Yan fitted the treasure brought by the final winner into the top of the hall. The hole decoration with a giant blue diamond embedded in a golden crown shape fit perfectly.

Yan held up the complete hole and shouted.

“With this, I declare the final winner of this tournament to be the Viscount Stone Oswald!”

“Wow!”

With the cheers of the people, pollen scattered, and trumpets rang out. Everyone was thrilled at the climax of the festival.

Gradually, the surroundings of the dark stadium were brightly lit by gorgeous lanterns. More people were gathering than during the day, looking forward to the fireworks that would soon unfold.

In the meantime, Adel couldn’t bear the anxiety. It meant a high probability that something went wrong since Stone had safely returned after finding the treasure, but Christine had not yet come.

Finally, she broke through the crowd and went before the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I do not know what has happened to Viscount Bice. Please quickly have the guards search…”

Yan’s eyes were very cold as he looked at Adel.

“Not only Viscount Bice but other participants have not yet returned either. Although the final winner has been decided, the game is not over until they come back. So return quietly to your place.”

“Your Majesty…!”

But Yan did not even glance at Adel, and the guards approached her on both sides. They were prepared to drag her out by force if she didn’t leave obediently. They were Christine’s subordinates, but they were those who obeyed the Emperor’s command.

When Adel was about to bow and retreat,

“Wait a moment, Your Majesty, I have a task for Miss Adel, so do not dismiss her.”

Stone approached Adel. Just his lingering cunning gaze made the hair stand on the back of Adel’s neck. As the distance drew closer, she felt a choking sensation.

But she did not retreat but rather stared back with determination in her eyes. He was the person who would know Christine’s whereabouts best.

“Have you seen Viscount Bice? What happened?”

In response to her urgent question, Stone gave a sly smile and then turned to kneel before the Emperor.

“I have one request, Your Majesty.”

“Speak, Viscount Oswald.”

Before the start of the game, Yan promised in front of the people. He would grant one request to the one who brought the treasure. Stone was going to exercise that right.

His snakelike, wicked eyes fixed on Adel again.

“Pardon Miss Adel.”

“Pardon? Shouldn’t there be a crime to pardon?”

When Yan asked in puzzlement, Stone answered with a solemn face.

“In fact, it was Adel who poisoned my father, the former Viscount Oswald, eight years ago.”

At that word, the people gathered in the stadium began to buzz.

And Adel felt as if her heart had dropped. Stone’s daring lie meant that Christine could not help her.

Did he do something to him in the forest?

But she couldn’t believe it.
He’s Vice Count, after all. The commander of the White Ghost Knight Order, a hero of war, and a brave knight…….

And

My lover…….

‘So he would never do that.’

Though she denied it, Adel’s whole body was trembling.

(This is a time separator.)

Stone smoothly continued his speech, as if reading from a prepared script.

“Miss Adel has admired me for a long time. Having heard of my father’s illness for so long, it was not incomprehensible that she, in her prime, would become infatuated with me. But she is my stepmother. I had no choice but to turn away from her feelings. Then one late night, she tried to seduce me. I was furious. And in the end, the next day… I poisoned my father. She seemed to think that once my ailing father was gone, everything would work out with me.”

The murmuring of the people turned into sighs. They even clicked their tongues, as if the terrible rumors about her were true.

Adel felt like she was being sucked into a deep, dark swamp.

Who would believe her if she denied it here?

“Is there evidence?”

“Yes, I had suspicions immediately after my father’s death, so I searched the room and found a large amount of poison.”

“But why did you say there was no evidence of poisoning the former duke?”

At Jan’s pursuit, Stone replied in agony.

“My father… probably wouldn’t have lived much longer with his worsening condition. I thought it would be painful if she, at her young age, were to be executed for it. I felt that I was largely to blame for not persuading her better that night. But I believe that by now she has repented her sin.”

Everyone was deceived by Stone’s sad expression.

He was a master at winning people’s hearts.

“Since Miss Adel has found someone new, I thought it was right to put the matter to rest. The reason for my participation in this game was to ask for His Majesty’s pardon. Please allow her to start anew, unburdened, Your Majesty.”

People praised Stone’s character. To show such mercy to the murderer of his father!

Adding one more scoop, he smiled gently at Adel.

“Miss Adel, though I could not accept your feelings, I will gladly be your guardian in the Oswald family. Feel free to reach out for help anytime.”

He smiled with an infinitely generous and tender face.

It made Adel more horrified, and she just stood there with a pale face.

“Understand. You must be ashamed since your guilt has been exposed before people. But consider this your penance. And quickly kneel before His Majesty and beg for forgiveness.”

She felt as if she were trapped in a welllaid snare, unable to move.

The trap seemed to bind her arms and legs and strangle her neck.

‘Stone, I thought I could get away from you.’

Adel stared at him with bloodshot, angry eyes.

Then Stone, who had been kneeling in front of Jan, slowly rose and approached.

“What to do? He’s gone now.”

A devilish whisper.

“……!”

As Adel stared rigidly, he put something in her hand.

It was a piece of Christine’s severed cape.