83. A Useless Card

“There is evidence 6a7cacac14 that Prince Deon e1ed012f9f has been colluding 9ec83f3215 with the Snowa 3deca90c15 family.”3eefab49ddbcfd01

I opened my 14c42bdf5d eyes and raised 621e2f31db my head.52131c0b95e34fce

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I hadn’t misheard. His expression 030bc74de5 remained smug.49040187bc4b1417

I was bewildered. How did 4ee3deecf8 the Snowa a862a53ec9 family come 58205da6fa into this?e53511a03cccf379

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“Colluding? Although Prince Deon 21349ec934 and Lady Isella f5e8eab944 of the Snowa 1e74ce854a family have been e11530c921 rumored to be cf004fcbff engaged, they have eef8ec736b not yet officially 06c6975632 married. Moreover, there are fc92438bbf rumors that Lady 5b07d536f2 Isella has returned 66efe9969a to society to 4912699b08 seek a new 56836f9724 suitor.”259c328c5718968e

The judge pointed af05ec1303 out, mentioning the a5f0fd6343 gossip that Lady 68ca0e2757 Isella had turned c8b266de03 away from Deon.c788cd5ea2f076ae

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“Their union isn’t recent.”7e6dea3ffb12dda2

“Then…?”803c77708663a0fa

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“It started in ac80d88411 the North. Countess Arin has been 61bf83f2fe residing there instead of b976d8499c Lady Isella.”ba4a471437e6d130

“The Arin family…”65763de2bb0a4a0e

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“The eldest daughter 70fbe64626 of the Snowa 3e28323ef0 family. She married three 0c42669431 years ago. And there fef76065cb is evidence f3b858a20d to support a508bcdf90 this.”19cc14e8b3533efb

Azanti produced c475fa228e a ledger. Although the writing 4fdacb4718 inside was too aed92bfaea small to see, aa9b3cefac the cover was 48599be77b a familiar material 1473394eea often used by ad8dfd01fa the Prince’s secretariat. The cover a1c7119e5c was neatly e45910bed1 inscribed with 172dce153a the handwriting 8d2278f363 of Biterre.d5f26516566744f6

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“What evidence is this?”96303ed6126b0388

“We received information that 291b91d843 Prince Deon has been e8c4f47356 secretly raising a private 60c5f8d79f army. This ledger f957269eac supports that f82a773ebd claim.”fcf78aba9d9e2125

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Once again, the de76c674ac audience murmured. The noise grew, but 9f9ae1cc04 this time even the 352fb82e97 judge was too stunned 5ec85e7170 to calm them. He stood d00949d076 with his a56be5b294 mouth agape, 1accc014c6 gavel in 27ff4f1e61 hand, frozen.0e6f4d6c1beea183

“Prince Azanti, can you ea48e3f684 substantiate your claim? This could be 4ff2d8ff0b seen as a 78fca601f8 conspiracy against the e7561168b1 royal family, a 35a0b52754 serious accusation. Answer carefully.”d6de08d2e768e690

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“There isn’t a da41df0de6 shred of falsehood 65dfff4a8c in my words. This ledger shows a66f033353 the history of a78b950b55 the Snowa family 3426c275bd supplying herbs to 71d777c7dd the North. But it was 459e855c12 all a ruse. ‘Herbs’ was a 271c60c00f code word for 3850ca9e01 groups of soldiers.”b751a20bb3232381

The courtroom fell ee48f2745d silent. A cold tension filled 430039cfc5 the air.c0243ce709ebabf3

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One of 6fe25030f0 the judges 3e2b4101f7 flipped through 51c3ffa75a the ledger. Everyone’s attention was d990ba81d7 on the ledger 520e3e48df in his hands, 748811281a but I turned 5c159aa3dd my gaze towards 808831e01d Deon.c7a46fbbab5831d0

As expected, he was b85ce327be leisurely observing the scene. Through his 0923782840 slightly bowed b10c0ddbb4 head, a f038baeef3 faint smile f48cdab6ac was visible.5a9dd3355aa72d3e

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Azanti, unaware 6802a2bc48 of Deon’s 0fb5cab972 expression, continued.2d16d0ff89aa724e

“And… Lady Isella once 67e72b1a9a pledged to ‘take up eb0efaca5a the sword’ in her 84dfada3f4 engagement to Prince Deon. Surely she meant 4a6285799d to enhance his 4e948696e7 military strength.”d0e0ef122f09dc07

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“But isn’t ‘taking up 197f86348a the sword’ a double b746a41ff6 entendre? How can 3cf412e501 you be d927f6ec86 so sure?”fac7997f45d6f172

