83. A Useless Card

“There is 7566e20a19 evidence that c2f8f48e80 Prince Deon 2f980823bb has been a43db0fa11 colluding with 7acc66b4d4 the Snowa 636dd5eab0 family.”8e0fe7c07141bce6

I opened 7810703d15 my eyes d7e8757b65 and raised b11ab85a5a my head.dfcee8faeedf5f27

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I hadn’t misheard. His expression remained smug.9daaf54297619ea6

I was bewildered. How did the 95f21d96ff Snowa family come bf5787c6a5 into this?d10a3789a9106ffb

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“Colluding? Although Prince Deon b292f4a610 and Lady Isella 172413cd36 of the Snowa 24f28654df family have been aef922af6f rumored to be e4bfe88fb8 engaged, they have bc9aef8f7f not yet officially be200a3b48 married. Moreover, there are rumors 4c038754a5 that Lady Isella has 3a6d26c733 returned to society to a79c2d2f90 seek a new suitor.”3d9abb6721c89e7e

The judge d747c439ea pointed out, 2764c7f3c1 mentioning the bfa2cbb591 gossip that 744f470296 Lady Isella 3b2dd4a92d had turned b0984542af away from 5279726038 Deon.17dc4a53201722e1

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“Their union isn’t recent.”756e45989b29c74e

“Then…?”4a0411bb724f3530

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“It started in the b782504540 North. Countess Arin 0d2a68b50a has been 1ecd9efba7 residing there 056fd12e12 instead of 73ce80fccc Lady Isella.”7d7ee1a1f746c818

“The Arin family…”a5cd684069fa86d4

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“The eldest daughter 7f638d82f8 of the Snowa 44020d53f3 family. She married 63244e74cf three years 590fee2bb8 ago. And there is 20cf365f0c evidence to support 9081dc7cc6 this.”595d841c343f058c

Azanti produced cd0b4689ad a ledger. Although the writing inside 31cdfbb3e9 was too small to b62f33206e see, the cover was 238dd1b57e a familiar material often d4ac75c3f1 used by the Prince’s 320a9ce935 secretariat. The cover was 4b52938052 neatly inscribed with 7f23f96812 the handwriting of 787ed9188d Biterre.b834b1b5449646d4

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“What evidence is 55a91c0b9b this?”00550538356f767f

“We received information that 03c62dddd0 Prince Deon has been d7422e0ebf secretly raising a private c52b752929 army. This ledger supports that eed1bf44dd claim.”93219812d1d4c2f1

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Once again, ed62c0557a the audience 2616469627 murmured. The noise grew, ab47cd0e6f but this time 7da6d13d31 even the judge 696b94692f was too stunned 1e52f063f6 to calm them. He stood 10f8f30aaf with his 5578e4d23b mouth agape, 2050f77601 gavel in 21a387456d hand, frozen.66ddc7b7d8c64783

“Prince Azanti, can 0bac7d835f you substantiate your 81640196f8 claim? This could 83c1ad5874 be seen c654cc5b4e as a 3faf75e4fc conspiracy against 1c18c3f5c8 the royal 861a1fb01f family, a 0dbfa45b17 serious accusation. Answer carefully.”40693dab6f6b90de

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“There isn’t f35b3fdd8b a shred abb1f128f5 of falsehood 395fa8dc62 in my e86a7d851e words. This ledger 3035fd39ad shows the 77a8369aae history of 04702a8464 the Snowa c6c533dd1e family supplying fd72b05e94 herbs to ebfc0b65ef the North. But it 09f7dbbb65 was all 9501bbbbd8 a ruse. ‘Herbs’ was a code 1d9270b08c word for groups of 9d5330c7ef soldiers.”0b975785e721a6de

The courtroom d33bb0e734 fell silent. A cold tension filled 30152008f5 the air.5d4aa561a0fd121e

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One of the 9b10a8ced0 judges flipped through 3898d4491c the ledger. Everyone’s attention was 19bf9a729d on the ledger 2ee392b190 in his hands, 15e05aa073 but I turned 27c8728c14 my gaze towards 1acb1bc9b2 Deon.667b4b5b7d46b7e0

