Chapter 332
“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
After hesitating over his sunken voice, which seemed hurt, she answered.
“…Because if I told you, you would have stopped me from attending the prayer visits. And if you moved, there was a high risk you’d face a political offensive.”
The time given to move none other than the Emperor was only a few days.
The only person who was distant from politics, yet could petition His Majesty the Emperor directly, was Marquis Belmore.
“I will question you separately about this later.”
Question.
It meant he would officially hold her accountable as the lady of the house who was supposed to assist with the internal affairs of Bayern.
Nina moved her lips and nodded.
She could feel complex anger in his restrained voice.
At last, their steps reached the audience hall.
Under countless gazes, Nina paid her respects to His Majesty the Emperor together with Ash.
“Raise your heads.”
Once the Emperor gave his permission, she straightened her posture.
After all the event schedule had ended.
The reason the nobles had gathered in the audience hall at this hour, after the sun had set, was none other than Rebecca.
“Messenger, Duchess Bayern just intimidated me into opening a path so the rioters could flee. You must report this fact to His Majesty the Emperor.”
She had requested an investigation from the messenger who had come bearing the Imperial command, claiming that it was the scene of a riot.
A riot that had occurred during an event hosted by the Imperial Family.
It was a matter punished on par with treason.
It was such a serious crime, the messenger could not decide arbitrarily, so he immediately reported this fact to the Emperor.
“The reason I summoned you all here at this late hour is none other than to uncover the truth.”
At this hour, when everyone should have been resting for tomorrow.
The nobles hid their fatigue and irritation as they waited for the Emperor to continue.
They had gathered here, dragging their tired bodies, due to a small disturbance in the slums.
“An unsavory incident occurring at my event is a serious matter that must be clarified without delay. First, Duchess Nord.”
It was something that could damage the dignity of the Emperor, who was revered for a reign that benefited his subjects.
At the Emperor’s grand voice, Rebecca stepped forward.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I heard that you were the one who reported it. Tell me in detail what you witnessed.”
Rebecca looked around the hall with a deliberately calm expression.
She had to inflict an irreversible wound on Duchess Bayern in this place.
She knew that fact, her mouth went dry, but.
‘This is a good opportunity.’
The corners of her lips twitched.
It was regrettable that her grandfather’s plan had not unfolded as he intended, but hadn’t she gained the chance to hold Duchess Bayern guilty of releasing rioters?
She would be able to make her pay a far greater price than merely having her hypocrisy exposed, or being caught up in the commotion and injured.
How could she not be pleased?
“I declare on the name of House Nord that everything I am about to say is the truth and nothing but the truth.”
After completing her vow not to commit perjury before the Emperor.
Rebecca explained in detail the incident that had occurred in the slums.
“…If those who threatened noblewomen by demanding money like robbers at a place where they were doing good in accordance with Your Majesty’s will are not rioters, then what are they?”
At Rebecca’s words, people began murmuring.
If it was clearly a riot, then Rebecca had merely done her duty as a subject.
That would mean the reason they had been unable to rest lay with Duchess Bayern.
As many gazes toward Nina became shaded with unmistakable fatigue and hostility, Rebecca continued speaking with bewitchingly shining eyes.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, as Your Majesty’s subject, I attempted to suppress the riot in order to protect the dignity of the Imperial Family, but Duchess Bayern released the rioters. She must be held accountable for this.”
The Emperor, who had been stroking his beard and pondering for a moment, called in a low voice with a worried look in his eyes.
“Duchess Bayern.”
“Yes.”
“According to Duchess Nord’s words, you released rioters who attempted robbery at my event. Can you refute this?”
Just as Rebecca had done, Nina looked around the hall, then slowly opened her mouth in a deliberately calm voice.
