Chapter 90 - Siblings
"A-A brother...?"
"Yes. My sister was insulted, so it is my natural right, is it not?"
Unable to hide his surprise, Marquis Baphot's eyes widened as he muttered. As Julian replied with a mocking tone, the people who had been stunned began to stir once more. Count Holloway was famous in this country, but his heir, the eldest son who had long been shrouded in mystery even in his home country, had suddenly appeared. This time, screams of a different nature erupted, and Julian smiled sweetly at the excited women.
"Everyone, I ask for your continued kindness toward my sister. She has a tiresome and overbearing sense of justice, but it seems she has her cute side as well."
Her brother's usual charming exterior and unnecessary comment made Opal's blood boil. Julian's typical, slightly mocking smile only fueled her anger. Claude sighed as if to say, 'here we go again,' but Opal paid him no mind and shot a contemptuous look at Julian.
"You're the tiresome one, Julian."
"Not as much as you."
"I wondered what you were doing after dropping out of university, and it's this? Do you think you're cool? Why don't you fulfill your duties before asserting your rights?"
"Shut up, you idiot. Father is still hale and hearty, so I'm not needed, am I?"
"The one who says 'idiot' is the idiot. All you can do is make excuses."
"Alright, let's stop the sibling squabble here."
"Claude, are you on Julian's side?"
"No, I'm on Opal's side."
"You're always like that, aren't you, Claude."
Claude, who had stepped in to stop the siblings' fight, was drawn into their familiar, nostalgic exchange. The sound of Alessandro's laughter brought all three of them to a halt.
"Your Majesty King Alessandro, it has been a long time. My sincerest apologies for my extreme rudeness in your presence."
"My apologies."
Quickly shifting gears, Julian put on a cool front and offered his greetings first. Annoyed, Opal quietly followed suit. Claude, aware of Opal's inner thoughts, was suppressing a laugh.
"Hm. Viscount Holloway, it has been a while indeed. Thanks to your clandestine efforts, we were able to flush out the traitors sooner than planned. Now the people of this country can live in peace without fear of needless conflict. I thank you."
"To receive such gracious words is more than I deserve, Your Majesty."
Julian uttered the exact same words Opal had used when she had her audience with Alessandro the day before. He must have been listening from somewhere. It seemed Claude hadn't known either, as he gave a wry smile. I really must give Julian a punch... no, two or three, Opal thought, before turning back to face Marquis Baphot and the others. The Marquis's forehead was red, and the cheeks of both Thierry and Eric were swollen.
"Well then, as all the evidence seems to be present, it is about time I passed judgment."
"Please wait! Your Majesty, do you intend to trust the words of this outsider?!"
"...Marquis Baphot, the 'outsider' you speak of is a viscount from the neighboring Sosylle Kingdom, and the future Count Holloway. Moreover, Viscount Holloway is a benefactor who, at great personal risk, delivered medicine and other supplies to the remote regions of this country when it was ravaged by plague. At that time, how many of those present here worked for the sake of the afflicted?"
At Alessandro's question in response to Marquis Baphot's protest, most of the spectators looked down in shame. Opal had heard bits and pieces from Claude about what Julian had been doing, but hearing it from Alessandro's own lips, she found herself re-evaluating her brother.
He went to the remote regions himself... Well, I suppose I'll let him off with just one punch.
Julian had been a poor student at boarding school, always slacking off. Opal hadn't known what he had been doing since dropping out of university, but there was no way their father hadn't known. It was frustrating that no one had told her anything back then, but she had been desperate to restore the McLeod duchy's finances, so she decided they had probably done it to avoid worrying her.
Claude's silence when she had decided to go to the Boccelli Duchy alone must have been largely due to Julian's presence. She had been surprised when they were suddenly reunited at the ducal estate, but she had feigned ignorance completely so as not to give Julian the satisfaction. If he had even slightly suspected she knew him, he would have absolutely ridiculed her. The memory of what happened after that made her even angrier, but this was not the time to be consumed by personal feelings. Alessandro stood up, slowly descended from the dais, and picked up a piece of evidence, a letter from Marquis Baphot addressed to Marquis Saymes.
"I have reviewed all of these items myself. It was on that basis that I ordered your arrests. This public inquiry was held to demonstrate its legitimacy, and also to give you an opportunity to apologize to everyone for causing this chaos... But to still deny everything and attempt to shift the blame to others in the face of all these witnesses and evidence, it is truly contemptible."
Alessandro's slow speech was calm, but devoid of emotion, and it filled everyone with a sense of dread. Alessandro turned the letter he was holding over and gazed at the wax seal as he murmured.
"This appears to be the seal of the Marquis Baphot family, which I know well, and the Marquis's handwriting. If this is a forgery, then can my own royal seal not also be untrustworthy? This is a grave problem indeed."
He then picked up another letter, compared its front and back several times, then picked up another and repeated the action. During that time, not only the Marquis but everyone else remained silent, and the hall was hushed.
"This letter is from Marquis Saymes addressed to the manager of the Lead Mine. This one is from Marquis Saymes to you, Marquis Baphot."
"Wh-What, that's..."
When Alessandro held up the letter, the Marquis looked shocked, as if he couldn't believe it, and his gaze darted to Julian. Julian had likely worked at the Baphot residence while Thierry and the others were away and stolen them during that time.
"If you claim these too are forgeries, then we must inquire with the Sosylle Kingdom as to their authenticity. It is a pathetic state of affairs, but this is an international crime."
At Alessandro's words, Marquis Baphot's face paled, and he closed his eyes. If Marquis Saymes's letters were proven to be authentic, which they undoubtedly were, he would be judged a criminal not only in this country but in Sosylle Kingdom as well. In Alessandro's mind, the verdict had already been passed. Any further resistance would only add to his crimes. The Marquis slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Eric, who was being held by the Royal Knights.
"...I have nothing more to say."
"Father!"
Eric's anguished cry echoed through the hall. Opal was both disgusted and impressed by Alessandro's cunning. He had not implicated Eric or the family in this grave crime, using them as a form of collateral. She did not know the extent of the Marquis's affection for his family, but Alessandro had apparently known that he would fold in order to preserve his house.
"...A true nobleman, indeed."
"The very opposite of you."
"And of you as well."
Julian said this and walked away. Opal reached for the hand of Claude, who was sitting beside her. Claude squeezed her hand tightly. Holding hands, Opal and Claude quietly watched the remainder of the inquiry.