Chapter 60: Veronica Under Attack
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: Veronica Under Attack
“Excuse me, boys?”
“...”
“...”
Ignoring my call, Abel and Nathaniel remained locked in a staring contest. It was maddening.
“Haha, well. Do you want some cake?”
“...”
“...”
They could at least give me an answer. Why were they ignoring me and glaring at each other so terrifyingly?
Just as I was beginning to feel awkward, Abel turned his head first.
“Let’s go eat cake, Dia.”
“Oh, okay.”
He naturally reached out his hand. Without thinking much of it, I reflexively reached back.
Slap.
“...?”
But I couldn't take Abel’s hand. Nathaniel had swatted Abel’s arm away with incredible speed.
Startled by this unprecedented behavior, I froze. I could only blink in surprise.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Don’t touch her hand.”
“Ha, who do you think you are?”
“...”
The two of them went right back to glaring as if they wanted to kill each other. It felt like this would never end.
“Fine, then I’m going alone.”
“Wait for me, Dia!”
“I’m coming too.”
“Phew.”
As soon as I turned around with Sophia, the two of them hurried to follow. When I let out a small sigh, Sophia’s shoulders shook as she stifled a laugh.
I had no idea why they were acting like that. The minds of young boys were truly beyond my comprehension.
“My Lady, and young lords. We have many delicious desserts prepared today.”
“Whoa.”
Sophia spoke with a confident tone. True to her word, the drawing room was set for tea time with a wide variety of desserts.
“Try this, Dia.”
“This one is good, too.”
“...”
As if they had never been at odds, they both immediately held out forks with their chosen desserts to my mouth.
One was a Mont Blanc, the other a Sachertorte.
I glanced at both, then took a bite of the strawberry tart Sophia belatedly held to my lips.
“Is it good, My Lady?”
“Mhm!”
“...”
“...”
The two looked disappointed, but I felt good about my petty revenge.
Just stay well-behaved like that until Veronica returns.
I clicked my tongue, looking at Abel and Nathaniel with disapproving eyes.
*
Meanwhile, Veronica had arrived at the courthouse and was preparing for the trial.
Cedric, who had refused the divorce, did not show up.
However, the judge, under pressure from the Emperor, intended to proceed regardless. If things continued this way, there was a high probability the divorce would be finalized today.
I can finally give him an answer.
Veronica briefly recalled a recent event.
It happened while she was walking with Dantalion in the garden of the Winston townhouse.
‘I love you, Veronica. I’ve always loved you.’
‘From the past until now, you are the only one I have ever loved...’
Dantalion, with his sturdy, masculine frame, had confessed to her with the face of an adolescent boy.
Hearing that heartfelt confession, Veronica’s heart had fluttered wildly. Soon after, she became certain that she loved him too.
But sadly, she couldn't give him an answer then. At that moment, she was still the ‘Marchioness Lionel.’
She didn't want to answer Dantalion’s confession while still bound by another man’s name. So, Veronica decided to give him her answer after the divorce. Dantalion likely sensed her feelings as well.
I just have to wait a little longer.
It wouldn't be long now. Although Cedric was absent, the lawyer she had seen before was there in his stead. The presence of a legal representative was enough for the trial to proceed.
But why do I feel so strange?
An unpleasant sensation had been nagging at her for a while. Was it because the divorce seemed to be happening more easily than expected?
Veronica habitually reached up to fiddle with her necklace. It was a necklace made from a gem her daughter, Claudia, had given her.
The moment she saw the gem, Veronica realized it was the same ruby she had once given to Claudia. However, she accepted it while pretending not to know, touched by her daughter’s sincerity.
There was a legend that a demon slept inside this gem, which had originally belonged to her brother, Vincent.
The Duke of Winston had given the Demon’s Gems to Vincent and Veronica long ago.
However, Veronica, who loved pretty jewels, had coveted Vincent’s as well and eventually stole it from him. it was a small mistake from her childhood.