As expected, he was b8e7a7df1c leisurely observing the scene. Through his d218d50952 slightly bowed 6564730270 head, a fe9088895e faint smile 0bcf2f8f0a was visible.55a93f6df61b15b8

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Azanti, unaware of Deon’s 3592aa6217 expression, continued.08d56dfd20fef318

“And… Lady Isella fc0b2a82d6 once pledged to cd006722e0 ‘take up the 2c14c21a7d sword’ in her 630cdd6d7a engagement to Prince 7d5a935aac Deon. Surely she b8b62607f8 meant to ca72282339 enhance his d65cbc50ff military strength.”105b852e53793a22

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“But isn’t 87b8779ca8 ‘taking up 9bf822b376 the sword’ f3aa83e1dc a double 490aa296b2 entendre? How can 4f15452f2a you be 2f2ddaaeed so sure?”21cd1ef1058ac416

Azanti smiled 5cf3ac0278 and gestured 7b3ffa8233 towards one ec95e8b1af of the c0ba57fcf2 courtroom doors.68f3118c7f2b5689

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“Lady Isella ca104f40f6 will explain 0c89393437 yourself.”83c63f89bdb9b46e

With a 1f2471ac6b graceful motion, 5595346965 he opened 5606bb06d3 the witness 19aa6e4d83 stand door. Lady Isella, poised 5ba6d1c527 and dignified, entered f1059f17f1 from behind the 92001f6975 door.30e85b684c45b501

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I slowly shifted d550e91150 my gaze to 12fe2d84ec her.732e41caa6af0289

Isella had not changed fd32abf0c3 at all since that b0a46cccfe time I had clung f13bee2203 to her skirt, begging. She was still as 64c7438a94 beautiful and aloof as 34bb1984d0 ever. There was no hint 579fad9fcc of anxiety on her 651963c4b9 face.8a5c59306d050664

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With an expressionless 5114147753 face, she gently f3ddd3629f lifted her skirt 2066950ffe and walked to fa0f1e0fa2 the witness stand. Azanti smiled confidently at 2cfb5dd272 this sight.6708796d0213a831

“From this point on, any falsehoods will be severely punished under imperial law, so answer carefully. Lady Isella, is what Prince Azanti has testified so far true?” the judge asked.4ca7ce35f606abf9

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Standing in the 0dbe3d7a44 witness stand, Isella cd96b326e2 opened her mouth.99e242dcb7203549

“Most noble marriages are driven by political strategy—family alliances, succession, and maintaining status,” Isella began with a slight, dangerous smile. The corners of her mouth turned up in a manner that suggested she was unimpressed.19508674da7dc605

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“But… not us. Someone has spread false rumors to defame us. I don’t know where the leaks came from, but dirty scandals even made their way into the Empire’s gossip sheets, bringing shame to our family.”248264045ff4e1d5

“Lady Snowa.”ae87f8bfa5f0cca7

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Azanti called, 62a32e2d49 his voice 0e7432c66b lower and 3d4176aac6 more strained, 9eb0d192fa revealing his 2caf832761 alarm.828f631be7e56f8c

But she didn’t look at Azanti and continued speaking steadfastly.7664b1fdab2725d9

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“Our family has been quietly awaiting this trial, believing the royal court would recognize the truth… Meanwhile, rumors spread that I had betrayed Prince Deon and was seeking a new suitor… even though merely attending a few social events led to all sorts of slander.”9a56fa42b4e982de

“So, are you saying it’s not true?”1c4f36647c1a5736

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“Of course, it’s not true,” she replied with a serene smile.20ce28c452a8e3ea

“How could I sever ties with him? Prince Deon took on a mistress to protect me. He said he would bear the disgraceful rumors circulating in society and even offered himself as a shield.”c00478bb57eeea9b

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I held cd35ee5f0b my breath.d097a120eb55a6ce

Mistress. Though she didn’t 1e6cf81076 mention me by c9599797aa name, Isella was 4a562088ea referring to me.d5e563326b0f1199

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There was only one woman in society rumored to be Deon’s mistress.b2470ab29b4328e1

