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TL: I didn't really expect that Laila's condition to be that worse. I thought she'd get better but the chapters I am translating shows no progress. I am quite worried about her, really. huhu
When would I ever get an opportunity like this?
In my entire acting life, where I had never even garnered attention, so many people were now watching me! On top of that, my composed performance seemed to have worked, as I could hear some pretty positive remarks about me from the people around me.
"Even though she's a servant, she's better than the duke’s son."
"True. Most people would cower under sharp scrutiny from both sides, but she’s speaking her mind. She seems even better than me."
I barely stopped myself from smiling with pride. It was hard to control my expression, but I managed to stay relatively neutral, relying on my acting skills.
Eventually, the judges nodded to one another, indicating they had reached a conclusion.
"A significant testimony has come from the side of Jonok, and given the consistency in the testimonies, we will deliver the final judgment exactly one week from now."
That was the complete opposite of how things had been going in favor of Rowell earlier. Although the judgment was postponed, it was still a victory of sorts. At least the judges had acknowledged my testimony as valid evidence.
The commoners seemed satisfied with the outcome as well. Their expressions, which had been tense earlier, had now softened. One of them even rushed towards me.
"I heard your testimony. How were you able to speak so calmly without trembling?"
"I’ve been through some things," I responded.
Then I exchanged pleasantries with them. They seemed to admire how I, a commoner, wasn’t trembling in front of the nobles.
Just as I was about to leave the courtroom, someone called my name.
“Laila!”
I turned around at the unexpected voice. Jonok was running towards me. When our eyes met, his brows furrowed, and he said slowly, "It’s been a while."
"Yes, Jonok, you—"
I almost asked if he had been well, but I figured the answer would be predictable. While I paused to think, Jonok spoke again.
“Jonok, huh?” He smirked, then hesitated before saying, “By the way, you’re still getting along with Aridion, huh?”
He seemed to already know everything. I had heard the rumors, but I hadn’t expected Jonok to be aware of it as well.
I gave a vague nod.
He stared at me intently and asked, "The rumors mustn’t be just stories then?"
At this point, denying it would only make me look ridiculous. Besides, I didn’t want to deny it—I had no reason to since it was the truth.
I answered calmly, "Yes, I’m marrying the prince."
Jonok nodded. Then, to my surprise, he suddenly kneeled in front of me.
“Jonok?”
"Laila, I’m sorry."
At that moment, Derol cautiously peeked his head out of my pocket.
Jonok saw him and bowed his head even more. "I truly am sorry. Even the mouse… I thoughtlessly tried to kill it back then…"
Jonok sighed deeply, wiping his face. "Regardless, thank you for testifying. I know it must have been difficult for you to step forward."
I gazed down at him. To hear him say something like that…
He really did seem like someone who had been given a second chance at life. Could someone really change this much? I had never thought I’d receive an apology from Jonok.
“Laila!”
Just then, Delzion rushed towards me.
I turned to Jonok. "I’ve suffered a lot from Rowell as well. I’ll take my leave now."
Derol squeaked, and it seemed he no longer found Jonok intimidating. Even with so many people around, he was sticking his head out.
I smiled and patted Derol’s head.
"Laila, we should go now."
At that moment, I felt a hand wrap around my shoulder. Surprised, I looked up and saw the green eyes hidden beneath a cloak. “Your Highness?”
Ardion’s face quickly moved closer to my ear. "Laila, I told you I’d protect you from behind."
"But how did you—?"
“Your Highness, let’s go. There are too many people here."
Ardion nodded, keeping his arm around my shoulders as he led me through the courthouse from behind. Outside, a carriage was waiting, the same one we had arrived in.
Delzion opened the door to the carriage, and Ardion helped me into it first.
"Travel safely." Delzion’s voice came from outside.
As I turned to wave at him, Ardion quickly entered the carriage after me. When he knocked on the carriage wall, it began to move.
Then he sharply eyed me. "Laila, you were reckless earlier."
"I was reckless, but I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t tried, I would’ve always felt disappointed. I felt empty when the Duke Orchid case was dismissed without a proper resolution."
"Did that settle your feelings?"
"Yes, I feel like the frustration is finally being cleared." I smiled.
Ardion observed me quietly before nodding. "It’s a good thing the judges delayed their judgment. Otherwise, things would have become more complicated."
