Chapter 26
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Chapter 26
The distance was considerable, but the certainty was unmistakable.
When Crown Prince Kiaros stared at her in surprise, the surrounding officials exchanged knowing glances.
Then they began whispering amongst themselves.
"It must be true, it must be true. Look at how he's gazing at Namia Loapi with that vacant expression."
"My goodness, so his ideal woman is one who shuffles about with such a lifeless, exhausted face."
What on earth were they talking about?
Crown Prince Kiaros furrowed his brow in exasperation.
It seemed that rumors were spreading because the two of them had walked through the Corridor together.
The officials' gossip continued unabated.
"I heard there's talk of marriage too?" "I heard it as well. Someone from the Administrative Support Department mentioned it—apparently Namia changed her salary account yesterday. It was under her family's name, but now it's under her own."
"Oh my, does that mean a royal wedding is coming soon?"
As Crown Prince Kiaros listened absently, the conversation grew more serious.
"Who knows. By custom, it would be held at the Imperial Palace Ceremony Hall, but you need to reserve that place at least a year in advance. However, the Crown Prince wouldn't be the type to postpone someone else's wedding and take their slot."
"That's true. Several couples have their ceremonies there every single day."
Before long, even marriage talk—something he'd never considered—had emerged. He felt dizzy.
He was about to order his Aide to prevent these rumors from spreading further.
But a sudden thought made his eyes narrow slightly.
'Wait.'
If Namia truly was that girl from back then, and if she were to ask him for marriage, he would have to grant it.
After all, he remained the wealthiest man of her generation in the Empire.
'Then... could this be more than just a rumor?'
According to the background investigation report, Namia had no romantic partner.
So from her perspective, wasn't there no reason not to marry him?
'Besides, when there was an assassination attempt, she said she wanted to protect me. That means at the very least, she doesn't dislike me.'
Crown Prince Kiaros continued his reasoning logically, then gestured to his Aide.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The Aide approached immediately and bowed his head, ready to receive any command.
"What is your order?"
"About the Imperial Palace Ceremony Hall."
The Imperial Palace Ceremony Hall was magnificent and beautiful.
That's why it was popular among the officials and nobility who worked at the Imperial Palace.
By custom, the Royal Family had also held their weddings there as a symbol of their position as leaders of the officials.
So it made sense that reservations would be overflowing, just as the officials had gossiped.
"Find out how soon we can hold a ceremony if we book now."
"Understood."
The loyal Aide departed immediately.
Crown Prince Kiaros sat up straight and took a breath.
'I should prepare just in case... '.
I needed to wrap up the Empress situation one way or another and speak with Namia as soon as possible.
'It has to be her. Coincidences don't pile up like this.'
While Crown Prince Kiaros remained lost in thought, the trial time expired. The Minister of Justice rose to his feet.
"Then let us commence the trial."
Everyone stood from their seats and bowed their heads to the Minister of Justice.
Only Fron was picking at her ear before belatedly rising and glancing around.
"What? Standing again? Why do you keep sitting and standing?"
Crown Prince Kiaros sighed deeply within himself.
Not a trace of tension emanated from Fron.
Her expression was unmistakably one of indifference—as if to say 'kill me or don't, I couldn't care less.'
'Sigh...'
I understood Fron's loyalty well enough.
She had consistently refused the position of Empress, claiming she was unfit for it.
It was the Emperor himself who had pleaded with her to become his wife, assuring her that everything was fine and that she could simply live as herself.
'So no one has the right to say Fron doesn't deserve that position.'
Fron had neglected all the basic duties of an Empress.
Naturally, as a member of the Royal Family, she should have maintained the Imperial Palace, yet she had never shown interest in such matters.
Beyond that, she had never appeared at social gatherings or political affairs.
'Yet it didn't matter, because the position of Empress had been vacant for so long anyway.'
Without Fron, the seat would have remained empty regardless.
Everything continued to function smoothly as before, even with her doing nothing.
'And the way Fron behaves like this is probably...'
My eyes deepened with understanding.
Meanwhile, the trial had begun.
The nobles seated as jurors wore triumphant expressions, eager to tear her apart.
'In the end, I'm the only one who can save Fron in this trial. There will be fierce opposition, but still...'
Even the Minister of Justice, who harbored no ill will toward Fron, wore an expression of half-resignation.
One of the Ministry of Justice officials attached to the guard unit had committed suicide—and at the worst possible time.
With the department in disarray, it was impossible for him to openly support Fron.
"Now, allow me to recount the details of this case."
The Minister of Justice recited the case summary to the audience, focusing on the facts of what had transpired.
Then came the statement of the accuser, Oson.
"I had seen the Empress several times in that back alley. Then the other evening, while speaking with the shop owner, I learned what the Empress had purchased from that establishment."
The man, who was the Team Leader of the Inventory Team at the Scroll Management Department, addressed the audience.
"As a mere commoner, it was not easy for me to report the Empress. I wrestled with the thought of simply pretending I hadn't seen anything."
Oson adopted an expression of utmost solemnity and sighed painfully.
"But as a civil servant working for the Imperial Family, I felt a sense of duty, and ultimately I made the report yesterday afternoon. The shop owner informed me of the time the Empress was scheduled to arrive."
The entire audience regarded Oson with expressions of admiration.
He even wiped away tears as he continued speaking.
"I am well aware that Crown Prince Kiaros views our Scroll Management Department unfavorably. So I also wished to use this opportunity to prove our department's loyalty."
Crown Prince Kiaros clicked his tongue inwardly.
To say such a thing in front of all these people.
'Once this overturns, I'll certainly hear some complaints whispered behind my back.'
Of course, Crown Prince Kiaros wasn't the type to refrain from issuing punishment simply because he'd face criticism.
Oson continued speaking through sniffles.
"As for where that poison the Empress purchased was intended to go...."
"Wait, I must ask the accuser to stick to objective facts only."
The Minister of Justice cut off Oson's words immediately. The audience had already anticipated what would come next, of course.
"Yes.... In any case, when I asked the shop owner, the Empress was actively seeking and purchasing poisons that the Royal Family had no immunity to.... *sob*."
Oson ultimately broke down in tears and couldn't continue.
"Please, accuser, return to your seat."
The Minister of Justice spoke to Oson with an expression of near resignation.
Then he turned his head toward Fron and posed a question.
"Is there anything you wish to correct?"
"No, there isn't."
Fron scratched her cheek as she spoke.
"It's all true."
"...I apologize, Your Majesty the Empress, but even for members of the Royal Family, you must use formal speech in this trial court."
"Got it."
"Your Majesty?"
"I said I got it. I'll use formal speech... Oh! You mean starting right now...yes."
Crown Prince Kiaros thought to himself that this was simply over.
The Empress had now become nothing more than a laughingstock here.
"Then, Your Majesty the Empress. Could you tell us honestly why you sought that poison in the first place?"
Both the Minister of Justice asking the question and Crown Prince Kiaros had abandoned all hope.
Just as it had been all yesterday, Fron would remain silent, and the situation would spiral toward the worst outcome.
But then it happened.
"Huh."
What?
Crown Prince Kiaros furrowed his brow at this unexpected turn.
He'd naturally assumed she would clam up and endure, just like yesterday.
"Oh, no, that's not it. I'll tell you honestly."
Fron straightened her posture proudly in her seat.
Suddenly, her brown eyes—which had been rolling about without a care until now—fixed on something among the spectators.
While others might not have noticed, Crown Prince Kiaros didn't miss the direction of Fron's gaze, having observed her for so long.
The place Fron's eyes were directed toward was....
'Namia Loapi?'
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