But seeing her daughter, Claudia, covet all the red gems just as she had, only to give it back to her as a protective charm because it was a "Demon's Gem," felt precious and endearing.
So, whenever Veronica felt anxious, she rubbed the ruby that supposedly housed a demon. It seemed to calm her down a little.
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
“...”
A moment later, the judge entered. Once everyone was seated, the judge’s eyes lingered on Cedric’s empty chair.
“Has the Marquis Lionel not arrived today?”
“He has not.”
“Hmm, we shall proceed for now.”
As expected, the judge, pressured by Dantalion, proceeded with the trial without minding Cedric’s absence. It seemed there really was nothing to worry about.
“Then, we shall begin the trial.”
As the judge spoke with a dry expression, the proceedings moved quickly.
Since the details were already known beforehand, Veronica’s lawyer and Cedric’s lawyer merely gave formal statements.
Cedric’s lawyer seemed to have given up already, sounding listless throughout his defense.
The marriage had been driven by the Imperial Family from the start, and the divorce also carried the weight of Imperial influence. There was no reason for the judge to refuse.
“I will now deliver the verdict.”
After both sides finished their statements, the judge spoke rapidly. He seemed just as eager to finish the trial quickly.
Veronica felt completely relieved as she watched the judge’s indifferent face. His lips parted.
“Regarding the divorce suit filed by the Marchioness Lionel...”
But before the judge could finish his sentence—
“My Lady!”
“...!”
Something sharp flew toward Veronica. Raven quickly snatched her out of the way.
Thud!
A small, thin blade was embedded in the seat where Veronica had been sitting just a moment ago. It was a hidden weapon clearly aimed at her.
Who is it?
Just as the question formed in her mind, assassins dressed in black appeared from all directions. Without warning, they began to attack the people inside the courtroom.
“Aaaaah!”
“Gah!”
Since it wasn't an unofficial trial, other nobles had come to observe. Consequently, many people began to get injured by the assassins’ blades.
“My Lady, you must escape!”
“But the people...!”
“Hurry!”
“...”
Raven, quickly realizing that Veronica was the target, shouted loudly. Gritting her teeth, Veronica nodded and turned away.
Someone is trying to kill me.
Ridiculously, her mind became calm. At the same time, several faces of people who might want her dead flashed through her head.
Would Cedric really go this far?
Did he intend to kill her rather than let the divorce happen?
He was the most likely candidate, but she couldn't understand the logic of ruining the trial by doing something like this.
“My Lady!”
“Ugh!”
Unfortunately, Veronica’s thoughts didn't last long. It was difficult to escape the enclosed courtroom. There was only one passage leading in and out.
“Raven!”
“Urgh.”
In such a space, Raven, despite being a knight, couldn't fully utilize his strength. The number of assassins was too great, and their skills were formidable.
This isn't good.
Raven had been hit by a hidden weapon in one arm. If the blade was poisoned, his life would be in danger.
Veronica grit her teeth. Though she was wearing a dress, she pulled out a small dagger she had hidden on her thigh. Ever since the unfortunate incident with Claudia, she had always carried a weapon in secret.
Clang!
Veronica’s blade clashed with an assassin’s sword. A sharp ring echoed through the air.
After returning to the Winston Duchy, she had resumed the swordsmanship training she had once stopped, but she had not yet recovered her peak skills.
In this situation, winning a fight against assassins was impossible. Furthermore, the environment favored the attackers.
What do I do?
Veronica bit her lip. Raven was still holding his ground, but the other knights were falling one by one. At this rate, they would all die.
“Gah!”
“My Lady!”
At that moment, an assassin’s sword lunged toward Veronica. She grit her teeth as she watched the tip of the blade she couldn't block. The scene felt as if it were moving in slow motion.
Boom!
[Shall I help you?]
“...!”
But at the moment she thought it was the end, a power erupted from her necklace and blew the assassin back.
Startled, Veronica looked down at her necklace.