A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

After Vaughn left, Violet knew exactly what she needed to do.

The compilation of evidence was done swiftly, and in the process, several other crucial pieces of information were uncovered.

Proving her innocence was easy enough, but the other pieces of information that came to light posed a bigger issue.

This was no longer just Violet’s problem.

As she organized the documents, Violet sighed, realizing that her trial would become a political spectacle.

The risk was high, and Roen opposed the idea, insisting that there were plenty of other ways to resolve the situation without going to trial.

But Violet declared that she would go through with it.

It was an opportunity to catch everyone in one sweep. Those using the war to bolster their power in the temple, those profiting from international conflict, those foreign nationals infiltrating the empire.

It was the perfect time to expose them all.

Her trial would draw their attention, allowing her to unmask them in one go. The imperial family was already on board with the plan.

If she let the matter fade away quietly, suspicions would remain. The rumors that she, the so-called villainess, had tried to poison her cousin out of jealousy would follow her for life.

Though Violet was weary, she knew this was the only way to put an end to it all.

* * *

On the day of the trial—

As she was still under house arrest, Violet was escorted to the court as a defendant. Her hands were bound, but other than that, she was treated leniently for a criminal.

She stood before a courtroom filled with people.

Soon, the performance of a lifetime would begin.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Violet couldn’t suppress a sense of anticipation.

The crowd in the courtroom clamored restlessly for the villainess to be executed. The rumors had become twisted and malicious, with insults that couldn’t even be spoken aloud.

She saw some familiar faces among the mob—the leading figures of the temple, nobles who had been swayed by shallow political maneuvers, and more.

Seeing them shout so brazenly now seemed almost laughable.

Even though the trial wasn’t a ‘holy trial’, it was obvious why the temple had insisted on being involved.

No matter the verdict, it would work in their favor.

If she was found guilty, they would demand the trial be escalated to a holy trial. If she was found innocent, they would spread rumors that the imperial family was protecting a witch.

Violet saw through their plan clearly.

“Burn the witch! If she isn’t executed, disaster will strike this land!”

“Burn her at the stake! Burn the witch!”

The trial hadn’t even officially begun, but the accusations were relentless. Violet didn’t so much as glance at those hurling insults her way.

Seeing how unfazed and dignified she appeared only made the crowd click their tongues in frustration.

Meanwhile, the judge sat behind a screen, hidden from view. The crowd, too caught up in their excitement, didn’t find it strange.

“Silence.”

The judge’s gavel came down, and the courtroom instantly quieted.

“If the witch isn’t burned, terrible things will surely happen,” someone muttered again.

The man speaking was seated in the witness box, someone Violet vaguely recognized.

A high priest? Or maybe a cardinal? She remembered seeing him when she visited the temple with Rajaden, though the details were fuzzy.

The trial officially began. As her lawyer took the lead in defending her, Violet sat quietly.

“The witch has, in the past, ordered the tongues and hands of innocents to be cut off! Her wickedness is beyond words, and the seed of discord must be uprooted with her execution!”

“Please refrain from bringing in irrelevant accusations that have no basis in fact, and do not speak of unverified claims during this trial!”

“She is a threat to the innocent! Blinded by her desires, she sought to take a life! How can you possibly defend such a person?!”

“Refrain from framing her for a crime she didn’t commit! Ducal Lady Violet has never engaged in any illegal actions!”

“You’ve been bought off, haven’t you! How do you explain the massacre of hundreds of children? Surely, it’s evidence of her summoning the devil! If we don’t execute the witch soon, our nation will never know peace!”

“Can you take responsibility for such claims? When none of it can even be proven?”

“Why can’t it be proven? Her mere existence is evidence enough of evil! How wicked must one be to kill their own blood and act out of selfish desire?”

“Do refrain from irrelevant remar—”

“If she’s allowed to live, the world will surely fall under the dominion of evil! She must be executed NOW!”

“Yes, she must be executed!”

A barrage of senseless arguments filled the room. It was almost laughable.

Violet genuinely began to wonder if these people had any sense left in their heads.

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