Chapter 73
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73
I hesitated for a moment, lost in thought.
There were more than enough reasons to speak up. The actions of the Lilius family alone provided plenty of justification. Had I possessed the power back then, I would have planned my revenge long ago.
Yet, I didn't reveal the truth immediately. This accusation was ultimately tied to Grandfather’s honor as well.
Should I say it, or shouldn't I? And if I did, how should I phrase it?
I stole a glance at Grandfather. Our eyes met. He was staring at me with an unreadable expression before he shifted his gaze away.
Then, he spoke.
“Lilius Frezier.”
His voice was heavy as he addressed the man.
“Is that truly your claim?”
“…….”
“That Tulia conspired with the Mage Tower to orchestrate this incident?”
“…….”
In that instant, I realized instinctively: Grandfather was giving Lilius one ‘last’ chance.
But Lilius was already a cornered rat. They say a cornered rat will bite a cat, but did I even look like a cat to him right now?
To him, I was likely just a weak pup. Or perhaps something even less—an insect to be crushed underfoot.
Thus, Lilius’s answer was already decided.
“Yes, Father!”
Lilius’s eyes gleamed with a desperate fervor, a testament to his recent struggles, as he glared straight at me.
“Tulia must have conspired with the Mage Tower!”
“…….”
“That bow was undoubtedly imbued with some sinister trickery! You know better than anyone, Father, what kind of man the late Marchioness ran away with!”
Cr-crack.
Suddenly, the sound of wood splintering echoed from both sides of me.
Startled, I looked left and right. Internally, I was shrinking back in fear. Despite their composed faces, the armrests of the chairs they were holding had been crushed.
Both Lisian’s and Leon Frezier’s. Every single one.
Wow. The male leads really are something else.
The fact that neither of their expressions had changed made the scene even more chilling.
I’m so glad I’ve been steadily building up their favorability.
As for the Elders… they were different from the nobles who had been gathered at the hunting grounds.
“Viscount Lilius.”
Cold voices began to ring out one by one.
“This is a formal proceeding. Do not utter words that tarnish the honor of the Marchioness Frezier.”
“No matter how desperate the situation, it is improper to insult a Marchioness of higher rank than yourself based on mere speculation.”
They spoke with eyes that showed their favor for Lilius had completely evaporated.
As expected of people obsessed with the Frezier name.
No, perhaps it was because Grandfather had governed the Frezier family so well. That was why he was the strongest man alive.
Meanwhile, the high-ranking mage from the Mage Tower, sensing an opportunity, cried out with a voice full of grievance!
“The Mage Tower has never entered into any conspiracy with Lady Tulia! We are willing to swear an oath!”
That’s the perfect moment to cry.
Unfortunately, unlike the nobles, the mages didn't seem to know how to act. They just stood there with incredibly wronged expressions.
Grandfather, who had been observing the entire situation in silence, finally opened his mouth.
“I see.”
“…….”
“I suppose so.”
Seated like an ancient tree upon the highest seat—a chair that resembled a throne—Grandfather spoke slowly.
“I believe I have an idea as to why Lilius Frezier and Tedric Frezier fired that arrow at Tulia.”
“You have an idea, Your Grace?”
“What might that be?”
The Elders asked urgently.
“It is because Lilius Frezier and Aubrey Frezier…”
“…….”
“…have been deceiving Tulia and embezzling her budget for over three years.”
“What?!”
“Gasp!”
Low groans of shock erupted from all corners of the room.
“And that is not all.”
“…….”
“They lied to Tulia about a confinement order that should have ended in a month, forcing her to eat and sleep in a warehouse for over three years.”
“……!”
“My heavens.”
“How could they be so cruel…!”
The faces of Lilius, Tedric, and Aubrey turned from pale to a deathly, bruised grey.
“F-Father…!”
Aubrey Frezier, in particular, trembled so violently she looked as if she might faint. As the mistress of the house, she was responsible for managing the livelihoods of the underage direct descendants like me.
In other words, Aubrey’s crime was even greater than Lilius’s.
This truth, which they had tried so hard to hide, had been exposed—and before the Elders, no less. This meant Aubrey Frezier’s social life was effectively over. Even with the title of ‘Viscountess Frezier,’ it was certain she would be ostracized by the society of the Grand Duchy. Even if people were forced to invite her, her path would be a bed of thorns filled with subtle rebukes, contempt, and ridicule.
Forever.
For a noblewoman, it was practically a death sentence.
“Do you have an excuse?”
“T-That is…”
“I imagine not.”
Aubrey eventually tugged at her husband’s sleeve with a helpless expression, but Lilius was frozen stiff, like a tin can trapped in a glacier.
“So that was it…”
The Elders muttered, their faces filled with disbelief.
“That must be why Young Master Tedric had his Lineage Pendant confiscated…”
“And perhaps the reason she was driven out to a warehouse under the guise of confinement was…”
“Three years… to think it was three years…”
Lilius had always maintained an image of a sincere, honest, gentle, and easygoing nobleman. Now that he had been caught stabbing his niece in the back for three years, he would never be ‘truly’ welcomed anywhere in the Grand Duchy again.
