The Villainess Just Wants to Study

Chapter 47 ~ The Court of Nobility: Part 2

The line separating good and evil was something that did not exist for Dylan. She wasn't a good person, or an honest person—but she wasn't someone who acted cruelly without reason. Maybe that's why she didn't feel a single ounce of guilt when she looked into Axil's eyes.

Did he deserve it? Did he deserve to die for sins he didn't commit? She had to admit, maybe he did. Maybe he deserved to feel the kind of pain he had inflicted upon Dylan.

The world was a cruel place, but human beings were the ones who made cruel acceptable. Dylan was only following the example of those around her—selfish and cruel humans who only cared for themselves. She grew up surrounded by such people. 

Axil's eye looked up and down her with hostility. That look—it was hatred. He hated Dylan with every inch of his soul. He loathed her being so deeply. 

'Even if you glare at me, the one in the sinner's seat will always be you.'

Since the underground casinos have been a problem within the Empire of Oberon for a very long time, Axil was essentially going up against the Empire itself. The Senate, which became increasingly representative of the Empire as a whole, sent a representative to act as the plaintiff.

'Since Cas is the Crown Prince, he can't appear in court directly.'

Axil chose to remain silent and not testify in his own defence, so the Duke would be acting in his place. 

"Well then," said the judge, leaning back in his chair tapping his fingertips against his elevated desk. "Calling the case of the Empire's Senate versus Axil de Beaumon. Are both sides ready?"

The room went silent. It was quiet enough to hear your own breath. 

"Yes, Your Honour," said the Duke.

Though he appeared outwardly composed as always, Dylan noticed he went rigid in his seat next to hers. She suppressed a smile. Seeing him struggle brought about a satisfying sense of accomplishment for her.

The judge glared at the Duke. "Very well," he said. "And the opposing side?"

"Yes, Your Honour," said a man Dylan had never seen before. 

'He must be the member the Imperial Senate sent.'

"Will the clerk please swear in the jury?" the judge asked.

As the clerk swore in the jury, Dylan glanced around the courtroom and spotted a familiar face in the crowd. He gave her a fond, almost fatherly smile when their eyes met. His presence relieved her almost immediately.

'It's Edwin.'

Then her eyes narrowed as her gaze fell to Laikin, who was seated beside him. A smile crossed Laikin's lips as he winked at her. Dylan's face flushed red, then she quickly turned her head to keep her eyes focused on the judge. 

The judge said, "The prosecution may call its first witness."

The witness stood up and walked to the front of the courtroom, just as the judge had asked him to. His cape fluttered out behind him when he walked, and the symbol on the man's chest belonged to the order of knights that served directly under the Crown Prince. 

"Raise your right hand," the judge instructed him. "Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," the man said.

"Please state your first and last name."

"Aurelius Lucian," the man replied, standing upright. "I am the Captain of the Crown Prince's Order, Your Honour."