Everyone remained silent, listening attentively to what the Empress had to say.

“From what I’ve heard so far from Youngae and others, even if the discovered Asdel in the office is not Youngae’s, it seems certain that Rosentia Youngae had Asdel. Don’t you agree?”

“Well, it seems the Empress is right.”

“Yes. So, there may be no need to discuss this issue any further.”

The Emperor nodded in agreement with the Empress’s words.

“Right. So, as the Empress says, Rosentia Youngae already had Asdel before the incident occurred.”

“That’s true. The Empress could have poisoned the tea at the tea party.”

“In that case…”

With the Empress’s words, the atmosphere in the conference room changed instantly.

“Well, let’s conclude this matter here and move on to the next.”

Reading the atmosphere, Count Ers spoke in a strong voice to proceed with the trial.

“That’s right.”

“Yes, Emperor. Now, let’s call the maid who is not only an accomplice but also a witness in this case to this place.”

As Count Ers’s words ended, the large door of the conference room opened ominously.

Then, Sierra, who had been imprisoned for the past few days, entered. I had been worried since we had set out from the prison separately, but fortunately, she seemed unharmed.
Sierra slightly lowered her head, glancing around nervously. Perhaps she was worried about being recognized. However, no one seemed to recognize Sierra, and there were no surprised reactions from anyone in the audience as she stood as a witness.

Soon, Sierra came to stand beside me. I exchanged a quick glance with her, trying not to draw anyone’s attention.

Though unease was visible, the determination I had seen in her eyes back in the prison still shone within her gaze.

“State your affiliation and name.”

“My name is Sierra Raymond, and I was a maid serving under Her Majesty the Empress.”

As Sierra’s name was revealed, the nobles exchanged curious glances. Being a maid to the Empress was considered one of the most honorable positions for noblewomen, and it was not a position easily attained.

To have a person from an unheard-of family occupy such a position was likely incomprehensible to them.

“Sierra Raymond, swear before God that you will speak only the truth in this place, withholding no falsehoods.”

“I, Sierra Raymond, swear before God that I will speak nothing but the truth in this place, withholding no falsehoods.”

“Very well. Let us now begin the questioning. Firstly, the Raymond family, to which you belong, is from which territory?”

Count Ers, expecting this to be the most intriguing question for the audience, directed it to Sierra.

“The Raymond family does not hold any territory.”
“Then you’re not a noble?”

“Not even a noble. How did you become a maid for the Empress?”

As Sierra responded, the murmurs among the nobles grew louder.

“You’re not a noble?”

Count Ers’s words were abruptly cut short.

“Yes. That’s correct. The Raymonds are not a noble family.”

“Not a noble? How is that possible?”

“What position can a maid of the Empress hold if not from a noble family?”

Soon, the meeting room was filled with the jealous and envious voices of various noblewomen.

“Silence.”

Count Ers admonished the noisy nobles once again.

“Sierra Raymond, I ask once more. Is it definite that the Raymonds are not a noble family?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Then how did you become the Empress’s maid? The position of the Empress’s maid is typically reserved for women from noble families.”

In response to Count Ers’s question, Sierra hesitated for a moment. Glancing subtly in her direction, I noticed that she was staring straight ahead.

Following her gaze, I found the Empress seated there.

After lowering her head again, Sierra looked back at Count Ers and began to speak.

“I am not from a noble family, but I once helped the Empress. Due to that incident, the Empress offered me the position of her maid, and I gratefully accepted.”

As Sierra finished speaking, the eyes of the people turned toward the Empress.

“Empress, is what this maid said true?”

“It is true.”
In response to Count Ers’s question, the Empress immediately affirmed, “There was a time when I wanted to get some fresh air and went outside the palace. On that day, I met Sierra. I had encountered a difficult situation, and she helped me. Grateful for her assistance, she asked to become my maid.”

While she added a bit more detail, she did not disclose the specifics of that day’s incident.

It was natural; without such an event, there would be limits to fabrication.

Before arriving at the meeting room, Sierra seemed to have met the Empress. In the short time they had, it looked like they were trying to synchronize their stories.

Everyone nodded in understanding as the Empress spoke. In any case, choosing a personal maid was the Empress’s privilege, and there could be no further dispute on that matter.

As the atmosphere seemed to align with her intentions, the Empress displayed a relaxed smile. However, it was evident that this smile wouldn’t last long, given the forthcoming revelations.