CHAPTER 501: IF STORY - THE INITIAL DRAFT (9)

0% “...What are you saying, Princess?”

“I don’t believe you misheard me.”

A few days after the trial announcement for Frey.

“This is so absurd that I don’t even know how to respond.”

The chief judge presiding over Frey’s trial stared blankly at the distinguished guest sitting before him.

“You’re asking me to reduce his sentence as much as possible? That’s impossible.”

After the recent incident, Clana had risen to the peak of imperial power overnight.

Even the Emperor himself could no longer ignore her.

Yet, even so, the chief judge could not remain silent.

“There is no such thing as impossible.”

“Princess, no means no.”

If the scandal had been kept under wraps, it might have been a different story. But now, not only those who attended the ceremony but even common citizens knew about Frey’s case.

“The Imperial Times is publishing special reports on him almost every day. Everyone—from five-year-old children to hunched-over old men—is cursing his name.”

“...”

“And if I were to give him a slap on the wrist... what do you think would happen to me?”

The judge wiped his cold sweat, then slowly stood up.

“...Enough. I will pretend I never heard this conversation.”

Bowing politely, he offered his farewell.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me—“

“Sit down.”

At Clana’s cold voice, he hesitated, then slowly returned to his seat, carefully gauging her reaction.

“Your Honor, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”

“...What?”

“This is not a request.”

Her voice was firm, unwavering.

“...Are you ordering me right now?”

The judge, catching the implication, responded with a hint of displeasure.

“Princess, you truly don’t understand how this world works.”

“...”

“The judiciary is protected by ancient magic. Not even the Emperor himself can interfere with our rulings.”

Though timid and cautious by nature, the chief judge had presided over the imperial courts for decades.

“Of course, the Emperor can grant a pardon, but that comes after the ruling has been made.”

“Hmm.”

“At the very least, Frey will be sentenced to the maximum penalty, and he will be stripped of his noble title. No one can stop that from happening.”

Relying on her backing as the Hero’s ally, this naïve princess had foolishly challenged him—someone who knew the real workings of the Empire.

“It would be best if you left now—“

“I looked through past trial records, and I found some rather interesting things.”

“...What do you mean by that?”

“People who should have been executed were let off with a mere fine, while innocents were convicted as guilty.”

As the judge tried to rise from his seat, Clana casually placed a stack of documents on the table.

Seeing what was written on them, the judge froze in place.

“Even the Emperor’s authority can’t seem to compare to a few gold coins.”

“H-how did you get that...?”

“If these account books were to be made public, we both know exactly what would happen to you.”

There wasn’t even time for him to process how the princess had obtained records that should have been locked in his private vault.

Because at that moment, Clana pressed forward.

“Earlier, you asked if this was a command, correct?”

“...”

“Of course not. This is a threat.”

Seeing the terror in his eyes, her expression turned icy.

“Choose. Stand by your principles and be utterly ruined, or accept a generous retirement package and live your remaining years in comfort.”

“Ugh...”

“Though, given how easily your ‘principles’ were swayed by gold, I wonder if they were ever worth protecting in the first place.”

As she finished speaking, silence settled over the room.

“...What sentence must I pass?”

His head hung low, the judge clenched his fists and broke the silence.

“Hmph.”

At last, Clana smiled. But even so, the corner of her lips quivered slightly.

.

.

.

.

.

A few days later.

“...After taking everything into account, while Frey’s crimes are indeed severe,”

The chief judge, sweating profusely under Clana’s gaze, let out a long sigh as he began reading the verdict.

“Given that his crimes remained at the attempt stage, that he has shown genuine remorse, and that external pressure played a significant role in his actions, there are grounds for mitigation.”

Journalists, who had been jotting down notes with their arms crossed or chins resting on their hands, sensed something off in the final part of his statement and lifted their heads.

“Therefore, this court hereby removes the defendant from all official duties and sentences him to indefinite house arrest.”

The judge avoided their gazes as he picked up his gavel and continued.

“...Additionally, as there is no pressing reason for revocation, the defendant shall retain his noble status.”

At the outrageously lenient verdict, everyone in the courtroom was left stunned.

“Bullshit!!!”

Serena, seething with rage, erupted from her seat, her entire body exuding killing intent.

“How in the world did you come to such a ridiculous—!”

- Bang! Bang! Bang!

The verdict had already been rendered.

“...Well, this is going to be a major scandal.”

“Who pulled the strings? The Emperor?”

“No, the Emperor is far too busy to be involved in Frey’s case right now...”

As the courtroom erupted into chaos over what was sure to become one of the most controversial rulings in years, the judge quickly fled the scene, head lowered.

- Step, step...

With tensions rising and the spectators on the verge of rioting, imperial guards rushed in to control the situation, while the smirks on the journalists’ faces showed they were savoring the spectacle.

“Don’t think for a second that this is over.”

