before he was crowned king

"What do you want to announce?" The door opened silently, and someone walked in, "Lilian."

Duke Oscar, graceful and graceful, holding a silver cane printed with Frederick's family crest, a shiny brown hair with distinct strands, finely combed full of the exquisiteness of an old aristocrat, wearing a gray-black dress, wearing a A pure white silk scarf.

Lin Lin got up and stood aside respectfully.

"Father... Dear." Lilian's voice hid some fear, her eyelashes trembling slightly, "Mrs. Mary...she is a murderer, I know everything because I helped her kill Sean...she let me Using magic to create the illusion that Sean fainted in front of everyone, making everyone think that Sean was seriously ill, and then she used the reason of healing to treat Sean..."

The girl slowly told the truth with anxiety in her heart. It has been a while since this incident, but every time she thinks about it, she still feels a prickly pain in her heart.

"Also, Sean is not an adopted son, he is the son of Viscount Norman, the real heir of the Cabed family."

Duke Oscar listened silently, his expression was indifferent, and his eyes were as indifferent as ever.

"Father, I don't care whether I go to jail or scold..." Lilian clenched her hands tightly on her chest, "I just want Mrs. Mary, this merciless woman, to be punished as she deserves."

"What about the reputation of the Frederick family?" Duke Oscar said in a cold voice, "Where does your decision put the family?"

"I..." Lilian choked up.

"Can you present relevant evidence or witnesses?" Duke Oscar continued to ask.

Lilian couldn't help lowering her head, "I can't."

"Then why did you make such a stupid decision? You don't think that the empire can convict a magister with a surrendered confession." Duke Oscar's words were like a sharp sword swung, precisely hitting the ground. On the gap between the girl's words, "You can't do anything."

"I, I can't control that much anymore. Even if I can't do anything, I still want to try." Lilian raised her head, her eyes filled with longing, her expression almost collapsed, "Father, please take back my surname, so No matter what I do, I won't be a drag on the family. Please, I really have to do something. You don't understand my situation. Every second I breathe, I hate and hate myself. If I don't Do something and I'll die in this endless torment."

"What are you suffering? Because Sean Cabed is dead?" Duke Oscar frowned slightly, puzzled by the girl's complicated emotions.

"It's not because..., it's because I love him..." Lilian moved her lips, but finally gave up on further explanations.She didn't think that her father, who never even smiled, could empathize with her.

"Your husband is still alive." Duke Oscar said lightly, "in another capacity."

Lilian was a little dazed, "Father, what are you talking about?"

"Do as I say, and I can let you see him." Duke Oscar turned around without saying any more words.This is his consistent style of doing things. He prefers to offer conditions that others cannot refuse than aimlessly persuading him.

"My lord, is it alright to tell Miss Lilian about this?" Lin Lin asked softly after the man.

"She has the right to know whether her husband is alive or dead," said Duke Oscar.

"You said so."

"Check all the materials and personnel again. The only condition is that Rose Manor claims the Xislin Mine under the name. The judgment in the afternoon does not allow any accidents."

The bell rang on the hour as scheduled, and the hot sun shone on this solemn rice silk-colored building, symbolizing fairness, and the three gold-plated spiers of justice and integrity reflected dazzling light.The national emblem of St. Via was delicately carved on the snow-white plaster, and the blood-red flag swayed slightly in the wind.

San Via Imperial Court.

This is an ancient and time-honored building, renovated by Salfid I, who is responsible for handling various complaints from the nobles to the royal family.50 years ago, when the royal family had not yet centralized power, countless lawsuits and disputes were staged here every day.Land, money, slaves, women... The nobles who refuse to accept each other can spend a lot of time here for some trivial matters, and sometimes those who refuse to accept the judgment will resort to violence.

But this place has been neglected. Queen Karina organizes scholars to revise the code every year, and the laws of Saint Via are becoming more and more strict.Today's nobles still have frictions, but compared to a public trial, most of them are willing to choose arbitration or settle it privately.

It can be said that after a long absence, the round arch of the Saint Via Imperial Court was opened again today.

Sitting in front of the huge oak table are three people who act as today's judges. They represent the royal family, the Holy See and the court itself.

Maester Priestley Bishop, the only Chief Officer of the Empire, struck the gavel again to remind both parties to maintain the solemn order of the court.

The verdict has been going on for three hours.

