Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 116

Don’t Get Caught by Your Husband! 116. The Trial (2)

#116. The Trial (2)

2024.06.05.

“Did the Pope really… do such a thing to them?”

The Emperor asked in disbelief.

He knew that Pronan Brielle had been gradually revealing his greed and ambition for the ever-growing influence of the Papal States for several years. But he never imagined he would do something so outrageous.

He couldn’t believe that the self-proclaimed representative of God would commit such acts against his own people, who revered him.

The Emperor raised his hand to his wrinkled forehead as if suffering from a headache.

In an instant, the situation had completely reversed, and the courtroom was now filled with utter chaos.

Amidst the confusion, Escalio appeared at the very back of the group from Lavelsena.

With a light step, he passed through the courtroom entrance, lightly leaped over the tribunal door guarded by knights, and approached Belladona directly.

Standing close to Belladona, he raised the corner of his lips and asked,

“Am I too late?”

“You’re just in time. If you were a few seconds later, I might have been exiled from the Elinus Empire.”

“I haven’t rested for a single moment since my wife sent me to Lavelsena, which is strange. I must have been delayed because I was sick. Please understand.”

Escalio said with a playful grin. Belladona looked up at him, smiling helplessly.

She had sent Escalio to the address she found while searching through the Pope’s documents. She had a nagging feeling that the place was deeply connected to the Pope’s secrets.

As she had expected, there were victims and survivors of the drug hidden by the Pope, away from people’s eyes.

“Silence! Everyone, please be quiet! I will now deliver the verdict of this trial.”

At that moment, the High Priest stepped forward to stop everyone and raised his voice. He waited for the commotion to subside before raising the verdict and speaking loudly.

“Belladona Diete has murdered her own father, Pope Pronan Brielle. Although this act constitutes patricide [the act of killing one’s father], which must be strictly punished according to imperial law…”

He paused, raising his gaze to look slowly at Belladona, Escalio, the audience, and the Emperor. Belladona looked at him with a tense expression.

“…the investigation has revealed that the reason for the murder was justifiable and close to self-defense. Furthermore, newly revealed evidence has shown that the victim, the Pope, was guilty of heinous crimes, which could have caused great harm to the Empire.”

Belladona, hearing the High Priest’s verdict, breathed a sigh of relief as the situation unfolded as she had hoped.

“However, it is true that Pope Pronan Brielle lost his life at the hands of Saintess Belladona Diete, and murder cannot be justified for any reason.”

Escalio’s hand, which was around Belladona’s shoulder, tightened.

Everyone in the courtroom listened intently to the High Priest’s voice.

“Therefore, effective immediately, Belladona Diete is permanently expelled from the Astanya Papal States. That is all.”

Graham and Hazel, who had been standing with tense faces, both sighed in relief at his verdict. Escalio also slightly relaxed his stiff body.

‘Well, this is good enough…’ Belladona took a small breath and lowered her head.

As the High Priest finished reading the verdict, everyone’s gaze shifted to the Emperor. If he gave his final consent to this verdict, the trial would end as it was.

“…”

The Emperor’s cloudy gray eyes moved towards Belladona. After staring at her silently for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I agree with the verdict. Effective today, Belladona Diete’s qualifications as a Saintess are revoked, and the Imperial Family will form an investigation team to thoroughly investigate the former Pope’s wrongdoings. However, remember that if Belladona Diete’s words are proven false or if any traces of deliberate involvement are found in the process, she will be punished more severely.”

As the Emperor finished speaking, one of the priests rang a small bell to announce the complete end of the trial.

The small bell sound was soon drowned out by the voices of the people who burst out in unison. The courtroom was quickly filled with the voices of people expressing their opinions.

“Saintess!”

“She’s not a Saintess anymore! What will happen to us?”

“When will the new Pope be elected?”

The Emperor ignored all the questions and stood up from his seat. Stepping down from the high chair, he walked slowly towards the door at the back of the courtroom.

“He means I have to clean up the mess.”

The High Priest, watching the Emperor’s disappearing figure with a tired expression, muttered in a small voice. He approached Belladona and said,

“You may return now. The trial results will be formally written and sent to Griblata Castle.”

“Understood, High Priest.”

Belladona bowed her head briefly and turned her body.

Her body was very tired and exhausted from preparing for the trial and undergoing investigations for a long time, but her mind was clear and refreshed.

She held Escalio’s large hand tightly. She wanted to get out of here quickly and return to a cozy place.

At that moment, the High Priest, who was organizing the verdict behind her, spoke again.

“Saintess. Ah, no. Mrs. Diete.”

“Yes?”

He approached again and spoke to her.

“The new title feels awkward. It’s just that, even if you are no longer a Saintess, I think there will be many things we need to ask your opinion on in the future. Would that be alright? I will send priests to Griblata from time to time.”

