The chief magistrate, who had walked to the center, opened his mouth while looking at the aisle in the audience.

“As a collaborator who assisted in the crime, I request James Shagrion, the coachman who took Miss Hazel Yang to the carriage, as a witness.”

Soon, an old man began to walk down the aisle from the center.

Helena, surprised to see the person who requested the witness, couldn’t hide her astonishment.

Her father volunteered to be a witness?

“Witness, please stand and recite the oath.”

Standing up for the procedure, James raised his right hand and took the oath.

“I swear before God that I will not dare to speak falsehood.”

The chief magistrate nodded as a sign of confirmation.

Approaching James, the representative asked him questions. He demanded an explanation of what happened on the day of the crime.

“I was the coachman helping Miss Hazel Yang on her way back to her hometown that day.”

“Miss Hazel Yang’s hometown is not far from the Duke’s estate, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you take Miss Hazel Yang to a place other than her hometown?”

“Well…”
James, who had been sitting with an anxious expression, shifted his gaze for a moment. At the end of his gaze was Helena.

“My daughter, Helena, once asked me for a favor. She wanted me to guide a servant girl to the forest, pretending to be the Duke’s coachman’s wife.”

“And on that day, did you accompany Hazel Yang to the forest near the Liam River?”

“Yes, that’s correct. My daughter gave the maid a sleeping potion, put her to sleep, and took her to the forest. After that, I abandoned the carriage and fled.”

James, recalling that day, darkened his expression. Without meeting Jane’s resentful gaze, he lowered his eyelids.

“This is a conspiracy!”

At that moment, Helena stood up.

“Defendant! Be silent!”

“Respected judge! This is a scheme to endanger me! The words from the witness and the plaintiff’s side are all blatant lies!”

As she shouted, veins on her neck became visible.

“Th-this is clearly for money! They must be receiving payment to give false testimony!”

“Silence!”

The magistrate frowned involuntarily at Helena’s outburst.

“Representative, do you have evidence to prove that the coachman on that day was the one driving the plaintiff’s carriage?”

“Yes. Respected magistrate! When I found Miss Hazel Yang at the time of the incident, I compared the carriage fragments found on her clothes with those of the coachman’s carriage. There was no doubt; they matched perfectly.”

At the representative’s statement, including the magistrate, the spectators nodded in agreement. Indeed, irrefutable evidence had emerged.

Anticipating victory, the representative smiled cunningly. He turned to the magistrate and confidently spoke.

“Respected judge! The witness, James Shagrion, who came forward, is the defendant’s own father. There is no reason for him to give false testimony for money, as the defendant claims. Unless it’s the true intention of a father who wants to lead his daughter on the right path.”

Applause erupted from the spectators. Acknowledging the cheers, the representative returned to his seat.

“Defendant, do you have anything to say about this?”

In contrast, Helena received scornful glances.

She trembled as she felt the cold stares directed at her.

‘No.’

It’s not allowed.

If it continues like this, really…

The desperate Helena suddenly stood up.

“Ask Jane about it!”

Then, she shouted towards the huddled Jane.

“Jane, don’t borrow others’ voices! Speak for yourself! Did I really push you? Did I really commit the crime?”

Her bloodshot eyes stared intensely at Jane.

Shivering, Helena gently shaped her lips towards Jane.

‘Your parents.’

Although she mumbled vaguely to avoid being seen by the magistrate, she began communicating through her lip movements.

‘I’ll kill them.’

Gradually, the opponent’s expression changed dramatically, becoming ominous.

“Defendant, what are you doing! Maintain decorum!”
The representative shouted in astonishment at Helena’s actions that violated the law.

“No, isn’t it? Why does the victim have to step forward? Why are the severe ones stepping forward?”

“From the beginning, the trial has been conducted under Hazel Yang’s leadership! Are you not aware of that fact?”

“So, say it again. Am I really the culprit?”

“The plaintiff is suffering from aphasia due to trauma after the accident. She is currently in a state where she cannot speak!”

“Being unable to speak doesn’t mean being paralyzed to the extent of not moving your hands, right?”

“Wha-what! Show respect to Miss Hazel Yang!”

The magistrate yelled at the commotion that had spread due to the verbal dispute.

“Silence!”

Only the two principals, who had made the trial noisy, closed their mouths at last.

“According to the defendant’s words, I will ask the plaintiff if Helena Yang, who is currently in the defendant’s seat, is the perpetrator of the crime.”

“Respected judge, but Hazel Yang…!”

“However, if the defendant is indeed the perpetrator of the incident, she will face severe punishment. Be aware of that.”

Despite the solemn advice from the magistrate, Helena paid no attention. She arrogantly nodded her head, showing no concern for the stern looks directed at her.

“Plaintiff, I will question you in the presence of God. You must confess without hiding anything.”

The representative tried to comfort Jane. With her face pale and trembling in his arms, Jane, facing the truth, stepped forward.

“Is Helena Arhen, currently sitting in the defendant’s seat, the one who harmed the plaintiff?”

All eyes turned towards Jane.

‘At least she won’t commit perjury.’

Helena could be sure of that.

Even if she didn’t know what wind had blown Helena into the trial, as long as she continued to threaten her parents and create fear, she wouldn’t point herself out as the culprit.

However…

“Uh, uh…”

With Jane’s moan, everyone heard a thud.

At the trembling fingertips, Helena was being targeted.

After that, the excited magistrate’s voice rang out. He requested another witness who claimed to have witnessed the two people’s misdeeds that day.

“Yes, yes. I saw it. I went to pick herbs in the forest and ended up waiting until dawn because I got lost. Then, I heard a scream that seemed to pierce my ears, and when I went to see, there was a woman dangling on the cliff. Yes, that was her. I am sure.”

Boos spread from various places in response to the witness’s words.

“She tried to kill someone!”

“And now she’s trying to cover it up?”

“Malicious woman!”

“Are you even human!”

Helena looked around in disbelief. All those who should have looked at her were busy blaming her.

“Sh-shut up. Shut up, shut up…!”

Crying like a wailing ghost, she searched for Calis. Her husband, who was sitting in the first row, had disappeared a long time ago.

As if foreseeing her words.

“Respected magistrate…”

Helena looked forward with an unbelieving face.

However, the magistrate decisively turned his head, making it clear that it was impossible.

“From now on, I pronounce the verdict on Helena Arhen, the Duchess’s maid, for attempted murder and threat.”
Helena bit her lower lip anxiously, wrapping her slightly protruding belly. She wished for the precious life, hoping that the baby would protect her.

“The fact that the defendant bought a servant and kidnapped the plaintiff has been confirmed. Also, there is another witness who discovered your criminal acts. Lastly, the plaintiff herself has identified you as the culprit. All combined!”

But it seemed there could be no miracle of new life for the criminal who had tried to harm a life.

“Verdict. The defendant, Helena Arhen, the Duchess’s maid, is guilty!”

As if ruthlessly shattering her hopes, the judge pronounced her guilt.