Chapter 270

Since the big meeting was held once or twice a year and all the nobles of the empire gathered, it was customary for the protocol officer to have a long opening before the start of the meeting. The long introduction featured the praise of the empire and the imperial family as well as the fairness of the imperial policy, but the emperor skipped it by gesturing to the protocol officer.

“Duke Verita, please explain.”

Standing up, Duke Verita was silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth when everyone’s attention was focused on him.

“I’m so embarrassed to say this, but the reason I convened today’s big meeting was because there was an incident that somebody attempted to poison the emperor. Based on the test results, it was concluded that the poison was the same as the poison used against Lady Monique. ”

“Lady Monique? If so, … ? ”

“Yes. Today, we will handle the matter of the case of Lady Monique first to find the masterminds of the treason. After confirming some basic facts, we are going to hold a trial. So, take a look at the handout and read it carefully before the trial starts.”

When the duke said that, the servants moved around quickly to hand out the relevant material to them. The document was neither very thin nor thick and outlined the gist of the poison case.

According to the document, one of the royal doctors who examined my condition when I passed out raised the possibility of poisoning, and upon further examination, poisoning was confirmed, which led to further investigation of suspects in and around the palace. The maid who served me at the 1st Knights Division was found to have poisoned the water for my tea, but when the investigators went to arrest her, she had already been killed. So, somebody was sent to the High Priest to find an antidote. What was noteworthy was the fact that although the case seemed to have come to a halt because the maid was killed, the mastermind was found due to a different clue. It was about the servant who handed me a poisoned drink.

According to the investigation, it was Baron Viya who gave him such an instruction, and the real mastermind of the incident was Earl Lanier. And those who were directly or indirectly involved in this incident are currently in jail.

“If you haven’t yet understood the case or if you have any question, please raise your hand.”

I raised my head when somebody broke the silence, but nobody raised his hand.

Duke Verita, who looked at Duke Jena with an expressionless face and Earl Hamel, who seemed extremely nervous, said again, “Nobody? Then, I’m going to start the trial. According to the imperial law, anyone can participate in the questioning, and when the due process is over, the suspects will be found guilty or not by the votes of those who raise their hands. But today’s trial is held primarily to find the identity of those who committed treason. So, we will judge the conviction of the suspects after all the relevant cases are closed. Any question?”

The conference was so quiet that they could even hear the sound of a hair falling. When the emperor nodded, Duke Vertia said, pulling up his glasses, “Bring Baron Viya here, protocol officer!”

A haggard man came in through the silent door. Escorted by the wary knights, he stood in front of the seat facing the head table as the defendant.

“Denis lo Viya. Born in 924 by the imperial calendar. He is the lord of the Viya estate and has the baron title. You are an official with the grade of 7 in the Internal Ministry, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You ordered the man to poison the drink for Lady Monique, posturing yourself as the emperor’s agent, who was the crown prince at that time, at last year’s National Founding Day festival. Do you admit it?”

The man who hesitated briefly at his questioning, then looked at me. I suddenly became puzzled when I saw his eyes rolling nervously. What? I don’t think he is asking for my help. Then, he wants to strike a deal with me? It’s probably too late to propose a deal.

“Let me ask you again. Do you admit you gave a poisoned cup to Lady Monique, masquerading under the emperor’s name?”

“…”

“Baron Viya, your keeping silent is not allowed in this court. Answer me. Do you admit it?”

The baron stiffened, so nervous at his stern questioning. Then, he lowered his head and replied with a subdued voice, “… I admit it. ”

At that moment, the reaction of the noble and pro-emperor factions was in sharp contrast. The noble faction broke into moaning while the pro-emperor faction shouted for joy.

Unlike the pro-emperor faction who watched the trial with a relaxed attitude, the noble faction stared at him with a tense expression because the duke’s real questioning had yet to become.

“If so, did you do it by yourself? Or was there an accomplice or a mastermind? ”

“I did it with my conspirators at the direction of one person.”

“Who are they?”

“They are Baron Enen, Baron Soi, and Viscount Kett. All of them were ordered by Earl Lanier.”

Was it because they expected the answer? The noble faction remained silent, with little agitation, even though some members of their faction had been identified. I even saw some feeling relaxed on their faces.

“As for Earl Lanier, is there anything else he instructed you to do for this crime?”

“He instructed me to bribe a couple of servants just in case. That’s all.”

“Servants? Name the servants and which palace they belong to.”

“They were all killed after Lady Monique collapsed. There are none left in the palace.”

“You killed them all? Is that true? ”

“Yes, yes.”

“Hmm, good. However, when it’s revealed later that you hid something or lied, I won’t take into account your voluntary confession when I punish you. Do you understand? ”

“Yes.”

Smiling in satisfaction at the baron who replied without any objection, Duke Verita said, “If so, I don’t have any reason to take your confession into account at all because you just lied.”

“Oh my… what are you talking about? I just told you the truth…”

“Well, it is clear that the servant you bought off is still alive. That’s why the servant dared to poison the cup for the emperor, right?”

“Poisoning the emperor? No way! I really don’t know! I confirmed with my own eyes that the servants I bought off had been killed.”

Shouting, with his face turned white, he was very desperate because his attempt to kill me was totally different from poisoning the emperor.

Watching him with cold eyes, who was looking around for help, the emperor said, “Are you sure you told the truth a moment ago, Baron Viya?”

“Baron, is what you just said true?”

“Yes, Your Majesty! It is true that I didn’t lie at all. Please trust me!”

“Good. Let me trust you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! I’m so grateful…”

“But you have to be responsible for what you just said. If it was found you lied, I would punish you and all your families by beheading for treason. Answer me. Is what you just said true? ”

The man who swallowed at his relentless questioning finally nodded. When the emperor who looked at him coldly gestured, Duke Verita stepped forward, clearing his throat, and said, “Hmmmm, then I will call in the next criminal. Protocol officer, bring Baron Enen here. ”

Although the duke tried to act casually, his attempt to change the cold atmosphere was in vain because many of the nobles who vividly remembered the late emperor’s bloody crackdown on those who committed treason were terrified by the emperor’s stern warning that he would exterminate Baron Viya’s family. Eventually, the cold atmosphere eased a bit when Baron Enen came in.

Clearing his throat once again, Duke Verita said, pulling his glasses, “Ferma lo Enen. Born in 918 by the imperial calendar. He is the lord of the Enen estate and has the baron title. Currently a Foreign Ministry official with grade of 6. Is that right? ”

“Yes.”

“You used the merchant groups under your family to smuggle poison from the kingdom of Lisa and handed it over to Baron Viya. Do you admit to this? ”

“No. I can’t admit it. ”

Baron Enen was staring at the duke with an arrogant attitude. How could he be so confident as the criminal, with his rank only a baron?

“You can’t admit it. Then, are you claiming you are innocent? ”

“That’s right. I never did any of that. “