The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 26

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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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I couldn’t bring myself to face the coldly gleaming blade and squeezed my eyes shut tight.

And I clung to Sharon Abner’s arm with all my strength.

“If, if you kill her, you won’t be able to use what we recorded with Uncle Wendel!”

While Camilla was confessing her deadly sins in detail, I was waiting outside the tent with Wendel.

Clutching a recording magical device tightly in my hand.

Explaining how things came to this would be a bit complicated.

Two weeks ago.

I was summoned to Sharon Abner’s office.

There was something to discuss regarding the purification formula Owen and I had completed together.

Sharon Abner listened to the explanation of the purification formula and asked Owen about how my lessons were progressing.

The talk about reporting House Coel came right after that.

“I got a general grasp of the situation while taking Roman’s head.”

“Ah, you mean about that contamination fraud?”

“Right. I want to report House Coel directly to the Imperial Palace, but the procedures are complicated and giving me trouble.”

I pretended to eat snacks while listening carefully to the voices of Owen, Sharon Abner, and Wendel.

‘As expected, she’s decided to report them.’

I already knew Sharon Abner would reach this conclusion.

The Taranta Empire was a nation where the class system was strictly maintained.

But that didn’t mean high nobles could wield unlimited power either.

‘No matter how much we hold the rank of duke, to punish Camilla we still have to go through the process of formal accusation.’

Especially when dealing with a family like Coel that was wealthy and well-connected in noble social circles.

“But my advisor said this. It will be a difficult fight. Palace accusations are more about… power struggles than facts.”

Hmm, this was also true.

The moment it goes to the Imperial Court, most facts become unimportant.

Unless there’s very solid evidence like clear recordings or video materials.

“Still, it’s certain that Viscount Roman took bribes from Camilla, so wouldn’t it be better to make the accusation?”

Owen recommended.

Sharon Abner remained silent, lost in serious thought.

That’s when I stepped in.

“Master! That’s not evidence, that’s just circumstantial!”

Sharon Abner looked at me.

Owen made a bewildered expression as if wondering what now.

“To win in court, you need physical evidence, not circumstantial! Documents, witnesses… or something like confessions!”

The Imperial trials these days were quite ridiculous.

They created all sorts of impressive-looking things like laws and justice but never actually used them.

This was also why Lambert Longton got angry every time the Longton family got involved in trials in my previous life.

The Imperial Court judges sided with whoever they wanted to support, regardless of the accusation content and case background.

Usually those who offered many bribes or had good relationships with them.

‘That’s why physical evidence has become incredibly important these days.’

Without physical evidence, the side friendly with the judges ends up winning.

‘Especially the Abner family absolutely must bring physical evidence by any means necessary.’

Abner isn’t particularly wealthy, nor do they have an extremely good relationship with the Imperial Court.

But what about House Coel?

A family known as the wealthiest in the Empire.

If military might was Abner and knowledge was Longton, then money and wealth were always Coel.

Moreover, Countess Camilla had a good position in social circles too.

She even had personal connections with Empress Karin.

‘Without solid physical evidence, we’ll lose this.’

“Oh, I heard the most effective evidence in Imperial trials these days is recorded confessions from criminals! I read it in the newspaper when I was in the capital!”

Sharon Abner’s expression became complicated.

She muttered to herself.

“A confession? So I need to make Camilla admit her crimes with her own mouth.”

I swung my legs dangling below the sofa and asked.

“Why, Your Grace? Whose confession do you need?”

Then I raised one hand high.

“Then Annellia will go ask and secretly record it! Leave it to me!”

Sharon Abner looked at me and chuckled.

“If you go and ask, that person will just say ‘that’s right’ and spill all the facts. Unless we disguise ourselves as complete strangers and set a trap…”

Her mouth closed.

Wendel’s eyes, who had been listening, also widened.

After a moment of silence, Wendel said seriously.

“Your Grace. How about going to see the mine directly?”

Wendel was indeed an excellent aide.

“She’s a woman who bribed Roman and siphoned resources for 10 years. There’s no way she won’t try a second time.”

I looked at them and smiled inwardly.

‘Yes, that’s it.’

Once the floodgates opened, the discussion progressed rapidly.

“I know several workers still in contact with Camilla’s side. We’ll use them to spread false information about the contamination re-investigation date.”

“…”

“She’ll definitely approach. After all, they’re also backed into a corner.”

“Right. That makes sense.”

Sharon Abner suddenly stood up from her seat.

“Put it into action immediately. I’ll handle dealing with Camilla myself.”

Then she paused while trying to leave the office.

She slowly turned to look at me.

“…If you want to come too, you may join us.”

“Huh… me too?”

“You should know where the family’s funds come from. You are my ward, after all.”

I quickly closed my mouth.

But soon jumped down from the sofa and answered.

“Yes!”

Anyway, that’s how I ended up coming all the way to this distant northern region.

“You can’t kill her! Wen, Wendel uncle…!”

I sent a pitiful look while hanging from Sharon Abner’s arm.

Wendel approached quickly and said to the duke.

“Lady Annellia is right. What Your Grace prepared is a trial, not an execution.”

If we kill Camilla here, both the trial and damage compensation would be ruined.

We might not be able to get back the money that was stolen all this time.

Sharon Abner took a deep breath and said.

“I have no intention of killing her. What would be the point of all this then.”

Only then did I let out a thin sigh and let go of Sharon Abner.

And I handed the recording magical device I’d been clutching to Wendel while glancing at Camilla.

Camilla sat frozen in her chair with a dazed expression, trembling slightly.

I looked at the numerous accessories on her wrists visible beneath her robe and clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘Someone who thought money could solve everything.’

How difficult it would be to pay the money taken from Abner, plus consolation money and the bond to be submitted to the Imperial Court.

Honestly, I was still angry about Soya getting slapped by Ruby.

‘Please let the trial go well.’

That seemed like the only way this person would relax even a little.

The fact that Camilla had manipulated mine contamination to gain illegal profits spread openly within the system.

“I didn’t particularly try to make it public, but the rumors spread.”

Sharon Abner was puzzled, but I knew the reason.

‘So I told my friend about this, and my friend was really shocked, you know? She said she had to tell her master about it and rushed home.’

‘I don’t know what Camilla is like in high society, but among the servants, she’s a complete scumbag. Thanks to that, even the commoners all know about it.’

House of Coel was simply getting hit squarely with all the karma they had accumulated.

Thanks to public opinion clearly turning, the trial date was also set quickly.

While waiting for the trial day, I spent each day the same way.

Getting up early and eating breakfast.

Reading books with Miel and Soya, then eating lunch again.

In the afternoon, lessons with Owen, having snacks with Awin, then until dinner…

‘I keep eating and have gained weight… They probably won’t need a kid who only eats.’

I touched my plump cheeks and hopped down from the carriage.

Today was the morning of the trial.

And I was at the Imperial Palace again today, following Sharon Abner.

The reason was that as a ward, I needed to carefully observe the family’s major affairs.

‘But why did Owen say such things?’

‘My student, can’t you tell just by looking? It’s all excuses.’

‘Excuses? You mean giving the reason of being a ward is an excuse?’

‘That’s right. From what I can see…’

‘From what you can see, Master?’

‘It’s just separation anxiety, that’s what it is.’

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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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