My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 319: Let the Trial Begin

Chapter 319: Let the Trial Begin

The doubts ate the duchess alive as she got into the dress she would wear while facing her illegitimate father in front of the courts. she chose a long-sleeved pale green dress suitable for the beautiful early spring they were having in the capital.

It wasn’t overly adorned so it wouldn’t seem like she was trying to sway the public opinion with her wealth or title. It was modest for the same reason as well. Beth had helped her choose what to wear and she was settled on that.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t appreciate the budding flowers or foliage growing. The burden of what was about to happen ate her alive and Desmond wasn’t entirely sure if he would be able to escape the palace to be at her side.

Since Anna Maria was dead, Count Mikael would be the one who had to stand trial for his daughter’s shortcomings and, as it turned out, they were far more severe than the daughter he punished.

Only to realize the one he punished wasn’t even his to begin with.

Not only did the confirmation ceremony give the people answers to questions that had been looming over them, but it also became a record of the truth. In front of the King, Leonor’s lines to Burien were completely erased.

She hadn’t faced Count Mikael since then or knew if he even knew that the record had changed at all.

All she knew was that he was finally coherent and level-headed for the first time in quite a while. With the black magic over him, his mental capabilities were as sharp as ever. However, they seemed to have forgotten to mention his physical state.

When Leonor was finally in the courthouse attached to the palace and everyone was taking their places, gasps erupted all over the room as Count Mikael was wheeled into the large room where the trial was to take place.

Leonor slowly turned her body towards the entrance and widened her eyes when she saw the count wasn’t walking. He was in a wheelchair that a servant pushed. His body was more frail than she had ever seen it in her life. He looked more pathetic than he ever had before.

What remained the same was his frown and pointed glare at anyone who dared look upon him with anything other than respect. In the room, there were many glances of pity which was why he had such a terribly sour expression on his face.

Even King Stephano was in the audience at the front, just behind Leonor. He wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to see Count Mikael’s life get overturned. After the evidence of abuse he had witnessed the very first time he visited Leonor at Burien Manor, his hatred for the man sprouted. It only grew from there.

Those bearing witness already stood for the King, but it was time for the King’s appointed judge.

"All rise for Baron Julius Andover."

Everyone in attendance did as they were told and a man wearing a black robe walked through the room, going to the front where he would be able to sit at a desk and make sense of the situation unfolding. He was an expert at kingdom law and one of Stephano’s most trusted. Surprisingly, he lasted through the changing of the monarch, only retaining his position because, with his knowledge of law, his record was squeaky clean.

The old man only stopped to bow at King Stephano before he made his way to his chair and sat down.

He opened a thick book and took a seat on the cushioned chair. He also made a show of putting on a pair of perch glasses and then glancing at the defendant and plaintiff in the situation. He had studied the case from back to front upon the King’s request and it felt like a wash of a ruling, but there was a bit of public court that had to be taken into consideration before he could make the final judgment.

"I sit before you here today because of an unfortunate event that took place in Burien Manor over the winter," he began. "I see both sides have representatives. I also regret to announce that the original plaintiff, Anna Maria von Burien, is not here because she passed away in the dragon attacks. Her father, Count Mikael von Burien, will be taking her place. What is your defense, my lord?"

Leonor’s knuckles turned white as she subtly clenched her fists. Her posture didn’t falter at all so it wouldn’t be noticed how badly her nerves felt frayed due to the situation.

After being tormented her entire life, she expected the count to come with ammunition in the form of words. His disdain for her was never hidden. His words felt like fire against her heart and the wounds still hadn’t healed as the blisters grew then broke over and over again.

It felt like she didn’t breathe until the count finally began to speak.

"I am not here today to get out of this," Count Mikael explained to everyone, especially Leonor’s, shock. "I believe I deserve whatever punishment is coming my way for my mistake in raising a daughter that could do such a thing to another person. I spoiled Anna Maria her entire life, thinking it was buying me favors. Because of her, I have nothing left and I take full responsibility for failing my county in such a way."

For him to say such words was unfathomable for Leonor. He was always so proud and stressed the importance of acknowledging the centuries-long legacy that Burien had—being tied to the very founding Royal Family that Stephano himself was part of.

As Leonor stared at the man she thought was her father, her chin began to quiver.

However, a gloved hand was felt on her shoulder.

She hesitated, thinking it was Stephano trying to comfort her. She didn’t want to be caught in strange rumors so she nearly brushed the hand off. Instead, as her blue eyes drifted upwards to see who was there, her heart felt warm when Desmond joined her on the bench and sat close to her as he comforted her through everything she was facing.

"I’m sorry I’m late," he whispered to her. "The Eirenguardians are hard to compromise with."