“There’s no one more suitable for this trial than Evan Knox. I’ve thoroughly investigated his background, and it seems he’s definitely walking a different path from his father. It’s been over a year since they’ve been in contact. According to people around him, he’s been disowned.”

“Disowned?”

“While Earl Knox is the founder of law firm Cloud, he’s not a lawyer. He’s more of a businessman who hired capable lawyers. So it seems he had a longing for legal professionals. Evan Knox entered law school according to his father’s wishes and became a skilled lawyer. But it appears he’s accumulated dissatisfaction with Earl Knox’s method of using any means necessary.”

“Dissatisfaction, is it.”

“Yes. As you know, the law is often a privilege for the wealthy. Many people have fallen into ruin because of law firm Cloud. Especially those without money or power. So he’s argued loudly with Earl Knox several times. Unable to endure it, he left home. Unlike his ruthless father, he seems to have quite a strong sense of justice.”

“Even a strong sense of justice…? I dislike him more and more.”

“Pardon?”

“Lord Preston?”

Evan slightly raised an eyebrow at Windsor’s silent stare.

Windsor was a person of rational and realistic character. He didn’t let momentary emotions sway him, and drew the most reasonable conclusions after thorough consideration.

This was partly his innate temperament, but it was further reinforced in the military. One of his decisions could mean the lives of hundreds of sailors on a battleship.

Windsor was the one giving orders, and the soldiers were the ones following his orders. At his word, soldiers would advance or retreat.

Even if he gave a wrong order, the soldiers had to follow it unconditionally. That was the fundamental principle maintaining military order.

From then on, Windsor developed a habit of reviewing every night whether his decisions had been correct. That’s how weighty Windsor’s words were.

It was the same this time. Windsor didn’t like the man before him. There were countless reasons.

But reason told him to take his hand. His cold head knew it was the most rational decision.

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it. It was a very unfamiliar situation. For reason and emotion to speak differently.

Windsor stared intensely at Evan, almost glaring. The atmosphere suddenly cooled. Roman, standing behind him, quietly leaned forward and whispered, “My lord.”

Finally, he extended a hand toward Evan.

“I look forward to working with you, Mr. Knox.”

Only then did Evan smile freely. The smile without a hint of shadow represented his smooth life. A chosen life where being loved by everyone was natural.

Windsor’s eyes hardened coldly. He disliked that as well.

“I’ll do my best, Lord Preston. It will be a David versus Goliath battle, but isn’t turning the tables your specialty? I’ve heard much about your exploits with the Black Fleet. Let’s achieve victory together this time.”

At those words, Roman puffed out his chest as if showing off. In fact, he was also an ardent fan of Lieutenant Commander Windsor Preston. Especially the nickname ‘Devil of the Black Fleet’ set his heart on fire.

If it weren’t for Windsor, he wouldn’t have even dreamed of being an ill-suited aide. Roman’s voice quickly took on a boastful tone.

“The rumors are just the tip of the iceberg. The Lieutenant Comm… no, the Marquis’s greatness can only be truly felt if you were there at that moment. It was a shocking sight that sent chills through your whole body. I guarantee, whatever you imagine, Mr. Knox, it will be beyond that.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. I saw the Marquis single-handedly take on seventeen pirates who rushed at him all at once…”

“Roman Miller.”

“Yes, sir.”

Roman, who had been chattering away just now, straightened his back in a tense posture. Evan looked at him curiously.

Occasionally, children of nobles would enlist in the military. It was part of noblesse oblige.

But it was an open secret that they didn’t stand on the front lines. There were separate rear units prepared for them, and some even brought servants when enlisting.

However, the two men before him were not like that. They were men who had risked their lives for the kingdom. They had fought numerous battles and engaged in life-or-death struggles with pirates.

And now they were here. That was proof of victory.

“Seventeen pirates… I’m quite curious about the rest of the story.”

“I’ll tell you another time when there’s an opportunity.”

Roman answered like that after checking Windsor’s reaction, then straightened his back again.

Evan leaned his upper body forward. His face, which had been smiling like sunshine until just now, changed instantly. His voice also became more solemn.

The trial was Evan Knox’s battle, and the courtroom was Evan Knox’s battlefield. Now it was his turn to step up. Of course, he had no intention of losing either.

“I’ve already thought about the direction for our defense. Let me start by explaining our advantages…”

***

Evan Knox was better than Windsor had expected. No, ‘better’ wasn’t enough. Though he hated to admit it, he was quite an excellent lawyer.

Knox had already set the general direction for the defense and prepared arguments to refute the opposing claims. His logic was quite flawless, and he also knew how to appeal to emotions appropriately.

The only question was whether his arguments would work on the judge. According to informants, the judge had already been decided as someone on the king’s side.

