If asked about his thoughts on the courtroom, Aiden would honestly say it’s not exactly his favorite place. It’s a natural reaction for someone whose primary job is a con artist. Therefore, willingly stepping into such a place is quite unusual for him.
…Or maybe not. Given his current aggressive demeanor, it might actually make sense. Noel glanced sideways at Aiden, who was seated beside her. The moment he heard that the Crown Prince would be present, he didn’t even consider his usual preferences and immediately showed up here.
Moreover, the ongoing trial was one that could easily provoke him—it was to determine the fate of Lord Levante, who had previously attacked Katia. What bothered Aiden, however, was that both the Crown Prince and the Chief Administrator remained indifferent, despite clearly seeing him and Noel enter. It felt as if they had been expecting him, as if this was all part of a prearranged plan. Aiden found this very unsettling.
“…Aiden, are you really okay with this?” Noel kept asking the same question over and over. It wasn’t a question that would normally come from someone who always charged ahead in battle without a backward glance, but Aiden’s current state was clearly dangerous.
“No, I’m not okay,” came Aiden’s unexpected response.
“Pardon?”
“Just having to sit here and wait is already unbearable.”
While Noel was at a loss for words, Aiden stared at the Crown Prince sitting on the podium with his eyes closed. His gaze was filled with simmering rage.
‘He really loses all sense of restraint sometimes,’ Noel thought, letting out a silent sigh. She had tried to persuade him to at least wait until the trial was over, as interfering with a royal official in the line of duty would be a grave offense.
One thing she had noticed several times was that while Aiden was willing to let things slide when it came to his own matters, he became utterly unhinged when trouble befell those close to him.
-He’s quite similar to Teresa, isn’t he? Despite the difference in gender.
-Just like her mentor, the Protector General.
Noel found her hand clenching tightly on her knee without realizing it. Though she was trying her best not to show it, the sight from the night before was still stuck in her mind like a dark smudge.
‘Why?’
According to a well-known rumor, in order for a spirit to appear in the material world, two conditions must be met: a certain level of achievement, and lingering, intense regret. And Teresa, who had appeared as a ghost, had attacked Noel, as if driven by that very regret—possibly the reason she hadn’t fully ascended to the afterlife yet.
‘—?’
As this thought crossed her mind, her clenched fist tightened even further, turning white. Her mind was flooded with the memory of that night, with Teresa’s final words echoing once again.
-I will stay, Noel.
-You know it too. You’ll become a greater person than I am.
-You have to protect them.
-Understood?
Her train of thought came to an abrupt halt when she felt blood trickling from between her fingers. Realizing this, Noel quickly covered her hand and closed her eyes.
‘This is dangerous.’
She needed to remain calm, especially in front of the Crown Prince and the Chief Administrator.
Since Aiden’s next move is unpredictable, she must maintain that state.
“Therefore, the defendants initiated the incident near the administrative building on the stated date, which is—”
Glancing to the side, Aiden frowns while staring at the administrative minister, who is currently testifying.
—To be honest, Noel completely agreed with Aiden’s reaction.
The Administrative Minister, Rad Ilja Barphon.
On the surface, he appears completely harmless, but there’s something suspicious about him.
A hunter, predator, or perhaps—
A viper.
There’s a sinister air about him.
It will probably become more apparent as he continues to speak.
“It seems that the relevant parties are also present here today.”
Rad’s gaze lands squarely on Aiden and Noel, sitting in the audience.
“…?”
Without any hesitation, he naturally drags them into the center of the event, causing Noel’s face to contort in displeasure.
“Then, shall we throw in an intriguing discussion?”
Rad continues with a beaming smile.
“As some of you may know, there was an interesting incident last night, wasn’t there?”
The moment he says this, Noel’s expression hardens.
This was certainly not a topic to be brought up here so abruptly.
“The illegal arms smuggling incident at the capital’s docks. A major crime scene, complete with Hellfire bombs. And let’s not forget the terrorist attack inside the capital’s administrative building, along with the resurrection of the Spirit of the Fallen Patriot yesterday…”
His fingers move smoothly through the air before pointing directly at a specific spot.
The gesture is unmistakable—it’s directed at Noel. It seems theatrical, almost staged.
—But there’s undeniable malice behind it.
“Isn’t there a common factor linking all these events? It seems everything erupts around a certain someone, doesn’t it?”
—In one sense, it was certainly an intriguing topic. Indeed.
Looking around, Noel notices that the judge, defendants, and plaintiffs are all silent. The entire room is solely focused on the Administrative Minister’s words.
It’s as if the whole place is his stage.
‘Is he really pulling this kind of stunt so blatantly?’
Noel looks at the Administrative Minister with an expression of disbelief.
At this point, it’s clear why Aiden was glaring at the man as if he wanted to kill him.
It’s obvious that the minister had planned this from the beginning, fully aware of their presence and deliberately setting a trap.
“What exactly are you trying to say, Minister?”
Noel responds stiffly, her voice hardening.
Rad strokes his chin slowly before speaking.
“It’s just curious how all the recent incidents seem to originate from around you. It’s almost as if the Lionheart herself is causing chaos in the capital, isn’t it? Though, of course, I’m not saying that’s actually the case.”
