A Stepmother's Marchen

Chapter 53

Lucretia’s white sculpture-like face immediately heated up amid the sound of coughing and laughter everywhere.

Looking at it, I was amazed. You used to play the role of a loving aunt, but now you can’t wait to cut off your eldest nephew’s arm?

Even if it’s the reality of aristocratic society that the people from the same blood could bite off each other’s neck, I couldn’t help but feel bitter.

“Oh, anyway, does it make sense that he never slept with a woman like that?”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Lady Lucretia. My witness here will prove the matter.”

Then I turned to the Emperor again. I don’t know how to express the look on the Emperor’s face now. It was as if his eyes were passing through me and looking at someone else behind me.

“Lady Neuwanstein … ..do you think the deceased is willing to accept your cause now?”

I’m sorry, Johannes. But you’ll understand… ..that the children you left behind are more precious than the warm memories of you.

Ha, I’ve never imagined that I’d step down like this.

What would happen if I came down from where I’m standing now? I don’t know how many people will target me. Could I survive? Of course, I don’t really care anymore.

“No one can doubt this proof. Your Majesty, as soon as the proof is out, I will no longer be Marchioness Shuri Von Neuwanstein, but return to Shuri Von Ighoeffer. Thus, the Neuwanstein family’s sovereignty will go to Jeremy Von Neuwanstein , who sits on that defendant’s seat, who can request a duel of honor under the protection of the House Honor Ordinance.”

Any of Neuwanstein’s knights would be happy to duel. Those I’ve watched for nearly a decade would surely give their lives for their young master.

I looked sideways at the lady standing beside me, and now turned to the audience, which had completely fallen into a maelstrom of silence.

This place was no longer a comedy theater to watch a family fall.

The House Honor Ordinance is a crucial provision for all nobles. As it was a countermeasure designed to protect the heads of the nobility from the tyranny of the imperial power, no one could express opposition to the cause, and eventually the factions would begin to diverge into the aristocracy.

Whatever reason Jeremy assaulted the Crown Prince, it was no longer a matter of fact for the nobles who moved strictly to their own benefit.

It was important that the boy, who was obstinate and outspoken enough to assault the crown prince, became Marquis Neuwanstein .

“You know, folks, the trial is over.”

I looked toward Empress Elizabeth for the last time. Just like Lucretia, I thought she would be staring at me with a death glare, but the Empress was staring at me with a strange look, which was surprisingly unexpected. Her eyes seemed blank, but strange.

Funnily enough, compassion for her suddenly rose.

It was no wonder she came out so hard. She lived in the shadow of the deceased former Empress, the shadow of a woman whom the Emperor loved so much, and cared more about her stepchild than her own child. The disorderly nature of the Emperor’s private life.

For how long the solid silence has passed?

Finally, it was none other than Empress Elizabeth who thrust the spear into this silent barrier. She rose with dignity, flapping her dark red dress, just like her high-flying dark red hair.

Then I sat there frozen as she spoke to the Emperor who was staring at me, “Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“I ask you to withdraw the trial.”

Despite the literally random request of the Empress to withdraw her trial, the court was still dead silent.

While my eyes were wide open in surprise, Empress Elizabeth turned around and said to me for the last time, “Lady Neuwanstein . I don’t think you need to cancel your marriage. I think you’re already sitting in the most appropriate seat.”

I was just half out of it.

In the meantime, the Emperor, who had only been watching me silently, finally turned his eyes and stared at his eldest son’s side.

To be exact, he looked at Theobalt, who was on the defendant’s side, and spat out, “You’re proud of being beaten by such a young man?”

Whatever the poor crown prince wanted to say was cut off by the solemn Emperor’s remark.

“I order to withdraw the trial. Now that the trial is over, go back and enjoy your year-end vacation!”

……It sounds quite similar to what I said before.

It was the imperial family who actually started the trial, but now that they withdrew it out of the blue, there must be many nobles who wanted to protest.

I feel sorry for him for declaring that he will withdraw the troublesome issue and then leaving immediately.

“Lady Neuwanstein .”

“Lady Neuwanstein …”

I suddenly looked toward the cardinals, with a mixture of greetings passing by one by one. I could hear the sound of chairs being pushed and the sound of steps leaving.

Suddenly, there was a quiet, dark gaze that fell on me, still shining silently as if it were of a beast, “I would like to ask you a favor, madam. Please give me a heads-up next time. Do you have any idea how nervous I was?!”

Ay, the calm Duke of Nurembert must have been quite surprised to see him shouting like this.

“I’m sorry, but if I may have told you earlier…”

“Phew, it’s done. I’m sure you wouldn’t have been able to tell me every single thing about it. It’s been a little strange since you asked me to bring that woman, but I have to apologize for my sister’s behaviour.”

There was no need for the Duke to apologize for her.

More than that, I didn’t expect the Empress to turn the tables so quickly at the last minute. It’s impossible for her not to know that the imperial cause is destroyed.

Of course, it will be less dangerous than the situation where my marriage is canceled and the inheritance.

Whatever the real inside story, the imperial position would be in considerable trouble for the time being.

The Empress who drove Neuwanstein ‘s temporary head to reveal to the whole world her most personal privacy as a madam, along with the crown prince.

Furthermore, the court withdrew the trial, which is tantamount to handing over the cause on to this side. Even if the nobles, including Neuvanstein, gathered together and began to growl, there was nothing to say.

How mean of her to unintentionally bring the nobles together.

I can’t predict this reality that is stretching in a completely different direction from the past, even though it’s back in time…

“You must be very troubled.”

“Of course it was worth it, but I hope you, madam, won’t make scary requests about cancelling the marriage again. Seriously, for whom…!”

I smiled as I looked up at the duke who was scolding me.

If it wasn’t for this man’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did today. The fact that this person was favorable to me without a reason was appreciated. Of course, I am grateful to the Emperor too.

That certainly didn’t mean that I could carry out my plans recklessly while trusting only those who were favorable to me and did as I pleased.

Under imperial law, a woman cannot request divorce, but there was a part in the law that if she proves that she had not had a marital relationship for more than 500 days, she could immediately request nullification of the marriage.

In that part, no one could force the couple not to divorce, even if it’s the Emperor or the pope.

I don’t know who it was created for, but it was a perfect card for me, and that’s why I pushed ahead with such an unreasonable move.

“Thank you for sticking to our agreement. But you know Duke…”

“Yes?”

I hesitated for a moment, facing the blue eyes that looked down at me curiously. Soon I changed my mind and shook my head, “……Nothing. I hope you have a meaningful end of the year.”

I should put aside questions about the mysterious sediment that exists between the Empress and me. I was too sorry to hold on to the Duke anymore.

Above all…

As soon as I barely reached the place where the carriage was, my body relaxed automatically, perhaps because the tension was relieved.

I don’t know how to interpret the expression that the accompanying knights are currently making.

Jeremy had been sent home first, and what had happened in court would have already spread.

I felt very awkward. I didn’t expect to go back in this carriage.

Feeling the eyes of the knights looking at me with unfamiliar eyes, I only said one word, “Home.”