At the defendant’s table, Rachel and her lawyer were seated, with Seo Jehu occupying the seat just behind. Although not a defendant, it was a suitable position for him to offer discreet advice.

Rachel gazed downward in silence. Her demeanor conveyed such a sense of desolation, as if she had been wrongly accused and dragged into this ordeal without any wrongdoing.
Rachel, who had given birth to four children yet never lost her innocence, appeared with a sorrowful demeanor that moved the hearts of the spectators. They had believed her to be the worst villain, abusing her own daughter, but now it seemed there might be more to the story.
However, the hearts of the audience changed the moment they laid eyes on Ariana. Despite appearing to be 16 years old, she had a petite frame that didn’t match her age, a slightly haggard body, and a poignant gaze. Her lush eyelashes, slightly downturned, glistened as if moistened.

The audience anticipated that this trial, which had seemed straightforward, would turn into a challenging battle.

Before long, Chief Justice Tubeson Hyun and Archbishop Eodes Chediola entered the courtroom and sat side by side on the judges’ bench.

Tubeson declared with a solemn voice, “The trial begins.”

Ariana’s counsel spoke first.
“We assert that Ariana’s guardianship should be within the White family, and we request a prohibition on the Bronte family, which has continuously engaged in abuse,” said Rachel’s attorney.

“We maintain that Ariana Bronte’s guardianship should remain within the Bronte family, and we intend to press charges against Russell White, who imprisoned Ariana without authority,” Chief Justice Tubeson stated.
Chief Justice Tubeson said,
“Please start the proceedings from the plaintiff’s side,” said Chief Justice Tubeson.

Ariana’s defense attorney walked to the center.

“Ariana has continuously suffered from unkind treatment and ongoing abuse while residing at the Bronthe Duke Mansion. The attorney began recounting the abuse Ariana had endured over time. The details were so extensive and heartbreaking that not only the spectators but also the judge and the jury had their expressions distorted.

“Furthermore, Ariana, in her desperation to survive, left her birthplace and sought refuge with Russell White, a young girl on her own. However, from the defendant’s perspective, they are even accusing Russell White, who tried to protect Ariana by saying that she ‘imprisoned’ the young girl, and there seems to be no end to this cruelty. We hope that Your Honor and the Jury will deliver a just verdict for the future of this pitiable girl.”

Rachel’s defense attorney stepped forward.
“Rachel Bronthe and Jacob Bronthe raised Ariana with love. However, Ariana’s innate temperament was peculiar, and she engaged in many troublesome behaviors from a young age, causing difficulties for her parents. These behaviors ranged from minor acts like inflicting wounds on herself to more significant ones, such as pretending to be abused in front of people to make herself appear pitiable.”

The attorney recited the words that Rachel had always used as an excuse.

“It’s because of Ariana’s difficult personality. She acts childishly to make her parents uncomfortable, pretends to be abused even though she hasn’t been, and calls her own siblings ‘miss’ even though no one asked her to…”

While the attorney defended herself, Rachel wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. The spectators also cast looks of disbelief towards Ariana, as if questioning, ‘Could such a malicious child really exist?’

Ariana’s defense attorney spoke.
“Ariana has just turned 16 now. Are you claiming that such a young girl has been doing such things since she was even younger?”

“Donna of Caron City, at the tender age of 12, used poison to kill her older brother and younger sister, solely with the intention of inheriting her parents’ wealth. Banner of Vianna City, at the age of 8, killed her friends by drowning them in a river or pushing them off cliffs. It’s evident that cruel tendencies are inherent, and regardless of age, they exist in abundance, as the plaintiff’s attorney must also know.”

The spectators murmured in response.

The cases mentioned by Rachel’s attorney were real incidents that had occurred in recent years, where young children had committed such acts, causing a significant uproar in society.

Listening to these accounts, it seemed as if Ariana had orchestrated everything herself.
Ariana’s attorney was momentarily speechless, as they had not expected the opposing side to bring up that incident. Gathering their composure, Rachel’s attorney spoke.

“I request witnesses.”

Witnesses prepared by Rachel came forward – nobles from prominent families in the Empire. Renowned ladies of society whose names were even known in Imperial circles, confirming the truth of Rachel’s words.

Ariana would behave arbitrarily, then suddenly refer to her sisters as “ladies” and act as if she were being treated as a servant.

If someone made a mistake, she would kick the servants and even spit at them.

If Rachel tried to stop her, she would kick Rachel too.

Upon hearing that a guest was coming, she would recklessly injure herself, then feign helplessness and seek out the presence of the guest.

As the testimonies continued to pile up, the spectators shook their heads in disbelief.

Ariana’s attorney spoke.
“Isn’t it true that all the witnesses are nobles from the Capital? Isn’t that because Rachel Bronte has the favor of the Second Prince, Lordian Oblian?”

“The plaintiff’s side is making baseless accusations against Rachel Bronte. If the witnesses have lied, then providing evidence for that should be a priority.”

“Of course, the plaintiff has also prepared witnesses. You may remember the murder case of a man named Rounder that occurred in March in the forest of the Bronte Duke’s mansion. At that time, the chief investigator who was investigating the case had suspicions that the Bronte family members were constantly trying to pin the blame on Ariana. So, they intended to call the chief investigator as a witness, but for some reason, the chief investigator disappeared on the way to the Empire.”

“This has no relevance!”

Rachel’s attorney shouted.

The judge sided with Rachel’s argument, but once words were spoken, they couldn’t be erased.
The audience murmured about the Chief Investigator’s disappearance, finding it truly unusual. Those who were familiar with the case whispered, “I heard the youngest lady of the Bronte family was taken away because of that incident.”

Ariana’s lawyer didn’t miss this opportunity. With a sly smile, the lawyer said, “Unlike the plaintiff, who seems to have no connection to the missing investigator or Ariana, the plaintiff has recruited a witness with no ties to anyone involved. I will call Lady Julianna Roberta as a witness.”

The appearance of Lady Roberta silenced the courtroom.

Lady Roberta was the Emperor’s cousin, and her influence in high society rivaled that of the Empress.

Rachel briefly glanced at Lady Roberta but soon returned her gaze downward with the same desolate expression.

Lady Roberta stood at the witness stand, cast a glance at Rachel and then at Ariana before speaking.