A bewildered Frey, still standing at the defendant’s podium, barely had time to react before Serena approached him.

“Do you really think locking yourself away in your mansion will keep you safe, you coward?”

“...”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but there are plenty of ways to drag you to hell.”

Leaning in, Serena extended a finger and pressed firmly below Frey’s heart.

“...Guh—!?”

A mouthful of dark, crimson blood spilled from Frey’s lips as his body convulsed.

“I already made my move long ago.”

“Ugh...”

“Now, you’ll never know a moment of peace. I’ve released your pressure point—every breath you take will be more painful than death.”

As if to prove her words, Frey struggled to breathe, his vision unfocused as his body heaved.

Serena grabbed him by the collar, pulling him closer.

“I’ll make sure you wither away in agony.”

“...”

“Enjoy your vacation.”

Without a second glance, she turned and strode out of the courtroom.

“Cough, cough...”

Before long, the courtroom had emptied, leaving behind only the sound of Frey’s labored, ragged coughing as he leaned against the front bench.

“...Kuhh.”

Even his painful gasps grew weaker, his half-lidded eyes beginning to close.

“Haa...”

From somewhere nearby, a quiet sigh broke the silence.

Then, someone stepped forward, gently supporting him.

“You foolish man.”

“...”

.

.

.

.

.

“...Ah.”

Frey opened his eyes several hours later.

“...!?!?”

The moment he woke up, he bolted upright, his face immediately contorting in confusion as he scanned his surroundings.

“Did Kania help me...? But then why am I here...?”

Realizing that he was lying in a familiar bed, a perplexed look crossed his face.

“...If she were the one who helped, she wouldn’t have brought me here.”

A shaky voice rang out right next to him.

“Did you know? Because of you, I committed a crime for the first time in my life.”

Just like how Frey had spent countless nights watching over her as she slept, Clana now sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking him.

“...It wasn’t as bad as I thought. In fact, I think I understand now why you do bad things.”

As Frey stared at her with a dazed expression, she smiled and continued.

“There are some goals you can’t achieve by simply being good. Sometimes, you have to do something bad to accomplish them.”

“...”

Frey, realizing the implication behind her words, reached out hastily with a troubled expression.

- Shaaa...

His hand, now glowing, pressed against her forehead.

“...It’s useless.”

But Clana grabbed his wrist and slowly pushed it away, whispering.

“No spell, no curse—nothing can invade me anymore.”

“...Don’t tell me, you’ve Awakened?”

“Awakened? What’s that?”

“When did this happen...”

Frey, stunned, looked at her as she chuckled softly before leaning in closer.

“...Who knows?”

“Y-Your Highness.”

“Was it when you gave me warm food, clothes, and a bed?”

Her delicate body pressed gently against his.

“Was it when you stole me away from a wedding that would have ruined my life?”

“Please, don’t do this.”

“Or was it when you locked my transformed self in a cage and raised me like a pet?”

“...What?”

Frey, trying to pull away with an uneasy look, froze at her unexpected words.

- Haa...

Clana slipped her tongue into his mouth.

“...Puh.”

After a moment, a thin thread of saliva stretched between them as Clana pulled back, now sitting atop Frey’s abdomen.

“Maybe... I fell in love with you somewhere along the way.”

“...You should stop now.”

But even as Frey shook his head, Clana frowned, looking at him intently.

“Why?”

“Your Highness.”

As she gazed at him, Frey coughed violently, his body convulsing.

“...Rather than someone like me—someone who will soon disappear from this world—you should find someone who can stay by your side.”

Hearing those words, Clana bit her lip, her voice shaking as she replied.

“So that’s what it was.”

“...”

“You planned to carry all this on your shoulders and disappear?”

Then, she grabbed both of Frey’s arms and pinned him onto the bed.

“You’re my retainer. Even dying requires my permission.”

“Your Highness, this isn’t something you can just solve by being willful—“

“Do it.”

Frey, trying to hide the blood dripping from his lips, sighed bitterly at the force pressing down on his arms and nodded reluctantly.

“...Fine. Now, could you let me go?”

“No.”

Even so, Clana refused to release him.

“Y-Your Highness.”

As she stared into his eyes, Frey swallowed nervously and averted his gaze, murmuring.

“T-This is improper... I can’t possibly do such a disrespectful thing...”

“...”

“A r-romantic relationship should not be impulsive or emotion-driven. We should first confirm our feelings for each other and take enough time to—“

Listening to his flustered voice—like a shy older sister scolding a naïve child—Clana suddenly leaned in and whispered.

“...It’s an order.”

At that moment, Frey’s ring began to glow faintly.

“This is practically treason...”

“Disobeying a direct order is also treason, Frey.”

“...”

“...Ugh.”

Above them, the moonlight quietly illuminated their intertwined hands, trembling with hesitation and longing.