The carriage that left from Juliette Palace diligently crossed past the Imperial Palace.

– Click, click, click……

The swift horses wearing thick winter clothes purred as they moved their feet. I thought about the little troublemakers I left in the living room (still hadn’t had a chance to have a deep conversation with them) and then checked to see if all of the necessary items were in my Gabag.

I gulped out of anxiety. I did not want to be punished. It was like that when I was young and it was the same now. No, it would be a miracle if there was someone who liked being punished!

“That is the Tousart Palace, your highness.” Benjamin was being nice and explaining the building outside. I quickly raised my head. It was the place we were scheduled to stop by on our way to the Empress Palace.

“Thank you. I see Christelle over there.”

I immediately started to smile as I answered. She was not the only one standing outside the palace. Isabelle and Ellen were by her side and I could also see Marquis François and his siblings. Baron Fabrice Bellang and his family of three were already bowing toward our carriage. Joanne, who still seemed to not understand what was going on, was visible as well. I started to laugh out loud around the time I saw her because I was happy to see her.

‘This should be her first time in the Imperial Palace. I wonder what sort of inspiration our genius artist will receive here?’

– Neeeeeeigh!

– Click.

The carriage stopped. Ganael opened the door. I did not get off and only stuck my body out to greet them.

“Hello, everyone. I’m here to share a ride with all of you.”

“Good morning, Prince Jesse. You’ve turned into a snowman!” Christelle couldn’t help but comment after seeing me wrapped up from head to toe. Isabelle laughed at her daughter’s comment. I was worried that they would be struggling mentally because of the upcoming trial but they both seemed to be doing okay. Although I had no way of being sure, I was pretty sure that the two of them have been relying on each other quite a bit. Just as the Duhem siblings had done and the House of Bellang had done.

“Yes, being dressed like this is nice because I do not feel cold. Although, it is a bit difficult to move,” I calmly responded.

“I see, you truly are the person who will shake the fashion world of the Empire’s Beau Monde, your highness!” The Marquis exaggerated.

I smiled deeply. Everybody was warmly dressed thanks to her Majesty’s consideration.

“Then…… Shall we head over right away?” Ganael looked around at us and cautiously asked. Everybody turned toward Isabelle. She was silent for a moment before her black eyes sparkled with determination and she nodded her head.

Everybody escorted each other as they got on the carriage. It did feel a bit cramped but I wanted to move together with everyone at least today.

“What the hell? The carriage is as warm as in Sérénité! Your highness, you’ve been dressed like you need to roll around despite being in a place like this?”

“I can’t roll, Joanne.”

“Hahahaha!”

The Duhem siblings and Elody looked quite happy after hearing our conversations.

“Hya!” The door closed and the carriage started to move again. The tightly stationed Imperial Guard followed behind us in full formation.

– Clack, clack……

January 6th, 1614 of the Holy Calendar.

Today was the day before Empress Frédérique’s birthday as well as the day before the judgment of Duke Sarnez. That may be the last thing on the agenda, but…

“Did you get the carriage yourself, your highness?”

“No, this is one of the Imperial family’s carriages, but I decided to rent it for the winter.”

“Then it is yours, your highness! You’ll be riding it every year!” Maria made a clear-cut decision.

Captain Hervé checked my complexion and calmly called out to his sister. I just laughed it off as it was normal to treat it like so.

The Riester Imperial Palace had numerous summer palaces and each palace had their specific purposes. For example, Juliette Palace was my personal space as a diplomatic hostage from the Holy Kingdom while the Strauder Palace was for welcoming VIPs who were not part of the Imperial family. As for the Tousart Palace, this was the place for the witnesses of a trial the Empress was presiding over. That was why it wasn’t as fancy as Strauder Palace but had more than twice the number of guards than most palaces. It was easy to keep an eye on the witnesses while protecting them as well. Furthermore, it was close to the Empress Palace, making it very convenient.

Most of the people involved with this incident had been staying here for the past nine days. They did get to rest, but I heard that they were busy cooperating with the investigation here and there.

“Isabelle, did you manage to get some sleep?” I asked the woman standing next to Christelle.

Isabelle and I got close while sailing from Zeboim and we were on a first name basis now at her request. I had a thought about it a few days after returning to the palace.

