Even begging with tears, it was too late. A few words of frustration could not overturn the situation. What kind of person was Duke Albrecht? He was someone so rational and capable that he took charge of the Imperial Investigation Unit immediately after his coming-of-age ceremony.
Moreover, attacking a member of the Imperial Family Association in such a public space meant he had already secured undeniable evidence. For Duke Albrecht to initiate an attack carried significant weight.
Therefore, unfortunately, there was nothing Count Edward could do at this moment. Even if he cried out and pleaded for forgiveness, he was already a person who had spread lies far and wide with his tongue. The tears of such a person could never touch anyone’s heart.
Seeing Pulcheria trembling in rage, unable to contain herself, Laila quickly supported her.
“Are you alright?”
“My goodness, my goodness. I never imagined such a thing could happen. To find such a rat in the very Imperial Family Association I trusted!”
Pulcheria wavered. If Laila hadn’t quickly caught her, she might have fallen awkwardly to the ground.
“To dare discuss Duke Albrecht’s matters here with me and the family, while secretly meeting that filthy half-breed Duke behind our backs? Speak! Just how much information have you leaked by meeting him in secret?”
“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding. Really, a misunderstanding. The Duke of Toskur sent persistent requests to meet, and I reluctantly went out a few times…”
“Shut up, you scoundrel!”
Pulcheria’s fierce shout cut through Edward’s ridiculous excuses. Such empty justifications only fueled her anger further.
“If such contact had occurred, you should have informed us, at least me, first. The very fact that you went without notifying us makes you a traitor.”
“No, no! Please, my lady.”
“I said to be quiet! One more word from your deceitful tongue, and I’ll make sure you can’t speak again.”
“My lady… Ah, Duke Albrecht, please forgive me. I truly had no other intentions. I have committed a grave sin. I thought perhaps I could gather information from the Duke of Toskur through that meeting. I swear, I never intended to betray Duke Albrecht.”
It was a lie. Everyone in the room knew his words were false. Even Edward, saying them, knew it.
“If you… said anything about Duke Albrecht, even one word of information, you are a traitor. An unforgivable traitor.”
“No, my lady…!”
“What did you say? To what extent?”
“I swear, I’m innocent. It’s unfair.”
The count’s voice was almost a sob. No one could have anticipated such events when the Imperial Family Association meeting was announced.
Laila felt the same. Moreover, she had spent more intimate moments with Duke Toskur than anyone else present.
To think that a royal family member would be reprimanded here so harshly just for secretly meeting the Grand Duke of Toskur. Laila suddenly realized how serious her actions were.
What to do? Laila couldn’t bear to look at Count Edward, who was kneeling on the floor with his forehead pressed down, so she turned her head while holding onto Pulcheria. As she turned away in despair, something crossed Laila’s mind.
“I heard that the Grand Duchess has temporarily left Lahart for health reasons.”
“Is the child going too?”
“Yes. The young lady has gone with the Grand Duchess… Ah, by the way, it seems Minister Linke is visiting the Grand Duchess.”
“Linke? The Minister of Magic?”
“Yes.”
What had she done? Laila felt as if all color had drained from her face.
If merely mentioning the Grand Duke Albrecht made one a traitor, what she had done could be seen as an even greater betrayal. The casual words she had exchanged with Franz involved significant information related to the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, and the young lady.
The Grand Duchess leaving the capital for the Grand Duchy for recuperation was something only Pulcheria and the acting Emperor Monica knew. Yet, she had babbled about it without realizing.
There was no excuse for her actions. She had willingly, even with open eyes, not rushed to meet but waited for the occasion. She had gone directly to meet Franz and even gossiped about Grand Duke Albrecht.
Realizing her mistake belatedly, a wave of dizziness hit Laila. She felt nauseous and could hardly remain seated. But she had to endure. She occupied a seat in this meeting, unworthy though she was, to assist Lady Pulcheria. She couldn’t leave simply because she felt unwell.
“What are you doing?”
As Karl watched the situation unfold, knights adorned with golden insignia entered to lift Count Edward. They proceeded to bind his arms and escort him outside.
“No, can you really treat me like this just for meeting the Grand Duke of Toskur? Meeting him alone isn’t a crime! Grand Duke, Your Highness!”
His words had merit. Although it was morally questionable for Count Edward to meet the Grand Duke of Toskur, it mainly concerned the royal family and Albrecht’s side.
The Grand Duke, said to be next in line after the Emperor, had reached out to a mere count, so Edward couldn’t simply pretend to ignore it.
That didn’t justify the royal investigation officers dragging him away with intimidating faces.
“Shut up! Just meeting that half-breed Duke makes you a deserving sinner!”
Of course, Pulcheria didn’t share that sentiment.
Edward resisted being dragged away, screaming. Some of the royal family members, unable to bear the sight, turned away completely.
“Yes, Your Highness Grand Duke Albrecht. I believe the same. Surely, Count Edward has committed acts deserving of reproach here, but whether he should be arrested and dragged out just for meeting the Grand Duke of Toskur…”
One of the courtiers closest to the Count mustered the courage to question Karl’s actions. The gazes of the courtiers, who had turned away to avoid Edward, converged on him. Their eyes held doubt, surprise, and horror.
Karl slowly turned his body toward the courtier who had stood up to ask a question. He wanted to identify the brave courtier who dared to challenge him. Under the piercing glare, the courtier involuntarily shrank back.
“The Imperial Investigation Unit is not a disorganized group that merely punishes ‘meetings’ as a crime.”
Is this what it feels like to dominate with just one’s voice and gaze? Even without yelling or showing anger, the courtier quietly returned to his seat at the sound of Karl’s low voice. He felt a chill running down his back.
“It seems some courtiers are curious, so let me briefly explain.”
Karl raised his hand, gently patting Pulcheria’s shoulder. His expression seemed to convey that it was alright for her to sit down.
“Earlier, during the large-scale investigation, evidence was captured linking Count Edward, both directly and indirectly, to the several illegal activities committed by the Duke of Toscur. The Imperial Investigation Unit operates solely on rigorous evidence, which is the basis for all arrests… I want to make that clear.”
His tone was indifferent, suggesting he wondered if he needed to repeat the obvious. With evidence of tangible crimes, Edward had no choice but to bow his head and place himself in the hands of the knights.
The sight of him being dragged away was utterly pitiful, evoking a sense that even the dignity of the Imperial Court was collapsing.
“My goodness. They say that under the heavens, there’s no one to truly trust, but this is really…”
Pulcheria repeatedly pressed a handkerchief to her forehead and around her mouth. Perhaps due to the shock, cold sweat poured down like rain.
Avoiding Karl’s movements, Laila was standing in a daze but began to approach Pulcheria again and rubbed her arm. On the surface, she appeared to be a caring niece worried for Pulcheria, but inside, Laila felt like a battlefield in ruins.
‘Oh, my heavens, what have I done?’
Laila’s silent scream echoed in her mind. After witnessing everything unfold, she began to objectively realize her own wrongdoings.
What should I do? How can I respond? As she anxiously bit her lips in a situation where she could do nothing, another thought crossed her mind.
What if she simply closed her eyes and kept silent? Perhaps it could all pass without anyone noticing.
