Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

'I thought it was to punish me more than death. I thought you would. Why do you keep saying that?'

"Then, are you really going to get me out of here…?"

"Yes. I can't lose my only sister so easily, and I have enough power to save you, so I must."

There was no falsehood in her gentle smile.

"... did His Highness allow it?"

'You gave me a look of such contempt… and You sold the empire and committed a serious crime… but you don't even regret it. You just feel that the rebellion failed and that it was unjust.'

"Yes. He also allowed me to meet you and drink tea, and fortunately, he likes me so much that he cannot refuse my request."

It was a statement that could be regarded as pride, but it would not be a lie because she was drinking tea with her in such a relaxed shape, who was enough to be executed immediately. And Mielle had also seen the loveliness that could not be controlled in the eyes of the Crown Prince toward Aria.

"So don't worry. You'll be out of jail soon. You'll get some punishment, of course, but it'll end with punishment, not execution."

That explanation made her wonder more than reassurance. 'Why? I have just bothered you as you said. So you should laugh at me, who is being punished and in pain, but why do you whisper that you will get me out of the pit of hell?'

"... why?"

"Huh?"

"I did something bad to you as you said… and I deserve to be punished… and why… why do you want to help me?"

So when she asked, Aria, who smiled as if she had been waiting for the question, took Mielle's hand and answered, "There's a lot I haven't done for you yet, and I couldn't bear it because it remains in my mind, because I thought you didn't know anything, for you were young. I decided I'd have to teach you one by one."

At the innocent answer, a little of her anxiety and doubt only then faded, because there was something that seemed strange, but Aria had never actually hurt her, and now she was trying to help.

It was awkward that she dared to teach her with a humble origin, but she had to live. She had to be commuted. She couldn't die without measuring her current status and position.

"… I see."

Then she finally nodded, understanding it, and Aria's laughter grew thicker. Mielle asked Aria carefully, "What about my brother…?"

"… brother? Ah, are you talking about brother Cain?"

"Yes. Are you going to help my brother, too?"

Mielle thought Aria would naturally help Cain as she saved her, and asked so. Then, Aria replied making an inscrutable smile.

"My mother got a good lawyer, and you don't have to worry about it, and I'm sure he can get a reduced sentence."

"Then I'm glad…"

When she was relieved to be told that she would also take care of Cain, Aria stared at her for a long moment in silence.

"Then I'm going to go, and please be well until I see you again."

Aria stood up without hesitation, and Mielle followed her. Compared to when she had first met Aria, her face was totally different.

"... you've got a pretty bright look."

When she returned to the prison, Isis said to Mielle, who was looking as steady as she had been when she had left. It was an indirect question about what had happened.

"I think I'll take a different path from you," said Mielle, lowering her eyebrows, as if to pity her. And Isis felt as unpleasant as she could.

"Do you really think she'll help you?"

"Well, it's not your concern because you will be severely punished."

"… what a fool you are!"

Isis, who answered so, seemed not to be jealous of the fact that Mielle would survive alone, but it was genuine.

"There's a chance that she'll give you hope now and betray you at the end."

Mielle, who was anxious again in the possible future, replied casually, pretending she was not.

"... if you're trying to scare me, stop it because she said that a lawyer would help my brother to get out of here."

"Then I can see the vulgar woman's intentions."

Isis sneered, and Mielle's anxiety grew even more, but as she laughed at Isis's sneer, the Countess's carefully selected lawyer came to Cain shortly afterward.

"Did you hear that my brother has a lawyer, Lier!"

The rumor spread quickly because the lawyer had visited the prison and interviewed Cain. He was one of the most capable lawyers in the empire, rumored to be doing what the employer would do, and he was enough to shake off Miele's anxiety.

"…!"

So Isis, who had laughed at Mielle, could not argue anymore.

"Unlike you, my brother and I will survive!"

"…"

Mielle fully trusted Aria as if she had never cursed her. But the cold gaze was still on, and when she realized that she was too excited, she pretended to be calm, lowering the corners of her mouth.

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21. Self-destruction

The nobles, foolishly led by Viscount Merriart, had accused others of reducing the weight of sin; they would have reconsidered if they were sane, but they were forced into a corner.

Some of the families ran away, like Viscount Merriart's, soldiers of the Kingdom of Croa had disappeared with all the money, and all the lands and their mansion were tied to the country. Above all, it was the presence of Cain's lawyer, Lier, who put them in a more difficult position. The empire's lawyer, Lier, had spent a long day in prison and had tried to find a way to save Cain.

"Master Cain, I have found the data you mentioned earlier, and I will make other evidence in your favor as much as possible."

"… please."

When he had first heard that the Countess had arranged him a lawyer, he doubted the intention and did not uncover the proper information, but he was able to be convinced by the letter through Lier from the Countess.

[Cain, how can I abandon you, even though you are not my own child, but we spent many years as a family? And if you are convicted, the count family will be ruined, and I can't let it go.]

'How could I not understand the letter she wrote without any decorum?'

If he was convicted of treason, as she had said, he would be confiscated and deprived of property, and if something went wrong, all of the Roscent family could be punished.

And the fact that Aria had supported him for the lawyer's appointment fee made Cain more cooperative, because she had paid it for him, and he couldn't make it useless.

"I'm almost ready for what the Countess ordered, and now you can feel free to wait for it."

"... yes, thank God."

Lier and Cain's voices echoed in the quiet corridor. Everyone in prison was paying attention to their conversation, and the man who had the same sin but who had the hope of escaping made the nobles impatient. They thought that if they didn't do anything, they would die.

So they tried to save their life by admitting their own sin and accusing others, and the investigation was very smooth except for one person, Isis.

She was not even given the opportunity to speak in the first place, because there was no need to let her confess and confirm her sin. The statements and evidence that existed from the other noblemen were enough to execute her. In addition, Oscar, who had watched all of Isis's atrocities, actively made a testimony and they did not need anything more.

The adult ceremony, which had been scheduled to be held at the beginning of the year, was delayed, and the Marquis of Vincent and Sarah delayed their wedding to spring. Because of this, the people were reduced and the streets were empty, and the guilty spent the winter trembling in fear.

So, at the end of the harsher and colder winter than ever, the punishment of the sinners was decided. The property was confiscated and they were officially deprived of their title. It was inevitable that no one could escape. Without giving any specific sentences to them, the confiscation of property began.

"Honey, I think we should divorce before they take away the property you have hidden in my name! Aria said that she would defend us if we get divorced."

The Countess spoke to the pale-faced Count. The confiscation of property did not start, but he had already received a notice that he was depriving the title of the Count.

"... how could this be…?" The Count moaned and deplored at this terrible situation.

"I've already prepared the papers, so you just have to sign them."