After the trial was decided, everything progressed quickly.

Who would carry out the trial was a matter of public interest, which was also decided recently.

The one who took on the role of presiding judge was none other than Emperor Odin.

In some ways, this could be considered completely against fairness.

This was a trial dealing with an incident between the imperial family and nobility, yet Odin, who could be called the representative of the imperial family, took on the role of presiding judge.

But no one opposed this.

Since it was related to the crown prince couple, the pressure felt by the judge was on a different level.

Anyone who stepped out of line could be seen as committing ‘treason’.

‘Treason’ was an issue that could lead to the complete annihilation of a family if one wasn’t careful.

If the emperor’s power was insignificant it might be different, but the number of families Emperor Odin had already annihilated was difficult to count on two hands.

So the nobles decided to just watch this situation unfold.

Expecting to see what kind of appearance the future emperor and empress would show.

Of course, Odin found the nobles’ stance utterly laughable, so he didn’t care about that aspect at all.

What he was focusing on now was something else.

‘If what’s written here is true, the imperial family has been played for fools.’

Odin sighed as he looked at the materials Clea had sent.

‘To think the Hersher family had been doing such things.’

Looking at both the temple records and the Hersher family records, Odin was dumbfounded.

He was astounded that the imperial family had nearly been completely destroyed by a single family.

The one fortunate point was that there was one more source of information to look into regarding this matter.

That was the ‘diary’ passed down only to emperors.

Odin hadn’t read it until now because he wasn’t very interested, but seeing the materials before him, he couldn’t help but read it.

Odin hurriedly found and read the diary from that era.

And in the diary was written a secret that could shock the world.

‘Clea and Admund, who only saw up to the Hersher family records, would think that history comparable to the hundred years when Empress Isabel was alive was erased by her, but that was incorrect.’

People of the present day did not know in detail what had happened during Emperor Rodrick’s reign.

This was because almost no records from that time remained.

Even if some remained, the writing system had changed, making them difficult to decipher.

But more than these reasons, it was due to someone’s thorough cover-up.

They thought Isabel Hersher had changed even the writing system to erase the records of that era to prevent her terrible atrocities from becoming known to later generations, but it turned out Emperor Rodrick had completely erased the records.

Odin decided not to inform the crown prince couple of this shocking content.

It was also content that wouldn’t be dealt with in the trial, and they would find out anyway when they inherited the throne later.

What was important now was something else.

“The key will be how much this matter expands.”

This issue was a crucial matter that could eliminate all of the Hersher family’s subordinates if handled well.

As they had been at the center of power in the empire for so long, there were quite a lot of families and people who had followed the Hersher family.

If all of them were killed, the stench of blood would clearly not fade from the capital for some time.

“But they’ll surely handle that well on their own.”

Odin thought Admund and Clea wouldn’t escalate things that far.

Admund was a diligent successor.

There was no way he, who had worked hard until now to succeed to the throne, would not be mindful of the other nobles’ gazes.

The same went for Clea.

Though she sometimes showed unexpected behaviors, they were never actions without thought.

Even the recent meeting with the high nobles was like that.

Hadn’t she advised them to cut ties with the Hersher family as soon as possible by clearly stating what her goal was?

‘If it doesn’t work out, I can step in.’

That’s why he didn’t refuse the role of presiding judge.

After all, his successor who would be responsible for his retirement couldn’t be labeled as flawed.

He smiled as he imagined the events to come.

Once this situation was over, he planned to make a wish.

“I don’t know how many decades it’s been since I’ve done nothing but attend to state affairs without rest.”

The hands that had been without a single wrinkle when he first sat at this desk were now full of wrinkles.

Thinking it was time for him to rest as well, he raised the corners of his mouth and imagined.

What expression Admund would make when he heard his wish.

‘I should look into places to go on vacation with Elaina soon.’

Looking at the small framed picture of Elaina on his desk, he focused on work again.

* * *

Clea had finished all preparations.

Since Steve might change his words midway, she personally wrote a contract related to this and even got his signature on it.

After that, she immediately sent a letter to the Odoi duchy.

It was a handwritten letter saying to attend the trial no matter what.