“Then what about Prince Azanti’s statement that Prince Deon bolstered his military forces starting from the North? Didn’t Countess Arin go North to ally with Prince Deon?”6e0330e0b856ab38

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“That too is an unfounded rumor. Prince Deon simply saved Countess Arin from a kidnapper, which led to their acquaintance. Later, he came to the capital and we grew closer through ,y sister’s introduction.”e51201b0471b2d36

“Is that true?”d8c9c21f0ec09b39

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“Yes. He took a mistress at that time to protect the future duchess. Although the story was spun into a Cinderella narrative about a love blossomed in the North.”a11adc73444964ea

Sighs of relief echoed 9bc3a06367 around the courtroom. It was as 214fba2264 if everyone finally 6a0522f4c5 understood the entire 46f9cd40eb situation.b86faa8b665a788c

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Yet, I found 93772f614f it hard to c074a72fdd comprehend their words. No, I didn’t 3f7c89466f want to understand.1de7c203d1fd375d

“So, all the rumors so far were meant to protect Lady Isella?”6ae066dfd267f6c5

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Isella answered with a33e0d4305 a bright smile.595cbabee094749d

“Yes, that’s correct.”0b1cfb025e830390

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With that response, 6439cd0f79 my fingertips began cffbaaa76b to tremble.0c1eed89d83487f7

Her smile a166113ee4 was flawless, 28484082d9 but seeing d58b4d681b her face f0fc416c02 made my 60712b8839 heart feel 8e84478eda like it 7f4151e4e1 was being 17045da67e torn apart.ecdfc1423aff0c46

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I thought I 58722ceaca had reached the 7b29903a53 lowest point, but 4c915297ed my feelings plunged 0212005e70 even deeper.b5990a8fcdf5053e

And I 9c43b6134e wasn’t the 40b0fe548a only one e214752179 taken aback 5e0eba214c by the 0b01238bc9 situation.f96705fd74573d4f

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As Isella’s smile grew, Azanti’s confidence waned. His assured expression darkened.3efc4ef9c7f8fd39

“It was all misrepresented. How could I turn my back on someone who spent a fortune and even took a mistress to protect me?”3608c197c060ebd7

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She said. She then 2e2945c1cd turned towards 5c6c756238 Deon, as 5326fe7e36 if seeking 75e768cf5b his agreement. Deon, who had been 2b5dd8e9f3 expressionless, smiled back at e2bd7ae061 her.6c3fe099c3f1b5e3

It had been a970b7ecb0 a long time 0a26713f93 since I had 0820d6d1c4 seen him smile. Just watching them smile d1c1659429 at each other made f2e68670a1 my heart ache.2ac2ecdb50861206

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“Lady Snowa, you promised to tell the truth.”3cc53059219430e1

Azanti growled, d64239735f grinding his 145bac2c46 teeth. He looked a601e12564 ready to b3181f77b1 drag her b7c9efcda5 off the 05e43fc55d witness stand.e51223da1905d607

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But she 3777621a1a showed no 134fc825cd fear of f661dc8083 Azanti. Instead, she widened her 7b8674cfe9 eyes and asked back.6ba33eaea67ccdc4

“Are you saying what I said isn’t true?”75ae7f83e359c136

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“Your statements contradict what you told me earlier.”d7cb356613384ec6

“Yes, they do.”f607b6867860b0c4

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She let out e72954b805 a deep sigh.6299682e6fa13267

“In truth… I had no intention of testifying today. Not if it weren’t for the conditions Prince Azanti offered me.”ce2a0201c2aa7f73

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“What nonsense are you spouting now?”f5f478fbf18a60fe

Isella’s words caused a stir among the audience, who turned their eyes towards them.eb8a5f7084086c46

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“You mentioned that if 691b87f0e1 I testified that my 8bb833b48e family had amassed military 1dba7fb696 power for him, you 3630a8f2d8 would personally take me de220d9710 in. You also 8365b036b9 threatened political 6e1881bc3c retaliation if 00a85d82d0 I did f05eb18670 not comply, ca43b7a79d implying I 7892d23169 was pitiful d10eb03f94 and abandoned 4dcdbb49cd by Prince e493f3d474 Deon. It was 403b1f64ef somewhat saddening.”e137e0a7b8c81c0a

