Adelaide's POV
Am I seeing things or is Victor and Astoria seems to be having fun together?
"What are they doing now?" I asked the Bolton, the butler.
"Oh, his majesty and the countess went hunting together. It seems they caught quite a few prey and the emperor asked the palace cooks to prepare a suitable meal with the animals they caught." That explains why they seems to be having fun together.
"Alright- let them be. We have far more important things to deal with. Lets go to the basement." The reason why I wanted to go to the basement is because it's where the nobles of North are. There is something I would like to know before the trial.
When we arrived at the entrance, the knights who guard the door bow before leading me and Bolton inside. I decided to pay a visit the person who seems to be in charge of taking care of the North while Astoria fighting the monsters while her mother losing her mind.
I believe this man is responsible for taking over the Aspen castle while its owner are not available. Not only he took advantage of the situation. he also the cause of many unnecessary death at the North.
"You don't seems worried at all, Baron Lubaton." The baron smiled when he saw me standing outside of his prison cell.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Empress Adelaide. To what I owe this pleasure?" It sickening to see this man speaks.
"Tell me, baron. What was your goal in making the former countess losing her sanity?" The baron hummed.
"So that woman's child might go crazy too. I keep sending her to the borders and killing off monsters with that goal in mind. But somehow she prevail every single time." I see.
Umammen google key"You didn't expect the current countess to be chosen as the ruler of the North. Is that it?" The baron nodded.
"I just wanted to rise up the ranks. But I didn't expect Astoria to capture the attention of the empress of all people. And my plans seems to be put on halt." I hummed.
"Tell me what makes you feel at ease even though the trial is approaching." The baron smiled.
"Because I did nothing wrong." I raised an eyebrow.
"I have reliable people speaking for me. Even the elders wouldn't make a mistake in convicted me. Even if her majesty tried to used the incident between me and the former countess, the elders wouldn't be that shallow to-" oh- why did he stopped midway? Ah-
"Did you realised something?" The baron look at me with worried eyes.
"Unlike normal trial, Supreme Court session would be lead by the emperor. And as of today, the emperor seems to be fond of my lover.
They even go hunting together. Did you really think his majesty would make his decision based on the elders opinion? You bribe the wrong person, baron." I watched as the baron kneels on the floor before burying his face in his palm.
I smiled as the old man started mumbling nonsense while trying to think of a way to get himself out from the predicament.
"Why-why would you go as far by summoning the Supreme Court for a mere monster like Astoria?" Monster?
"Watch your words, baron. You're talking about my lover. If you tried to sullied her name like that, I won't hesitate to ordered for your execution instead of pardon. But then again, you did go as far by kidnapping innocent demi-humans and even run a inter-species trafficking ring. I'll be worried if I were you. I'll be very worried."
I was about to leave when the baron said something intriguing.
Umammen google key"What did you said?" I asked.
"Open the door, Bolton." Bolton seems contemplating if he should.
"Bolton open the door!" I shouted. Bolton did as told before I walked in and face the baron.
"What did you said? You said you ordered the knights to drove count Sullivan to his death?! Count Sullivan, Astoria's father you drove him to his death?! Why? What possessed you to do such despicable thing?! Answer me, baron!"
The baron chuckling even when I grabbed his collar.
"Yes- it was me who drove him to his death. It was me who ordered the maids to add poison into the former countess food and drinks. And it was me who push Astoria to battle every chances I get. It was all so I could be the next ruler of the North."
I let go of the baron's collar.
"You will not be attending the Supreme Court." I simply said before walking out from the baron's holding cell.
"You will be charged in the Noble Court where all nobles be present and be the witness of your travesty." Bolton'a eyes widen.
"Your majesty, please quell your anger. There has never been a need for Noble Court before in Tempest history. You will anger the-" I glare at Bolton.
"Anger who? My in laws? The elders? The emperor? Let it be. After what I heard today, the only sensible thing to do for the baron is by issuing a noble court! Let it be an example for all nobles who tried to go against the imperial lawl The emperor gave me his seall The Noble Court will commence a week after the Supreme Court trial!"
A few days later,
Umammen google keyTo think my daughter would be here in the midst of the trial is unthinkable. 1 blame the loose mouth of the palace servants. Somehow they might have reached Alexandra's ears.
"The princess has arrived and she is on her way here, your majesty." Sarah, my personal maid made an alarming note before she opens the door for my daugther.
"Hello, mother. I'm sorry for my abrupt visit but I couldn't stand it anymore. I heard you issuing the Supreme Court. That, I can understand. But why is there a news about you issuing a Noble Court a week after the trial? What has going through your mind, mother?!" Alexandra is pissed.
"And father! Stop hiding behind that statue! I can see you clearly!" Victor-I told you it won't work. Alexandra pinched the bridge of her nose before taking a seat.
"So, tell me. What drove you to do this, mother? Is it because of your lover? Did he told you do to this?" He? I guess the rumours about Astoria wasn't spread properly.
"My lover is a woman." Alexandra slammed her hand on the table. I flinched.
""That was not my question, mother." Well, as a mother, I need to properly fix your mistake.
"My lover didn't told me to do that. Actually she was a bit upset when I ordered for the Noble Court as well. But it's need to be done. So that the honour be restore." Alexandra sighed.
"Father, and you let this happened? Even if you've given your seal to mother, you should try to stop her." Victor let out a nervous laughter.
"Who in the right mind could stop your mother, Alex?" I smiled at both my husband and daugther.
"I would like to meet this lover you mentioned. Who is she? A noblelady who doesn't have anything but her lineage? A commoner? Or the maid you've often seen?" Ah, somehow I felt offended by that.
"Countess Astoria Aspen."
Alexandra's mouth ajar open.
"Close your mouth dear- you're a princess."
Alexandra raised her hand.
"You mean to say your lover is the famous devil of the North?! Mother! How is that even possible?! Did you tricked the woman?! Mother, I have lost some of my respect for you." Excuse me?! I did not tricked anyone-well.
"I did not tricked her. I was- well- hmm. Maybe I did. But! It's all for a good cause." Alexandra doesn't buy my reason at all.
"Mother, you told me to never mix emotion whenever I need to decided my next course of action. But in this case, you let your emotion do all the talking and let others suffered the consequences. Do you realised what sort of aftermath this Noble Court would do to the imperial family?" To be honest, I don't really care.
"Alexandra, I advice that you stay out of this and let me deal with it personally. Once you get older, you'll understand why I did what I did."
Alexandra sighed.
"Alright. But I still wish to meet countess Aspen."