“That case has already been dismissed.”

Margaret was sued for allegedly killing her husband, Fisher. However, the lawsuit did not proceed correctly. Resources were not abundant enough to investigate a case thoroughly, even the one happening far away in a remote region. Besides, behind Margaret, there was me.

If not explicitly challenging Lady Crateon and just spending time as appropriate, ending the case was more convenient in various ways.
Thanks to that, a proper investigation was not conducted, and almost no data remained. The existing data was discarded as the lawsuit was dropped.

“More precisely, it is not dropped but an expired case. Bendham Fisher, who filed the lawsuit, did not show up on the trial day, making it impossible to proceed with the trial.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“It’s the litigation history of Lady Fisher.”

Although the data was discarded, I still had the data I had prepared in advance.

Through Scepter, the data I had prepared was handed over to the judge.

After examining the documents, the judge glanced subtly at Margaret with a nuanced expression.

As much as he tried his best for Margaret, the documents were meticulously prepared. They were aligned with the trial format, and nothing was missing from the content.

In the end, after scrutinizing the documents, the judge awkwardly placed them back on the desk.

“This seems not to be the part to be dealt with in this trial. It’s dismissed.”

Knowing it would not be accepted, my purpose for presenting the evidence was not to gain recognition. It was sufficient if the gazes on Margaret changed.

“This is a malicious conspiracy!”

Of course, unable to endure, Margaret’s impromptu action instead of the lawyer was an unexpected bonus.

“Then why did Lady Fisher say such things?”

Once you open your mouth, it won’t be easily closed.

I still maintained a steady posture and stared fixedly at Margaret.

Margaret twitched at the pouring gazes and soon clenched her fist.

“I, I just spoke the truth!”

“The truth can be used when there is evidence to support it.”

“Anyone can manipulate that!”

“Among the documents I submitted, there is a seal from the court. Manipulation is impossible.”

To be officially adopted as evidence, initial confirmation through the court was necessary. I had finished Margaret’s trial in advance.

Thanks to that, the data I provided contained the court’s seal, and all the dates of submission were written.

Ironically, the efforts I made for Margaret had become weapons that could shackle her.

“How do you know that? What does a seal mean?”

“Using the court’s seal is a serious crime, Lady Fisher.”

“Liviana!”

There’s no need to raise your voice just because the other party is excited. In fact, in situations like this, being emotionally swayed would seem more suspicious.

Since entering the court until now, I have not changed my expression or voice. I remained consistent with the same attitude as before.

The image I want to show, as it is.

“I have considered Lady Fisher a sincerely good friend, so I am deeply sorry for what has happened.”

One, I am Crateon.

End the last sentence with strength.
Recalling my father’s teachings from a long time ago, I raised my head.

“Whether called Lady Crateon, Lady Crateon Dowager, or by any other name, I have always been a person of Crateon. I have dedicated my entire life to Crateon, and that will continue forever, as long as I have breath. Eternally.”

The surroundings are quiet. Everyone is focused on my story.

And, through my experiences, I had become accustomed to such situations. I knew too well what to do in this situation.

“If it is proven that the child is indeed my husband’s child, as claimed by Lady Fisher, I will acknowledge it. However, that’s as far as it goes.”

“Are you threatening to take the child away from the birth mother?”

“No. It’s a proposal.”

“What kind of proposal is that?”

“Then what should I do?”

If I bluff, it’s better to speak up first and regain the initiative. Unlike me, who casually asked the question, the other party seems anxious and unsure.

Instead of Margaret’s lawyer, who nervously licked her lips, I spoke first.

“I still believe that my husband will return. Even the slightest hope is fine. I am earnestly hoping that hope turns into a miracle.”

“Have you not considered that such an attitude might be unsettling for the current Crateon?”

“Crateon won’t collapse just because of such a thing.”

This statement was quick, firm, and filled with confidence, without a hint of hesitation.

I focused my eyes.

“It’s true that people are anxious, aren’t they?”

“It’s natural to feel uneasy when the owner is missing. However, Crateon is still strong.”

“Strong, you say. It seems the lady needs to pay attention to the voices around her.”

Since I lost the initiative, it seems it’s time to be scornful.

But I still felt no excitement. I didn’t sense any wavering.

“Five years ago, there was an incident where Crateon’s ships went missing near the coast. People said Crateon would collapse then too.”

“That’s unrelated to this trial.”

“Two years ago, there were accidents where Crateon’s mines collapsed every day due to consecutive rainfalls.”

“I’ll say it again, that’s unrelated.”

“Still, Crateon always survived. Always stayed strong. And, I witnessed all those moments.”

There were big and small incidents, and rumors always followed like a tag.

But in the end, Crateon endured. Survived time and again to come this far.

And, I was none other than the living witness to those moments.