Contrary to expectations, Count Barten spoke innocently, as if without a second thought.
This reaction was incomprehensible to .
Is sothing happening that Im not aware of?
I felt that sothing was wrong here.
Such an ominous premonition still didnt let go.
Count Barten slowly approached the pulpit.
"Count Barten. What can you say to that?"
Marquis Paren frowned deeply.
Count Barten suddenly shouted:
"All my stupidity is to bla! I knew for sure, it was unnecessary to be aroung tas."
All eyes were on him.
"But I never imagined that the Viscount would try to embezzle such a large sum. Please believe ," the count said loudly.
"Count. Do you admit that you tried to defa Duke Croft by conspiring with Viscount tas?"
"I I never wanted anything like this," he spoke in a trembling voice. "But even if I didnt follow tas, he threatened to bla all the sins on I had no other fate."
Count Barten said with tears in his eyes.
"All my previous testimony was tas's plan. He forced into blackmail. Just ask the servant how it was."
Count Barten turned to Thun.
"I'll be honest with you. In a conversation between the count and Viscount tas, it sounded that this the whole conspiracy was held solely on tas."
Thun bowed his head.
"Your Honor. I really had to help him under threats. Please, please."
Count Barten fell to the floor in tears.
Sighs were heard from the nobles, as if they felt sorry for him.
But I had no sympathy for Count Barten.
You say the conspiracy was planned by tas alone? What nonsense.
Viscount tas was able to get into the service at the Imperial Palace only with the support of Count Barten.
Imdiately put the sword to the neck of the count and then the truth will pour out, I wanted to scream, but there was little evidence for that.
The only witness who was on our side was the servant, who only heard one conversation in fragnts.
There was no conclusive evidence to support the long-term relationship between Viscount tas and Count Barten.
"Blackmail?"
"I couldn't help it. My family was at stake."
"Although Count Barten has a hot temper, he is not the kind of person who would go for a scam with the treasury."
The nobles spewed out words of sympathy at the sight of Count Barten lying on the floor, crying and begging for rcy.
And I surprisingly agreed with the last words.
Count Barten lacked neither the mind nor the will to draw up such a complex plan.
Obviously soone bought it.
Probably it's you.
I glanced at Marquis Sios, who was sitting silently in the midst of the noisy nobility.
His green eyes t mine for a mont. His eyebrows ca together in surprise. The deep-seated hostility hidden in those green eyes appeared to .
What the hell do you want from us?
Marquis Sios was so obstinate about the Croft family.
After looking at him for a mont, I quickly turned away.
When I saw the face of Marquis Sios, who was now pretending to have no connection with Count Barten, I suddenly felt so ridiculous.
At another mont, I fixed my gaze on a new place.
A man in a robe and hat was standing at the pillar behind the podium.
I had not seen the face of this man in a dark purple robe, but for so reason he felt familiar.
Well, of course
Jeremy.
He never showed up at my shop before he left. It was necessary to understand that he had rejected the offer to return to the Empire together.
A heavy burden fell on him, so returning to this place would not be as easy as it was for .
But he couldn't
How did you co here?
How did you get into the courtroom, even if you were in the Empire?
Then the man stepped forward. And he headed towards .
At that mont, the judge spoke.
"Knights, take Count Barten into custody and hand him over to the investigation team."
"Your Honor, please tell the truth to His Majesty!"
The knights escorted the count out of the hall. Marquis Paren opened his mouth again. He looked over to where the robed man stood, but it was already empty.
"Let's continue the trial. Duke Croft."
"Yes."
"The defendant's innocence was proved by the testimony and confession of Count Barten."
The father listened in silence.
"Well, all suspicion has been cleared."
The stern voice of Marquis Paren ca from the judge's seat.
The nobles, who, even in their dreams, couldnt see such an outco, were now stunned.
The servant's testimony was enough to prove that Duke Croft had only fallen into a trap.
In addition, Count Barten himself admitted his involvent.
The nobles, who had gathered to see the collapse of the family most loyal to the Emperor, like the opposition, were now all embarrassed, but couldnt say anything.
And then I took a step towards the pulpit.
"I have sothing to say."
There is one more thing left.
Marquis Paren nodded slightly and said:
"As the lady wishes."
"Although Count Barten pleaded guilty, and the Duke's innocence, fortunately, was proven Didn't the damage to the Empire remain?"
"Are you talking about 4 000 gold?"
Marquis Paren raised an eyebrow. He fixed his gaze at , as if he was trying to discern my intentions at that mont.
"Yes. Your Honor. Im the only heir to the family, and for the sake of the Empire, I would like to compensate for these losses."
The consequences of my words were significant.
The blue eyes of Marquis Paren went up to his forehead, and the nobles in the hall held their breath.
Their faces conveyed their misunderstanding, disbelief in the words they had just heard.
4 000 gold.
An average noble estate will cost 2 000 gold.
Even if the entire estate was sold, that amount couldnt be collected at once.
There would be no nobleman here who could shell out that amount at a ti, with the exception of the Imperial Mint.
They might even think I was crazy.
I looked at the nervous nobles and turned towards the door.
"Co in."
The door opened and Lumont appeared.
And behind him was a procession of servants carrying large bags.
One, two, three, four Dozens of heavy bags were now in the center of the hall.
Each ti a heavy bag of gold was laid on the marble floor, the mouths of the nobility opened wider and wider.
The mont the last bag was finally on the floor, I said with a bright smile:
"Your Honor, Im donating 4 000 gold to the Empire on behalf of Ellie Croft."
The ending of this eting was sure unusual.
When the shocked nobles left the hall, and the knights took away all the bags, only then could I speak to my father.
"Are you okay?"
My father kept staring at and at Lumont, who was standing behind.
"I think you have to explain sothing."
"Yeah. When we return to the mansion, Ill tell you everything."
When I was about to congratulate my emaciated father on the victory, a quiet voice called .
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