As Marina’s crimes continued to be revealed, even the knights of the royal investigation unit, who had dealt with numerous criminals, shook their heads in disbelief.
Her crimes were mostly related to dark magic, which was prohibited by imperial law, and people were even more shocked that she had used such forbidden magic merely as a “means.”
The accusation that she had cursed someone to be harmed through dark magic and even sacrificed someone’s life was difficult to objectively prove.
It needed to be definitively demonstrated that her illicit sorcery had directly caused someone’s death, but Marina insisted she was unaware, attributing it to mere coincidence.
Without solid evidence confirming she had harmed someone with dark magic, Marina’s charges could be limited to just the fact that she had used it.
However, this didn’t diminish the seriousness of her offenses.
The mere use of dark magic was already a serious crime, and the children she had abducted and lured for sacrifice were clear evidence of the “child abduction case.”
Even if it couldn’t be proven that the dark magic she used had killed someone, the fact she had kidnapped children and taken their lives would likely lead to a life sentence.
Furthermore, if it was revealed that she had even touched a royal child, the likelihood of facing punishment beyond a mere life sentence would greatly increase. This would mean a death sentence in the most horrific manner.
“So, what will Toskur… or rather, Franz, do about this?”
As the news emerged that Marina was the perpetrator of the child abduction case, the capital, LaHart, was in turmoil.
People clamored for the execution of the horrifying villain who had not only enchanted the Emperor but had also driven young children to their deaths.
Regardless of the rising public opinion, Marina could not escape the death penalty. Just her revealed crimes were enough to warrant death; however, she was still being kept alive to uncover other accomplices involved.
The royal investigation unit was busily working to uproot all branches of evil that spread across the royal family, the capital, and indeed the entire empire.
While many eagerly awaited the day all truths were uncovered and evil was punished, two mothers who had lost children were experiencing the most agonizing days.
One of them, Monica, was determined to reveal that Marina had been behind Emperor Maximilian’s death as soon as possible.
“If she could be hung up and stoned to death, he would say that he would be the one to stand at the front and throw the stones.”
“It’s all in the name of cowardice, hiding behind the mother’s back.”
Franz denied all the allegations. Except for the “kidnapping of Archduchess Albrecht,” for which the victim was a witness.
He claimed that his mother had acted alone, blinded by greed, that he had known nothing of it, and that if he was guilty of anything, it was that he had failed to stop her.
No one believed him, but Franz kept repeating the same thing over and over again.
He explained that he hadn’t been directly involved, that Abun and Dives had used deception to distribute illegally processed magic stones and gain the loyalty of the nobility in return, and that he’d done it voluntarily to make them look good to me.
“That’s a bullshit explanation. That’s something the devil in hell would laugh at.”
“His words won’t count for anything, there’s too much evidence already, and this isn’t a case to cry over.”
Karl replied calmly, a fire burning inside him at Franz’s brazen behavior, but he tried not to let it show.
When conducting an investigation, emotions must be removed as much as possible. You can’t let your emotions get the best of you, and when you’re dealing with a felon of this magnitude, it’s better to keep your temper in check and your emotions in check.
“A huge amount of illegally processed magic stones have already been found in his mansion. That alone should be enough to get him a life sentence.”
“That’s not enough, I’m so angry that he has no shame in being so big, and that he’s using his mother, who’s less than half his size, as a shield, to try and get away with it. He should never be allowed to live.”
Monica’s eyes filled with bloodshot tears of indignation. Her hands on the table were already stiff with blood.
“Yes, I understand, and I will make sure you pay for all your sins, so…… take it easy on yourself a little. You’re making yourself sick.”
Karl reached out his arm and patted the back of Monica’s hand. The touch could not have been more gentle.
Monica looked back at him with tear-filled eyes, and it dawned on her that she wasn’t the only one who had lost family to these unscrupulous people.
“I’m sorry,” she said. I was only thinking of my own pain, but the Archduke……, no, His Majesty, has lost family to them as well.”
As she spoke the words, Monica tasted blood in her mouth, a bitter taste, she realized, probably from the tears of blood from the many raw wounds on her chest.
Come to think of it, Karl had been a victim, too, having lost his father to them.
Moreover, his father, Prince Reinhardt, was not a direct victim of murder, so he could not officially hold Marina accountable.
Strictly speaking, it was because of the father who cast away his son, wrapped in the skirt of a seductress, that he ended up dead.
A profound fatigue washed over him. Karl slowly closed and opened his eyes. He felt the heavy weariness behind his eyelids pressing down on his entire body.
“The Imperial Investigation Team is made up of the empire’s best knights and investigators. So, you need not worry; they will ensure the guilty pay for their crimes. Please, go inside and take care of yourself.”
Swallowing the anguish that threatened to choke him, Karl forced a smile. Both he and Monica knew that the smile held no real emotion.
Monica, noticing that Karl was pushing his mental strength to its limits to remain composed, nodded silently.
No one was without suffering. Everyone had been hurt and affected by the villains.
Crying and lamenting as if he were the greatest victim would not help resolve this situation. Monica pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her face as she staggered to her feet.
“The Empress is not alone in this. It must be a great shock. Please comfort her.”
She almost referred to him as the Grand Duchess. Although the election results had established him as Emperor, he had not yet held his coronation, so there was no fitting title for Karl and Celeste.
However, the members of the royal family were already addressing Karl as “Your Majesty.” Until the coronation, Celeste would be referred to as Her Imperial Majesty.
“Yes. It’s you, Monica, who should comfort yourself… and find your stability.”
Celeste. At Monica’s words, Karl recalled thoughts of Celeste that he had pushed to the back of his mind.
Celeste, who needed absolute stability, was being cared for in his quarters.
While endlessly dealing with these complicated matters, Karl sometimes felt an overwhelming urge to set everything aside and bury his head in Celeste’s arms.
As he watched Monica’s retreating figure, supported by the attendants, Karl rose from his seat and picked up his overcoat, which he had set behind the chair.
Clovis, who had been by his side, quickly said he would help him get dressed, but Karl stopped him.
He hurried to Celeste. Having not returned to his residence for two days due to handling Franz’s affairs, his longing to see her was even stronger.
“How is she?”
“She just fell asleep.”
At that moment, Leev, Celeste’s maid, hurriedly greeted Karl as she came out of the bedroom. Her expression said she hadn’t expected someone to arrive at such a late hour.
“Going in now would disturb her deep sleep.”
“She’s sleeping soundly…”
Leev thought that Karl’s presence would actually be more beneficial for Her Highness’s restful sleep.
Perhaps that thought was visible on her face, as Karl nodded and entered the bedroom. First, he wanted to sleep soundly by her side tonight.
Upon entering, a cool yet cozy fragrance brushed softly against his nose. Was it from the tea leaves that were said to help particularly with the mother’s restful sleep, made into scented candles?
He recalled Celeste from two days ago, energetically chatting about how Lady Cecilia had made it for her.
“Celly, I’m here.”
He whispered in a very soft voice to avoid disturbing her. Karl, who uttered a greeting that sounded almost like breathing, pulled a chair and sat down in front of Celeste.
Leaning closer, as if wanting to feel the rhythm of her colorful, evenly released breaths, he lay his face atop the bed.
He was so close that their lips were nearly touching. Celeste’s exhaled breath brushed against his face and faded away.
“What would I do if my breath ran out?”
Finally, his mind felt at ease. Karl smiled contentedly and slowly closed his eyes. He wanted to feel Celeste’s breath even more just like this.