‘Maybe Isabelle threw the title of Lady Sarnez into the winter sea.’

“……Yes, your highness. I was able to rest well without any dreams thanks to you.”

She smiled beautifully as she answered. That was a relief.

*

All of my friends entered through the side door while Benjamin and Ganael could not enter past there. I was the only one standing in front of the door to the audience room, which felt like it was there to suppress people. The attendant of the Empress Palace announced my arrival in a loud voice.

“Now entering, Prince Jesse Venetiaan, the Marquis of Sérénité!”

– Boom!

The door opened with a loud noise and I could slowly start to see everybody gathered inside. They were all looking at me. I should be used to it by now but, as always, my neck felt super warm. I did my best not to waddle as I walked. The red carpet was, as always, completely clean as if it was brand new.

– Step, step, step……

This was the center of the Riester Court. It was where hundreds of nobles discussed the imperial affairs in front of the Empress, a place that was sometimes used for intense battles of will and mockery. But today, it was eerily silent. The Pair de Riester were lined up by their titles and medal grades to the right of the throne while the left side consisted of Archbishops wearing their mitres and formal attires. It was my first time seeing priests present. Seeing everybody in such an orderly appearance was new as well.

Two of the three highest seats were still vacant. The Imperial Crown Prince, who quickly approached me, tilted his head while looking at me.

“You look like an animal with their winter hide.”

‘Hey dude, do you have to talk like that?’

“We meet again in a place like this, your Royal Highness.” I gave a short response and sat down on a chair at a lower level than his. I could feel the punk glaring at me but I just ignored it. I undid my scarf, took off my earmuffs and mittens, had an attendant help me take off my thick demonic beast fur robe and just as I took off my three layers of coats……

– Baaaaang!

“Bring in the criminals. We will get started right away.”

Flinch. It was a familiar voice. The Empress, who kicked the door reserved for members of the Imperial family with her foot, escorted the Cardinal as she quickly climbed up the steps. The Imperial Guard and attendants quickly moved after hearing her give the order in her usual husky voice. All of the religious figures and nobles gave their most respectful bows. I also quickly got up and bowed. I could see Sir Johann coming in behind them as their guard.

– Boooom!

The main door opened as if they had been waiting for this order, with Vice Captain Élisabeth and the Imperial Guard’s silhouettes starting to appear. She started to walk quickly while holding the tightly bound Simon de Sarnez. Archbishop Eugénie Kessié was dragged in behind him. Both criminals looked pale and were dressed shabbily. Their appearance greatly contrasted the beautiful chandelier on the ceiling. Duke Sarnez looked especially bad because the right side of his face looked quite terrible despite being covered by a mask. His chin and neck were messy because he had not been able to shave. He must have been imprisoned somewhere until now as his bare feet were blue.

“Watch your face.”

“Ah.”

Crown prince Cédric sharply whispered. I flinched and sat down. The attendants were fixing the hems of the clothes of the two adults after they sat down. I had no idea what kind of look was on my face, so I did my best to look stoic. I obviously was not feeling sympathy for the Duke. I too was angry at him and had felt quite betrayed. So many people had lost their lives because of the Duke and the chaos he brought had been so huge. The fear I felt in the middle of the night while running through the forest at night was a memory I would never forget. So this was just……

– Plop!

‘Why did he do it? Why did he have to choose such a path?’ It was just a feeling of pity that things had to go this way.

The young Countess pushed the Duke to the ground. Her grey eyes that resembled her sword were full of scorn and a feeling of betrayal. The man groaned as he knelt down. His messy hair shook uncontrollably. I could not believe that the man who had been the epitome of elegance as a Pair de Riester looked like this now. This truly felt like a novel. Kessié plopped down next to him as well. The nobles and priests watching sighed.

“Laura.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

The Chief of Staff brought a long parchment and opened it at eye level upon the Empress’s order. The Empress’s cherry-colored eyes dryly read through the parchment. The Empress was calmer than I expected today. At least she looked that way to me.

‘It’s probably thanks to my teacher.’

“This Empress will ask you a question, Simon de Sarnez.”

“……Yes, your Majesty.”