"Well, it ended well, didn’t it?"
"Not until the final ruling is made."
"Then I’ll just use my evidence at the end, like you said before we came here, Your Highness."
Ardion’s expression darkened as he seemed lost in thought. His green eyes lowered, and the sharpness in his gaze gave off a cold aura.
It seemed like he was deeply contemplating something, so I turned to look out of the carriage window. The carriage had already left the narrow path and was speeding along a wider road.
Although I was still worried I might have caused trouble, for some reason, I felt a sense of relief. Perhaps it was because the lingering unease from the Duke Orchid case was finally starting to fade.
The case that had been vaguely settled before was now beginning to shine a light on the truth. Once Rowell was properly punished, I’d have no more regrets.
When I turned back to Ardion, our eyes met. His handsome eyes were shining as they looked at me. "Laila, by the way, aren’t you running low on mana?"
"No, I’m fine now. The dizziness has gone away."
Ardion moved closer, his thigh brushing against mine.
Derol squeaked and hurried to the corner of the carriage. When I turned to look at him, Ardion followed, his face now inches away from mine. His breath was so close that it almost felt like it was touching me.
"Even if you’re fine, more mana is always better, don’t you think?”
Ardion took my hand, but at that moment, Derol rushed over and bit Ardion’s hand. Ardion’s brows furrowed as he glared at Derol. I quickly grabbed Derol.
Ardion stared at Derol with an impassive look. "Do you know that if your master faints from lack of mana, it’ll be your fault?"
"She’s perfectly fine right now!"
Ardion snickered and kissed my cheek before moving back.
I was embarrassed and said to Ardion, “Your Highness, not when Derol is…”
“Why? I’m just recharging your mana.”
“…”
“Even if you’re okay now, your mana could drop drastically later. Serina took your mana, and you used up your mana too much, so your mana will be unstable for a while.”
Ardion was right.
My mana was definitely unstable right now. My hands would suddenly tremble, and my head would spin, even when I seemed okay.
In a way, my life was being extended thanks to Ardion. Now, I couldn’t even tell him to keep his distance.
At that moment, Derol came running over. I weakly hugged Derol. Ardion’s gaze was still directed at me. His eyes somehow seemed to want more from me. At the sight of his dark and sultry gaze, I turned my head instinctively.
The quickly running carriage started slowing down. Soon, we arrived at Ardion’s mansion.
However, an ominous atmosphere flowed outside the carriage window. There were many carriages parked and many people around.
What was going on?
At that moment, the coachman opened the middle door and shouted, “Your Highness, there are many people around the mansion, so I’ll park the carriage a little farther away. I think you’ll have to go to the back of the mansion.”
Ardion nodded. There were already many people in front of the mansion, so it seemed natural that people would look at me if I got out of the carriage and went in.
The carriage turned around again and stopped in a deserted street.
Ardion got out of the carriage first. He held out his hand to me. I grabbed his hand and got out of the carriage. At that moment, my head spun, and I lost my balance. Thankfully, Ardion held my waist and lifted me up, almost as if he was hugging me.
“Look, your mana is still unstable.” Ardion’s face was quite close. His breath touched my lips, and red lips appeared right before my eyes.
I quickly opened my mouth. “Thank you.”
Ardion looked at my lips for a moment and then stepped back slightly. He turned his cloak over before draping it over my shoulders.
“Why did you put this on me?”
“So they’ll think we’re a suspicious magician couple.”
“Huh?”
Ardion chuckled at my embarrassed expression, put the cloak on my head, and grabbed my hand tightly. “Laila, let’s go.”
There were a few people behind Ardion’s mansion. They were talking among themselves, and I could hear them as I passed by.
“Is this the prince’s mansion?”
“Yes! The imperial knights will be here soon.”
“I really like the prince, but no matter how much I think about it, he seems to be living recklessly. After all those achievements in the frontier, there are rumors that he committed a crime here and married a commoner.”
“That’s right. But what crime did that commoner commit? She must have been tricked by the prince.”
“Is that so? But wouldn’t that commoner be happy? After all, marrying the prince would be a life-changing matter.”
“The imperial knights are searching for the prince everywhere right now.”
I walked quickly, but Ardion’s pace was slow. I whispered to him, “Your Highness, it would be better to get out of here now.”
But Ardion smiled and shook his head. Strangely, he was relaxed.