Chapter 169: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 169: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 6
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
A strong wind blew in Dulin from the night on the 12th. This wind hit the huge city, as a reminder to the people that winter was upon them.
The huge oak trees by the sides of the road had icicles hanging off them. The climbing plants on the fences and bricks were also frozen to a color of greenish purple, but yet, the cold wind l stood out less than the arrogant political air. The nobles in Dulin City wore all sorts of leather clothing and still walked about with determination.
Today was the 13th day of the 1st month in Church Calendar Year 800, the day the highest judge of the God of Light judged the scandal of Titan Imperial Family openly. In the early morning, the official and Madame of Capital's noble circle, as well as all sorts of spectators gathered at the small square in front of Dulin Scott Church. Even though the public court sounded very democratic, they were all blocked and kept at a distance by the soldiers of the Guards that were staying on guard by the Church.
As a pregnant woman, Princess Alanis Alfa Morisette was ordered to stay in Kenshin Palace by her first loyal hound. The Princess gathered a group of madams that always kept her company. These noble ladies were mainly married, only a few of them were still single.
Alanis then invited Lieutenant General Murat of the Red Tiger Cavalry Corps into her room in the palace. She let Murat choose one of the single ladies.
Murat said that this was not something that could be decided just like that, but the single ladies seemed not to care about that. They kept approaching the handsome Narcissus general like a pack of female wolves in heat. They even played guess with him.
However, the guess was difficult. Murat gave up before he even thought about it. This was because the guess was mainly about 'Guess what I wore under my dress today' sort of questions! Who knows about that! Who would know about that unless they looked under it?
Alanis was ecstatic. She held her huge tummy and laid against the sling chair. Maybe it was not just because today was the day to determine the win or loss, but also the joy her friends brought her. The ladies and madams were playing with a general. This general was not a quiet person, but everything changed after the Saijo Mountain war.
Alanis took hold of Murat's hands, ”It was not your fault. Nor is my husband's. You are living now. That's a good thing. Think more about yourself! Isn't it strange if someone your age is still single?”
Murat thought about it. No matter what, he must pay attention to the care the Princess showed to him. Thus, he found the lady that was really bad at talking to people and asked for the person's name and family with impeccable courtesy.
This shocked lady said that her name was Ainiennie.
Murat widened his eyes, ”Have I heard it wrongly? That is the name of the Goddess of Victory!”
Lady Einny's face was as red as an apple. She only replied, ”Just call me Ainie!”
”Ainie....” Murat repeated this name, then did not speak any further.
Today was the day the verdict was to be decided. This was not related to the blind date of the Commander of Red Tiger Cavalry Corps.
We should be taking note of the situation at Dulin Scott Church. Just when the Princess left her companion and went to the toilet because she felt like throwing up, her husband's confidential secretary First Lieutenant Muktha Singh came to report. The public court was about to start!
The bell on the tower at Dulin Scott Church rang again. The nobles, who had suffered for a few hours in the cold wind, finally had what they wanted. They gave the invitations sent by the Imperial Secretariat to the Captain of Palace Guards that were guarding the door. Then, after careful searches, they were allowed to go pass the guards.
The Emperor's body in the Church had disappeared. Just this afternoon, the high priest from the Holy City of Rome carried out the last ceremony for Alfa III His Majesty. The late Emperor was buried and his people could not wait to call for a new ruler.
Just like how a regular court was, there were two tables, one for the persecutors and the other for the defendants. The Guards created a simple fence and divided the two apart, but there were some unsatisfactory parts about this job, that being the careless soldiers who did not put down an obvious indication as to which side was for the prosecutors and defendants. The nobles only came into the Church and stood idly by, not daring to sit just anywhere because it would take their lives if they were on the wrong team at this time.
”The Second Prince is here!” Someone shouted in the crowd. The nobles parted to make way for him. After they saw the confident Lobmus Alfa Morisette sitting at the seat at the left-side table, they followed suit. Just when the nobles were planning to ask for some inside news from the Second Prince, the servants in the Church suddenly shouted for everyone to stand. The Crown Prince came slowly. He brought his thin wife, who held the small Princess in her hands.
The nobles stood up, unsatisfied. They stared at the couple as they sat in the seats at the right side. They even sent them disdainful glances. Some even spat on the floor.
”You are late!” Bishop Karl Arnold approached them with ill intention.
Lobble glanced at the cunning Sir Bishop with disdain, ”I needed to change my daughter's diaper. Do you have a problem with that?”
Karl Arnold could only retreat respectfully, but he glared cruelly at the Faran Princess Ashfin Kristen as he turned around. The Princess immediately shuddered in shock.
Lobb patted his wife's hands. He had never done this before.
”Don't be afraid. They were all clowns! You and my daughter are innocent! Remember! You and Phrenby are innocent!”
Ashfin gazed strangely at her husband. She did not understand why he became manlier at times like this. If Lobb cared more for her, she believed she would not have been seduced by his father.
Were all women like this? They would always look for a logical explanation for their cheating and illogical matters, but those explanations were usually useless.
In many people's eyes, the First Prince and Second Prince were no different in nature. They were both losers. One loved the kitchen and men, the other looked just like a psychopathic harasser. But their mother did not seem to look at the problem this way. Rolyn Kate loved her second son the most. A few days before the public court, she even publicly expressed that if the accusations affected the status of the First Prince, she would support the Second Prince for the throne!
At this moment, the people were guessing why Rolyn Kate's second son would let his mother look differently at him.
This was certainly a good question! When the nobles realized that there were a few more officials sitting by the defendant's side, they finally understood that things might not be as smooth as it seemed.
The Cabinet Chancellor Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand, Chief of Staff of the Guards Marshal Robin Sparse and Head of Secret Service Department Count Rudolf Hoss all sat at the seats beside the First Prince and his wife. This made the nobles sent unbelievable gazes across.
”Things were obvious!” Lobble suddenly spoke before the judge that chaired the public court even announced the start of the debate.
”Whether my wife is innocent or not, I have already lost the right to ascend to the throne because my honor is stained. This is the reality!”
”What do you want to say?” The judge from the highest Religious Court was an old Bishop. He still respected the member of Titan Imperial Family.
”I give up my duty and right as the Crown Prince!” Lobble appeared almost happy as he answered.
”What?” The judge glared at him in disbelief. What did he hear? Someone actually gave up the chance to rule Titan?
”You... Are you drinking again?” Bishop Karl Arnold had a casual expression. He just wanted to confirm, but anyone could note that his northern accent was trembling. The people believed that the three officials beside the Prince made him nervous.
”I've stopped drinking!” Lobb was a little impatient. He took an official letter from his pocket, ”This is a public letter I wrote to the Imperial Secretariat, Cabinet and the House of Lords. My private stamp is on it. No matter what your result of this discussion is, I am no longer the Crown Prince of Titan.”
The nobles suddenly let out a cheer of victory. If the three officials beside the First Prince sent calm glances to then, they would probably be throwing the dancing Lobmus into the air already.
”Everyone! Everyone!” The judge shouted loudly all of a sudden, ”Even if the First Prince gives up the right to ascend the throne, we still need to discuss the issues clearly! Don't forget why we are here!”
The nobles all nodded. They slowly quietened down, but they did not feel the need to discuss the matter any longer! The scandal of Princess Ashfin Kristen was simply the brick that broke the surface of the lake, and caused huge waves. Now the brick had already sank to the bottom. No matter what remaining waves went, the issue was over. Her Majesty the Queen and Second Prince Lobmus had attained the victory! Because after the First Prince gave up the right to ascend, only the second in line could take over this Empire.
”But...” The highest judge from Roman Court pulled at the words, ”Yesterday night, my colleagues and I received a secret letter. It was an investigation report from Titan Empire's Secret Service Department.”
Bishop Karl Arnold suddenly frowned. He touched his companion's arm subconsciously, but the servant of God from the Holy City pretended he did not feel it.
”In the world of God of Light, the God does not allow even the littlest of stains! Those that create, begin and execute conspiracy must pay the price for truth and receive just judgements!” The judge turned to the Second prince Lobmus, who had a peculiar feeling in his heart. ”I forgot to tell you that your seat is the defendant's seat for today! Due to the seriousness of the matter, my colleagues and I think that we must publicly discuss the birth of the member of Titan Empire Imperial Family, and Second Son of the past Alfa III His Majesty Lobmus Alfa Morisette!”
Right after the judge finished his words, the nobles who were by the Second Prince's side was thrown into uproar. They scolded the rude and illogical remarks of the judge, and even requested the warriors of Guards who were on duty to chase this old guy out of Dulin Scott. They even said that the holy church must not allow such trouble-causing dog to pass by easily.
The warriors of the Guards moved, but only because the Chief of Staff Marshal Robin blew a whistle!
With the screeching whistling, fully armed soldiers came out from all doors of the church. They quickly took over the walkway and corridor, causing the wide church to be immediately crowded.
The nobles shut their mouth in terror. Now, they could finally hear the sound of Prince Lobble consoling his wife.
”That's why I said... There is nothing to worry about!”
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Chancellor Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand muttered under his breath to the Head of Secret Service Department.
He used a low voice and said to Rudolf Hoss, ”How did you make that old guy change his mind?”
Rudolf glanced at the judge on the high table with disdain, ”If he did not do as I say... He can't take that box of gold coins and will not leave Dulin alive! If it was you, what will you choose?”
Kachev shrugged, ”I will work with you!”
”Hehehe!” The Head of Secret Service Department laughed, but it was the extremely cold sort of laugh.
”Objection! Objection! I represent the Titan area to object to the highest judge!” Bishop Karl Arnold shouted crazily. He signaled to his companion as he pulled at the painting of God on his chest, ”Can you swear? That you are not threatened to do this? Not influenced by others? Not...”
”Karl Arnold!” The judge touched his beard, relaxed. He did not care about the Bishop in the Titan area at all, ”You should calm down! You are an important witness to the actual birth of Lobmus Alfa Morisette. Except for your testimony, whatever that you say does not have any legal rights or power of our religion. My colleagues and I will not accept your objection!”
The Bishop of Titan looked at the row of juries. Almost every one avoided his gaze.
Right at this time, the soldiers by the door of the Church suddenly opened a path. Sunlight pierced into the room from the door, revealing the elegant Queen Rolyn Kate, in dark mourning attire. Her long dark swan dress stretched a few meters behind her, adding to that crape that covered her whole body. It was as if she was the witch that was covered in darkness!
”I've just heard the most ridiculous joke in history! You are actually discussing about the birth of my son?”
Facing the Queen's question, the judge simply bowed slightly just as the nobles seated down there.
”Your Majesty!” The old judge straightened his back with difficulty, ”How should I put it? It can't be that... You don't want to know the truth? The one in front of you is not your son!”
”Shut up! Shut up!” Rolyn rushed to the high table, as if in a fit of rage. Just when everyone thought the past Queen was about to slap the judge's mouth, the weak woman suddenly stopped. She fell into a coughing fit. It was Marshal Robin and Palace Chief Colonel Basil Kenny that helped her to the seat.
”I hereby announce… the debate is in session!” The judge shouted loudly without caring about others, but his excitement was only returned with the anger of the Titan nobles.
The present nobles all requested to leave the venue. They surrounded the heir of the Empire to the door of the Church. Almost immediately! The soldiers by the door formed a neat defense formation. The shield bearers were in front while spearmen were at the back. The anger of the noble finally reached a boiling point. They punched and spat at the soldiers in an attempt to rile them up. Some even took off their heavy boots and threw it into the formation.
”Arm!” Along with the order of the Chief of Staff, the warriors immediately let out a roar. In one neat movement, their spears rose, poised to attack. The sharp blades glinted an eerie light. The formation immediately became the frontline. Some cowardly nobles already fell flat on the ground in terror.
”What are you doing?” Rolyn Kate glared furiously at Marshal Robin. She flung the person's arm away.
”Your Majesty! My soldiers and the citizens do not wish to be the victims of lies and filthy conspiracies. They only wanted to know the truth!” Marshal Robin had a determined look in his eyes. His determined gaze made the scared Queen subconsciously avoid him.
”By the representative of the prosecutors, Highest Official of Titan Empire Secret Service Department, Count Rudolf Hoss will explain the accusations!” The judge signaled the Head of Agent with a smile.
Rudolf Hoss left his seat and glanced at the Queen. It was finally time to finish her off!
”Firstly....” Rudolf opened up the document he had prepared a long time ago, ”The Secret Service Department accuse that Bishop Karl Arnold has committed the crime of lying to the Emperor!”
Karl Arnold turned pale, but he still jumped from his seat, ”Rubbish! Ridiculous! On what basis you charge that of me? I am the religious leader of the Titan area. You have no rights...”
”Please take a seat, Sir Bishop!” The judge suddenly interrupted, ”You are the leader of Titan area. This is the truth! We all know of this. There is no need for you to emphasize on that! Now you must accept the questioning of the highest Religious Court! That is, again, the reality...”
