“If Empress Hwang intervened, there was nothing I could have done even if I had stepped forward. They would have criticized Leia more strongly, saying that she flew high on the backs of Bellarus Duke and Heidern Duke.”

“…Damn it!”

Akhia’s words were undeniably true.

If Dmitri or Akhia had stepped forward, the Empress and the Emperor would have attacked them for sure.

Dmitri splashed cold water on his confused mind.

“I’m sorry, everyone. It’s all because of me…”

Currently, the newspapers were not only criticizing Leia but also pouring harsh criticism on the Magnolia Upper Estate, which had been distributing Botox.

The reason was selling an unproven new medicine to people.

And Leia felt more tormented by the guilt for the people who suffered because of her than the criticism against her.

“It’s not your fault, Leia. According to what I found in the upper estate, Lady Ruisel never complained to the upper estate in the first place. Moreover, they never purchased Botox from our upper estate.”

“What? So, is Lady Ruisel’s claim that she got the Botox a lie?”

“No. She got the Botox. It’s just that we didn’t sell her the Botox.”

“That means…”

As soon as the incident occurred, Akhia started investigating the truth. In the meantime, he learned an important fact.

“Are you saying that illegal Botox has been circulating in the black market instead of Maggnolia?”

“Yeah. As you know, Botox is a strict reservation system. It’s not easy to manufacture a large quantity at once, and it must be administered by a professional. So, we took reservations, and Lady Ruisel was on the reservation list. However, her turn was three months later. According to my investigation, it seems like she suffered side effects from an illegal drug circulating in the black market.”

Upon hearing this, Leia’s legs gave way. Leia also hadn’t thought that such side effects would occur from the medicine she created.

It had gone through many experiments and scenarios.

However, perhaps she had missed something.

So, she was tormented by anxiety, wondering if there were people suffering because of the medicine she created.

But, to think that she hadn’t even received the medicine she created. That fact was so relieving.

“…I’m really glad.”

While Leia was listening to Akhia’s words with a dry throat, Dmitri asked.

“Did you find out the identity of those who distributed the illegal medicine?”
“Yes. There have been quite a few victims who experienced side effects after taking the medicine, more than I thought. We’ve already secured the identities of victims who will testify. On the day of the hearing, we will reveal all the truths.”

Akhia’s eyes flashed with a sharp light.

“Now it’s time to repay as much as we’ve suffered.”

Just as a deep smile appeared on his lips, Rikel entered the reception room.

At that moment, when the urgent footsteps echoing in the corridor felt ominously.

“Duke! Something big happened.”

Sure enough, Rikel, who entered the reception room, breathed heavily.

“What happened?”

Dmitri, sensing something unusual, asked with a dark expression.

“W-Well…”

He answered with a trembling voice.

“Ruisel Lady eventually died from the side effects, and…”

Akhia’s expression sank at Rikel’s following words.

A week later, under the Emperor’s command, a hearing began.

All eyes in the empire were focused on the hearing held at the imperial palace.

Inside the Grand Hall where the hearing was held, those sitting side by side at the wide table were the Empire’s Chief Justice and a few central nobles.

“I heard that the Maggnolia Upper Estate’s leader is attending today…”

“If the Emperor calls, he must come. Besides, isn’t the situation quite serious?”

While everyone gathered there was talking loudly about the Maggnolia Upper Estate, hidden behind the scenes, the truth about the upper estate was being discussed.

When the Emperor entered the Grand Hall, everyone rose from their seats simultaneously. The Emperor, sitting in the central seat at the table, nodded toward the Chief Justice.

Then, as if on cue, Leia, who had been waiting outside, entered.

However.

“No, why is she…”

Seeing Leia and Akhia entering together, everyone tilted their heads. This was the imperial palace’s hearing, so it wasn’t a place anyone could enter. Duke Bellarus couldn’t even enter and was waiting outside for the results.

Everyone was momentarily shocked, but the Chief Justice said to Akhia.

“I’m sorry, but His Grace Heidern is not supposed to attend today. Lady Bellarus. No, it’s understandable that you came out of concern for Lady Heidern. However, this is a hearing. Only those involved can enter.”

But with a confident attitude that there was no problem, Akhia replied.

“Yes. I understand. I did not come here today as Duke Heidern.”

“Then why…”

“I decided to attend here today as the leader of the Maggnolia Upper Estate.”

While everyone was bewildered, only Akhia stared at Ile as if nothing was wrong.

“As the highest leader of the Maggnolia Upper Estate, today is the day I decided to attend.”