“I will not accept this!”

The man standing in the dock glared at the judges with bloodshot eyes. It was Baron Douglas, who had amassed a considerable fortune by exporting the crops harvested from his territory.

“The bill to abolish slavery has passed, and the prohibition of slavery has already been codified in our constitution. Yet, you’ve disguised your trading ships and blatantly participated in human trafficking, have you not?”

“They are not slaves, they are employees!”

“You have the audacity to claim this, yet there’s no record of you paying proper wages. Moreover, the discovered ledgers contain clear evidence of your trafficking in humans, along with the sale of crops. We even have testimonials from those who escaped your farm. Do you still plan to deny everything?”

Confronted with incontrovertible evidence, Baron Douglas shut his mouth. He had to admit his guilt but somehow needed to lessen his sentence. He couldn’t afford to lose the wealth he had amassed over the years.

“…I was wrong. I behaved foolishly in my desire to obtain cheap labor. Please, show mercy. I will donate all the illgotten money.”

Baron Douglas changed his approach. His menacing momentum disappeared, and he begged the judge’s mercy, tears welling up in his eyes.

However, such shallow tactics did not work on Caeron Roman de Elyos Duke, the most stern chief judge in the empire.

“Even if you hadn’t said so, we had planned to confiscate your illegally amassed wealth. Further debates are pointless, let’s pass the judgement.”

The trial against the wealthy aristocrat involved in illegal slave trading made headlines in the newspapers day after day. Everyone in the courtroom held their breath, awaiting the verdict.

“Baron Douglas, who violated the spirit of the constitution guaranteeing basic human rights through slave trading, has broken the moral duty of Noblesse Oblige. We will confiscate all your conferred titles and territories. All your assets will be seized and returned to society.”

“This is absurd!”

Baron Douglas clutched his hair and slumped to the floor. Even though he was not deprived of his freedom, having his title and assets seized meant that his life was no longer that of an aristocrat.

Caeron didn’t even glance at Baron Douglas as he left the bench.

As he was leaving the courtroom, a servant approached him with news.

“Your Grace, Sir Gregory has a message that he wishes to urgently convey.”

“What is it?”

“Right now, Lord Shade of the Hilben Duchy is waiting at your mansion.”

Upon hearing the servant’s words, Caeron’s eyebrows twitched.

He’d specifically said not to be disturbed…

Noticing the cold anger rising in the Duke’s expression, the servant standing by him tensed up and froze.

“Let’s go. As fast as possible.”

The Duke, having climbed into his carriage, commanded in a stern voice. The trembling servant quickly nodded in response.

With his arms folded, Caeron looked out of the carriage window with an impassive expression. However, his fingers tapped rhythmically on his arm, as if unable to hide his anxiety.

.

.

.

The Duke’s carriage, travelling faster than usual, arrived at his mansion. As soon as the servant opened the door, Caeron stepped out of the carriage and headed towards the entrance.

“Welcome back, Your Grace.”

While receiving greetings from the lined up servants, Caeron noticed Idel standing straight ahead. And standing beside her was Shade.

Seeing the two of them standing together, Caeron couldn’t help but feel displeasure, causing his brows to furrow.

Seeing him glare, Shade waved with an awkward smile.

“Finally, you’re here. I’ve been waiting for a while.”

“…I don’t recall inviting you.”

“Haha, I brought a surprise wedding gift without notice.”

Seeing his cold demeanor, which was colder than he had expected, Shade defended himself with a flustered expression.

Noticing the subtle tension between Caeron and Shade, Idel hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“Lord Shade has brought a precious gift. Dinner is also ready, wouldn’t it be good to have a meal and discuss?”

Caeron, having taken a quick glance at Idel, noticed the awkward smile on her face and reluctantly nodded.

“Fine. Let’s move to the table for now.”
Caeron, poised to walk ahead, twisted his body and offered his hand to Idel. Startled by his abrupt move, she hesitated momentarily before clasping his hand.

With Idel’s hand in his, Caeron pulled her to his side, casting a sharp look at Shade standing behind him.

Shade shivered at the unambiguous warning in his gaze not to approach casually.

‘Is this the Duke I know…?’

Shade, with a pale face, blankly stared at the two walking ahead.

It seemed the one full of unexpected parts was not the prospective Duchess but…the Duke.

Seeing this unfamiliar side of his friend, he chuckled and shook his head back and forth. He followed them at a set distance with a slow pace towards the banquet hall.