The Devil is the Villainess

Chapter XXXIV: Icarus (Part 6)

The day of the trial had been announced, and the entire Empire buzzed with anticipation. Citizens from every corner of the realm awaited the historical event that would unfold tomorrow. The trial would determine the fate of the first prince, Rezef, deciding whether he would be executed or exiled from the Empire, along with the loss of his princely title.

Medea sat in her lavish sitting room, sipping her morning brew of jasmine tea as she read the newspaper. She let the delicate flavor linger on her tongue, her eyes fluttering in amusement. The events of the previous day replayed vividly in her mind: the fierce confrontation with Rezef, her near brush with death, and Caelus's unexpected confession of his feelings. It was a series of moments that would forever be etched in her memory, defining her time in this world.

Shaking off her thoughts, Medea placed her cup back on the table just as the door opened. Her brother, Vincentius, entered with a look of concern etched on his face. "How are you, Medi? Do you still feel pain in your body?" he asked, his worry evident in his voice.

Medea blinked, momentarily taken aback by his concern. The remnants of the poison still lingered in her system, its effects brutal and unforgiving. If it hadn't been for her swift actions to counteract the poison and the antidote Caelus had provided, she might have lost a limb—or worse, her life. She furrowed her brows and took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I'm doing everything I can to recover, so you don't have to worry about me," she replied, looking away. I don't need it, she thought to herself.

Vincentius sighed, nodding his head in resignation. "Alright. Just make sure you get enough rest. As much as possible, avoid doing anything that could harm your body, okay?" he gently reminded her before leaving the room.

Medea watched him close the door behind him and internally huffed. She crossed her arms and leaned back against the sofa. "He's treating me as if I'm a child. How annoying," she muttered under her breath, placing a hand on her forehead. Her expression turned grim as a bitter smile played on her lips. "Maybe it's just because of that love he had for his sister."

The day slowly turned into night, and the anticipation for Rezef Genovia's trial grew. When dawn broke the next day, the trial finally commenced. The grand hall was filled with nobles, officials, and citizens, all eager to witness the outcome. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and every eye was on the first prince as he faced his judgment.

Crowds gathered outside the grand courtroom, murmuring amongst themselves as they awaited the verdict. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with the weight of the impending judgment. Medea, seated among the spectators, watched intently as the proceedings began.

The trial was exhaustive, with testimonies from various witnesses, including those who had been directly affected by Rezef's actions. The prosecution laid out their case methodically, detailing the prince's crimes and the impact they had on the Empire. Rezef, now stripped of his former arrogance, stood before the Imperial Court, his fate hanging in the balance.

Medea's mind wandered as she listened, her thoughts drifting back to her own journey and the unexpected turns it had taken. She glanced around the room, noting the expressions of those present—some filled with anger, others with sorrow.

As the trial drew to a close, the judges deliberated, their faces stern and unreadable. The courtroom fell into a hushed silence, the tension palpable. Finally, the head judge stood, his voice echoing through the chamber as he delivered the verdict.

Medea's eyes scanned the courtroom, settling on Frederick and his family seated on the second floor of the Imperial Court. Frederick was accompanied by his lover, Elysia, and the atmosphere buzzed with hushed conversations about the day's proceedings. The air was thick with anticipation and anxiety as people speculated on the outcome of the trial.