“You’re asking for my opinion?”

“In selecting the new Pope and managing the Papal States in the future, it seems that the former Saintess’s opinion will be important. Although further investigation is needed, it is almost certain that Cardinal Nicholas will be dismissed, so you are the only one who knows the operation of the Papal States so far.”

Belladona blinked her eyes with a troubled expression.

In a way, the High Priest’s proposal seemed very reasonable. But the problem is that I’m not a real Saintess, so I don’t know anything.

She had only lived as Saintess Belladona for about a year. So, recommending a new Pope or getting involved in the operation was virtually impossible.

“High Priest, I…”

“Once the investigation into Pope Pronan Brielle is over, we will also promote the Saintess’s return.”

“Return?”

Belladona asked in surprise. The High Priest glanced at the still murmuring attendees and nodded.

“You know what the Saintess’s existence means to the people of the Empire. With even the Pope gone, the absence of the Saintess is unacceptable to those who believe in and support the Saintess every day.”

“But that’s…”

“Moreover, if the Pope’s misdeeds are revealed in detail, public opinion will turn even more. Support for the Saintess, who chose to stain her hands with blood for the sake of the people of the Empire despite being the father who took her in and cared for her since she was a child, will increase even more.”

‘Will it really be like that…?’

Belladona turned her gaze to the people of the Empire who were shouting something at her. Having lost two people they had mentally relied on at once, they looked somewhat anxious and worried.

“However, Mrs. Diete is also the mistress of Griblata, so I am concerned that a new role may be burdensome.”

At the High Priest’s words, Belladona raised her head and looked at Escalio.

He had been silently listening to their conversation, but he raised the corner of his lips and said to her.

“Why are you looking at me? You should do what you want to do.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I will fully respect my wife’s decision, so think about it slowly.”

Escalio shrugged his shoulders and said.

“Maybe even the next Pope…”

“Oh, no! No!”

Belladona, blocking the High Priest’s words that he was taking the opportunity to utter, quickly shook her head.

“High Priest, I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of returning to Astanya. I am not qualified to do so.”

“…You are still humble.”

“I’m not being humble, I’m really not qualified! And now I want to escape from being the Saintess of Astanya and live a free life.”

Belladona squeezed the hand holding Escalio’s and said.

“You can ask me for my opinion on the Papal States at any time, but I will never return to Astanya.”

“That’s a shame. But if that is your intention, I understand.”

“However, I do have someone in mind for the next Pope, and I will tell you if I get the chance.”

Belladona replied with a soft smile. The High Priest lowered his eyebrows as if he couldn’t help it and nodded.

After hearing the answer, he turned his body and walked away to where the priests were gathered. Escalio asked, as if surprised.

“What’s with the stubborn refusal?”

“I’m sick of Astanya now. There’s no way I’d want to go back to a place with no good memories. I want to put an end to playing the fake Saintess anymore.”

“Is that so? I have no reason to refuse.”

After finishing speaking, he led Belladona to the entrance of the courtroom. From behind, she could hear the High Priest shouting to calm the attendees.

“We will be releasing an official statement soon, so please wait a little longer!”

“Please calm down!”

Listening to the pitiful High Priest’s voice, Escalio said.

“Can we really leave for Griblata now?”

“Yes! I want to go back quickly.”

“Fortunately, the cold is easing a lot. The weather is becoming perfect for spending time with you.”

“It couldn’t be better.”

Belladona replied in a refreshed voice and came out of the courtroom. As they passed through the lobby side by side and came outside, the dazzling sunlight shone down on her. Belladona reflexively narrowed her eyes.

Escalio, who put his palm on her forehead, smiled and pulled up the corners of his lips. His golden eyes, which were even more sparkling from the reflected sunlight, looked down at her affectionately.

“Congratulations, Bella. Now everything is really over.”

* * *

Belladona curled up even more in the blanket. Noticing her, Escalio let out a low laugh and bumped his hot body against her.

Belladona brought as much of her body as possible into contact with his firm muscles, as if seeking a warm stove. She stuck her ankles, which were exposed under her thick pajamas, tightly to his thighs and grumbled.

“Didn’t you say the cold had eased a lot?”

“It’s much warmer now.”

“It’s been a week since I came back to Griblata, but I still can’t get used to it. I can’t even sleep without Escalio.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”

Escalio let out a satisfied groan, pulling her round back of the head towards him. After lying close to her for a while, he spoke again.

“Bella, are you still cold?”

“It’s better than before.”

“I know a way to make your temperature rise quickly. Should I help you?”

Escalio’s body, which was speaking like that, quickly stiffened. Belladona, who immediately realized what his words meant, blushed and shook her head.

“No…! I’m okay!”

“Don’t be shy.”

Escalio, whose gaze had already become intense, lifted his thick upper body and covered her.