This case is no small matter. As the person in charge of the abbot's trial, Maester Priestley naturally had a reason to review the whole incident in advance. From his point of view, the evidence and testimony provided by both parties are very specific, and the fault points are also very serious. Clear, with almost no tangles.

However, what he didn't think about was that in the final link of coordination and compensation, the two sides fell into an intractable deadlock.

The crux of the problem is the negotiation of compensation content.In the name of the Viscountess, Lilian Frederick asked for the conditions of the Sisselin Mine, but was rejected by Madam Mary.

"Your Honor, Mrs. Mary is willing to divide other assets to Mrs. Lilian, the Mousse Leather Manufacturing and Processing Guild, a Green Ranch, [-] gold coins, [-] silver coins, plus [-] acres of fertile land and [-] slaves. We The conditions provided have far exceeded the value of a mine, and this compensation is enough for Mrs. Lilian's life..."

"We only accept the Xi Silin Mine." Lin Lin stood in the center of the courtroom as a spokesperson, and directly interrupted the other party's speech, with an extremely firm attitude, "Your Honor."

The conversation is interrupted again.

"The court is adjourned now." Maester Priestley looked at the situation and could only strike the gavel again.

To be honest, he didn't know why the two parties were stuck in a mine and refused to give in to each other. Maybe the mine had a lot of benefits, but it wasn't enough for the two parties to tear each other apart regardless of face.

Moreover, Duke Oscar and Cabed's young heir have not spoken yet——

As for whether the mine will be judged or not in the end, he still needs to discuss it with the two people around him.

"Lord Woodhees, what do you think?" Maester Priestley looked at the first knight wearing a long sword on the right.

"Bachelor Priestley, I was only sent by Her Majesty the Queen to maintain order. You are the chief officer appointed by Her Majesty, representing the highest spirit of the Holy Via Code, and I naturally support all your decisions." Knight Woodheth said politely said.

Maester Priestley laughed a few times, then turned his head to look to the other side, "Bishop Clara, what do you think?"

The middle-aged man in a white robe raised his hand and crossed himself on his chest, "Ms. Lilian is the victim, and the victim's request should be put first."

Maester Priestley nodded, and was about to say something when Woodhees, who was a century old in his left hand, suddenly said, "However, the conditions offered by Mrs. Mary are indeed very sincere, and it is not a disadvantage for the Duke to accept them. If you just ask for them, you will just look at them." The intent is obvious."

The atmosphere in the room between the three became stagnant.

Maester Priestley could only cough lightly, and smoothed things over, "Let's listen again, maybe they have already negotiated."

Under the shadow, Alex sat silently on the seat, hearing the constant conversation between the famous lawyer in the capital and Mrs. Mary. Next, they were going to fight back under the banner of Lilian's trance.

Erics looked at the figure wearing a white veil opposite him, he wanted to know if Lilian's health was better than any property compensation.

Why did things develop to this point?

He and Lilian were friends since childhood, but he never imagined that one day they would face each other here in this way.

He really wanted to go over and ask about the other party's recent situation, but Lilian never looked at him from the beginning to the end, and he really didn't have the face to take the initiative to step forward.

Lilian didn't really like him, and when he heard the other party chanting Sean's name in a trance, Alex already understood.To be honest, after knowing this, his first reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief, and the guilt in his heart was relieved a lot.

He originally thought that he could take care of Lilian like a younger sister in the future, but whoever thought about it broke the scandal of his mother abusing her.

The mother who taught him etiquette and respect did such a dirty and contemptuous thing, which made him unable to accept the truth until now.

From the corner of his eye, Erics stared at the woman who was sitting in front of him, looking at her cold and pale side face. Apart from the indescribable disappointment, he felt a coldness he had never felt before.

The adjournment ended, and the two sides began to confront each other again.

Lin Lin stated her point of view again, insisted on claiming compensation, and even expressed that Mrs. Lilian was willing to conduct public injury examinations and collect evidence in order to make the other party punish her.

Hearing such words, there was a burst of discussion in the public gallery.

"Shameless." Madam Mary gritted her teeth slightly and whispered, "How dare she say such shameless words."

Alex's hand clenched tightly.

All the words of the trial will be recorded, Maester Priestley looked to the other side, when he was about to ask Mrs. Mary Fang for her opinion.

The dark-haired young man who had been silent all this time stood up.

"In the name of Alex Cabed, I agree to all the above conditions."