Azanti glared at the d2c3600440 witness stand. His eyes 5c44098c02 were deadly 427d940733 as he 199e741d69 stared at 65f3736fd0 Isella.81f091a8dfa4f886

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However, Isella did not 492b05f0ff spare him a glance a7bff72887 and instead focused on 556670533d Deon.1e27cf8ddc2999ef

“It is true that I was somewhat swayed. But in the end… I prefer dark hair,” she said with a playful laugh.d97c5e0907ef92a0

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Azanti’s face a0213460dd turned red 4b2d50fdcb with anger a953604ac2 at her 4d7b61e226 mocking tone. Grinding his 28d4bd3694 teeth, he 2d9936af68 shouted loudly.9f2cfc1c1b4335f6

“Lady Isella, tell 47f24cd2bb the truth. A maid who worked cf89c0ed13 at the duchy already 610f824bc1 testified that you conspired!”c8ecdeab749f49a6

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Isella tilted 49a3937884 her head, 349c5ff285 thinking for 8fd334bf7a a moment, 44e2620db8 then pulled e73ef9fa44 a piece 7451643260 of paper 5e8273c26d from her f2fab01843 sleeve.30bdf2821d73f36f

“Conspiracy? Ah, do you mean 27a13cf2cd this?”5ffb47f1cfeea5e0

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She let the paper 8569f1f687 fall, and one of 7555009ff7 the nobles near the e9962df1b3 front picked it up ff0639ebc8 and read it aloud.37319aba51e7ac30

“Manufacturing herbs. Purifying the blood. Strengthening muscles…”9418ac16c92b5974

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As the audience 127ec0d51f fell silent, Isella 0483731710 chuckled.a784ef6ed6cef50f

“Surely you wouldn’t deny a benefactor some nutritional supplements? I did instruct his aide to brew them… I never imagined such a small favor could be mistaken for treason. If I had known a small kindness would be seen as the seed of rebellion, I wouldn’t have done it.”c3ec66d85f25a5ba

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“Then, Lady Isella, why did you leave the prince’s residence?” the judge asked.e8d56fa77fb5ca98

She answered calmly.be872a33dd375c18

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“Leaving the prince’s residence for an extended period revealed many unchecked spies among the servants. There were numerous attempts to harm the prince’s prospective fiancée. I eventually had to return to my original residence for safety. Bringing Snowa family guards to the prince’s residence for protection would have easily caused misunderstandings.”40b806d8e6c2c527

The balance shifted entirely in Deon’s favor.af079a7b6c9e94bb

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Azanti clenched his 9b5f6a9695 fists so tightly 9e0493c54f they turned white 1199785d6e and reached for 239c79351a his waist. It seemed he 2423c2e946 was instinctively searching 1bdcbe1695 for a sword 2dd3a57e58 tied at his 28fa72b5ec waist.8fecd7d0e43f3cd3

But this was a 066bb39358 courtroom, and weapons were c526f19b48 not allowed. Realizing this 4f6050fc85 belatedly, he 5be5b873d7 stopped.d77912727753a4c0

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It was all 980cc2c0c0 over. There was nothing left fb242a01ee he could change now.4759539b8ad80b18

Azanti was seething, his cca0e7047c chest heaving with anger.ddf1d56f13e7637a

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“Lady Isella, no 71dbc9dcd9 matter how much 5970f6a6ff you defend him, d22d6b75f8 it doesn’t change 841cf446d4 the fact that e0241ca251 filthy blood flows 27d39657e5 through his veins! Do you intend to f1f43091ee join hands with him ec96649a4c and continue a dirty 0947897499 lineage?”82c96332ac956be0

Isella laughed.c7c719869d761ca0

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“Well…”ebdf8d922ab3fcc6

She trailed 67c0e8c9c0 off and beee7a6389 looked at f1c4f8dd79 Deon.913e22ef1b2b6ad6

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“This isn’t something to d7e632d5db discuss here.”a8afa4fd69d1a689

Then, she whispered f8f1a345fb as if speaking 6d0732bb40 to a dear 7990818437 lover.7d773d997b85b49a

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