Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 151

Revenge Bears Interest 151

151. Allen, Through and Through

2023.12.29.

Allen’s downfall was a huge shock to the continent, an event that would be recorded as one of the century’s most significant.

As the extent of his corruption and the crimes he committed were revealed, Galdenia was shaken to its core.

After consulting with Sarah, Leah presented irrefutable evidence that Allen, along with Tuazo and the cargo ship captain, had conspired to frame the Hamilton Company. She then personally delivered her father’s secret ledger to Empress Theresa.

“The Empress must be greatly shocked by all of this,” Sarah remarked, breaking the silence in the carriage as they headed towards Galdenia.

She glanced at Terrun and Leah, who sat across from her.

“The shock will be immense, but she needs to understand the depth of the corruption within her empire,” Terrun replied, his tone rather cold. Leah, however, had wrestled with a difficult decision before entrusting the ledger to Theresa.

Should she let the corruption continue, or should she excise it completely? Ultimately, she chose the latter.

She resolved that everything needed to be cleansed to pave the way for a fresh start.

“Empress Theresa will be attending the trial,” Leah announced.

“It must be difficult for her in many ways,” Sarah responded.

Leah was worried about Theresa. With Salamé and Louis’ engagement now public, public sentiment had turned unfavorable.

Media outlets seized the opportunity, embellishing and exaggerating sensational details, making Salamé the target of widespread criticism from the empire’s citizens.

Despite the imperial family’s attempts to refute the rumors, the newspapers relentlessly churned out new gossip daily, eager to capitalize on the rare scandal.

Amidst this turmoil, the Allen McDowell scandal erupted, and the imperial family found themselves facing accusations rather than receiving support from the public.

“Empress Theresa is a strong person,” Terrun stated with conviction.

“That’s right. She will undoubtedly overcome this difficulty,” Sarah agreed.

Leah looked at Sarah, her heart heavy with concern. Sarah mirrored her expression.

Even though they had finally brought Allen to justice, neither of them felt a sense of relief.

It wasn’t as if they sympathized with Allen. How could they articulate this hollow feeling?

‘Leah, what if you get tired now?’ she wondered.

After much contemplation, she found her answer.

Revenge is an arduous path, a painful process that chips away at one’s soul.

She felt mentally drained, even though her goal was within reach.

‘It’s almost over. Just hold on a little longer until the wrong is righted,’ Leah repeatedly told herself, seeking to bolster her resolve.

‘Father, I did it.’

It wouldn’t be truly over until she saw justice served, so she had to remain focused. Before she knew it, the carriage had entered Brasel, the capital of Galdenia.

Soon, the Galdenia courthouse came into view through the window.

The statue of Dike [the Greek goddess of justice], holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other, stood prominently before the building.

She had visited Galdenia countless times, but this time, she felt a mix of emotions as if it were her first time.

‘The day to end my misfortune is not far away.’

Leah was eager to conclude her revenge as swiftly as possible.

She yearned to live with Terrun and her loved ones, building a life of happiness rather than continuing as an instrument of vengeance.

* * *

It was the day of the trial. Leah, Terrun, and Sarah arrived at the courthouse early in the morning.

Time passed quickly, and soon the courthouse was packed with spectators.

The judges took their seats at the head table, while the prosecutors, lawyers, and Allen were positioned in the defendant’s seat, bound by ropes.

However, one seat remained conspicuously empty.

The Emperor’s seat, located directly below the judges’ seats, was vacant.

The trial was scheduled to begin imminently, but Theresa had not yet made an appearance.

Terrun was engaged in greeting several acquaintances, including Arthur.

Leah waited anxiously for the trial to commence, clutching Sarah’s hand tightly. Soon, Leah’s gaze shifted to Allen, who was clad in a prison uniform.

“He looks like broken glass,” Sarah observed, voicing Leah’s unspoken thoughts.

“He does.”

Not a trace of his former confidence remained on his shattered face.

Rumor had it that he walked with a limp because he had been shot in the leg by his own gun in the cemetery.

‘You reap what you sow, Allen McDowell.’

At that moment, a buzz swept through the courtroom. Everyone rose to their feet to greet someone.

Leah knew instinctively that Theresa had arrived. But her entrance was unexpected, surprising those who witnessed it.

‘Why is she wearing a black veil again?’

Leah was taken aback. She even worried that there might have been a problem with her makeup, forcing her to appear with a veil as before.

“Alicia is by Her Majesty’s side,” Sarah pointed out.

Leah spotted Alicia following Theresa as usual.

Leah quickly exchanged a silent glance with Alicia, who responded with a reassuring smile.

Fortunately, it didn’t appear that there was an issue with her makeup.

“We will begin the trial,” the presiding judge announced.

As Theresa settled into her seat, the trial commenced in earnest.

In reality, the primary objective wasn’t so much to determine guilt or innocence as it was to publicly expose Allen McDowell’s misdeeds to the people.

