Episode 38: I Watched the Three Stooges Get Cornered
I was, somewhere in my heart, anticipating what kind of counterattack they would launch.
I feel like I can now clearly understand Edward’s emotions. This is the world of an otome game, and for the capture targets, men burdened with their own troubles are prepared.
The heroine raises their Intimacy Level by unraveling those troubles.
So, Edward, Raul, Gard.
They too have their troubles, their Darkness.
From my current perspective, they have nothing but Darkness, but for women, the idea that they themselves can unravel that Darkness and become a needed existence is part of the concept.
And then, Edward.
For him, his Darkness, his trouble, is his lack of confidence.
Serious, with a strong sense of justice, and the appearance of a sparkling prince. But in reality, he lacks humanity, a guy who can’t find himself because he has no confidence in himself.
“I wondered what kind of method you’d prepared, but to use the power of your fiancées’ Houses to pass Judgment on me? Are you sane?”
At my words, the three high-ranking nobles glare at me.
“What, are you scared now?”
“No. Rather, I understand even less. Why did you think they could pass Judgment on me? Lady Claris is indeed from a Dukedom, and her House was an ally of mine.”
However, if you ask whether Claris’s father was a good neighbor, that’s not the case.
The villainess’s father was by no means a good guardian.
He worsened the management of the territory, took no responsibility, and offered no guidance.
It might be called laissez-faire, but one could also say he abandoned it.
“But Lady Claris, despite being from a guardian’s House and certainly deserving respect as a superior, doesn’t possess the authority to pass Judgment on me.”
“Th-That’s!?”
I thought for sure he’d use the power of the Royal Family, but it seems he didn’t have enough material to do so.
“May I speak now?”
As I was cornering Edward, Claris spoke up, changing the atmosphere. For Edward, it was a timely rescue, and his anxious expression turned into a smile as if seeking help from Claris.
“Of course, Claris. You’re Serios’s childhood friend and must know of his many misdeeds. Besides, as my Fiancée, please, lend me your strength.”
Such a pathetic statement. For my part, having to put up with this farce was giving me a headache. It would have been somewhat better if he’d just shouted “Duel!” and attacked me like Gard.
“Well then, excuse me. First, to everyone gathered here, I believe you have assembled to witness the Judgment of Lord Serios von Aegrid.”
Claris, who had been asked to expose my misdeeds, began to address the assembled nobles and students.
“First, I humbly request that you see this through to the very end.”
At Claris’s beauty and voice overflowing with confidence, the audience fell silent, holding their breath.
♢
《Claris’s Side》
As the gazes of the nobles focused on me, I quietly took a step forward.
Prince Edward had probably summoned the three of us as “witnesses” with great confidence. However, he was gravely mistaken if he thought things would proceed according to his plan.
I had been observing, on Serios’s side.
“Claris von Everett. Now, expose his deeds. It’s true we cannot judge Serios here and now. But with the Sins you confess, I will appeal to the academy and the country.”
Prince Edward said this in a commanding tone. However, I did not miss the impatience laced in his voice.
His Highness is desperate.
He probably knows that if he doesn’t condemn Serios in front of such a large audience, his own status and position will be shaken.
The surrounding nobles are watching quietly, but their eyes hold a mixture of curiosity and contempt. Whether His Highness can control this situation or not will undoubtedly determine his future.
I put on a smile and began to speak with the elegant demeanor befitting a noble.
“Prince Edward, I understand that you have summoned us here today to expose the Sins of Margrave Serios-sama.”
“That’s right!”
“However…”
I paused for a moment. His Highness’s eyebrow twitched, and behind him, Raul and Gard wore grim expressions.
“I wonder, will that truly be for the good of the country or Lady Liese?”
With those words, the atmosphere of the place changed.
Prince Edward tried to hide his agitation, but sweat was beading on his forehead. It was clear he was flustered.
“Claris, what are you saying? Serios is a Lord who engaged in misrule. And Lady Liese collapsed from overexertion under his orders! Isn’t it important to reveal his Sins?!”
“Your Highness.”
I calmly interrupted His Highness’s shouting. Intentionally, with a cold voice.
“Is that truly the case? At Your Highness’s request, I investigated. It is true there was a time when he implemented the misrule you speak of. However, with the funds gained from that, he hired mercenaries, formed a Knights Order, supported the troubled populace, and brought order to his domain. Isn’t that also Lord Serios’s achievement?”
I was allowed to see the documents Prince Edward and his group had gathered. Lord Serios’s accomplishments were also recorded there, but they were intentionally omitted from what is being presented here.
“What is your true objective? Is it really for Lady Liese’s sake? Is there no personal grudge mixed in?”
The surroundings began to stir. His Highness’s eyes widened, and he seemed at a loss for words.
This is where the real issue begins. My friends, Lady Astasha Duran and Lady Mireille Glanz, were also hurt.
It’s true that a woman’s enemy is often another woman. However, this incident is too absurd to be simply called ‘love is blind.’ It’s the rampage of men who became overly infatuated with a single woman.
“Certainly, Lord Serios may have made mistakes in the past. However, is it right to use that as a reason to pass Judgment on him and exploit Lady Liese? Furthermore, Lord Raul, Lord Gard, I hear you were neglecting your Fiancées and only speaking to Lady Liese?”
“Ex-exploit?”
“I-I was just talking to her because our study levels were similar!”
“A-And I was just practicing with Liese because we were evenly matched!”
The voices of the three foolish men were trembling. I maintained my smile and continued speaking.
“Your Highness, are you not trying to pass Judgment on Lord Serios here to debase him, thereby trying to obtain Lady Liese for yourself?”
At those words, His Highness’s face turned bright red.
“Don’t say such foolish things! I am merely, for Lady Liese’s sake—”
“In that case, why is Lady Liese not present here?”
The hall fell silent. Bathed in the attention of the nobles, I pressed him further.
“Lady Liese is currently unwell and resting. Isn’t it unnatural to condemn Lord Serios using her as a reason when she herself is not present?”
His Highness tried to retort, but he couldn’t seem to find the words.
I slowly turned around and looked out at the surrounding nobles.
“Everyone, this is the method of Prince Edward, a member of the Royal Family. He is trying to strengthen his own position by passing Judgment on Lord Serios here.”
At that moment, the hall was enveloped in a commotion. The nobles’ gazes turned towards His Highness, mixed with suspicion and criticism.
“Claris, that’s enough!”
His Highness raised his voice, but it was tinged with desperation.
I quietly took a step back and bowed.
“I have merely stated the truth. Please, do as you wish.”
Saying that, I turned my gaze towards Serios.
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Merry Christmas!
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
Thank you for the many bookmarks and star presents I found when I woke up this morning.
I’m still waiting for many more lol
Thank you for your continued support (๑>◡<๑)