I Caught the Villain’s Attention - Chapter 114
Only Krnovel
I Got the Villain’s Attention Episode 114 – #114
I returned to the second floor gallery to observe the trial.
Fortunately, Count Maynard and his wife were not pressing me further about what had just happened.
I looked down at the courtroom where the trial had begun with relief.
Duke Franz sat with his head held high, even though he could not have been unaware of the commotion that had occurred a moment ago.
As the trial began, Lady Veronica and the Duke of Anstis appeared together and gave detailed testimony about the attack that had occurred a few days earlier.
Miss Veronica looked distressed just thinking about that time. I also felt uneasy watching her.
After the two men finished their testimony, Alex finally came to the witness stand. He was accusing Duke Franz of each and every atrocity he had committed.
It wasn’t just the threats made to Alex.
Duke Franz’s misdeeds, which had not been revealed to the public, were leaking out one by one through Alex’s mouth.
Among them, the fire incident at Count Robelin’s house, which Lord Kruger had mentioned in the witness stand a little while ago, was also mentioned.
The audience was shocked as one unbelievable fact after another was revealed.
Murder, attempted murder, arson, blackmail, etc.
Duke Franz remained silent even though evidence of all his crimes was mounting.
At first he denied it, but now he seems to think that denying it is useless.
Alex, who had finished giving all his testimony, looked at Duke Franz’s face one last time. Then he looked at him with a cold expression and soon came down to the waiting area.
“Then, defendant, do you have any rebuttal?”
The judge gave Duke Franz a chance to defend himself.
But Duke Franz still remained silent.
“It seems you don’t have any. Then can I assume that Duke Berzel’s testimony just now is all true?”
Duke Franz glared at Alex with sharp eyes.
“If I refute you, will you believe me?”
He asked the judge in a very sarcastic tone.
The judge frowned and looked down at Duke Franz.
“If the defendant’s words are true, there is no reason not to believe it. And what I believe is solid evidence. The plaintiff’s side has also brought evidence, so if they want to refute it, they can just present evidence that proves otherwise, right? But the defendant has not submitted anything so far. Instead, he sent someone to me and tried to give me money.”
The courtroom began to stir again at the judge’s words.
It seemed that Duke Franz was trying to bribe the judge behind the scenes.
Despite all this evidence, he almost lost the trial.
I looked back at the judge, sweeping away my surprised chest.
Given the mention here of Duke Franz trying to bribe him behind the scenes, it appears he refused the money.
The judge seemed amazed that he had refused the offer, which must have been a considerable sum of money if it had been offered by Duke Franz.
It was natural to refuse, but human greed was not something that could be easily controlled.
Now that I think about it, I wonder if the first time the judge came into the courtroom and was rude to Duke Franz might have had something to do with that.
As his thoughts continued to wander, the judge opened his mouth to address Duke Franz.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“… … .”
However, Duke Franz was unable to protest until the very end. He could do nothing about it since his true nature had already been revealed.
“No. Okay. Okay. Then I will make a decision based on what I have observed so far.”
After finishing his speech, the judge looked around for a moment.
Only then did the noisy people shut their mouths and begin to wait for the judge’s declaration.
He cleared his throat and began reciting the spell again.
“The evidence of the murders, instigation of murder, arson, kidnapping, confinement, theft, and abuse committed by the defendant Duke Caron Franz has been clearly revealed, and the fact that the defendant has not shown any sign of remorse but rather attempted to bribe the judge with money, etc., makes the nature of the crimes extremely vicious and we cannot just sit by and watch this happen.”
The judge continued speaking in a voice more weighty and powerful than ever.
“Therefore, the title and 80% of the property of the defendant, Duke Caron Franz, are confiscated, and his business rights are deprived for 10 years.”
“what……!”
I too was shocked and gaped at the judge’s declaration.
However, the House of Franz was a family with a long history. And over time, it was a family that had great influence on the empire and was also a family that exercised influence.
That’s why I thought that even if there was a result, the maximum punishment would be confiscation of some assets or demotion of title.
