Chapter 381. Rashta’s Despair (2)
Translator: Aura / Editor: HB168
If an opponent acts with arrogance, one would choose to fight until the opponent’s morale collapsed, and let them suffer severe punishment. In contrast, if an opponent acts in a pitiful manner, it lessened the desire to fight. This kind of opponent can make anyone confronting them feel uncomfortable, even when the punishment is deserved.
It was especially the case for Sovieshu, who had picked up Rashta injured, cared for her, and showered her with affection.
In the end, Sovieshu coldly ordered,
“Get out.”
“Yes.”
Rashta replied helplessly, her voice barely audible. Then she turned to leave.
“Rashta.”
Sovieshu called out to her before she opened the door.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rashta turned around without the slightest hope, like a withered flower.
“The trial of Viscount Roteschu and the Isqua couple will be held today. You may attend if you want.”
Sovieshu didn’t even look at Rashta’s face as he spoke. She didn’t understand why he asked her to attend the trials, but after some thought she replied that she would attend. Sovieshu nodded and told her that one of his secretaries would accompany her. Rashta hoped it would be Baron Lant.
However, the secretary that Sovieshu later sent to Rashta was Count Pirnu, not Baron Lant.
Count Pirnu and Rashta didn’t usually interact, even during her best days, so they were uncomfortable with each other. Instead, Baron Lant cared so much about her that he suggested she run away.
For that reason, Rashta thought that Sovieshu had deliberately a.s.signed Count Pirnu, with whom she didn’t get along.
Sovieshu’s intentions were known only to Sovieshu himself, but Rashta was right that she was not to Count Pirnu’s liking, who always had a bad feeling about Rashta.
He had never liked her, starting specifically from the time he inquired about a gift that Rashta had received from Sovieshu. He discovered that she had given it to Viscount Roteschu, who sold it.
“Your Majesty is free to attend the High Court officially or unofficially. You can do it in the way that is most favorable for you.”
“What does Count Pirnu advise me?”
“I advise Your Majesty to attend the trial unofficially.”
“Why?”
“Both trials are related to Your Majesty. The situation could become complicated if the Empress is present.”
Rashta found it difficult to trust Count Pirnu, but his words convinced her, so she put on a simple dress, a light purple cloak over it, tied her hair up and hid her face with the hood of the cloak.
The High Court was connected to the Imperial Palace through a small door, but people usually entered and exited through the front door.
Thanks to this door connecting both buildings, Count Pirnu and Rashta were able to easily enter the Court without leaving the Imperial Palace.
Rashta stood among the audience hidden under her hood. Count Pirnu and a guard stood on either side of her as a precaution.
In the large hall, the whispers of the spectators could be heard. They were mainly talking about the upcoming trials, but at times they were also talking about Rashta.
Since the remarks were negative, Rashta lowered her hood even further and asked,
“Which trial is first?”
“The trial of Viscount Roteschu will be first, then the trial of the Isqua couple.”
The first trial only started after a 40 minute wait.
“Roteschu Rimwell.”
When the High Court Judge, who sat in the highest seat, looked down and called out a name, a familiar face appeared.
It was Viscount Roteschu. His arms were being held by two knights. As soon as he appeared, the audience fell silent for a moment.
Rashta looked around. Although the hall was silent, everyone in the audience had a fierce expression.
Due to the rich history of the Imperial Family of the Eastern Empire, it had always been a source of pride. Although there were times when an emperor did not win the hearts of the people, and other times when the people took the initiative to criticize the Imperial Family, generally, the people of the Eastern Empire loved the Imperial Family.
Emperor Sovieshu was one of the most beloved Emperors. He had been involved in several scandals since he took Rashta as a concubine, but he never abandoned his duties.
For the people, what was important was Sovieshu as an Emperor, not as a person. Even if he were a playboy, the people would not dislike him so long as he looked after the interests of the country.
Viscount Roteschu had tried to make his granddaughter a member of the beloved Imperial. n.o.body present directed a warm look at Viscount Roteschu.
The Judge of the High Court felt the same way. When Viscount Roteschu stopped at the defendant’s place, the Judge started to recite the charges with an expression as cold as that of the audience present.
“Roteschu Rimwell. You deceived the Emperor, the people and the country to make the daughter of your son, Alan Rimwell, a princess. When Rashta Isqua, your son’s wife, became the Emperor’s concubine, she became pregnant by your son and you concealed it so that your granddaughter would be consecrated as a princess. Also, you took advantage of the secrecy of this relations.h.i.+p for profit, and blackmailed Empress Rashta to periodically receive money and valuables. Is this true?”
“… Yes, it is true.”
When Viscount Roteschu recognized his crime, the people present began to curse loudly.
Rashta held her breath. Among all the charges, it was only true that Viscount Roteschu had blackmailed her to receive money and valuables. However, Viscount Roteschu acknowledged all the charges, including the lies.
‘What the h.e.l.l is wrong with him? Why did he acknowledge those lies so casually?’
The Judge of the High Court raised his hand to calm the audience and asked Viscount Roteschu another question.
“Who else is involved in this crime? If you tell the truth, your punishment could be reduced, but if you lie, your punishment will be greater.”
“My son, Alan Rimwell, and my daughter-in-law, Rashta Isqua.”
Viscount Roteschu closed his eyes as the audience spat out curses with violence.
Count Pirnu saw Rashta at his side bite her lips tightly.
“Do you acknowledge all the charges?”
The High Court Judge asked another question, to which Viscount Roteschu calmly replied,
“…Yes. I planned it with my son and daughter-in-law because I wanted my descendants to belong to the Imperial Family.”
From the moment Alan fell in love with Rashta, Viscount Roteschu did not want to accept Rashta as his daughter-in-law, so he opposed it with all kinds of actions and mistreated Rashta. However, he himself called Rashta his ‘daughter-in-law’ now. It was really ironic.
The Judge spoke again with an expressionless face.
“Bring in Alan Rimwell.”
This time Alan appeared, escorted by knights.
The outraged voices from the audience grew louder, and they began to throw eggs, fruits and so on.
“b.l.o.o.d.y b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
“How dare you covet the Imperial Family?!”
“You deserve to be hanged!”
“Hang them both right now!”
“Where does the Empress hide? She has to be sentenced with them!”
Hearing the shouts all around her, Rashta’s face turned pale.
She had expected Viscount Roteschu to blame others for his crimes to protect himself. She had not expected that Viscount Roteschu would accept the charges and try to drag everyone down with him.
Viscount Roteschu held his son with one hand and Rashta with the other, and dragged all of three of them to their deaths.
Rashta’s legs trembled with fear.
There was no more fearsome person than one willing to die in order to drag others down. One could find ways to attack those who try to defend themselves, but there was no way to deal with someone who launched a suicide attack. This was the case with Viscount Roteschu.
Beneath the baggy cloak, a couple of tears fell to the floor.
‘His Majesty wanted me to come here to see this? Since I’m cornered, does he expect me to just accept my fate without doing anything?’