His voice was cracking and almost sounded as if he was crying. The Empress didn’t even blink.

“What is the reason you tried to frame this Empress’s vassal, Prince Jesse Venetiaan, reduce his level of fame and honor, and went as far as to try to take his life?”

“……”

There was only silence. The Duke shook but did not say anything. I looked toward the Cardinal with an anxious gaze. Her hand was covering the back of the Empress’s hand. My teacher was lowering her eyes with an extremely concerned look on her face.

“Answer me.”

“……”

I felt suffocated. As the silence continued on endlessly…

– Clang! Baaaaang!

It had all happened in an instant. A bright flash of light shot toward the carpet.

“Aaah!”

“Oh Almighty God!”

“Aaaaaaah!” People screamed all around and the normal people covered their heads and curled under a pillar. Craaaaaack! The ground cracked and the chandelier shook and looked ready to fall. My eye was hurting from directly looking at such a bright light. Clang, clang! I could hear plates or glass cups breaking somewhere. The windows that were covered by curtains shook dangerously like acacia trees.

I got chills at this natural disaster-like phenomenon. I got scared that the palace might crumble at any moment. I couldn’t even understand what had just happened.

“Please don’t worry, your highness. Her Majesty is not trying to harm all of you.”

‘What?’

“She is holding back quite a bit.”

“Sir Johann? Ah, ow, ow……”

I snapped back to my senses after hearing his breeze-like voice to see that I was rolling on the stairs. My body must have not been able to handle the aftershock and was sent flying. I was finally feeling the impact.

Sir Johann gently helped up my teacher, who was also on the ground. She was thankfully fine as well. The crown prince, who had stepped in front to protect us, had the Sword of Wisdom in his hand. My anxious gaze roamed around the room. ‘What just happened-’

“…Your Majesty?”

I mumbled, almost in a daze, while looking at a spot. The area around her was quite ruined. The carpet was ripped apart like a rag, the ground was broken in multiple pieces, and dozens of nobles were unconscious. My jaw dropped. This was the first time I had seen the Empress’s true powers since transmigrating here. A clear silver aura was emanating from the sword master’s sword.

– Ooooooooong…..!

Her holy sword, Durandal, was shaking as it roared. My instincts were telling me something. This was the resonance of something that craved to kill. The tip of her blade was pointed at the neck of the man flailing in despair.

I clasped my shaking hands and looked at the Empress’s eyes. It was the very visibly blood-like red I had once seen in Romero Riester’s portrait.

“No.”

We couldn’t have a trial like this. However, it was impossible to handle the Empress’s reverse scale now that she had exploded. Shhh! Durandal received its master’s will and started to move. My body started to shake.

[Frédérique, please!]

– Paaaaat!

Her golden Holy Ground shot out as if it exploded. I clenched my eyes shut. A few seconds that felt like tens of thousands of years flowed by. I didn’t hear the dreadful sound of skin being pierced and bones being sliced apart.

“Huff, huff……”

My breath, which I had forgotten to regulate, burst out. I instantly opened my eyes. I could see the Empress with her shoulders moving up and down. Her silver light, which was full of murderous intent, was starting to disappear. The man’s hair that had been cut off fluttered in the air.

That was all. The Duke’s back was shaking as he silently laid their bowing. Kessié was clenching her teeth and crying. The crown prince, who was holding his sword in a defensive position, slowly lowered his arm.

“……Aurélie.”

The sword master withdrew her aura. The Empress’s anger was subsiding.

[Yeah. What do you want?]

“Bring in the witnesses. It looks like I will need to make him open his mouth.”

[I will do so, my master.]

Her firm voice that was not shaking at all echoed in my ears. Her voice was warm and sweet, not fitting this place where a terrible violence had swept past. The knights who were barely holding on ran out to fulfill the Imperial Decree.

The pressure had instantly disappeared but my legs were still shaking. I slowly got up and sat on a chair. The crown prince’s orange eyes were observing me.

“……We need to continue. With the cleaning. She says she will continue part two with words.” I quickly added on.

The punk snorted and flicked his chin.

—
Translator’s Comments

Who likes punishments? Jesse clearly never met a masochist.

Prepare for trouble! And make it double!

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