Still, I didn't expect Grandfather to reveal all of that.
Especially in such a public setting. He was someone who understood exactly how massive the repercussions would be. I thought he hadn't pushed them too hard despite their actions because of the bond of blood—because Lilius was his youngest son.
Others called Grand Duke Asis Frezier the cold ‘Ice Duke’ who lacked blood or tears, but he looked different to my eyes.
Just look at how easily his favorability toward me shot up to the max.
Grandfather had a strong affection for his kin. To be precise, I suspected he had a deep love for the family left behind by his late wife, the Grand Duchess.
Reflecting on the ‘hate-to-love’ story between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess—a story no one else in this room likely knew—I composed my expression.
“Tedric Frezier.”
Tedric began to shake the moment his name was called. It made sense; he was terrified of Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
Then again, what noble isn't?
Furthermore, the situation seemed to be putting immense psychological pressure on him.
“It’s unfair, Grandfather! The—the bow! There was a problem with it! I’m certain!”
Tsk, tsk.
I watched Tedric, who was spiraling into a near-panic, and raised my hand.
“Speak, Tulia.”
Having received permission from Grandfather, I rose from my seat in accordance with etiquette.
Or rather, I tried to. I had momentarily forgotten that my body was not in a normal state.
A searing pain, like fire, shot through my thighs. Every place that had been pierced throbbed. Because the chief physician’s skills were so good, I had forgotten the pain while sitting still, but now it flared up like a blaze.
Naturally, I stumbled, nearly falling forward and slamming my nose into the desk.
Fortunately, I was spared such an undignified sight. Hands reached out from both sides to catch me almost reflexively.
It was the angelic Lisian and that fellow, Leon Frezier.
“Lisian, thank you.”
I whispered a small smile to Lisian.
“B-Be careful.”
“Mhm.”
As Lisian returned the smile, I heard a grumble from the other side.
“Wow, talk about discrimination.”
Leon Frezier’s voice was, of course, just loud enough for only me to hear. I was speechless.
This guy has already absorbed my way of speaking after only a few days.
As I spent more time with them, some of the speech habits I had as ‘Han Ina’ had slipped out. Words that would never be used in this aristocratic society. Yet, Leon Frezier was picking up and mimicking several of my mannerisms.
I steadied myself and spoke in a polite voice.
“Grandfather. Since Tedric Frezier is trying so hard to set himself against the Mage Tower…”
Before I could even finish, Lilius cut in desperately.
“Tulia! Watch your tongue! Who said anything about setting themselves against the Mage Tower!”
“Is that not the case?”
I never realized how satisfying the difference in seating heights could be. I looked down at Lilius and tilted my head.
“Runsha has been claiming innocence until her voice went hoarse ever since she arrived, yet Tedric continues to insist that the problem lies solely with the bow.”
“……Ha!”
Lilius, who had been listening, slammed the table and stood up.
“Fine! If we shoot you with that magic bow again right here, the truth will be clear! There are plenty of knights here, more than enough people to confirm it by shooting you! Tulia Frezier!”
“There is no need for that!”
Grandfather’s commanding voice thundered through the council chamber.
“Who else would dare doubt you, Tulia? To do so by even tarnishing the honor of the Frezier name is unthinkable!”
Under Grandfather’s gaze, Lilius gritted his teeth and sat back down. His face was a mixture of indignation and intense fear.
It was understandable. To him, the Grandfather looking down at the Lilius family must have looked like a king of gods judging a human cast into hell.
“You might get hurt, Lady Tulia. You must take care of yourself.”
“Indeed.”
As the Elders offered a few words of concern, I put on a humble expression. It was, of course, an act.
I actually have the confidence now.
Since I had boosted my Luck stat so much, there was no longer a penalty that would cause the arrow to turn toward me, no matter how many times it was fired.
Hehe.
While I laughed inwardly, Grandfather’s solemn sentence was handed down.
“Lilius Frezier.”
“……Yes, Father.”
“I am revoking all of your sovereignty over internal affairs.”
“F-Father!”
“Your Grace!”
“Grand Duke!”
One or two of the Elders also cried out in shock.
Aha. So he did plant his own people among the Elders.
Noticing the particularly pale faces of certain Elders, I looked back down at Lilius. It was a decisive move, one that even surprised me a little.
To think he’d revoke his administrative rights entirely, without even a grace period.
A Viscount Frezier without internal power. Of course, no one in the Brillant Empire could ignore the name ‘Frezier,’ but the difference between a Viscount with actual power and one without was like heaven and earth.
Just as the future of Lilius and his family was being finalized…
“The internal administrative rights I have revoked shall be transferred to Tulia.”
The words fell like a bolt from the blue.
“And…”
“…….”
“Lilius Frezier shall face a formal trial.”
“Father!”
“As for Tedric Frezier’s punishment, Tulia, I leave that entirely to you.”
“A-Ah, Grandfather!”
Suddenly, it felt like a waterfall of pure, refreshing justice was pouring down from the heavens!