章 79: Aiding Zara

Yohana's mind raced with questions. Was it the dress she had initially worn to the party, or was it Princess Eleanor's, stained with wine?

Eager to know, Yohana followed Henrie to his chamber, with Thea trotting close behind, her excitement mirroring Henrie's.

"Your Highness, with this dress, we should be able to prove Lady Runa's innocence, right?" Thea's words were tinged with hope.

"I can't say for certain, as I haven't seen the dress yet. We need to inspect it thoroughly to determine its value as evidence," Henrie replied, his tone cautious.

Inside Henrie's sitting room lay a royal blue silk dress, elegantly displayed on the sofa. Thea hurried over to it, her eyes studying every intricate detail. With certainty, she confirmed that it was indeed the dress Yohana had worn, recognizing the unique stitches she herself had sewn.

Yohana also examined the dress meticulously, searching for any stains that might link it to Princess Eleanor's dress. However, there were no such marks to be found. Their hopeful expressions deflated, disappointment washing over them.

"I will consult the lawyer about this dress. Perhaps he can find a way to make it beneficial for our case," Henrie stated, though his expression betrayed little optimism.

"What's on your mind, Henrie? Is something bothering you?" Yohana's concern was evident in her voice as she looked at him.

Henrie seemed to ponder whether to share his thoughts before finally deciding to explain,

"Carla Heidler is a formidable lawyer when it comes to opposing attorneys. She's the first female lawyer in the Reichwein Kingdom, known for her fierce arguments in trials and an almost perfect track record. The only case she didn't win was due to the plaintiff retracting the charge."

Thea chimed in, her eyes wide with recognition. "I've heard of her! She hails from my hometown. When she went to the capital for her studies, people mocked her, but she proved them all wrong. Now no one dares to speak ill of her, fearing they might end up on trial."

Yohana's confusion deepened. "But what does she have to do with our situation?"

Henrie let out a heavy sigh, a weariness settling upon him. "She's the legal representative of The Tattler's Tales."

A sense of foreboding filled the room. "Why would someone of her caliber work for a gossip newspaper? I'd have imagined she'd represent more dignified individuals or organizations," Yohana voiced her confusion.

"High-status individuals and organizations tread carefully to avoid any scandal and protect their reputations. It wouldn't be a suitable platform to showcase her skills. On the other hand, The Tattler's Tales, with its controversial nature, has amassed a multitude of adversaries. Winning cases against them would be a true testament to her legal prowess," Henrie clarified.

Now the pieces were coming together in Yohana's mind.

"But Lady Runa is falsely accused! She's innocent. Shouldn't the truth prevail with sufficient evidence?" Thea's hopeful optimism still shone through, though Yohana's uncertainty cast a shadow.

"Do you think The Tattler's Tales' enemies are all in the wrong? While some may indeed be guilty as charged, a good number of them are only the subjects of baseless rumors," Henrie argued, his perspective leaning toward a less favorable outcome.

"Do you believe we're destined to fail?" Yohana's voice held the weight of an unavoidable question. The prospect of defeat loomed large, and she grappled with the notion of giving up.

Yet, surrendering wasn't in her nature. Her fight to restore her reputation was intrinsically tied to the success of the charity ball—a failure there could tarnish not only the crown but also Henrie's standing.

"Let's explore alternative strategies to secure victory," Henrie's words were an attempt to infuse hope into the somber atmosphere. Despite his fatigue, he was determined to find a solution. "If any ideas come to mind, I'll share them with you. And I implore you to do the same."

Yohana's hand reached out, gently touching Henrie's fatigued face, clearly concerned for his well-being. "You need rest, Henrie. I can't bear the thought of you falling ill."

With a brief farewell, Yohana left for her chamber, accompanied by Thea. The silence that enveloped them was broken only by the rhythmic echoes of Yohana's footsteps against the floor. Lost in her thoughts, she was momentarily jolted from her contemplation when Thea's voice broke the hush.

"My Lady, if you'd be willing, I have a favor to ask. May I share something with you?"

Yohana responded with a swift, kind smile. "Of course, Thea. Please, go ahead."

And so, Thea began to recount the tale of Zara—a story of suffering under the brutal hands of Lady Odetta. With Lady Heidi's removal from power, Lady Odetta had spiraled into uncontrolled aggression, targeting Zara as an outlet for her frustrations, usually after being reprimanded by the queen.

"Could there be a way for you to aid Zara, My Lady? Please pardon me if my request appears presumptuous. It's just... witnessing such cruelty firsthand, I couldn't remain idle," Thea's plea was heartfelt.

Yohana's steps halted abruptly. "Is she alright?" Concern colored her words, a reflection of her empathy.

Thea nodded in response. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice laced with an undercurrent of caution. "For now."

Yohana's decision was swift. "Summon her to my chamber, please. I wish to have a conversation with her."

"Of course, My Lady. Right away," Thea responded with a sense of urgency as she hurried off to the servants' quarters to locate Zara and convey the summons.

***

Zara entered Yohana's chamber with reluctance. Without much preamble, she began, "My Lady, thank you for the ointment. It worked wonders."

Yohana's eyes shot a sharp look at Thea, a silent reprimand for the slip in discretion. Thea, however, seemed to evade direct eye contact, a clear sign that she had disregarded Yohana's specific instructions.

Letting out a resigned sigh, Yohana addressed Zara, "I didn't provide the ointment seeking gratitude. Please, Zara, take a seat and share more about your current circumstances."

As Zara settled into a chair, she revealed that she had been stripped of her financial rights for a lengthy period of seven years. This punitive measure was a consequence of a job that had gone awry, and Yohana suspected it to be part of Queen Emma's orchestrated campaign to undermine her.

"Every coin I earned was sent directly to my family back in the village. Given recent events, I've cautioned them to use those savings prudently, though I'm uncertain if it will sustain them for seven long years," Zara confessed, tears tracing her cheeks as she recounted her hardships.

In this dire situation, quitting wasn't even a viable option for Zara. With a tarnished record and the improbable possibility of a positive recommendation from the queen, finding new employment was virtually impossible. She was trapped in a bleak dilemma.

"I understand the gravity of your circumstances," Yohana empathized, her tone compassionate. "Regrettably, an immediate solution doesn't come to mind. Can you at least find a way to avoid Lady Odetta's hostility for the time being?"

Zara appeared lost in contemplation, exploring every avenue available until she arrived at a singular conclusion. "As long as Lady Odetta remains content and the queen doesn't interfere, I might escape her wrath," she mused.

"Very well. You should return to your quarters for now. I'll consider possible options," Yohana assured her.

In truth, Yohana had an inkling of an idea forming. If the dress wouldn't significantly impact her trial, it might still serve a purpose—protecting Zara, albeit temporarily.

コメント 0のコメント

投票

ギフトを贈る

Load failed, please RETRY