Crowning My Feral Prince

“Oh, indeed. Get out of the way.”

 

“I came first!”

 

“You’re funny. I saw everything you just cut in line with!”

 

It hadn’t even started yet, and there was no room left in the courtroom. Because it was a public place, regardless of social status, both nobles and commoners stood side by side. 

Displeasure rose on the nobles’ faces, but what could they do? The imperial family allows commoners to enter and does not criticize them even when they sit in the front row. There was also a problem with the fact that the nobles who were supposed to be loyal to the royal family didn’t say anything and made a fuss. Moreover, it was not a good choice to make a fuss in this solemn courtroom. So the nobles endured their discomfort. Even though it was the largest courtroom in the capital, not all people could come in. A crowd of people was also standing in the square in front of the courthouse. Although they couldn’t go in, they were waiting to find out as soon as the verdict was announced. When it was time for the trial, the judges and the presiding judge appeared. People kept their mouths shut and lowered their voices as if they had made a promise. The courtroom, which was noisy like Dottegi Market, suddenly became quiet.

 

“Your Majesty the Emperor, His Highness the Prince is eating it.”

 

The Emperor with expressionless dignity and the prince with a calm face entered side by side. I had the illusion that the courtroom was brightened by the appearance of an old man and an incredibly beautiful young man. The two people sat side by side in the VIP section in the front. Because it was a court, there was no excessive attendance. Only Adler and Trixie followed him and stood behind him.

 

“…Leone. Good job.”

 

The Emperor leaned towards Leone and whispered. It was the first time the two met since the Archduke’s work was over. Leone was busy and had no attachment to her relationship with the Emperor, so she did not bother to visit him. The Emperor promised Leone that he would not search for her first, so he persevered and stayed alone. Only Adler went to see the Emperor and reported the progress of the work. So the two naturally did not meet.

 

“No.”

 

Leone answered while looking ahead.

 

“Okay…”

 

The Emperor felt a bit of regret. He was hoping that now that the matter had been resolved, they would be able to become closer together. As simple as he was at the height of his incompetence, the Emperor thought that he was proud of his nephew rather than disgraceful that Leone had solved the burden he had created. Even though he handed over a huge burden for which he felt sorry.

 

“I have something in mind, Leone.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“After handing over the throne early, I plan to go to a villa in the countryside and spend the rest of my life there.”

 

Leone, surprised by the Emperor’s words, turned to look at him. The Emperor was smiling sweetly.

 

“…yes?”

 

“Who would regard me as an Emperor? The expectations of the empire are all focused on you.”

 

Leone’s eyes widened. In fact, the next thing Leone thought about was simply waiting for him to ascend to the throne after the Emperor’s death. He hoped that incompetent Emperor didn’t do anything weird again. And fortunately, even the Emperor, who was such an immature person, had the sense to read the public sentiment.

 

“…yes.”

 

Perhaps because it was such an incredible story that he would hand over the throne before his death, Leone’s expression changed slightly. He had a calculating face. His mind was spinning. The Emperor, who had never paid attention to what others thought, did not recognize Leone and frowned as he looked ahead. Because the Archduke was being dragged out.

 

“Sinner, Fred Evans. Injury, illegal loan business, operation of illegal gambling house-”

 

A series of charges flowed from the judge’s mouth. He had so many words that he was almost reciting them. Even though the recitation started with small sins, more and more shocking crimes emerged and the atmosphere became violently frozen.

 

“Kidnapping and human trafficking. Murderous teacher.”

 

At that point, everyone’s eyes widened. The dungeon where Trixie was imprisoned was not just Trixie. There were many beautiful women, both men and women. Human trafficking was also rampant. There were clear signs of torture on their bodies. That was already evidence, and those who had worked tremblingly under the Archduke even testified. It is said that burying corpses was a daily routine in the Archduchy. They said that since they were eyewitnesses who had already seen such a reality, it was obvious that the Archduke would not leave them alone if they said so, so they kept quiet so far to save his life. However, since there was no evidence of active participation, only appropriate punishment was given to the workers.

 

“…Finally, even treason. I will revise the trial on these charges.”