Perhaps all of this would be in vain. But he couldn’t give up. Windsor had to do his best to protect Benjamin.

Evan spoke as he packed the documents he had laid out into his bag.

“Let’s end here for today. We’ll have to see who they bring as witnesses first. Then we can come up with more specific counter-strategies.”

Witnesses.

Jacqueline’s face intruded like an uninvited guest. She had deceived Windsor and gone to Southfil to meet the royal lawyer.

The reason was obvious. There was no one more suitable as a witness than Jacqueline, Benjamin’s current tutor.

A witness with unmatched credibility and topicality.

Jacqueline had hidden from him the fact that she met with the royal lawyer. That meant she had already decided to stand as a witness for the king’s side. Otherwise, there was no reason for her to lie to him.

Heh.

A cold laugh escaped from between Windsor’s teeth. Then his face instantly returned to an expressionless mask.

At that moment, Roman glanced at Windsor. With a look wondering why he wasn’t telling Evan about Miss Somerset meeting with the royal lawyer.

It was clear she would appear as a witness for the king’s side, and that information should be shared with Evan. Shouldn’t they come up with countermeasures?

“My lord…”

Roman, who was about to speak, saw Windsor’s coldly hardened face and quietly closed his mouth. Then he pretended not to have seen anything and quietly turned his head away.

His instincts warned that it was best not to bother him right now.

“Of course, we need to prepare our own witnesses as well. Please make a list of trustworthy people we could call on. Servants, acquaintances, it doesn’t matter. Let’s start by making as long a list as possible, then narrow it down to the final witnesses one by one. We’ll need to practice with them before the trial. People unfamiliar with court proceedings often say things they shouldn’t.”

Roman, who had been glancing at the silently brooding Windsor, answered with an awkward smile.

“Understood. I’ll try to compile as extensive a list as possible by our next meeting. I’m not sure how many names we’ll end up with. But thanks to you, Mr. Knox, things are progressing smoothly. We might finally be able to catch our breath.”

“Not at all. Don’t forget this is just the beginning. They are experienced lawyers, and four of them are working as one team. They won’t hesitate to use any means necessary. The moment we let our guard down, we’ll be caught off guard.”

“We’ll keep that in mind. Fortunately, we’re used to surprise attacks.”

“Ah.”

Evan, who had been conversing with Roman, turned to Windsor as if suddenly remembering something. He smiled politely and said:

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I meet with Miss Somerset?”

“…For what purpose?”

Windsor asked slowly. As if he hadn’t expected to be questioned, Evan raised an eyebrow slightly.

It was the same for Roman. He furrowed his brow faintly as he looked at Windsor’s expressionless face.

Even so, isn’t it a bit much to pry into the private lives of a young man and woman? Roman thought, then nodded with an “Ah.”

Of course he’s wary since Miss Somerset met with the royal lawyers. …Well, that makes sense, but something still doesn’t add up.

While Roman tilted his head with a dubious expression, Evan offered a sociable smile.

“I have some personal business I’d like to discuss with her.”

“Personal business…”

Windsor paused as he was reaching for his tie. The Evan Knox before him was perfect from head to toe. Not a single thing out of place.

He didn’t want to appear disheveled in front of him. Windsor endured the suffocating tightness as he slowly rose from his seat.

Then he buttoned his jacket one by one. His hands moved very slowly. It looked as if he was trying to delay giving an answer.

It was behavior unlike Windsor, but his complicated mind had no room to care about that. Finally buttoning the last button, he slowly raised his head.

“Roman, please call for Miss Somerset.”

Windsor realized he had no grounds to refuse Evan’s request. And only then did he become aware that he didn’t want them to meet.

“Yes, my lord.”

Roman immediately left the reception room, and Windsor looked down at Evan seated in his chair. As their eyes met, he gave a slight smile.

“Thank you, Lord Preston.”

Windsor took out his pocket watch to check the time and said gruffly:

“22 minutes.”

“Pardon?”

At those unexpected words, Evan blinked his eyes. As confusion settled in his blue eyes, Windsor put the pocket watch back in his pocket and cast an indifferent glance.

“There are 22 minutes left until afternoon lessons begin. I’d like you to finish your conversation before then. So as not to disrupt Benjamin’s studies. I hope you haven’t forgotten that she is Benjamin’s tutor, Mr. Knox.”

“Ah, I see.”

Only then did Evan nod. He smiled good-naturedly. His easygoing personality was clearly evident here as well.

“I’ll make sure of that.”

As Windsor left the reception room, he saw Jacqueline and Roman walking towards him in the distance.

“Ah, Lord Preston.”

Jacqueline, spotting him, slowly came to a stop. Their gazes intertwined in midair.