Chapter 301: The Trial(3)
Chapter 301: The Trial(3)
The verdict was handed down. Regardless of the fact that I was Xenon, the root cause of this incident was me slapping Hiriya.
However, perhaps feeling uneasy after my identity was revealed, the court judged that Hiriya had provided the provocation. The rest of the sentencing was left to the Minerva Empire to handle as they saw fit.
It seemed Friedrich realized he couldn't afford to be reckless, especially with the revelation of Adelia’s birth and my "spoiler" of sorts.
Once a seed of doubt is planted in the heart, it grows and begins to entwine itself around its host. From the moment Volume 22 of the Xenon Chronicle is published, those vines will slowly tighten around their necks.
Until then, I could leisurely enjoy the Academy... No, that’s probably impossible. Even if it’s just at the rumor stage for now, the secret is out, and word will eventually leak.
The real show begins the moment a newspaper with noble connections sinks its teeth into those rumors. Revealing my identity at this trial was merely a skirmish—a taste of what's to come.
And just as I am tense, the Ters Royal Family must be sweating bullets. They might think it was a bluff during the trial, but I plan to seal the deal later on.
For now, I’ll wait for the rumors to crawl out and for my name to be mentioned in the papers.
"Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. Truly."
We had returned to the guest room to rest before heading back to the Minerva Empire. As I threw myself onto the bed for a brief respite, Adelia offered her thanks.
I lifted my head slightly to see her looking at me with a warm smile.
Affection, gratitude, regret—her expression was a cocktail of emotions. But the love she felt for me was unmistakable.
Though her existence had been denied once again during the trial, she hadn't broken down like before; she had stood tall.
I smiled at her growth. She might still have lingering regrets, but she seemed to have cast off her trauma.
"Noona. Come here for a second."
When I beckoned her closer, Adelia walked over slowly, that affectionate smile still gracing her lips.
Once she was right in front of me, I pulled her by the arm and drew her into my embrace.
As if she had expected this, Adelia didn't let out so much as a peep and settled into my arms quite smoothly.
"I told you. I’ll be on your side until the very end."
"Still, thank you. Meeting Nicole, and then meeting you... it’s the greatest luck of my life. I feel like all my past misfortunes were just a prelude to meeting you."
"And I met a knight who would dedicate her entire life to me."
For a long while, we shared each other's warmth, connecting emotionally.
It wasn't a heavy or suggestive atmosphere, but a hug purely for healing.
"Haa..."
Adelia let out a faint, languid sigh, seemingly satisfied with the embrace. I chuckled warmly and patted her back as if soothing a child.
The trial was over, but it wasn't the end. As culture flourished because of the Xenon Chronicle, the Ters Kingdom was destined to enter a slow dark age.
An empire attacked from the outside can be rebuilt, but one that begins to crumble from within is beyond saving.
Perhaps, in a final act of desperation, they might try to harm Adelia or me.
Furthermore, the benefits I reaped by hiding my identity would vanish, replaced by nuisances—specifically, direct threats like Demon Worshippers.
But it was fine. I had Adelia and other reliable allies by my side. They would never be able to breach my walls.
Knock, knock, knock—
How long had we been holding each other? The moment the knocking reached our ears, we pulled apart simultaneously.
As much as I wanted to move on to the "main event," we were still in the Ters Kingdom. No matter how greedy I felt, I had to exercise restraint when necessary.
With a look of regret, Adelia stepped away from me and went to open the door.
Knock, knock, knock!!
Someone’s impatient. Who could it be? Lara, perhaps?
I’d only met her once, but given how much she adored Adelia, it was highly likely.
Whatever I thought of the other royals, she was the last shred of conscience in the Ters Royal Family, so I intended to treat her kindly.
"Who is it?"
"A-Adelia...?"
"Huh?"
But the voice from outside wasn't Lara's. Though it was strained, the owner of that voice was definitely Hiriya.
Why would she come to the guest room where I was resting? While Adelia looked at me in panicked confusion, I got up from the bed and walked toward the door.
I swung the door wide open, revealing Hiriya in her entirety. Unlike the woman I’d seen at the Academy, she looked utterly shrunken, like a cornered squirrel.
She was slender but tall—nearly as tall as Adelia—so she never usually felt small, but she did now.
Her arrogant, confident attitude was nowhere to be found; only a trembling little animal remained, terrified of something.
I had seen her at the trial, but facing her directly now, the difference was so stark I almost doubted she was the same person.
"...Princess Hiriya?"
"I, I..."
She even stammered when I addressed her. Fearing we might draw unwanted attention if we stayed like this, I ushered her inside.
As Hiriya walked in, Adelia watched her with an indifferent gaze.
It was Hiriya who couldn't meet Adelia's eyes, actively avoiding them.
The situation had been completely reversed. I wondered what Hiriya had come here to say.
I was a little—no, a lot—excited to find out.
"First, have a se—"
"I-I am sorry."
