I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 157

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“The second holy trial will now begin.”

 

Bang, bang, bang! The chief judge struck the gravel.

 

“As mentioned previously, the holy trial will continue until there is a unanimous decision from Pope Baor IV, Cardinal Felix, Cardinal Theo, and Cardinal Liber.”

 

Allice nervously clenched her trembling hands into fists. The reality of the situation hit her as soon as she entered the courtroom. What should I do? I’m so scared.

 

Pope Baor IV and the three Cardinals were seated before her. They were the most powerful figures on the continent. In a moment, she would have to confess she had committed perjury in the last trial! Surely, the whole continent would hear of it.

 

What to do? What to do? What to do?

 

Allice wanted to cry. She even considered fainting. Yes, last time Sister Dana fainted and the trial got postponed. She seriously considered collapsing right then and there.

 

“Before we begin, Lady Dane Windsor has requested the use of holy magic for confidentiality.”

 

What? Allice quickly looked up at the chief judge. Holy magic for confidentiality…

 

“It’s a vow of silence to prevent any disclosure of what happens during this trial. If Crown Prince consents, His Holiness will perform the ritual.”

 

Allice clutched Raios’s hand as if grasping at straws. Please don’t refuse. Please!

 

“Very well.”

 

As expected, my love! Allice felt deeply moved. Raios must truly love her since he was protecting her from danger! I’m sorry I doubted your feelings, Your Highness…

 

The holy magic followed a process similar to before. A servant brought out a silver tray and silver needle, collecting a drop of blood from everyone. The pope muttered strange words over the tray, and once again, a white light burst forth.

 

“The holy magic is now in effect. From this moment on, anything that occurs cannot be spoken of outside these walls.”

 

Allice finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least the rumors about her wouldn’t spread.

 

“In the last trial, Your Highness claimed that the chastity clause wasn’t violated…”

 

“Indeed.” Raios nodded. “It seems my fiancée, Allice, was mistaken. She wishes to retract her testimony.”

 

“Mistaken…?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The chief judge looked at Allice as if wondering how she could have been mistaken about such a thing.

 

It was finally her turn to speak. Allice resisted the urge to flee and slowly stood up. She thought only of her child. Just that child.

 

“His Highness is correct. In the last trial, I was… mistaken. So, I wish to retract my testimony.”

 

Cardinal Liber frowned as he listened. “Lady Allice. What do you mean by that?”

 

“I mean that His Highness and I have not yet consummated our marriage…”

 

Cardinal Theo let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t understand. Didn’t His Holiness personally verify through holy magic that you were carrying an imperial…” he trailed off, his face growing stern as he seemed to realize a new possibility. “…Then, whose child is it?”

 

“I’m not obligated to reveal that. It’s an imperial matter, so don’t concern yourself.” Raios spoke coldly. “You only need to know that the child is not mine.”

 

“But… Forgive me, Your Highness, but isn’t it possible that Lady Allice is retracting her testimony due to your coercion?”

 

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll undergo the judgment of soul.”

 

“…”

 

Silence fell over the room.

 

Raios seemed genuinely prepared to undergo the judgment of the soul. He had already signed a document stating that he would accept the consequences even if his soul were to be destroyed, just as he had in the previous trial.

 

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

 

Not wanting to bear the enormous burden of judging the crown prince’s soul, the pope chose to believe Allice’s declaration of perjury.

 

“I will trust Your Highness’s words.”

 

The chief judge, sensing the decision, quickly struck the gavel. Bang, bang, bang! “Then, I hereby declare that the testimony given by Lady Allice in the first trial is retracted.”

 

As soon as those words were spoken, Allice burst into tears. The humiliation was unbearable.

 

What Raios implied was clear. That Allice had committed adultery. And she was carrying another imperial’s child.

 

By now, everyone would be imagining all sorts of scenarios. Who could she be pregnant with from the imperial family? And they must think of her as an adulteress!

 

This is too cruel… It was so unfair. Allice looked up, her face drenched in tears.

 

Dana sat calmly. While Allice was suffering in hell, she remained composed and dignified.

 

Why was Allice the only one who had to endure this shame?

 

I was sister’s witness. I even stood on the witness stand for her.

 

In hindsight, it was true. If she hadn’t been Dana’s witness, she wouldn’t have had to commit perjury. She had only taken the stand for Dana’s sake. So why was she the only one being humiliated like this?

 

“Sister made me do it…” Her words slipped out before she realized it.

 

Dana turned to look at Allice for the first time.

 

“She said she needed a witness. So, she made me commit perjury!”

 

Cardinal Theo frowned. “Is that true?”

 

“Yes. I didn’t want to do it. I—”

 

At that moment, Allice was startled. It was because Raios hand gripped her hand tightly. She looked at him in surprise. His dark eyes were cold. There wasn’t a trace of warmth in them.

 

“Stop.” With those eyes, he gently commanded. “Stop, Allice.”

 

In that instant, Allice felt all her strength drain away, and she collapsed back into her seat.

 

“My fiancée was upset and misspoke. Please disregard her words.”

 

Raios’s words felt like a dagger to Allice’s heart. He was defending Dana. Not her, but Dana, and Dana’s honor! So, Raios truly loved Dana, not her…

 

Enough. Allice bit her lip. No, don’t think about it. Just focus on this child. This child only…

 

“If the witness has finished testifying, please wait in the chamber.”

 

The chief judge directed Allice with a look of undisguised contempt. It was the look one would give to a filthy adulteress.

 

Deeply wounded, Allice sniffled as she trudged toward the chamber. No one offered her any comfort.

 

As soon as the door closed behind her, the chief judge sighed and spoke. “Lady Danae Windsor, His Highness still claims his chastity. Do you have any new witnesses?”

 

“No.” Dana replied calmly. “There are no more witnesses.”

 

“Then why not stop here, Danae Windsor.” Raios murmured, sounding exhausted. “If you still doubt my chastity, I’ll submit to the judgment of soul. Let’s end it there.”

 

“No. I no longer doubt Your Highness’s chastity. But I still believe this engagement must be broken.”

 

What stubbornness was she planning now? Raios’s expression was one of exasperation.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I don’t keep my chastity.”

 

“…”

 

Raios frowned as if he hadn’t understood. He seemed to think he had misheard. So Dana looked him straight in the eyes and spoke clearly.

 

“I’m not a virgin.”

 

Cough, cough! Cardinal Theo burst into a fit of dry coughing in shock. He quickly covered his mouth, suppressing the coughs.

 

The silence that followed was like walking on thin ice. No one, absolutely no one, spoke.

 

Raios stared at her, frowning, then let out a short laugh. “You’re saying you’re not a virgin?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s nonsense. No matter how much you want to break off the engagement, you shouldn’t make claims you can’t back up in a holy trial. Saying you’re not a virgin, what utter nonsense…” Raios muttered slowly, menacingly. Then he sneered as if it were ridiculous. “Is there really someone out there brave enough to compromise your chastity?” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs, tilting his head as he asked. “Is there really anyone left with the guts to do that?”

 

There isn’t, especially among the nobles. Anyone who looked at her, spoke to her, or even approached her had been ruthlessly dealt with by Raios. Hadn’t he even cut off the fingers of Count Cedric, his own subordinate and close friend? All because she had held his hand.

 

That was the case for nobles who knew the crown prince’s wrath. But not all men are nobles. Thinking of Ignis made her smile.

 

“Yes, there is.”

 

Raios’s eyes darkened as he watched her smile. He moistened his dry lips. “Who?”

 

“You don’t need to know.”

 

“Who is it?” Raios asked in a voice so low it was chilling. “Tell me that b*stard’s name.”