I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 41
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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 41
“Do you know what I’m looking at right now?”
Duke Ariana hesitated for a moment, having expected to be told to sit down first.
“Well, I’m not sure…”
“It’s Parliament’s indictment demanding that Bella Ariana be brought to trial. And this is the court judgment that will be handed down at the trial. Read it yourself if you’re curious.”
The shocked duke quickly picked up the documents. The trial hadn’t even begun yet, but the judgment already bore the judge’s signature. Literally, the nation’s judicial system was in the palm of the Archduke’s hand.
“Wh-what is this…!”
The judgment stated that Bella should be imprisoned in Dif Prison, notorious for its infamy. Not only that, but it also said that House Ariana would be held under collective punishment, with their titles and property confiscated.
“If I just give my approval, this will soon become an official document of the Empire.”
“Why on earth are you doing this?”
Kartan ignored the protesting duke and spoke to Bella.
“Bella Ariana.”
“…”
Unlike the pale-faced duke, Bella maintained a calm demeanor.
“I clearly warned you. The moment you touch my people, you’ll lose everything you have.”
Then Kartan slowly rose and looked down at Bella as he spoke.
“Your marriage to His Majesty the Emperor will fall through, so don’t even dream of it. From now on, I’ll do my best to block your path forward.”
In place of Bella, who kept her mouth tightly shut, the duke stepped forward to protest.
“No, I don’t know what grudge Your Grace the Archduke may harbor, but that alone is impossible. There’s already a marriage proposal from His Majesty the Emperor. Even Your Grace the Archduke cannot stop it.”
Kartan let out a sneer.
“What can you do with that piece of paper? Do you think you can get Parliament’s approval?”
“…!”
“No, there’s no need to go that far. I just need to persuade His Majesty the Emperor to break off the engagement.”
“Archduke!”
Bella was the Empire’s most desirable bride. Having a broken engagement on her record would be fatal.
“Then how about this?”
Kartan raised the corners of his mouth toward Duke Ariana, who stood frozen.
“Bella Ariana dared to use my lover to seduce the Emperor in order to drive a wedge between me and the Emperor. Moreover, after receiving the Emperor’s marriage proposal, she shamelessly confessed her love to me. All of this was a scheme devised by Duke Ariana to seize control of the Empire.”
“…!”
Duke Ariana’s eyes widened instantly. If this became public knowledge, not only himself but no one belonging to his house would survive.
In the end, Duke Ariana had no choice but to kneel before Kartan once again.
“Please spare us. I’ll do whatever Your Grace commands.”
“Well, there’s no need for everyone to die.”
The duke, who had been bowing his head, looked up at Kartan. His eyes, as if hoping for salvation, looked almost innocent.
“Considering the duke’s loyal service to the Empire, I’ll spare one of the two. Choose whether to save your daughter or save your house.”
“…”
The duke gave no answer. Becoming anxious, Bella’s voice rang loudly throughout the room.
“Father, what are you hesitating for! This is all a scheme by His Grace the Archduke. You absolutely must not fall for it.”
“…”
The Duke ultimately turned his back on Bella. Shocked, Bella shook the Duke’s body mercilessly while wailing.
“How could you do this! I’m your one and only daughter!”
Kartan returned to the sofa and crossed his arms. Then he watched with interest as if observing a theater stage.
“Bella… That’s why I repeatedly warned you to be careful. Everyone can’t die because of you alone. I have a duty to protect House Ariana.”
“You’ll regret this, Father.”
“…”
But the Duke didn’t change his choice. Soon the guards grabbed Bella’s shoulders and lifted her up. Bella shook them off and said.
“I am Bella Ariana, the only daughter of Duke Ariana. So I’ll walk on my own feet with dignity until the end.”
At this, the guards holding Bella flinched. Taking advantage of that gap, Bella drew the sword from a guard’s waist.
“No matter what happens, I’ll never forgive you, Kartan!”
Then she charged toward Kartan. But Bella’s attack, having never learned swordsmanship, couldn’t possibly work on him. Kartan easily dodged the attack and subdued Bella in one move.
“Pathetic.”
“I at least gave my all to you. I truly loved you! And yet you’re going to throw me into a cesspit?”
Kartan simply wore a bored expression and released Bella. The guards rushed over like hawks and dragged Bella away again. Struggling, Bella spoke in a pitiful voice.
“Can I never have you until the very end?”
Then she aimed the sword she was desperately clutching at her own throat. Kartan didn’t stop her, as if telling her to try if she dared.
“Bella!”
The person who actually stopped Bella was Duke Ariana. The Duke, who was struggling to take away the sword, suddenly collapsed.
“Father!”
In an instant, Bella’s heart-rending scream echoed through the room.
“Ha.”
Soon Kartan pressed his temples.
“Quickly take him to the doctor. The Duke must be saved.”
The guard who received the order carried the Duke on his back and left the office. Bella just dropped the sword in her hand with an empty expression.
Clang.
“This doesn’t make sense… If you abandoned me, then why…”
Kartan gestured with his chin toward her.
“Take her away.”
Only then did the guards who had been standing there blankly drag Bella away.
Before going to Dipro, the frigid land, Bella was imprisoned in the underground prison of the Imperial Palace. Having not eaten anything all day, Bella kept muttering.
“No… that’s not what I am…”
That’s when someone came to see Bella. Recognizing the man in the black robe, Bella ran to the prison bars and pleaded.
“You… you’re a dark mage, right? That medicine you gave me calling it a love potion, what was it really! It had no effect at all!”
Soon the dark mage’s robe swayed from side to side.
“Hmm, it seems you didn’t like the gift I gave you. That shouldn’t be possible.”
“Yes, this is all because of you! Take responsibility! Save my father!”
“Lady, there’s no such medicine in this world. Ah, was there one?”
“…!”
In an instant, Bella’s eyes widened as she reached her hand through the prison bars.
“Give it to me, give me proper medicine this time.”
“Of course I have it. A miraculous medicine that can even revive the dead. However…”
The Dark Mage drew out his words. Bella, growing impatient, began to urge him on.
“However, what?”
“However, that medicine has one problem, so it would be difficult to give it to you. Instead, I have another medicine. A medicine that can revive one person by sacrificing another. Do you happen to have someone you desperately want to kill?”
Instantly, one person came to mind for Bella. As much as she had truly loved him, now she desperately wanted to kill him.
“Is there really such a medicine?”
“However, if you use this medicine, Count’s Daughter will also have to pay a price. Would that be alright with you?”
For a moment, the robe lifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of the Dark Mage’s lips. He was drawing a suspiciously clear arc.
“I have nowhere left to retreat now. I don’t care what the price is, as long as I can kill Kartan.”
“Understood, Lady.”
Soon after, the Dark Mage pulled out a medicine bottle from his sleeve.
“Here. If you drink this, things will go as you wish.”
As soon as the Dark Mage finished speaking, Bella snatched the medicine bottle. Then she downed it in one gulp.
After a moment, Bella felt all the strength draining from her body.
“Hah, this… my body… feels strange…”
Then she slumped down on the spot and unconsciously grabbed the Dark Mage’s robe. Seeing the man’s appearance revealed in that instant, Bella was reminded of someone.
“You, what is your identity…”
Soon the man burst into a bizarre laugh.
“Bella, you really take after your father in being utterly foolish.”
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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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