Queen of Revenge - Chapter 87

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 87
“But Johan killed someone with his own hands. I saw it clearly with these eyes!”
Veronica’s cry pierced the air. Her trauma seemed far too genuine to be mere performance.
“I’m leaving this place. I’ll go somewhere no one knows me and start anew. But why—who are you to interrogate me? What have I done wrong!”
“I haven’t said you did anything wrong.”
I steadied Veronica’s trembling shoulders as panic consumed her.
What I had spoken was merely a hypothesis—reconstructed from the information the Canzail Couple had commissioned the Information Guild to investigate regarding Veronica Robert and Melissa Ponds, combined with Prince Uter’s testimony, all premised on Catherine’s involvement.
Though most of it was educated guessing, this fragile young woman had inadvertently revealed a crucial thread.
‘They never sat facing each other in the same space.’
That meant Veronica hadn’t directly manipulated Prince Uter.
No one had entered the inn room separately, nor was there any peculiar object present.
A method capable of inducing powerful hallucinations in another’s mind simply by placing them in the same space—yet leaving no evidence anywhere.
A method so subtle that even those present wouldn’t suspect it greatly.
‘Fragrance. It must be fragrance!’
The location itself was the problem.
If the Prince had been summoned to the same place for four consecutive days, it was certain that preparations had been made there beforehand.
‘A few days before Mother passed away, there was a strange scent coming from the study.’
I had waited outside the study door for hours while Mother remained inside, refusing to emerge.
When the study door opened, I flinched at the pungent fragrance that assailed my senses—a moment I remembered with crystalline clarity. I also recalled Mother’s vacant expression at that time.
Being so young and having only caught a fleeting whiff, I couldn’t recall the exact nature of the scent. I only remembered the severe headache that followed, brief though it was.
Yet this alone was sufficient progress.
I suppressed my elation as I brushed away Veronica’s trembling shoulders.
“Miss Robert, did you love Prince Uter?”
“Does that even matter? He’ll be dead soon anyway.”
Veronica pushed me away with a hiccup, her voice breaking.
“Once the final trial concludes, I’m leaving the Capital. This matter no longer concerns me. I can do nothing among the nobility. Nothing….”
“Hmm, it would be better if that weren’t the case.”
I murmured uncertainly, but Veronica didn’t hear me.
She stumbled out of the shop.
Hurrying behind the building, she bent over and retched violently for a long while.
‘Calm down. The Mysterious Patron clearly said this might happen….’
“Even if someone suspects and threatens you, don’t waver, Veronica. Your role is already complete. …But should any difficulties arise, contact me at this address.”
Veronica stopped by the Post Office and, with trembling hands, scrawled a brief message.
“Please send an urgent letter to this address. See that it arrives today. I beg you….”
* * *
On the day of the final trial, I dressed impeccably and waited for The King before the Main Palace.
Catherine arrived not long after.
Dressed in a burgundy gown that complemented her hair, her locks arranged in a low coil, she was austere and beautiful as the goddess of judgment herself.
“Hello, Iolet. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, Elder Sister.”
Unlike Iolet, who traveled without a single attendant, Catherine was trailed by a procession of maidservants and servants that stretched like a long shadow behind her.
“I hear you visited House Uter two days ago. The Duke must be quite grieved—did you comfort him well?”
“Yes, I did my best.”
“As you know, this matter is an excellent opportunity to restore order to the Nobility Society. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by personal sentiment, nor can we permit those who question the Royal Family’s impartiality to persist.”
Catherine offered her counsel with practiced grace, yet Iolet’s true intentions were transparent to her.
She had met secretly with Duke Uter and coerced Veronica. The fact that she had investigated her Academy classmates beforehand was unexpected, but ultimately, such efforts would prove fruitless.
The answer to this case had already been determined.
“Of course I understand that. Don’t worry. You have other matters requiring your attention, so I shall handle this affair and bring it to a proper conclusion.”
Before Catherine could respond, The King made his appearance.
The King gestured toward Iolet.
As Iolet passed Catherine, she whispered words barely audible.
“By the way, Kairon is doing well. I thought you might be curious.”
Catherine returned her smile with bland indifference, though in her mind’s eye she imagined seizing that slender neck and snapping it.
The King asked Iolet something—apparently inquiring how she intended to conduct today’s trial.
Iolet’s response did not reach Catherine’s ears.
‘She made some effort to investigate the truth, it seems. But it will be for naught.’
The outcome was already fixed. Prince Uter had committed the crime with his own hands—that fact would never change.
* * *
The final trial was attended by all the elders of the Royal Council.
Strictly speaking, not all of them. The Marquis Melshier, whose chronic illness had recently worsened, found travel difficult and sent his successor in his stead. A red-haired boy took his place at the Elder’s Seat like a portrait come to life.
“The world is truly full of surprises. Who would have thought you’d be sitting here even this past spring?”
Count Sernan laughed cheerfully and patted Ahil’s shoulder.
“The Marquis Melshier is eighty-four now. It’s nearly time for him to take that long journey. Then the marquessate will soon fall into your hands. Hahahaha.”
Count Sernan was renowned among the elders for his uninhibited manner of speech.
His words, crude to any ear, caused the other elders to furrow their brows, yet Ahil responded with a faint smile.
“He is merely having difficulty moving at present, but he remains in good health. I shall convey Count Sernan’s regards to my father.”
“Do that, and tell him to take good care of himself. By the way, when do you plan to enter High Society? My daughter has been pestering me endlessly about you.”
“Once my father has recovered, I intend to prepare gradually. I worry him greatly, being so lacking in many respects.”
“Lacking? You’re every bit the equal of House Perein’s sons, if not their superior.”
Well, their second son is quite the unfortunate case.
Count Sernan muttered to himself and studied the boy intently.
His courteous manner of speech and bearing were elegant beyond what one would expect from a boy his age. The fact that one thought him unable to speak, only to have him suddenly become talkative, suggested he too was no ordinary person.
Much like that princess now entering the Grand Trial Chamber in the wake of The King.
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”
The King walked slowly down the crimson carpet, his gaze sweeping across the chamber beneath the weight of his crown. All within the hall, including the elders, bowed deeply.
The Crown Princess and The Princess entered in procession behind The King, standing side by side. The nobility’s eyes lingered longer upon Iolet.
Word that Iolet would preside over this trial had been shared with the Royal Council through Duke Valer.
Though there was little to actually judge in this matter, the mere fact that the princess, currently rising to prominence at the Border, would conduct the trial sparked considerable interest.
The King took his seat at the center of the highest dais.
“All shall be seated. Princess, begin the trial.”
Iolet stepped forward to the center of the Grand Trial Chamber.
She unfolded the documents detailing the case summary and recited the contents with clinical precision.
“Today’s trial concerns the charge that Johan Uter, the eldest son of House Uter, murdered Angel Montfer, the second son of House Montfer.”
Everyone present already knew these facts. What mattered was the severity of the sentence.
Whether the Duke’s Son would receive a death sentence or not.
Yet the Princess’s next words defied all expectations.
“In today’s final hearing, I shall redefine the very nature of this case.”
Redefine it? What was there left to redefine?
The Elders exchanged glances of bewilderment.

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