‘If they don’t attend, I’ll just send someone.’

While preparing things related to Aria afterwards, a letter came from the Hersher duchy.

The letter contained content saying Aria had tried to commit murder against Lloyd on the street.

It said sufficient evidence related to that had also been secured.

Seeing the letter, Clea thought it was truly a touching love. To go back to her after suffering that humiliation.

“How are the other nobles reacting?”

“They are all watching the imperial palace.”

With everyone watching the situation, Clea did not let her guard down.

If she slipped up even once here, it could turn out worse than the situation at the banquet.

That’s why she had to watch the situation even more thoroughly.

“What about the movements of the Hersher family’s subordinates?”

“They too are gradually leaving their side, perhaps because of the rumors. While some remain to the end due to loyalty, most fall into the former category.”

As they were a family that had taken root for hundreds of years, there would be quite a few who had been loyal for generations.

Even those who had proudly stayed tightly united to overcome crises over those hundreds of years seemed to think this was going too far.

The Hersher family was completely crumbling both internally and externally.

“What will you do about the duke and duchess?”

Meanwhile, Rupia was curious about Clea’s decision.

As she was also a noble, she had her own curiosities, but she was curious about the decision of the one she would continue to serve, both now and in the future.

Clea met Rupia’s gaze and answered.

“My target for revenge is Aria, not them.”

Although they had supported Aria, she didn’t want to be cruel to them as well.

There were others who had grudges against them, so there was no need for her to step in.

Clea was also mindful of public opinion.

Each of her choices could have unpredictable ripple effects.

As it would naturally affect Admund’s evaluation as well, Clea had no choice but to be careful.

“There’s only one person who will die by my hand. Other than that, it’s none of my business.”

Rupia knew who that one person she was referring to was.

Feeling relieved, Rupia nodded and said she understood before going outside.

Left alone in her seat, Clea quietly organized her thoughts.

The trial was now just around the corner.

‘What expression will you make as soon as you enter?’

According to the message Bawin sent, she was still under a huge misunderstanding.

Admund was still not showing himself publicly.

Aria would think that he ‘cannot’ show himself, not that he is ‘not’ showing himself.

Moreover, she would be confident that she could overturn everything at the trial.

That Admund, whose heart had changed, would declare divorce on the spot, and immediately punish Clea and all those who had tormented her.

“Bawin is really amazing. If it were me, I would have frowned right there on the spot.”

No matter how she thought about it, it was truly absurd.

Of course, it was true that she had given Admund a love potion, so there was a sufficient possibility of success, but if someone who didn’t know that heard it, wouldn’t they think she was crazy?

In that sense, as she was thinking Bawin was amazing, she saw Admund enter through the door.

“If you’re busy, I can come back later.”

“As if I wouldn’t have time to have tea with you.”

Seeing him visit when he should be attending to state affairs in his office, Clea said it was fine and asked why he had come.

He then held out what was in his hand to her.

“I want to entrust this project to you.”

“To me?”

What he handed over were materials related to academy reform.

Seeing this, Clea was taken aback.

She hadn’t thought at all that he would suddenly entrust her with the project he had been preparing for so long.

“Isn’t this what you’ve been preparing?”

“I thought you’d be more suitable than me.”

Although he had been preparing for several years, there were clear limitations for Admund, who had lived in the imperial palace.

He thought Clea had a broader perspective than himself.

So he had no doubt that she would examine this project more meticulously.

She had very refreshingly presented proposals that other nobles were reluctant to bring up.

Admund really liked her attempt to completely reform the academy based on ability and efficiency, rather than family and reputation.

“Is it alright if I take over what you’ve been preparing all this time?”

At Clea’s words, he let out a laugh.

While others might think of it as taking on a burden or receiving a bomb, she instead showed confidence.

“Anything for the empire.”

Hearing his words, Clea thought for a moment before answering.

“Alright. But let’s discuss the details related to this after the trial is over.”

Considering the trial was tomorrow, that discussion would also take place soon.

Admund nodded and looked out the window.

“A new beginning.”

Not an end, but a new beginning.

Clea smiled and replied to his words.

“That’s right. It’s a new beginning.”