"A se... what?"
Before I could even invite her to sit at the table, Hiriya apologized. I turned to see her bowing her head deeply.
Her sky-blue hair fell like a curtain, obscuring her face, but her trembling body told the whole story.
Hiriya was terrified. And she fully believed that I was Xenon.
I stared at the back of Hiriya's head for a moment before looking at Adelia.
Adelia also seemed surprised that Hiriya would suddenly bow her head like this.
"Princess Hiriya."
"Y-Yes."
"Raise your head first."
At my command, Hiriya slowly lifted her head. Now I could see her expression clearly.
Her lips were quivering, and her sky-blue eyes were shaking as if an earthquake were happening inside them. Cold sweat trickled down her cheeks.
She was showing signs of extreme anxiety. Just like Adelia had a year ago when she met the Ters Royal Family at the exhibition.
In contrast, Adelia was perfectly calm, almost appearing thoughtless. For now, she was just puzzled.
I watched the pitifully trembling Hiriya in silence before breaking into a smirk and speaking nonchalantly.
"Why are you shaking so much? Anyone would think I’m going to eat you."
"I-I am sorry. I... I didn't know my place and dared to..."
"Stop shaking and look me in the eye, Princess Hiriya."
"..."
At my 'kind' request, Hiriya stopped mid-sentence and looked me straight in the eye. Her gaze flickered occasionally, but she obeyed.
With her usual self-assurance completely gone, she looked like a different person now that she was subdued.
Hiriya didn't "not know her place." She knew it all too well now, which is why her attitude had changed so drastically.
"Princess."
"Y-Yes."
"Did you really hate Adelia Noona that much?"
"..."
At my question, Hiriya’s gaze shifted to Adelia. The moment their eyes met, Adelia’s expression became complicated.
This was the flesh and blood she had once yearned for, only to be discarded. Then she met me and formed a new family.
And now, after all this time, one of those relatives had cast aside all pride to beg for forgiveness. It was bound to be a surreal and complicated feeling.
"What Adelia Noona needed wasn't the throne, power, or wealth. She just needed the affection of a family. But the Royal Family, including you, Princess Hiriya, gave her nothing but abuse and insults instead of love. Do you understand what that means?"
"I-I will do anything! F-From now on, I’ll call her Sister... no, Lady Adelia! Please, forgive me...!"
I wasn't finished yet, woman. The moment I stopped speaking, Hiriya dropped to her knees and began to plead desperately.
But I had no intention of forgiving her. If Adelia hadn't become my woman, if I hadn't been Xenon, Hiriya would never have changed.
I knelt on one knee to meet the eyes of the woman groveling so pathetically.
"Lady Hiriya. If I weren't Xenon, would you be begging like this?"
"Ugh... huck..."
"If you had treated Adelia Noona like family even a little bit, would this have happened?"
"Please..."
Hiriya couldn't answer; she only sobbed. In a way, she was just incredibly unlucky.
But that didn't mean I could forgive her. Even if the kind-hearted Adelia forgave her...
'...Actually, that’s not going to happen.'
Just in case, I glanced at Adelia. She was looking down at Hiriya with a cold, disgusted expression.
"Sister"—the title she had once wanted so badly. But hearing it now only meant that Hiriya would never have acknowledged her as family if this situation hadn't occurred.
It was only natural for any lingering affection to vanish. Moreover, after having her existence publicly denied at the trial just moments ago, she likely felt nothing but loathing.
To be honest, I had no intention of forgiving Hiriya. More accurately, I didn't care enough to.
The moment I slapped her and revealed my identity, my pent-up frustration was vented, and the Ters Kingdom was already headed for a period of decline.
"You must pay the price for touching my family, Princess Hiriya. Thanks to the ball you set in motion, I had to reveal my identity, which means I’ve suffered a massive loss. The Ters Kingdom entering a dark age isn't enough."
"N-No! Please! Please, at least let the kingdom survive!"
Was it because of the Jayros Revolution that shook the nation's foundations just a few decades ago? Hiriya cried out in a panic, as if the thought of revolution had crossed her mind.
Honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if a revolution occurred. The Ters Kingdom has strong internal cohesion. While this is a great strength for a nation, it can also be a poison.
When the people of Ters read my letters and the upcoming Volume 22 of the Xenon Chronicle, how will they react?
And as the finishing touch, if I reveal my identity to the entire world, what path will the Ters Kingdom take?
In the worst-case scenario, just as Hiriya feared, it could collapse from within and head toward ruin. The nobles who had been keeping the royal family in check might seize power, and a new dynasty could emerge.
Regime change. Or revolution.
This was the future Hiriya feared most, and her own safety was tied to it.
"I-I’ll become your slave if I have to! I don't care if I become your toy! I-If you don't believe me, r-right now...!"
Her anxiety must have peaked, as Hiriya’s trembling hands began to frantically unbutton her clothes. Since she was wearing a uniform rather than a dress, it was easy to take off alone.
