“Lady Violet S. Everett is not a witch. I testify that she is blessed by the Sacred Tree.”

“How could a mere blessing from the Sacred Tree be considered evidence! Present proper evidence!”

The cardinal, who had scorned foreign traditions, shouted in anger. Vaughn, who had anticipated this reaction, smiled knowingly.

“Of course, the evidence has been submitted. The judgment is His Majesty’s, and a verdict of innocence has been declared.”

“This, this is a conspiracy!”

The bound Count Lasfoden struggled. The knight restraining him stepped on his back. Short cries of pain and phrases like ‘Do you know who I am!’ were exchanged, but no one came to his aid.

Who could possibly oppose the emperor in this place?

Amidst the commotion, the doors of the courtroom opened. The person who entered was a pale young man.

“T-This…!”

The young priest, who was about to shout something, froze as he saw what was happening. The emperor gave a slight nod, allowing the priest to approach the cardinal and speak to him.

The young man’s face was filled with sorrow.

“Is that true?”

The cardinal had maintained his composure even after being restrained, but his expression now suddenly contorted.

The young man facing him couldn’t help but cry.

“…Yes, it is true.”

The news he brought was that the imperial knights had surrounded the Grand Temple. The search had already begun, and most of the priests had been forcibly taken for questioning, causing the cardinal’s neck veins to bulge with fury.

“How dare you! Do you think you can escape divine punishment for this?”

“……”

The emperor remained silent, his expression indifferent. The cardinal, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage, shouted again.

“Do you think the imperial family will survive after turning the temple into an enemy?”

“It is not I who should worry about divine punishment, but the corrupt priests steeped in power.”

At the emperor’s gesture, the cardinal was dragged away. Those passing outside the courtroom murmured as they saw someone other than the silver-haired beauty being escorted out.

“What’s happening?”

“I heard today was the trial of Ducal Lady Everett, but what’s going on…?”

The ones being led away were high-ranking priests or middle-aged people dressed in fine clothes.

Those murmuring would soon learn the truth—that the entire temple had been taken over by the imperial knights, and that all the priests of the Grand Temple had been arrested.

Of course, there might be innocent priests who hadn’t colluded with enemy nations. They would be released soon enough, but…

“Hear me, all of you! The temple has dared to betray the empire, attempting to sell it out and commit treason! In the process, they attempted to frame Ducal Lady Everett and tried to deceive foolish eyes! Therefore, I will thoroughly root out and punish these traitors!”

It was a declaration that a bloodbath would ensue.

* * *

In this trial, Violet’s role was nothing more than that of a puppet. A convenient piece. A pawn to be discarded if it failed.

Though Violet had willingly taken on this role, she couldn’t help but feel despondent as she watched the situation unfold.

She hadn’t planned this play from the beginning. The temple’s involvement in Aileen’s attempted poisoning naturally reached the emperor’s ears, and he was furious. The emperor had been ready to order a large-scale investigation, but the crown prince had stopped him.

It was he who first proposed using the trial to their advantage.

Violet had sighed at Rajaden’s suggestion, but she had no choice but to go along with this absurd plan. He was, after all, an extraordinary man in many ways.

Lost in thought for a moment, Violet looked around the now-emptying courtroom. She saw people leaving in a daze. Complex emotions clouded Violet’s eyes.

Now she could go home. The false charges that had been placed upon her had been cleared. But the public’s reaction was still unknown.

Some might sympathize with her, while others might claim this was all part of the witch’s scheme.

It was a situation where the outcome was uncertain.

Even though she had confidently spoken to Lady Tolofia, in the end, people’s gazes would still bind her.

“……”

Well, let them think what they will.

She had long been accustomed to being hated, she told herself, brushing aside her complex emotions. Being hated didn’t mean she would die or that she would be unable to paint, so it didn’t matter.

There were still people who would stand by her side no matter what.

At the same time, Violet thought of a certain man. The man who asked her to accept his loyalty as a knight, even if she wouldn’t accept his confession of love. If she had accepted his loyalty, how would he have reacted now?

Would he have taken the lead in sorting out this situation, enraged that the honor of the lady he served had been tarnished?

The Aldin she knew was generally quiet and composed, so it was hard to imagine. With a faint smile, Violet tucked her thoughts away.

Just as she was about to leave the courtroom as well, someone appeared before her.