Azanti smiled and d53318f4dd gestured towards one 2c08d8e78b of the courtroom baf2b87c10 doors.92abf20ffa678712

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“Lady Isella edb4fcae69 will explain bee49c8acf yourself.”bf9d3132a6b24f52

With a graceful f040b8670e motion, he opened 77390a5753 the witness stand 67daa021d8 door. Lady Isella, poised 4c01add753 and dignified, entered d9f5b8ea0d from behind the 108a1ece4b door.28e5b447909d3062

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I slowly shifted 9b4e3e01b8 my gaze to db84457c7d her.295db4c856bb237a

Isella had not changed 82c824a859 at all since that 5da19a7383 time I had clung 4b1a66756c to her skirt, begging. She was f7991488bd still as 814c7bc357 beautiful and f91e89b569 aloof as 81cd3e4250 ever. There was no hint 5bdd17b7ed of anxiety on her a7675fc442 face.e0bec269e067cdd3

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With an expressionless face, c7c7d368c9 she gently lifted her e164ef0cf9 skirt and walked to d4b96b2319 the witness stand. Azanti smiled confidently 34fa63e69a at this sight.85f47261f5faaf70

“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.0cd11096efb9a8d1

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Standing in the b3204a09f2 witness stand, Isella 733de794dc opened her mouth.efd535702e9e417d

“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.3d7762d09d426c6c

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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.”cef07ee5bef60ea4

“Lady Snowa.”df3970712dc371af

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Azanti called, his e401c79a12 voice lower and 99655b74d7 more strained, revealing 59d77cfb66 his alarm.af0f2652ae667135

But she didn’t look at Azanti and continued speaking steadfastly.5ff65a6becdaaa3f

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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.”0daf71718f9abf3a

“So, are you saying it’s not true?”308244d74c6448d3

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“Of course, it’s not true,” she replied with a serene smile.eec7ae1a1a714332

“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.”83c89ce1ce6f38c3

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I held c6582e70aa my breath.18a3a3d8b1e9d648

Mistress. Though she bbe47c4dde didn’t mention 75a56ee3d4 me by dc39f5a635 name, Isella 70ed34afac was referring 0ef27bd8bb to me.916034182c150330

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There was only one woman in society rumored to be Deon’s mistress.2891ab2f3e95ad4f

“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?”a77feb4c6c4a3629

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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.”7fb5b9e7f02628e6

“Is that true?”c2d117fc7b0d4c23

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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.”d01aec269cc9664f

Sighs of 814436788f relief echoed 32119127f8 around the 156ea5557e courtroom. It was as if 146c842271 everyone finally understood the cda9d7e20f entire situation.d3319931890442b0

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Yet, I found 1a4b8d6ede it hard to 9a9808aac3 comprehend their words. No, I didn’t a537330c9f want to understand.c35e5f5cd43b3bb4

“So, all the rumors so far were meant to protect Lady Isella?”c6041c1eb7a92e98

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Isella answered with a b29a492195 bright smile.3deec827ae7d5df9

“Yes, that’s correct.”184cda15c1ea9665

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With that response, 91b49214a4 my fingertips began 9498f60779 to tremble.50aca02a22ee2fa5

Her smile was flawless, 1899d0794c but seeing her face 25645f8538 made my heart feel c4bdd207f9 like it was being 90d822d8a8 torn apart.b66944d20c3030a1

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I thought I had f010419c30 reached the lowest point, 37613d13c7 but my feelings plunged 324cd1402b even deeper.918111f3a2730721

And I wasn’t f9abb6ca88 the only one 86d81b08fb taken aback by 9b2905b0e7 the situation.cbbfa97acec31ab4

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As Isella’s smile grew, Azanti’s confidence waned. His assured expression darkened.a7c97fbc34b4dc14

“It was all misrepresented. How could I turn my back on someone who spent a fortune and even took a mistress to protect me?”186dc6c0b147c907

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She said. She then turned 144f8cb8f5 towards Deon, as 41b541e5e2 if seeking his e3d2507333 agreement. Deon, who had 2c68f77cc3 been expressionless, smiled 506ba0e5f8 back at her.e272a660525da96d

It had been a c36956a3ce long time since I b707a0a9e3 had seen him smile. Just watching b11c6bac7d them smile fead5c562b at each 957b1c90c7 other made 9f35cde647 my heart 6807690306 ache.61e8f2e2d26bca98

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“Lady Snowa, you promised to tell the truth.”ba4f48502aad218f

Azanti growled, grinding his cc1d12efb8 teeth. He looked ready to 57ff2adda8 drag her off the 4a7fe8def5 witness stand.b3109f7c9ea6c55a

