it. You should be sentenced to at least three years in prison.”

“I agree. However, three years seems like a long time, so it would be better to make it five months.”

“Is there no one against it?”

the judge asked.

“Duke Burstoad has been working hard for the Empire. He can’t be punished without proper evidence or testimony.”

There were even voices of opposition. Cesare glanced towards the source of the voice.

It was a nobleman who had restored the estate with the help of Cesare when there was a flood the other day. He glanced at Cesare.

“The testimony of the butler who had a grudge against the duke is insufficient. We need more testimony from others.”

It was another voice.

The person who spoke was the one who Cesare had saved his life on the battlefield the other day.

In addition, several people have voiced support for Cesare.

Gabriel smiled softly.

‘I can’t help it.’

Gabriel raised his hand. People’s eyes turned to Gabriel. Gabriel licked his lips as beautifully as an angel.

“I saw it. I was also the one who accused the Duke of Burstoad.”

At Gabriel’s words, the judge was confused. Cesare’s eyes froze.

Just being involved in a scandal like this is a loss.

But Gabriel stepped right into the chaos as if he didn’t mind at all.

“The Duke of Burstoad set fire to the royal hunting grounds to cover up his sins.”

“You mean it wasn’t just a tax complaint?”

“That’s right.”

“May I ask what that sin is, His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

The Court asked Gabriel. Everyone focused on Gabriel’s next words.

When Gabriel first reported to the Emperor, he had stated that Cesare had set fire to the royal hunting grounds with the aim of assassination of the royal family.

He decided to twist it a little.

“The sin of covering up my existence from the world.”

The crowd was in uproar.

Who is Gabriel? He was the Crown Prince to succeed the Emperor, who had difficulty finding him with the Emperor’s bloodline raised outside the palace.

However, according to Gabriel’s words, Cesare Burstoad knew of his existence and hid him.

“Are you saying that wasn’t the first time you’ve visited the Duchy of Burstoad?”

“That’s right. My original home was not far from Burstoad.”

Gabriel spoke to the nobles.

“And the Duke, who discovered my identity, forcibly restrained me and prevented my return to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Why?”

“It’s because he was trying to make a profit by presenting me himself.”

“It’s a lie.”

The first words of protest came out of Cesare’s mouth.

His voice was cold. The stare seemed to fall from Gabriel’s eyes.

Although Gabriel was not to be swayed by such things.

If he was going to quit at such a threat, he wouldn’t have even started in the first place.

“There are people who can prove my testimony.”

At Gabriel’s glance, the servant who was guarding the judge opened the door.

The tightly closed door opened and a woman entered the courtroom. The judge said to the woman, who was trembling in terror.

“Tell me who you are and what you are trying to testify.”

“My name is Amy, who runs an inn in the small town of the Duchy of Burstoad.”

Cesare narrowed his eyes. It was obviously a woman he had seen.

When Daphne ran away, she was the owner of the inn where she stayed.

Amy stuttered.

“A few months ago, a man and woman visited the inn I run. They were wearing noble clothes.”

They were strange people. It was because they had beautiful faces that were clearly noble, but they were not accompanied by a single servant.

Although the man wore shabby clothes, it seemed that the woman paid a lot of attention to the man, considering that he was a servant. She even use a respectful words.

“The man appeared to have injured his ankle. The woman was supporting the man, and above all, the woman asked me if there was anything she could use as an ointment and splint. The women were very kind to the men.”

“Did you know who they were?”

“No… But it was as if they were running away from something.”

“What was the look of them?”

“The woman was a young woman with brown hair, and the man…”

Amy glanced at Gabriel a few times, then bowed her head and whispered.

“It was just like him.”

The crowd roared at her remarks.

Gabriel took her word.

“I made a plan to escape and return to the Emperor. And the Duchess of Burstoad helped me.”

When Daphne was mentioned, Cesare’s eyes lit up with blood.

“So that I can go back to where I was. However, this was an opposition to the Duke’s plans. He pursued us. And he got me in the end.”

Gabriel made a bitter face.

“The poor Duchess has been imprisoned in the tower because of me.”

“Don’t bring Daphne into this.”

Cesare frowned with a bright blue-eyed gaze. Gabriel snorted.

“Are there any lies in my words? Duke.”

Cesare clenched his teeth.

Gabriel was speaking, cleverly mixing truth and lies. And it was very effective.

The nobles gathered in the courtroom were looking at Cesare with curious eyes.

Cesare did not want Daphne to be involved in this. I don’t want the world to see Daphne with pity.

The hatred for Gabriel ignited.

I tried to respond, but I couldn’t.

To find out the cause, he had to say that he imprisoned her because he mistook his wife for running away because she made eye contact with Gabriel.

But if that happens, Daphne’s honor will be swept away.

As the Duchess who had an affair with another man and ran away.

Gabriel was also cleverl for using Cesare’s mind.