At Count Bernas’s words, the prince’s expression stiffened.

Count Bernas, looking up at him, soon made a determined expression and firmly placed his cane on the floor. While Closet, who was supporting him, looked puzzled at his actions, the count, releasing Closet’s hand, kneeled on one knee on the cold floor.

Despite the painful position for him due to the non-functional leg, he maintained a steadfast posture, bowing his head.

“Grandfather…”

Looking at the count in this way, Closet called him with a trembling voice. Ignoring the gazes around him, the count, in a resolute manner, maintained his posture silently and spoke calmly.

“I dedicated my entire life to the empire and the royal family. I participated in numerous wars for the empire, losing my legs alongside comrades, and even had to sacrifice my only child for the country.”

Roselia’s pupils shook at the count’s words.

So, you remembered everything…

In a calm demeanor, the count talked about the death of his son as if he were discussing a trivial matter, causing Roselia’s expression to darken.

“Please do not try to take this child away from me. I earnestly request this.”

As the count spoke like that, kneeling on both knees, and even bowing his forehead to the cold floor, Roselia’s chest trembled, moved by his actions.

Even Closet, who was beside them, spread her dress and knelt down, sobbing.

“Your Highness, Antonio is more than a servant of the duke to me. Please, consider our past relationship and show leniency.”

As Closet spoke like that, tears streaming down, the expression of the prince became awkward.

“I understand your plea, but this issue cannot be resolved by appealing to emotions.”

Protesting, the kneeling count and Closet shouted.

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness!”

Then, behind the tearful count and Closet, a deep, resonant voice was heard.

“Then, shall I prove it myself?”

All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

Between the open doors, dressed as if he had just been in battle, with torn clothes soaked in blood, Klaus stood there, breathing heavily. His sudden appearance caused a stir among the audience. Ignoring the pouring gazes, Klaus, with a firm stride, stood before the prince.

Roselia’s gaze shook as she looked at him.

“Klaus…”

Seeing the blood oozing from the wounds on his shoulders and arms, it was astonishing that he could stand at all. Nevertheless, standing resolutely, Klaus, showing proper respect for the prince, bent one knee and bowed.

In such a decisive voice, he spoke.

“I have never conspired against the royal family, and Antonio did not steal the imperial seal.”
In response to the abrupt entrance of the Duke, the prince, with a stern expression, coldly asked, “Duke Baltazar, how can I believe your words?”

Claus, meeting the prince’s question with a straight gaze, drew the sword strapped to his waist and stabbed it into the marble floor, declaring, “I will stake my life on it.”

Kneeling with the sword embedded, Claus clenched his teeth.

Between him and the prince, there was someone who could take advantage of the discord, none other than Duke Rubellio.

However, despite the suspicions, there was no concrete evidence.

Accusing the prince’s stepfather, the duke, without evidence could worsen the situation as an insult to the royal family.

In the end, all that remained was to wager everything.

At that moment, the prince, who had left his seat, approached Claus, who was kneeling in supplication.

Slowly approaching, he pulled out Claus’s sword, which was stuck in the ground.

“Stake your life?”

In a dry tone, the prince questioned, and Claus, gritting his teeth, lowered his head.

“If I were truly plotting a rebellion, I wouldn’t stake my life so easily.”

Suddenly, the prince, who leisurely examined Claus’s sword, unexpectedly aimed the tip of the sword at Claus’s neck.

“What if the duke is putting on an act?”

In response to the prince’s indifferent question, Claus firmly answered, “Then, please proceed.”

Watching the two, Roselia’s palms sweated.

If it were the prince’s temperament, he might still have a plan even after beheading the duke.

Moreover, in the current highly sensitive and agitated situation…

Roselia knew that the seemingly calm prince was now in the most dangerous state.

Closet, frightened by the threatening behavior of the prince, felt the same.

Even Count Bernas, who was beside them, holding Closet’s hand, was aware of her anxious state.

In the tense atmosphere of the grand hall, a strange voice suddenly echoed in the middle of the hall.

“That’s enough.”

Through the wide-open door of the hall, the figure of a graceful woman entering elegantly came into view.

Looking at that figure, the prince muttered under his breath, maintaining the same threatening posture with Claus’s sword against his neck.

“Isbelionne.”

With a sharp, stern expression, the elegant figure of the Prince’s Consort entered. The grimacing Prince spoke to her as if making a threat.

“Your Highness, you were supposed to refrain from participating in this trial.”