Chapter 90

"Ah, it's my brother...?"

"Yes. Since my sister was insulted, it's only natural for me to have this right, isn't it?"

The Duke of Bapott couldn't hide his surprise, his eyes widening as he murmured. When Julian replied with a mocking tone, the people who had been stunned began to stir again. The Duke of Holloway was well-known in the country, but his legitimate heir—his eldest son, who had always been a mystery even in his homeland—had suddenly appeared. This time, a different kind of scream rose, and Julian smiled at the excited women.

"Ladies, I hope you will continue to take good care of my sister. She can be overly righteous and annoying, but she does have some cute qualities."

Opal was irritated by her brother's unnecessary comment, as usual. His condescending smile made her even angrier. Claude, who sighed as if this was just the start of another argument, ignored it and Opal glared at Julian with disdain.

"You're the one who's annoying, Julian."

"Not as much as you."

"What have you been doing since you dropped out of university? Do you think this is cool? Fulfill your duties before asserting your rights."

"Shut up, idiot. Dad is still fine, so I'm not needed, right?"

"Calling someone an idiot makes you an idiot. You can't do anything but make excuses."

"Let's stop this sibling quarrel here."

"Are you taking Julian's side, Claude?"

"No, I'm on Opal's side."

"You always do, Claude."

The sibling quarrel that Claude tried to stop only dragged him into the old, familiar banter. Alessandro's laughter interrupted them, and all three fell silent.

"King Alessandro, it has been a long time. I apologize for my rudeness in your presence."

"I apologize as well."

While Julian quickly composed himself and greeted the king with a cool demeanor, Opal followed suit, though she was still irritated. Claude, who noticed Opal's inner thoughts, was trying to hold back his laughter.

"Hmm. Viscount Holloway, it has been a long time. Thanks to your secret efforts, we were able to expose the traitors earlier than planned. Now, the people of this country can live in peace without fearing unnecessary conflicts. I am grateful."

"To receive such high praise from you, Your Majesty, is truly humbling."

Julian repeated the exact words Opal had used when she met Alessandro the day before. He must have heard them somewhere. Claude, who didn't know this, was smiling wryly. While Opal thought about giving Julian more than one punch, she turned back to the Duke of Bapott. The duke's forehead was red, and Turi and Erik's cheeks were swollen.

"Well, it seems we have all the evidence. It's time to pass judgment."

"Wait! Your Majesty, do you believe this outsider?"

"... Duke of Bapott, the 'outsider' you speak of is the Viscount of Sosie, the future Duke of Holloway. Moreover, the Viscount of Holloway is a benefactor who, during the epidemic, risked his life to deliver medical supplies to remote areas. How many of you here worked to help those affected by the disease?"

In response to Alessandro's question, most of the audience averted their eyes, looking uncomfortable. Opal had heard a brief account from Claude about what Julian had been doing, but hearing it from Alessandro made her see her brother in a new light.

(To have gone to such remote areas... Well, I'll let him off with one punch.)

Julian had been irresponsible and aimless even at boarding school. Opal didn't know what he had been doing since he dropped out of university, but her father must have known. She was angry that no one had told her, but she understood that it was to avoid causing her unnecessary worry while she was busy reviving the MacLaud duchy.

Claude's silence when Opal went to the Botselli duchy alone must have been due to Julian's presence. She was surprised to see him at the duchy, but she pretended not to know him to avoid making him happy. If there was any doubt about their acquaintance, Julian would have mocked her. Thinking about it made her even angrier, but now was not the time for personal feelings. Alessandro stood up, slowly descended from the podium, and picked up the evidence—the Duke of Bapott's letter to the Duke of Saims.

"I have reviewed all these items. I ordered your arrest based on this evidence. The public trial is to demonstrate the fairness of the process and to give you the opportunity to apologize to everyone for the chaos you have caused. To still deny and shift the blame to others in the face of so much evidence and testimony is truly despicable."

Alessandro's tone was calm, but it lacked emotion, making everyone feel uneasy. He turned the letter over and examined the wax seal.

"This is the well-known seal of the Duke of Bapott, and the handwriting is the duke's, I believe. If this is a forgery, then even my royal seal cannot be trusted. That would be a serious problem."

He picked up another letter, comparing the front and back, and then another, repeating the process. The hall was silent, not just the duke but everyone else as well.

"This letter is from the Duke of Saims to the manager of the Reed mine, and this one is from the Duke of Saims to you, the Duke of Bapott."

"No, that can't be..."

As Alessandro held up the letters, the duke looked shocked and turned to Julian, probably realizing that Julian had worked at the Bapott house during Turi's absence and had stolen the letters.

"If you claim these are forgeries, we will have to verify their authenticity with the Kingdom of Sosie. It's a pity, but this is a crime that spans national borders."

The Duke of Bapott's face turned pale, and he closed his eyes. If the Duke of Saims' letters were genuine—and they were—then he would be judged as a criminal not only in this country but also in the Kingdom of Sosie. Alessandro had already made his judgment.

Further resistance would only increase his crimes. The duke slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Erik, who was being held by the guards.

"... I have nothing more to say."

"Father!"

Erik's anguished cry echoed through the hall. Opal was both impressed and exasperated by Alessandro's cunning. Despite committing such a grave crime, he had not made Erik or his family bear the blame, using it as a form of leverage. It was clear that the duke would bend to save his family, even if his love for them was uncertain.

"... A very noble man."

"You're the opposite of him."

"Of you too."

Julian said this and walked away, and Opal reached out to hold Claude's hand. Claude held it firmly. They held hands and quietly watched the trial to the end.