I Became a Leader in a Wretched Prison - Chapter 196

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 196

Riley thought that even if Mint was smiling, she would soon ask something flustered, or ask what that meant.

She expected her to ask something at least.

But she didn’t say anything and removed Riley’s hand just enough to not be rude.

“What an interesting ability.”

The response that followed was just one sentence.

Neither affirming nor denying.

* * *

“Mmph.”

Mint stretched long.

Staying in one position wasn’t unfamiliar. When she was locked in Solitary Cell, there were times she had to stand all day.

But doing it after a long time made her body quite stiff.

‘Humans really are creatures of adaptation.’

A comfortable bed, a comfortable room. Balanced meals, a space without restraints or prison uniform.

And…

“Were you here?”

You, standing beside me as if it’s natural, holding my hand.

Mint wasn’t very greedy.

And Mint’s small vessel had been completely filled these days.

Even if she took away the comfortable bed and room, the balanced meals, and had restraints and prison uniform instead.

As long as Helios alone was there, it would still be filled.

Mint suddenly realized.

“You followed me as soon as I left, didn’t you?”

“That’s right, but.”

“Then we’ll have rumors about us now.”

Mint nodded as she dismissed the thought. Helios nodded along too.

“Rumors that you punished me.”

“You mean rumors that we’re lovers?”

“Huh?”

“…What?”

Helios and Mint’s gazes met. Helios’s handsome face contorted.

“Why would I punish Master?”

“Everyone thinks that’s the case. Like you have some grudge against Limnades and are glaring.”

“…That’s because. You told me not to look at you directly.”

“Right, right. That was such a clever method, wasn’t it?”

“…Please don’t be sarcastic.”

Helios realized how foolish he had been and ran his hand over his face.

Tsk. He wasn’t usually like this. It was his brain’s fault for thinking one-dimensionally whenever Master was involved.

“…Why couldn’t you have been born just one year later than me?”

“My goodness. Disciple is suddenly blaming this on age?”

“You’re already young, and I keep becoming more of an idiot because I want to look good to you….”

Mint giggled softly.

Did he know? That his attempts to act more mature actually made him look younger.

And Mint preferred him like this anyway.

“Give up. Give up. You’ll feel better if you give up.”

“…I won’t.”

Even as Helios muttered through gritted teeth, his hands obediently wrapped around Mint’s waist.

Mint shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, it wasn’t a bad choice anyway. Everyone will be busy wondering why Limnades and Alpeion don’t get along for a while. If they trace it back, they’ll find the past crimes committed by ‘Minte Limnades’.”

“At the same time, they’ll think of the Previous Duke Alpeion.”

“Furthermore, they’ll pay attention to the serial murders that have started happening again in the Capital.”

In other words, it worked out well.

Mint patted Helios’s arm lightly.

Helios smiled softly.

“…By the way, what did you talk about with the Baron’s Daughter who was with you?”

No, he was smiling, but Helios’s eyes darkened for a moment.

“You even used Kia to have a secret conversation.”

“She suggested we have a secret talk between ladies, so I got a little excited. I wondered if this was what being a debutante was like.”

“Debutante isn’t used that way. So what did you talk about?”

There was subtle possessiveness hidden in his voice. Mint smiled.

“…Well.”

At Mint’s attempt to brush it off casually, one of Helios’s eyebrows shot up toward the Sky.

Mint made a thoughtful expression for a moment, then slowly raised her gaze.

After staring for a while at her Lover’s face that pretended to be calm but was full of obsession, she soon took Helios’s hand.

“On the day of the explosion before, I tried to buy a Men’s Ring at the Jewelry Store.”

“…When did you, no. Which guy were you going to give it to?”

“The guy right in front of me?”

“….”

“I was going to suggest we get engaged first. And I was going to ask you to wait until Mama’s funeral.”

“….”

“But I abandoned even that funeral and went along with your kidnapping. I went because I wanted to go.”

Where did that Ring I bought back then go?

Mint fiddled with Helios’s fingers, imagining that large Ring from that day decorating Helios’s hand.

Since even his hands were pretty, it would have suited him well.

“So only be jealous to the extent that it doesn’t harm your body.”

“….”

“I have no interest in any existence in this world other than you.”

And it will remain so in the future.

Mint will continue to love this face that’s turning bright red in front of her now, trying so hard to pretend to be calm.

She will live loving it forever.

Helios couldn’t press further after this single statement from Mint. What conversation she had with that Young Lady.

* * *

Three days later, the Imperial Palace.

Within the Imperial Palace was the Noble Assembly building. The role of this place was to serve as a space where nobles divided into various factions could exchange opinions and hold meetings.

Of course, while it was called a meeting in name, it was also a place that always became a battlefield for factional fights.

“Ahem, Marquis Limnades. Now tell us the reason you convened this meeting.”

The current meeting chairman was Marquis Cantaba.

