The Retribution of the Ice Cold Maiden

29 - Who is truly the vicious one here?

"W-Why do you have this?! H-How..." Duke Rant asked in astonishment as words got stuck in his throat. Record Crystals grew naturally in mountains that had an extreme density of magic in the air. They are mined which is why each Record Crystal has a peculiar shape.

The reason Duke Rant was shaken so much was because it was his Record Crystal. Since it was his most prized possession, he had the habit of simply staring at it for hours at a time before it was broken. Every small detail of the Crystal was deeply embedded inside his head. As soon as Selena took it out, he immediately recognized it.

However, what had left him very excited that the Crystal reflected the colors of the Rainbow when it refracted light. It was a sign that it was working again. When the Record Crystal was broken, he had compared it to the Bishop's, and only then had he realized that Record Crystals filled with Magic gave off Rainbow colored reflected light. Since he only saw the crystal in the Carriage when the Baron handed it to him, he did not have the chance to observe it closely before so he was not aware back then that the rainbow reflections were gone then. He wanted to grab it right away, but Selena pulled her hand away and looked at the Duke with a calm face and said.

"This Crystal was loaned to me by a friend before the Baron visited. I am not comfortable saying that friend's name for their safety."

"You...!!" Duke Rant was furious. He started to think that Selena wanted to keep the crystal. But her next words stopped him from yelling it out loud.

"I will definitely return it to my friend after this case is over..." Selena said as she passed a gaze at the Duke and then continued.

"I didn't think I needed to bring it out now anymore but I have to now otherwise Duke Rant won't get the compensation he deserves."

Duke Rant jolted in shock. 'Could it be? Does she...' Duke Rant felt excited.

'Does she intend to return my Crystal and have the accused duo pay for it too?' He stared meaningfully at Selena and in response Selena simply said.

"You still want to be compensated for your 'Broken' Record Crystal, right, Duke Rant?"

"I-I... Of Course...!!" Duke Rant snapped out of it and turned to the King.

"Your Majesty, I hope you won't mind Lady Selena's interjection and allow her to present her 'friend's' Record Crystal so that I can be compensated for my 'broken' Record Crystal."

"Y-You... had one too?!" Marquis Johnson and Baron Turner felt their head spin. No wonder the girl dared to attack Baron Turner back then. She must have already recorded Baron Turner's provocations. That explained why she was calm despite everything. While the Marquis was laying a trap for her, Selena had already prepared one for him. She had been patiently waiting for the Royal Court Case to bring it out as key evidence.

"Hmm... I will allow it." King Valentinus replied as he kept wishing he had something to eat while enjoying this show. Actually, he can but his stomach problems didn't allow him to.

"Bring up the Record Crystal Pedestal...!!" Prime Minister Bernard ordered and a tile near the throne shifted and a Record Crystal Pedestal emerged from it. Since Royal Court Cases usually deal with Record Crystals, it was not a surprise to have its pedestal in the room.

Prime Minister Bernard took the Crystal from Selena and placed it on the Pedestal.

*Click*... Whrrr......!!

Duke Rant almost jumped in glee to see the Record Crystal functioning normally. The Crystal spun in place and green light particles emanated from it gathering at an empty space before the King which materialized into the Drawing Room of the Booker Manor with Baron Turner, Selena, and Nicholas inside of it.