A week later, on the eve of the first day of the trial…
Selen was sitting at her vanity while Margot brushed her hair.
"Could you bring me some warm milk? I feel like I'll have trouble falling asleep," Selen said.
"Of course, Princess."
Selen went to sit on a chair, waiting for Margot to return. A few minutes later, the latter placed a teapot filled with warm milk and chocolate beside her.
"What if you had some with me?" Selen asked with a smile.
"I would never dare, Princess," Margot replied, flustered.
"I insist. You know better than anyone that I've spent this entire week with only your company. I'd like us to relax together, especially since tomorrow will be a long day."
Margot was the maid who would accompany her to the trial the next day, and they both knew it would be exhausting—especially for her, who would remain standing the entire time.
"If you insist, Princess," Margot finally said.
"Oh, but you only brought one cup. Go get another one, I'll wait for you," Selen added, still smiling.
As soon as Margot left to fetch a cup, Selen poured a powder into the teapot and stirred it thoroughly.
A few minutes later, they were quietly drinking warm milk in the stillness of the night.
"Thank you very much, Princess. I've finished, so I… I… I wi—" Margot tried to speak before collapsing onto the table.
Selen finished her cup as the door opened.
"What should I do with her, my lady?" Liam asked.
"Lay her near the bed, as if she fell asleep by my side," Selen replied.
She looked at Margot's unconscious face while Liam carried her to the bed. The poor girl was truly foolish. When someone above you shows kindness, it's either because they're a fool… or because they want something from you. Fortunately for Selen, thanks to her first life—and Light—she was immune to sleeping potions and conventional drugs.
She dressed in black from head to toe and put on a cloak.
"You remember the orders I gave you, don't you?" she asked Liam.
"Yes. I won't let anyone in, no matter the reason."
Selen smiled at him before taking the same path she had used during her first escape. Apparently, the knights had decided to keep that small passage for their own nighttime outings.
Outside, a carriage was waiting not far away. She got in, and about ten minutes later, she stepped out in front of a place resembling an inn. A woman holding a lamp stood at the entrance and, without saying a word, gestured for her to follow.
Selen followed her behind the inn. The woman opened a trapdoor leading to a staircase and handed her the lamp. After descending, Selen found herself in a long corridor leading to a nearby door. She opened it, and the light inside hit her sharply, contrasting with the darkness behind her.
"We were starting to think you wouldn't come," Noah said, seated on a sofa.
Inside the room were Jason, Rose, Sir Howard, and another man Selen had never seen before.
Selen sat beside Noah, while Jason and his sister sat on the sofa across from them, and Sir Howard stood beside the unknown man.
"I don't have much time, as you all know, so let's make this quick," Selen said, removing her cloak.
"I'm still not convinced. It's far too dangerous," Jason said, running a nervous hand through his hair.
"But I told you, I'm the only one who can provide convincing medical explanations," Rose argued, standing up.
Selen sighed. She had given them an entire week to decide, and they were still stuck here.
"The reason I brought you back to the capital is because we don't know what those bastards might have done to you if you stayed there alone," Jason said.
"Still, I can be useful. Besides, no one will recognize me, so why are you so worried?" Rose asked, taking her brother's hand.
"It's still dangerous," Jason insisted.
They needed a reliable doctor to explain the condition of the heretics at the trial, and Rose had volunteered. She had even convinced Selen to disguise her using alchemy to persuade her brother.
"To think the trial is tomorrow and we're still arguing about this," Noah sighed. "Let her do what she wants, Duke. She's not a child anymore, and we need a qualified doctor."
"You shut up. Just because I accepted your help in this matter doesn't mean you can stick your nose everywhere," Jason snapped, standing up.
Noah stood as well, and soon the two were facing each other. Selen had expected this. With a now-familiar irritation, she stepped between them.
"We don't have time for childish quarrels. The trial is tomorrow. Rose will take the role of the doctor," Selen said, looking at both of them in turn.
They both seemed to calm down after a few seconds and returned to their seats.
"Thank you, Selen," Rose said, taking her arm.
Selen handed her a red stone infused with a drop of her own blood.
"Wow, it's as red as a ruby," Rose exclaimed.
"I've already explained how to proceed with the alchemy. I'll leave you to it," Selen said, pulling her hood back over her head.
"Wait, I forgot to introduce the man who will represent us tomorrow," Jason said, gesturing to the man beside Sir Howard.
"Good evening, Princess. I am Sylvarys Valcrest, a subject of Clover," the man introduced himself.
Selen thought he looked young for a scholar. In the empire, scholars were the ones who defended nobles during trials.
"The pleasure is mine. We are counting on you tomorrow, sir," she said.
"I won't disappoint you."
Selen was about to head back through the corridor when Noah grabbed her arm.
"And I don't get any thanks for my work with the newspaper?"
Selen gave him a look that clearly said she was not in the mood.
"Still as harsh as ever," Noah sighed. "See you tomorrow, I suppose."
⸻
The next day…
After Margot apologized profusely for having fallen asleep beside her, and Selen graciously forgave her, she was prepared to attend the trial. Most nobles would be present. For them, it was an opportunity to show unity before the crown and the temple. For the common people, however, it was simple entertainment—for once, they would watch nobles put on a spectacle instead of the other way around.
"They are waiting for you, Princess," a maid informed her.
Upon arriving at the Court of Judgment, Selen entered with the rest of her family. It was a very ancient building where the empire's most important trials were held. The people gathered below when permitted, as was the case today, while the nobles sat in tiers according to their rank. Naturally, the imperial family occupied the highest seats.
"We greet His Highness, the Crown Prince," they all said as Light approached.
He smiled at Selen and extended his hand.
"Your mother informed me that you wished to attend the trial by my side, milady."
Selen didn't need long to understand that this was one of her mother's schemes to silence the rumors about her. With a smile, she accepted his hand. Once in their section, she sat beside him. With the emperor and empress absent, the two of them appeared as the imperial couple.
"What do you think of today's trial?" he asked after a few moments of silence.
"I haven't followed the entire matter, unfortunately, but I dare hope the temple will clear itself of the duke's accusations," Selen replied.
The court's ceiling was open, and sunlight flooded the space, giving it an almost surreal atmosphere. From where she sat, she had a clear view of the opposite stands—and her eyes widened slightly when she saw the Grand Priest and his entourage taking their seats across from them.
"Do not worry. His Holiness is known by many as a strategic genius. I am sure he has more than one surprise in store for the duke," Light said.
Selen glanced at him. His face showed no obvious confidence. What did he know of the Grand Priest's plans to be so certain?
The noise of the crowd below briefly caught her attention before the sound of trumpets announcing the arrival of the jury echoed through the court.
"Silence… Welcome His Excellency, Grand Judge Virel Martavia and his retinue."
Selen's heart began to race, and she felt a strange flutter in her chest.
The Grand Judge struck his gavel from the massive seat at the center of the court.
"Thus begins the eighteen-hundredth trial to be held in this court. The plaintiff, Jason Clover, stands against the authority of the temple for a duration of three days. The charges brought forward are: corruption and heresy. The plaintiff demands the religious emancipation of the North, as well as punishment for the crimes mentioned. During this trial, we will address only the criminal accusations, leaving the matter of religious emancipation to papal authority."
Selen watched as Sir Valcrest stepped forward.
"I now declare open this first day, dedicated to the prosecution," the Grand Judge continued, striking his gavel.