The elderly Marquis looked with wary eyes at the thirty-year-old Marquis who was young and green compared to him.

Limnades and Alpeion, the two houses that were like the Emperor’s right and left hands.

Today, for the first time in a very long while, the heads of both houses were present.

In Limnades’ case, citing the Former Marchioness’s health as a reason, he had long since quit his job as police chief and had been living almost in seclusion.

Starting from the appearance of the illegitimate child to the funeral of the Former Marchioness whom he had devotedly cared for.

Following that was the ominous story circulating recently – news that the youngest serial killer ‘Minte Limnades’ had been released and had her status restored.

All topics of conversation centered around Limnades.

The thirty-year-old young head of the house maintained a cool and cold expression even under all those gazes.

It was the same face he maintained even at the front lines of catching criminals.

“I think everyone already knows well what topic will come up today.”

Pontos spoke with a stern face.

“My younger sister ‘Minte Limnades’ has returned to the Capital.”

Those nearby tensed up.

Pontos had petitioned the Emperor as Mint requested, carried out the planned transaction, and restored his younger sister’s status.

The Emperor was unaware of the deal between the Previous Duke Alpeion and Warden Niflheim, and therefore also unaware of the fact that Mint had already been released.

Niflheim’s closed nature made it possible to control information even from the Emperor.

Thus, they had begun to spread a rumor in advance.

“I hereby declare in this place that my younger sister is innocent.”

At Pontos’s firm and quiet statement, various expressions appeared on the faces of those present at the meeting.

Though divided into several types, they were generally shock and surprise.

“What are you saying? Marquis Limnades! Your younger sister is already a terrible criminal who received a sentence through a solemn trial!”

“Count Karos…! Ahem, ahem. The Count’s words were blunt, but not wrong. Marquis.”

Pontos let out a snort as if it wasn’t even funny.

“I knew this would happen. His Majesty the Emperor has permitted that child’s release and restored her status. There shouldn’t be any idiots here who don’t know what this truly means, right?”

“…”

The youngest serial killer ‘Minte Limnades’ was a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment who should have been incarcerated in the worst prison until death.

Even if she were released for various complex reasons, having her status restored?

It was absolutely impossible. Even now, he was someone who had committed such a terrible crime that it caused this kind of upheaval.

“Yes, I suppose there are no fools here, but I’ll say it again personally nonetheless. My younger sister was recognized as innocent only after suffering for a long time.”

If this was true, it meant the trial had sentenced an innocent person to life imprisonment and kept them locked in prison for over 10 years.

If the Imperial Court had made the wrong judgment, what kind of compensation should be given to such a person?

“Don’t be ridiculous. Are you saying His Imperial Majesty made such a wrong judgment?”

Bang! A Noble slammed down on his chair’s armrest. Everyone was frowning unpleasantly, but when they recognized his identity, they closed their mouths.

“So the murder just happened by itself? Then why don’t you say my daughter was killed by something formless!”

He was a Noble who had lost his daughter in the serial murders 10 years ago.

Pontos remained calm even in the face of someone’s anger. Rather, a strange emotion flickered in his eyes.

“How could that be? My younger sister isn’t the culprit, but a terrible incident did occur. I’m saying the True Culprit is someone else.”

Everyone held their breath for a moment at the intimidating presence Pontos displayed.

As the Metropolitan Police Chief, he was famous as the Emperor’s loyal hound who would attack regardless of the severity of crimes and without regard for social status.

“However, I understand that many here still harbor doubts regarding my younger sister’s innocence.”

It was a fact revealed after a full 10 years. People don’t want stale truths.

Especially during these ominous times when serial murders were happening again.

The Nobles who had supported Mint’s trial over 10 years ago and lent weight to the verdict were also present here.

This meeting would only be uncomfortable for them.

“We can use Truth-Discerning Kia. I’m saying we’ll demonstrate it before everyone.”

Several who had been silent until now let out groans.

Truth-Discerning Kia.

Nothing was easier, faster, and more accurate for proving innocence than this.

Someone slowly raised their hand.

“I have a question.”

Excluding Pontos, she was a woman who belonged to the younger generation.

“As far as I know, this procedure must be carried out in trials as well. Wasn’t it conducted at the time? Or when it was conducted on the suspect, Marquis Limnades’ Daughter, was she determined to have ‘committed the crime’?”

Pontos chuckled inwardly.

It was the question he had been waiting for.

“There wasn’t one.”

A truth-discerning procedure in the trial?

No such thing existed.

Even Pontos didn’t know at the time. Why they were proceeding with the trial so quickly, ignoring all procedures.

Of course.

Because if they had conducted such a procedure, it would have been revealed that she wasn’t the culprit.

Because it was a trial that was hastily arranged while meticulously framing someone.

“I’m curious too. Why did that trial skip the procedure that should have naturally been conducted?”

At Pontos’s quiet words, silence immediately descended upon the Meeting Hall.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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