I Possessed The Immoral Empress

Chapter 30

I Possessed The Immoral Empress - Chapter 30

Ermedeline’s beauty, devoid of any malicious intent, was indeed lethal. Even if she were called a demoness, she was undeniably the most beautiful woman in the Trivian Empire. The power of her beauty, seen up close, transcended Félío’s imagination.@@@@

Her long, glossy, and radiant hair seemed capable of absorbing every bit of light around it, resembling the black night sky with no stars. Contrasting perfectly with her dark locks, her skin was clear and translucent, as if it could reveal the veins beneath.

Beneath her long, dark lashes rested the renowned mysterious violet irises, known more for a different kind of beauty than their unique color. Rumor had it that gazing into their depths could curse a person with a terrible fate.

Their beauty had always been regarded with more fear and caution than admiration and praise.

Félio, too, found Ermedeline’s inhumanly beautiful appearance unsettling, not much different from them.

No, in fact, except for the past few weeks, whenever he met Ermedeline’s dazzling beauty, he couldn’t help but think she was definitely not human, almost like a witch.

Félio had never even dreamt that he would one day find Ermedeline beautiful.

But now, Félio felt jealous even of the small dust particles that lightly rested on Ermedeline’s long eyelashes.

His mind was in disarray over his unexpected emotions.

He wanted to hide his agitation, but his reflection in Ermedeline’s transparent violet eyes was a complete mess.

“Your Grace, why do you sweat so much? This is just a small token of appreciation for all the various ways you’ve helped me recently.”

While Félio hadn’t thrown any blatantly offensive remarks, Ermedeline noticed that he was drenched in sweat as if he had turned into a stone sculpture, and she began to pick up on his unease.

“In my own way, I selected something that I thought would suit you... It’s not excessive compared to the help you’ve given me, so I would appreciate it if you accept,” Ermedeline said, trying to ease the tension.

As Ermedeline observed Félio’s reaction, her mood rapidly sank. Félio knew that his foolish reaction was the cause, but he regretted seeing the smile disappear from Ermedeline’s face.

“No, I will gratefully accept,” Félio replied, and after a storm of emotions passed through him, leaving his mind empty, he finally regained his composure.

Honestly, Félio wasn’t sure what he was thinking during the meeting. He knew that Ermedeline had been watching him closely, but apart from discussing the prepared case, he couldn’t find anything else to say.

It turned out that the thorough preparation he had done as a competent lawyer was coming in handy.

Indeed, diligence somehow found its reward.

Félio maintained his utmost professionalism and courtesy until the end.

“Thank you for the gift. I will see you tomorrow at the courthouse,” he said.

Ermedeline was bothered by Félio’s unyielding demeanor throughout, but in the face of his resolute attitude, she couldn’t say anything and simply dismissed him.

Inside the carriage on his way back home, Félio nonchalantly retrieved a box from his pocket and began to unwrap it. What emerged from the box was a brooch with a deep blue sapphire that closely matched the color of his hair.

He had never discussed his preferences with anyone, so he couldn’t fathom how someone had chosen such a gift that he found so pleasing. Félio had no way of knowing that the one who picked it was Rooney. Nonetheless, he felt an inexplicable excitement, as if he and Ermedeline had some kind of connection.

‘Excitement? Me? About that witch?’

Félio suddenly realized his own emotions and frowned, tossing the brooch onto the floor of the carriage. The swirling turmoil of emotions that he had been suppressing with reason suddenly overwhelmed him all at once.

Félio’s mother, who had been steadily deteriorating, had been unable to leave behind any final words.

As a family skilled in magic, members of the Batistian House generally had some precautions against magic. Therefore, Félio’s mother always carried small enchantments to nullify or reduce the effects of magic within her body.

That’s why it was even more puzzling that the curse spell took effect and killed the Duchess Batistian within minutes, rendering her efforts futile.

Unlike her father, who had strong ties to the imperial family, Félio’s mother came from a family with deep roots but was located in a remote region, largely disconnected from the political affairs of the capital.

It was a public trial, and there were many people in the audience.

‘I guess they’re sad that I’m alive, but at least I didn’t hear any applause.’

Even though she was there to save the boy’s life, the situation is still bittersweet for Ermedeline.

It was a stark realization that she was now the public enemy of the entire empire.

Ermedeline kept her head high, trying not to show any emotion as she sat with a stoic expression. But then, Rooney, who had approached unnoticed, gently took her hand.

“What’s going on? Weren’t you just telling me a while ago that you shouldn’t stay here? You were complaining about trying to save a criminal.”

Ermedeline responded with a small, affectionate rebuke in a voice low enough for only Rooney to hear, “He’s despicable too, but honestly, their attitudes really get on my nerves.”

As the Empress, she couldn’t openly display her discomfort, but Rooney could. She scratched the itch precisely with her straightforward words.

The trial proceeded formally.

The prosecutor continued to interrogate, and Félio, acting as the defense attorney, repeatedly represented the boy.

The boy was a current offender, and not just any offender, but one who had attempted regicide by attacking the Empress.

The nobles, who had some understanding of Henry’s temperament, as well as the common people who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the witch’s face, all agreed that the boy would face severe punishment.

They were all simply curious about what dreadful penalty would be inflicted on the boy who had tried to kill the wicked witch.

Finally, it was the victim, Ermedeline’s turn to testify.

She calmly stated the facts in response to the prosecutor’s questions.

“Thank you for your testimony, Your Majesty.”

After the prosecutor had returned to his seat, it was now Félio’s turn to come forward, ready to question Ermedeline. Most of the nobles were curious about why a competent lawyer like Félio had been brought into such a formal trial.

“Do you admit that the poison applied to the dagger is the poison concocted by Empress, Your Majesty?” he asked.

There was a buzz in the room. The spectators, who had expected only routine questions, suddenly became interested in the trial process due to Félio’s bold inquiry.

“Yes, that’s correct. The poison I made,” Ermedeline admitted.

She knew only that she had survived because it was a poison she had made, and that in the case of Helen, she had used a similar magic, deflecting the curse of House de Françoise.

“That poison with the curse is quite expensive,” Félio remarked.

“Yes,” Ermedeline responded. She had been able to estimate the approximate price of the poisoned dagger by looking through her previous customer list.

“And how much would that be?”

“About the price of a four-wheeled carriage,” she replied.

Considering that carriages themselves were already high-priced means of transportation, and the horse-drawn carriages were even more luxurious, being a status symbol exclusive to the nobility, it was clear how expensive the poison must have been.

“So, it’s safe to say that it’s not an item that an ordinary person could afford?” Félio inquired.

“Yes,” Ermedeline confirmed.

“Then, do you happen to remember who purchased this poison?”

Upon Félio’s question, Ermedeline first cast a brief glance at Lady Viella. Then, maintaining her cold demeanor, she slowly surveyed the other nobles who might have their names written in her ledger.

“How could I possibly remember all those clients?” she replied. “I do not accept customers who do not match my reputation, so it is likely that there was a high-ranking noble behind this.”