Other people probably weren’t much different from me.
But the judge gave an even harsher verdict.
It was no wonder that Duke Franz, who had been exercising his right to remain silent, jumped up from his seat in surprise.
“Do you think His Majesty the Emperor will just sit by and let this result happen?”
The sound of Duke Franz gritting his teeth seemed to echo up to the second floor.
He threatened the judge in a bloody tone.
The judge laughed in amusement and answered without avoiding Duke Franz’s gaze.
“The court’s decision is entirely up to the court.”
“I report this matter to His Majesty the Emperor… …!”
“And do you think His Majesty the Emperor is unaware of the conflict that has broken out between the three dukes of the Empire?”
“… … !”
The judge’s words implied that His Majesty the Emperor was also aware of this matter and that his opinion was not very different from that of the judge.
Duke Franz looked at the judge with a shocked expression, as if he had been hit on the head.
“I am sorry. However, you have been doing a lot of things behind the scenes, and His Majesty the Emperor has been feeling uneasy.”
“but!”
“Don’t you think it’s strange? Why did His Majesty allow the Duke of Anstis and the Duke of Berzel to move their troops within the archipelago?”
“… … .”
“Just as the rotten part must be cut out for new growth to grow, His Majesty the Emperor also wanted to cut you out.”
The judge finished speaking and let out a short sigh. Then he looked around and continued speaking.
“Then, let’s conclude the trial now.”
As the judge struck the gavel, silence filled the room.
Duke Franz, who had risen from his seat in surprise at the result, sank back into his chair with a look of despair on his face, as if his legs had given out.
“This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening… … .”
Duke Franz’s small voice rang out clearly here.
Alex watched the scene and then began to leave the waiting area. Miss Veronica and the Duke of Anstis followed suit.
“We should go down now too.”
Count Maynard rose from his seat and made a suggestion.
He got up from his seat with his wife and left the court.
Outside, Miss Veronica, Alex, and the Duke of Anstis were waiting for us.
“For now, it would be best to return to the mansion.”
“That would be good. We will go in our carriage.”
Count Maynard spoke to Alex.
Alex glanced at me with regret, then nodded.
“Please do so.”
Alex was the first to board the carriage of the Duke of Berzel.
“Let’s get on the carriage too.”
Count Maynard spoke to Miss Veronica and me.
I nodded, swallowing dry saliva, feeling nervous for no reason even though I hadn’t committed a crime.
“Yes, Count.”
As everyone got on the carriage, it began to move slowly.
“I am glad that Duke Franz’s affairs have been handled well.”
“Yes, I’m really glad. Claire had a hard time because of this.”
“No! You were injured more in the attack than I was.”
“They both had a hard time.”
As we waved our hands in response to Miss Veronica’s words, the madam, who had been watching us, smiled bitterly and consoled us.
“If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sent Veronica, or even Claire.”
The madam’s voice was filled with regret.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you better, young lady.”
When I answered in a sullen voice, the madam and the count looked at each other. Then they turned their gazes toward me.
“Claire, I don’t blame you.”
“Haven’t you been through a lot?”
The two of them comforted me with affectionate voices.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel discouraged.
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t you know how much I love you? You are the daughter of Margaret, my maid and best friend. I promised Margaret that I would treat you like family, but I feel sorry that you have to go through this.”
The lady said with a gentle smile.
“I guess I’ll have to talk to Duke Berzel separately about what’s going to happen next.”
“yes…….”
“By the way, Veronica, do you have anything to say?”
Madam’s gaze turned to Miss Veronica. Miss Veronica’s eyes widened as her gaze was suddenly drawn to her.
“Me?”
“Yes. I saw you and the Duke of Anstice earlier, the atmosphere seemed unusual. What happened?”
“that…….”
Miss Veronica’s face instantly turned red like a ripe apple.
“I’ll have to explain what happened when I get back.”
“……yes.”
Miss Veronica answered in a small voice, as if crawling.
Meanwhile, the carriage passed through the gate of the Duke of Berzel and raced inside.