As I was about to stop her in surprise, Adelia, unable to watch any longer, stepped in first.
"Stop it, Princess Hiriya."
"S-Sister... no, Adelia..."
"I am not your sister. I am merely Lord Isaac’s loyal exclusive maid. I no longer have any connection to the Ters Royal Family."
"Ugh..."
Sensing instinctively that there was no way out, tears began to well in Hiriya's eyes. She should have been better to her sister when she had the chance.
I watched Hiriya, who was willing to do anything for forgiveness, with a pathetic look before speaking in a soft voice.
"Princess Hiriya. I don't need your body. I’m not a lecher, and above all, I already have a far better woman by my side."
Well, objectively speaking, Hiriya was certainly a beauty. But because of the negative rapport she’d built up, I had no plans to accept her.
The only exception would be if she became Adelia’s slave, not mine. A way for Adelia to return all the abuse and insults she had received as a child.
And even if Hiriya didn't want it, the Ters Royal Family would likely try to send her to me later anyway. Whether it would be Hiriya or Lara, I didn't know, but it would be one of them.
In that case, it would be better to take Lara. Lara was the only conscience left in the Ters Royal Family; it would be unsettling if that conscience vanished without a trace.
Most importantly, Lara was the only one who had treated Adelia like family. Seeing as they still maintained a good relationship, I had to at least protect Lara.
"So, I don't need you, Princess. Even if you forced your way in, you’d find it very difficult."
"I-I can endure it."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Just like Adelia Noona endured?"
"Yes!"
"..."
Hiriya was saying things she didn't mean just to grab onto any lifeline. Her lack of hesitation made it feel even more repulsive.
Hiriya should never have given a positive answer here. If she understood even a fraction of the pain Adelia had felt, she wouldn't have been able to say that.
People don't change. Even as she clung to my pant leg, her deep-seated selfishness remained.
She was a dangerous element, likely to stab me in the back the moment her own safety was guaranteed.
Slowly—
Suppressing my true feelings, I smiled and placed my hand on Hiriya's cheek.
Thinking she had been granted permission, Hiriya’s face began to brighten.
Her lips were still trembling, but her relief was plain to see.
"...Princess Hiriya."
"Yes, yes!"
"That’s not it."
"Pardon...?"
"I said, that’s not it."
Perhaps she hadn't expected a negative response. Hiriya looked dazed at my words.
Nevertheless, my hand continued to gently stroke her cheek. As if telling her to wake up from her dream, as if telling her to be satisfied with this.
"If you had understood even a little of the pain Adelia Noona suffered, if you had even acknowledged it, you wouldn't have given that answer. Adelia Noona endured everything, despite being a far superior knight and woman. Even when you beat her under the guise of sparring, even when you insulted her parents to her face, even when she almost lost the man she loved right in front of her eyes, and even when I slapped you and we came to the Ters Kingdom!"
"..."
Hiriya flinched violently as I raised my voice. Fear and terror were etched into her trembling eyes, and her complexion turned pale.
"She blamed herself, saying it was her fault, and felt truly sorry. Even though it wasn't her fault, she lashed herself with guilt. But what about you, Princess? You’re not like that. Even though you’re the one who committed the wrongs, you have no empathy; you’re just answering to save your own skin."
The Ters Royal Family were kind fathers, brothers, and sisters to 'their own people.' But they didn't spare a glance for those who had fallen out of favor, like Adelia.
Empathy and understanding be damned; they were a group of people who only thought of their own satisfaction and profit—not incompetent, but that only made them more malicious.
How did Adelia manage to endure in such a family, and how did a conscience like Lara’s ever get born into it?
I wondered if the first princess, Olivia, who had married into the Duchy of Bellua, was like this too. Even without my interference, the future of the Ters Kingdom looked bleak.
"You said you wanted forgiveness? Then live on. Just as Adelia did, live on while enduring all sorts of contempt. The Ters Kingdom, the so-called land of culture, won't perish over something like this. Prince Friedrich is a capable and wise ruler. But the eyes upon you will not be kind."
"Ugh..."
Already imagining a bleak future, tears pooled in the corners of Hiriya's eyes. Those tears trickled down her cheeks, revealing her regret.
I wondered if Hiriya would be able to endure, or if she would flee like Adelia had.
I hoped she wouldn't run away and that the day would come when she could 'sincerely' apologize to Adelia. Trauma had likely been etched deep into Hiriya's heart now, just as it had been for Adelia.
"I am... sorry..."
"..."
"I am truly... sorry..."
Hiriya bowed her head deeply, prostrating herself in a final plea. A princess of a nation was now doing more than just kneeling; she was flat on the floor.
Toward that princess, I replied with a smile that must have looked incredibly cruel.
"No."
Grin and bear it with every ounce of grit you have.
"Just endure it."
This is the small ball you set in motion.