After passing the witnesses and evidence, the temple council must make a decision, that is, what punishment the Marquise must face. The emperors cannot intervene, they were only allowed to be present as part of the public. While the council debates the punishment, the Empress approaches Katerina.
“I can't imagine how difficult it must be to go through this and lose your appointment as a Saint,” she mentions sadly.
But Katerina knows that her words are not even sincere and most likely, she is already thinking about breaking the engagement.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, it is so terrible to have to testify against my mother, but the temple could not be fooled because no matter the time, the truth would come out, don't you think? Secrets, especially bad ones, are not hidden forever.” Katerina stares at the empress.
The Empress was silent at Katerina's words, it was as if she was reproaching her for something. The Marquis approaches and apologizes to the Empress, walking away from her with Katerina, while the Empress did not even know what to say about the blonde young woman's words. After a few hours, the temple council comes out to announce its decision.
“Given that her crime was discovered in time, we ask that the Marquise be locked up in the temple dungeons for ten years. After serving those ten years, she is asked to be expelled from the empire, without titles, and her family will not be able to contact her.”
"What? You can't do this to me, I swear it's all a lie... Katerina, my daughter... tell them, show them that you are the Saint...” she pleads.
“I am not… observe, if I were the Saint, I would not have another type of magic.”
Katerina raises her hand and forms ice crystals, which confirms more clearly that she does not possess light mana but rather, her mana is ice.
“You have all witnessed everything. The sentence is accepted, take the woman away. Marquis, out of respect for your family, if you wish, you can visit the Marquise Rosesky tomorrow to say goodbye to her, and in order not to be linked to a criminal, His Majesty the Emperor has agreed to dissolve your marriage to that woman.”
The emperor nods at what the cardinal has said, stating that the document will be sent to his mansion within the next few days. The Marquise only begs not to be taken, but the temple guards drag her out of the room, ending the trial. Katerina and the Marquis receive words of consolation from the nobles. Katerina is praised for her bravery in not allowing her mother to continue lying.
"It must not have been easy for you, but it proves your courage and sincerity."
“Your courage in the face of such a situation demonstrates your sincerity.”
“I admire you. It must be difficult to be without your mother, but you have done the right thing and it is admirable.”
Those and more, were the words she heard for a while from the nobles. After that, the Marquis asked her to wait for him, as he must speak with the cardinal. Katerina is left waiting on a bench near the garden.
The Empress and her maids are walking down the hall, but upon seeing Katerina, she decides to approach, although she stops when she sees that Arek has approached the blonde young woman and they are both talking, which seems not to be the first time they have met. Seeing this bothers the Empress because even though Katerina is no longer the Saint, she is still the daughter of the most influential Marquis in the empire. She cannot allow Arek to approach her, so she must hurry the Emperor so that Arek is sent to the border because apparently, he is looking to get closer to Katerina.
Katerina has noticed the Empress's presence, so she asks Arek to sit next to her. The boy notices the presence of the Empress, so he does not hesitate to sit next to Katerina, and she leans towards him, hugging him, as if seeking comfort. Arek follows her lead by stroking the blonde young woman's hair.
Upon seeing this, the Empress hurriedly walks towards them and hears the young woman's sobs.
“You did the right thing, and you should be proud. Your mother will one day understand that you only prevented the consequences from being more serious," she speaks kindly.
“Thank you, Your Highness… you are very kind.”
Katerina pulls away, and Arek hands her a handkerchief.
“I understand that Lady Katerina is sad about her mother, but if they see you so close, misunderstandings will arise," he speaks in annoyance.
“Your Majesty, I am sorry for what you have seen… but right now, the least of my concern is my reputation,” she expresses sadly.
"Your Majesty, Lady Katerina is very sensitive. Excuse me, I will accompany her in search of the Marquis."
Arek helps her to her feet while still hugging her by the shoulders.
"You don't have to, I'll take her." She motions for a maid to help Katerina.
"No, I will go with Your Highness," Katerina refuses the maid.
Without the Empress being able to say anything else, Katerina and Arek leave together, causing the Empress more distress.
Already at the Marquis's mansion, he and Katerina enter the house, there, one of the Marquise's brothers was waiting. He looked furious and demanded explanations about what had happened, as he had just found out about the accusations against his sister.
“How can you accuse your mother like that? You are a shameless daughter,” the man yells furiously.
“You don't yell at my daughter, she only did the right thing, and be thankful that your sister is still alive. If they had discovered her lie at an advanced stage, it would have been worse for her,” warns the Marquis.
“She is your wife. How could you do this to her? You should protect her! What will become of us without her?”
“They'll have to fend for themselves. I suppose that was the problem, the money she sent you, right? Well, I'm afraid you won't receive anything. The Emperor has granted me the divorce.”
“What? You are a bastard! How can you abandon us like this? I'm not going to let you divorce my sister and leave us with nothing.”
The Marquis orders his guards to remove the man from his house; he does not want to hear his complaints, since his only interest seems to be that now they will have their sister to send them money.
"Looks like Uncle will have to learn to work," Katerina mentions.
“Not only him, everyone in that family. Now go to rest, daughter.” The Marquis kisses her forehead and asks a maid to help her with the bath and let her rest.
The Marquis also asks them to prepare his bath; it has been a long day, and he wants to rest a bit.
...
Little picture of the Marquis, now divorced, line up and don't push. 🫢
Jane
Jack
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