Rad adds with a sly smile.
“Not yet.”
He had a remarkable talent for provoking people.
“In short.”
Noel responds calmly, though his voice carries both anger and disbelief.
“The illegal arms smuggling into the Empire, the daylight terrorist attack at the capital building, and the resurrection of the Spirit of the Fallen Patriot are all connected to me?”
“It’s possible to suspect that, yes.”
—Truly, it’s so absurd that it’s not even infuriating. It’s not even worth responding to.
“I think such an accusation is inappropriate for this setting and situation. Accusations hold weight only when supported by legitimate testimony.”
“Ah, right.”
The minister snaps his fingers, as if directing a pre-arranged ‘actor.’
“Then, please state it. According to the legitimate process, Sir Levant, who is seated in the defendant’s box. Who was behind the terrorist attack at the administrative building this time?”
“…Lionheart’s instigation,” Sir Levant says calmly.
The sudden statement startles everyone present, as it comes without any warning.
“And the reason?”
“The motive was dissatisfaction with the lord. It was a political attack.”
As soon as he finishes speaking, a wave of strong reactions ripples among the attendees. While the prepared participants remain composed, shock is evident on the faces of unrelated onlookers.
In a trial attended by both the Administrative Minister and the Crown Prince, it was none other than a knight, a core figure in the Empire’s military and a battle-tested veteran, who made the statement.
No matter how absurd the claim is, it’s hard to dismiss it as a complete lie.
Regardless of whether the rumor is true, the news itself is a shocking scandal. It will soon spread like wildfire, tarnishing her reputation. Noel clenched her teeth.
The situation is clear even without looking. Levant must have made a deal, accepting all the blame in exchange for sparing his subordinates. Despite his strained relationship with her, Levant is fiercely protective of his subordinates; persuading him wouldn’t have been difficult.
It’s an obvious charade—a blatant attack aimed at framing her, with no regard for reason. What infuriates her more is the intent behind it. This isn’t just about damaging her image.
‘The target isn’t me.’
Given the Crown Prince’s usual behavior, understanding his intent isn’t hard. Ultimately, his aim is not her, but the person sitting beside her—her fiancé.
Despite Aiden’s notoriety, he has no foundation within the Empire’s political sphere; he’s an outsider. So far, his actions have merely met the minimum requirements to function as Lionheart’s husband. The only reason she managed to justify marrying him to others was purely due to her own reputation and connections.
‘If that Lionheart made this decision, we can’t treat this man lightly.’
The target is clear: to drive a wedge between her and Aiden by dismantling her social reputation.
“If you spread such false rumors, you won’t be able to handle the truth when it comes to light,” she retorts. At this moment, the best she can do is deny it calmly and firmly. After all, she’s never lied—she just needs to present the facts as they are.
The problem is…
“Ah, but.”
There is one point she cannot refute.
“The Spirit of the Fallen Patriot clearly attacked you, didn’t it?”
At that instant, she feels the blood drain from her face.
“Answer me, Lionheart. Would the Fallen Patriot ever mistakenly draw her sword against someone who isn’t an enemy of the Empire?”
“One of the heroes who once sacrificed her life for the country—how would you explain that?”
In all other aspects, the truth is on her side. However, regarding this one issue…
She has no response, and the reason is simple.
Even she doesn’t know why Teresa’s spirit did such a thing. Deep down, she harbored a suspicion that perhaps there might be some truth to what they’re saying. This doubt delayed her reaction, and even a brief hesitation became a glaring weakness.
The best lies always contain a kernel of truth.
The expressions of the people around her change. Seeing her inability to respond immediately, they start to consider the Administrative Minister’s suspicion as partially valid.
Although the room remains as silent as before, the atmosphere is now clearly dominated by the Administrative Minister.
The recent series of events in the capital is all Lionheart’s doing.
Even if it’s not fully proven, the seed of doubt has been sown.
‘…This is bad.’
With a pale face, Noel’s only thought is how the situation has taken a decisive turn. Her mistake has given the Minister’s words a sense of legitimacy, leading some to prematurely assume his claims to be entirely true.
This means…
The attack will naturally shift towards the very idea of her ‘marriage.’ Her misstep has opened the floodgates.
But then…
Just when it seemed inevitable, someone suddenly stands up and strides across the courtroom’s center.
“It’s kind of disappointing.”
Everyone’s attention turns to the man speaking in a low voice.
“Why leave one person out of this story?”
His voice is surprisingly relaxed, almost out of place in the tense courtroom. It seems disconnected from the current situation.
“There’s one more common factor you’re all talking about.”
However, for those who know the man behind the voice, their assessment would be somewhat different.
“I was present at all those places you mentioned. The arms smuggling, the terrorist site, and even the spirit.”
It’s a response borne out of barely restrained fury.
The cold rationality suppressing the boiling rage within manifests as a mask of composure.
“So, as someone who was there, I’ll speak directly.”
And his anger’s target is clear.
“My wife isn’t that kind of person, so let’s cut the crap.”
It’s not directed at Administrative Minister Rad, who made the accusations.
But at the one who clearly ordered him to do so.
“Your Highness.”
He drops these words in front of the silent Crown Prince sitting atop the podium.
Cliche Novel 