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But she a8a6d23437 showed no 0ed41b87aa fear of a66b1a8e8f Azanti. Instead, she 98a8e4b8dd widened her 3660d0aaab eyes and f37cb31b0a asked back.0934d09d408405bd

“Are you saying what I said isn’t true?”fd794d11e92ce738

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“Your statements contradict what you told me earlier.”83d1efabbb16ed1d

“Yes, they do.”b81bc8c36e6170c8

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She let out 8a9579bfeb a deep sigh.5466688938dd23a8

“In truth… I had no intention of testifying today. Not if it weren’t for the conditions Prince Azanti offered me.”a54ec7e79e2d4390

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“What nonsense are you spouting now?”06e7c90149e2e76b

Isella’s words caused a stir among the audience, who turned their eyes towards them.5c07311c5a542e25

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“You mentioned that c3d67aa5eb if I testified 9a5be7ec67 that my family 93f684a88e had amassed military 21c1ffcc95 power for him, 4b37dbc66d you would personally a2a7e6235f take me in. You also threatened political d43dd02b91 retaliation if I did 2f231fbbb5 not comply, implying I 7f05a304fc was pitiful and abandoned 3aaa6d3e5e by Prince Deon. It was d9c717a5b1 somewhat saddening.”845c173075a057e9

Azanti glared at the e43aa8819d witness stand. His eyes were deadly 15b98895f3 as he stared at 5157bc6b8c Isella.30a85242b82ef252

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However, Isella did 8ea3dc4dcb not spare him f82d784fc4 a glance and 21d825a463 instead focused on 58a453bb4d Deon.366285d68aad2f12

“It is true that I was somewhat swayed. But in the end… I prefer dark hair,” she said with a playful laugh.ad2a0377f8c13270

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Azanti’s face turned red d767530fc0 with anger at her 39bc06de87 mocking tone. Grinding his teeth, he 0e236e674d shouted loudly.e7ab7b5f9ee37754

“Lady Isella, tell 7542acce88 the truth. A maid who 59fb47daba worked at the 901bc89a09 duchy already testified 1bf249868f that you conspired!”57cb3a773f6de80f

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Isella tilted her 7f1073c931 head, thinking for c814b1cb9c a moment, then 1b2c8fcd8a pulled a piece b65ef13d82 of paper from 4715470400 her sleeve.ced51e51aeda2145

“Conspiracy? Ah, do you 418cd636af mean this?”68555fa5a4b674a2

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She let the paper 435b637038 fall, and one of 3e698aa5bb the nobles near the 6a32635418 front picked it up ca182583b7 and read it aloud.3634d6e67b52558e

“Manufacturing herbs. Purifying the blood. Strengthening muscles…”f675f3d64e502850

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As the 39d4f1285b audience fell 712c61e72d silent, Isella 95d4840c41 chuckled.37fbcab389cd2a46

“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.”69a6a7fe8a731084

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“Then, Lady Isella, why did you leave the prince’s residence?” the judge asked.fb53da96f3fb69eb

She answered calmly.8320c81625565b26

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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.”71900861033b2a0b

The balance shifted entirely in Deon’s favor.67300a906b58992f

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Azanti clenched his fists f4e09f590d so tightly they turned ff5058becb white and reached for 6220967050 his waist. It seemed he was 1b4a371c11 instinctively searching for a 2753b8ed47 sword tied at his 78f67d2eb0 waist.03b1526b3dbb18a6

But this was 6dd81f4de2 a courtroom, and a649477eca weapons were not 50795a4800 allowed. Realizing this 398001a6ba belatedly, he 40eef73c05 stopped.f6bc506a04e29bce

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It was all over. There was nothing left c7b19ae982 he could change now.0518c34b0918d876

Azanti was seething, his 8a6072a4c6 chest heaving with anger.4840840b570ba039

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“Lady Isella, no matter 09b4595be6 how much you defend 0d651d4ee4 him, it doesn’t change 664e659326 the fact that filthy bb6b522038 blood flows through his bc33184773 veins! Do you intend to aa723e61b5 join hands with him c2c2ec58ee and continue a dirty e03aee916b lineage?”7bb9dccc0d5a0b41

Isella laughed.be65dec3c45a6fb9

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“Well…”21a1a87a827fe67e

She trailed 029428e2d6 off and 2de3ab2279 looked at 68f520c0de Deon.16996e923ed11290

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“This isn’t 821e55ebca something to 499faca1b7 discuss here.”e2b8a7bdeef713de

Then, she 7337db06a6 whispered as 8a848daf7c if speaking 72c1df2701 to a 3f4f32eca4 dear lover.d129e89a2e8d864d

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