 

The judge, who had barely listed all the crimes, emphasized the last and most important crime and then struck the gavel. If all of this long list of crimes were true, the Archduke was a scum who should be put to death. After that, it was all smooth sailing. Every time the Archduke, who was kneeling on the floor, opened his mouth to refute, evidence came out, and witnesses came out one after another. Verbena had to go through a bit of trouble to bring out the people on the list she found while searching her mansion and bring them to the witness stand. Leone sat back and watched the Archduke’s downfall. Occasionally he made sure to make eye contact with Trixie. There are a lot of people, so don’t do it too often, but just enough that it’s not noticeable. Trixie looked at Leone slightly and straightened her back. And he saw the Archduke in his eyes.

 

“It’s all lies! This trial is a sham. The prince made me-”

 

“Be solemn during the trial. Fred Evans.”

 

“How dare you call my name!”

 

The Archduke struggled and screamed. He heard that the Archduke’s ribs and shins were missing because he cut only places that were not clearly visible, but I don’t know how he did it.

 

“You should have covered his mouth.”

 

There was no problem with the capture. The problem was that the old man, who was strong and had a dirty personality, was running wild while already tied up tightly. But his voice was so good that even if his physical freedom was taken away, it would have been a mess. The judge frowned deeply.

 

“The meeting regarding the guilty verdict has already ended. I will make a ruling.”

 

“Does it make sense for that bastard to try to stand at the top of the empire?!”

 

“Sinner!”

 

“Everyone, everyone! You remember! The prince, a child suddenly brought in by the emperor, ran wild like a crazy bastard. He didn’t know how to say a word and just barked. I will remember everything!”

 

As the Archduke continued to speak, the audience was in a commotion. How would it come out? Did he think someone remembers it? Would the common people who heard that reaction look at Leone and say, ‘Really?’ Should we whisper and despise him?

 

“Beast… It’s a beast.”

 

Either way, Leone chuckled. A sneer escaped. Today was the first time I heard the prince’s voice. He exchanged words with the Emperor in a whisper, and just looked at the Archduke quietly.

 

“That’s what I think you look like.”

 

Leone’s low voice echoed throughout the courtroom. There was no anger. It was the relaxed attitude of a winner, as if it was just annoying and insignificant.

 

“This person…!”

 

The Archduke, on his knees, looked at Leone. He naturally lifted his head and looked up. It became clear in this one scene. The border between the Archduke and Leone became more and more stark. It was the kind of appearance that Leone wanted, to nail down that his era had come after the end of the Archduke.

 

“Oh my god. How can you say such mean things…”

 

“I guess I’ve gone crazy. It’s rude.”

 

“I think they are trying to add insult to injury. Even if the charges were added, it wouldn’t even be noticed.”

 

At the same time, people were buzzing. These were very satisfying contents. Originally, the Archduke’s words might have been met with a response of, ‘The prince said that before.’ Because there were definitely people who witnessed Leone in the past. But now no one even talks about it. Leone’s overwhelming voice and a long list of crimes. The prince’s victory was very clear. The nobles quickly changed their stance and decided to forget about the beast prince, which made the commoners think that the grand duke’s struggles were ridiculous. It’s just that the Archduke has lost his mind. He was whispering that he didn’t know how such a harsh word could come out.

 

Beast cub.

 

Those words were an easy insult for the Archduke to attack Leone. But now, it has become a boomerang strangling the Archduke himself. A shameless sinner, a mean and vulgar old man. This was Leone’s power. As Leone worked hard, public opinion followed suit. Now no one will be able to point out Leone or speak ill of him. He would not be able to point a finger at him and say that he was a monster or a beast. Because the contempt that was directed at Leone will be directed at the person who spoke the words. 

 

“Because there are too many serious crimes that cannot be taken into account, the Archduke Evans family is stripped of their titles and the entire dukedom is sentenced to death. Also, Fred Evans’ body cannot be buried in the ground.”

 

Not burying the body meant that even after death, it would be miserable. Whether it is eaten by animals or stepped on by people. In any case, it cannot return to the ground completely and the body is damaged. It was a capital punishment that deprived him of his honor after his death. It was truly a death sentence. A death sentence without any honor.

 

“Ugh, this can’t be happening! Where are you holding it?”

 

As the Archduke was dragged away, he kicked in the air and glared at Leone as if he were going to kill him. He gritted his teeth so hard that blood was flowing from his mouth. But what could he do? The struggle soon disappeared behind the door. When he was a boy living in the castle, there were frequent instances where assassins invaded and he had to risk his life. Even after he met Trixie, he went through a deep crisis. Starting with assassination threats, he harassed Trixie.

 

“That’s it… It’s over.”

 

Leone sighed. Indeed, now this long and arduous fight was over.

 

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Translator Note: