12
443words
Duke Cecil tagged along, seemingly for the spectacle.
"I heard… you divorced that beast?"
His choice of words pleased me. For once, I didn't feel like punching him. I simply nodded and turned to leave with Yvonne.
But the annoying man insisted on seating himself right beside me.
The court was now in session, so I couldn't move. I suppressed my irritation.
Just then, I heard Yvonne's inner voice again:
[Oh no! Duke Cecil is staring right at Madame! That look… it's definitely the gaze of someone in love!]
[And Madame keeps glancing back at him… Could it be… she's interested too?]
William and I both coughed violently at the same time.
"—You can hear it too?!"
We spoke in unison.
But before we could say more, the judge began announcing the charges against Wilson and Warren.
Wilson tried to drag me down with him, pointing at William and me as he shouted, "Lies! All lies!! This is all a scheme by Sophia—she betrayed her vows and conspired with the Duke to frame me!"
"Father's right!" Warren joined in, "A woman like her should be drowned! She's shameless! She deserves to die!!"
Cold-faced, I took several ledgers from my sleeve and handed them to the judge.
"Wilson and Warren used my yacht to collaborate with foreign forces and trade military weapons."
Wilson and Warren paled instantly.
"N-no, it's not true! She's lying!!"
"The Duchess is not lying," William spoke up unexpectedly. "I secretly requested her assistance in this investigation. The evidence confirms Wilson, his mistresses, and their children were all involved. The crime is punishable by death!"
Wilson and Warren were totally terrified now.
"M-Madame… we were married twenty years, you can't kill me!"
"Madame! I'm your own son—how could you kill me?!"
I leaned down and looked at them with chilling calm.
"When you harmed me across two lifetimes, did you ever think of sparing me? Besides—collaborating with foreign agents is treason. You brought this upon yourselves."
With that, I turned and walked away with Yvonne.
"I just helped you, Duchess, and you didn't even thank me before rushing off. How cold."
William caught up to us.
"You still love following me around like when we were kids, don't you, William?" I narrowed my eyes. "But since you testified for me earlier, I'll buy you a drink today."
"You said it!"
As if afraid I'd change my mind, William hurried cheerfully into a nearby tavern.
I clicked my tongue and followed.
Behind us, Yvonne covered her mouth, quietly giggling.
[Looks like Madame's love life is about to blossom~]