”You have no such rights!” Karl Arnold glared at the unmoved judge through gritted teeth. This guy took no less advantage from him before, ”I request to stop the meeting immediately. I am going to Holy City of Rome and will tell the Pope of everything that happened here!”
”You indeed have that tight...” The judge nodded lightly, ”But not today. Today you must explain the crime of lying to the Emperor to the Imperial Secret Service Department! You can look at the authorization document given by the Pope to me. I can request for you to do that!”
”I will definitely not!” Karl Arnold turned his head away in anger. But the judge was getting impatient. He noted to Count Rudolf Hoss, ”No matter what, let us hear about how the religious leader of Titan area lied to the Emperor!”
The Head of Agent shook the document in his hands. He looked at the furious Sir Bishop subconsciously. That guy's expression was as if he wanted to swallow Rudolf in whole, but Rudolf did not care at all.
”In Church Calender Year 770, the 6th day of the 8th month! Queen Rolyn Kate gave birth to a weak boy at Westberg Fort. The Emperor Alfa III His Majesty welcomed his second son! The Emperor named him Lobmus Alfa Morisette!”
”In Church Calender Year 770, the 13th day of the 8th month, Lobmus Alfa Morisette received baptism at Dulin Scott Cathedral and officially became a member of the Imperial family. The baptism ceremony was done personally by Bishop Karl Arnold who was the caretaker of the cathedral then!”
”In the night of the 13th, a rare rainstorm hit Dulin City! Second Prince Lobmus was diagnosed with having serious irregular heart not long after he was born. This matter already seems like a legend now! Because... On the night of the 13th, the doctor who made this diagnosis unfortunately died of an accident while he was out taking care of patients. After all these years, the Secret Service Department found in investigation that the medical record in which when Second Prince Lobmus was born is gone too!”
Rudolf looked at Queen Rolyn Kate who was confused. Just as he predicted before, he thought that the Queen was not aware of this incident.
”On the same 13th night! The difficult ceremony of baptism and the increasing fever made the young Prince Lobmus fall sick. Your Majesty... Maybe you still remember that scene? You invited many famous pediatricians to Dulin Scott Cathedral then!”
Rolyn Kate nodded subconsciously. She did not know what went wrong. She only knew that Rudolf Hos would not do this without a reason. He would use a joke like this to remediate the atmosphere.
”Then we shall call upon our first witness! That year, you invited him. He was the fourth and the last doctor that came save Prince Lobmus!”
The soldiers of the Guards guarded a slow-walking old man into the room. The old man first paid respect to the statue of God, then bowed to Her Majesty the Queen!
”You are old Charles!” The Queen shouted in surprise. This pediatrician used to frequent the Westberg Fort because she was always worried about the condition of Lobmus.
”Old Charles! This is not the time to reminisce about the past. Tell Her Majesty the diagnostic result for Second Prince Lobmus who had been born only for a week on that rainy night on the 13th !” Rudolf pushed the doctor to the witness seat quickly.
”I said to Her Majesty that the situation of Second Prince was terrible! But the situation can be controlled. My colleagues and I would do our best!”
”The truth is?” Rudol continued to ask.
”The truth is...” The old doctor fell silent. He glanced at the Queen with unrest gaze, ”The truth is I covered up the truth from Her Majesty. This is previously planned by my colleagues and I! Second Prince Lobmus had serious heart problem from birth. Along with heart irregularities, his smooth birth itself was a miracle. He....”
”In short, you and your colleagues lied to Her Majesty. Why?” Rudolf interrupted the old doctor.
”Her Majesty... It is the Queen! His Majesty...” Old Charles suddenly knelt on the floor, ”Please forgive me! Please, I ask for your grace! As a doctor, I could not tell you that Second Prince had lost all chance of being saved! My colleagues and I hid the truth from you because we are afraid of His Majesty putting the blame on us in fury...”
”Enough! Enough!” Rolyn Kate stood up, trembling. All the memories came back to her! That stormy night on the 13th day of the 8th month in Church Calendar Year 770! Her son was tortured by the sickness, but didn't Lobmus become well again miraculously? Why was the doctor saying this now? Why was he cursing her baby?
Rudolf helped the old doctor up, ”I can understand your feelings when you lied to Her Majesty. What you were facing was the Imperial Family that must not be tainted. If you could not save the life of an Imperial Family member, then someone would definitely come for your life! Were you and your colleagues worried about this?”