“Your Honor, Allen McDowell conspired with former Police Chief Tuazo and the cargo ship captain to frame the Hamilton Company, fabricate false evidence, and murder Leah Hamilton. Furthermore, he not only murdered the cargo ship captain but also attempted to kill Sarah Marx on multiple occasions. We submit the related evidence.”

The judges meticulously examined the evidence presented.

The evidence included proof that the poppy flowers were not smuggled from Bertan but originated in Galdenia, testimonies from the coachmen who pushed Leah Hamilton off the cliff, the testimony of former Police Chief Tuazo, and the evidence submitted by Sarah.

Among the evidence, the document proving that the Hamilton Company’s dried poppy flowers were smuggled proved to be the most decisive.

“Does the defendant admit to all these crimes?”

At the prosecutor’s question, Allen looked around with a blank expression.

His soulless eyes reflected only profound despair.

‘You should be talking arrogantly and shamelessly. That’s how Allen McDowell should be.’

Leah found it repulsive that Allen was cowering as if he were the victim.

“Leah loved me; she wanted to give me everything.”

“So you killed Leah Hamilton?”

“Whether Leah was dead or alive, the Hamilton Company was mine anyway. She was a woman who couldn’t live without me. She begged me for love every day, so it’s only natural that she paid the price, isn’t it?”

Allen’s response was incoherent.

He didn’t seem to comprehend the prosecutor’s question and rambled about his feelings. Soon, people clicked their tongues and criticized him.

“He’s finally gone crazy.”

“The greater the greed, the more unable they are to admit defeat.”

“I don’t think he even knows where he is?”

“Tsk, tsk, is there any need to continue the trial?”

Despite the public’s harsh criticism, Allen covered his ears and eyes, attempting to shut out reality.

“Did you order the coachmen to kill her to pay the price?”

At the prosecutor’s question, Allen remained silent for a long time, his face stiff.

Everyone knew that the evidence was conclusive and that the question was merely a formality, but they all waited to hear Allen’s response.

“It’s only natural that the person who loves more loses. I never forced Leah to love me. Leah made the choice, so she brought the tragedy upon herself. I just gave Leah what she wanted. Leah must have died happily. She even married the man she loved. She was a lowly merchant’s daughter, ugly, and a woman who only pretended to be great. She was always lacking for me in the first place.”

“What are you talking about?”

The prosecutor could no longer contain himself and spoke in an agitated tone.

Then Allen stood up from his seat and said to the prosecutor in a low voice.

“Actually, Leah is not dead. It’s all a disguise. She’s alive and well in Landes and pretended to be dead to frame me. She came to see me the other day too.”

“What?”

“That woman possesses the bodies of this person and that person and torments me. Leah’s soul is in that woman’s body.”

Allen pointed to Leah, and a murmur rippled through the courtroom. Leah remained impassive despite the sudden attention.

“No! She possessed the body of Duke Courtois over there. The two of them took turns interfering with and tormenting me.”

At Allen’s bizarre statement, people shook their heads or booed.

“Your Honor, Allen McDowell’s mind is not sound, making a normal trial impossible. The crimes committed by the defendant are clear. Therefore, please deliver a fair punishment.”

At the prosecutor’s words, Allen laughed maniacally, then muttered to himself, and finally screamed.

Leah closed her eyes tightly.

‘Allen, are you cowardly running away?’

In her eyes, Allen appeared frightened and was trying to escape.

He probably lacked the courage to admit to all the crimes he had committed, so he was feigning insanity.

But that wouldn’t change anything.

“He’s playing tricks, isn’t he? To avoid going to jail,” Sarah said, her voice laced with anger, sharing Leah’s thoughts.

“He doesn’t have to go to jail. I’ll make sure he can’t come out until he dies in a mental hospital separated from the world,” Leah vowed, her anger reaching its peak. Terrun looked at her with pity.

Seeing Allen, who refused to admit his guilt and evaded it until the end, made his chest feel heavy.

Now, the key was how the trial would conclude.

“Allen McDowell is of poor character for having instigated the murder of his bride, Leah Hamilton, on their wedding day. In addition to the other crimes he committed, he is sentenced to 50 years of confinement in the Reef Island Mental Ward.”

As the trial result was announced, people applauded and cheered.

“In addition, Richard Hamilton’s poppy flower smuggling has been found innocent, so his status will be restored, and all his confiscated assets and rights will be returned.”

Only then did Leah feel the knot in her chest loosen. But Allen screamed and rampaged.

“50 years on Reef Island! That’s too much! I’m going to appeal right away.”

After hearing the trial result, he either regained his senses or decided there was no need to continue pretending to be crazy, reverting to his former vile self.

However, no one paid him any attention. Instead, he was met with harsh criticism from the crowd.

Leah glared at Allen fiercely.

‘Allen, it’s not over yet. It’s just the beginning. My revenge will only end after 50 years.’