Is this what Vance meant by enjoying the show?
"Huh? It's been awhile since I saw the concubine's son," Caspian said.
The nobles who participated in watching the noble trials all mutter among themselves. The last time they saw the concubine's son was the ball celebrating the founding of the kingdom. But that, too, seems like a rumour to everyone because nobody remembered the concubine's son.
Until now.
The empress stood up angrily at the sight of Vance waving nonchalantly at the emperor. "What is a retarded bastard son doing in a noble trial?," the empress yelled. The emperor sighed in exhaustion. He had to deal with the drama between his two sons, appease the anger of the noblest ducal house Aspera, his own empress' anger and now a concubine son is involved.
"My royal brother, have you lost your mind? Does a retarded person merit a conclusive evidence? He does not even have the manners of a noble, calling the emperor 'father'," Hern chuckled.
Wilhem nodded towards Vance. "Well, he may be retarded. But a mere child like him will never be dishonest,".
Everyone in the courtroom seemed to agree in unison. "Father! Brothers! Let's do our best!," Vance giggled as he waved his hands around.
I covered my lips and stifle my laughter. "What's wrong Carina?," Caspian asked.
But I merely shook my head. Vance's acting is superb, but funny in a way. Maybe it's funny to me because I know the real him.
"This is merely the makings of a tyrant," I mumbled, smiling in anticipation.
A tyrant that I raised myself. How exciting it is. Truly, it's been awhile.
"My dear little brother, tell the rest of the people here what happened," Wilhem asked Vance gently as he stood up on the witness podium.
Vance, acting like an idiot, began sobbing uncontrollably, covering his face. "I am scared. I don't want to tell everyone,".
Wilhem clicked his tongue in frustration while Hern huffed in annoyance. Hern just want to get this over with, but Wilhem managed to extend the duration of this stupid noble trial by bringing a retarded person who can't even speak normally.
"Do not worry son. Whatever you say, I will protect you," the emperor chimed in.
The emperor and Hern shared the same opinion. They both wanted this to be over with. It's embarrassing after all.
Vance momentarily raised his head and I saw for a moment how his eyes glinted, but he quickly changed his stance. "F-Father...actually...brother Hern...is the one who did it...," Vance shook in fear, but strangely he kept glancing at Wilhem.
I giggled again. I think I know the direction he's going.
"The boy is not used to acting. He made himself obvious," Caspian said.
Is he know?
Wilhem panicked when he noticed the reaction he's getting. Why is Vance acting as if I threatened him? Why is he looking at me like he's scared of me? This is a completely different direction he had in mind!
"Prince Wilhem, what is the meaning of this?," high priest calmed the room down with his gavel.
Hern chimed in, "As the high priest and everyone here witnessed, Prince Vance is clearly scared of Prince Wilhem. It is clear as day that Wilhem asked Prince Vance to falsely accuse me when he knows Prince Vance himself is an honest person,".
Wilhem panicked. "No! That is wrong! Clearly, the one who-," Wilhem sends panic signals toward Vance. But Vance smiled nonchalantly.
"What do you mean brother? I did what you clearly told me. So, did I win the game?," Vance asked, smiling happily.
"Your highness Prince Wilhem, do you know the punishment that awaits those who harm a noble of the ducal house? And it is a punishment even the royalty could not escape from?," the high priestess spoke.
Execution.
That's why the noble trial is a shameful conduct for the royals. It's because even the emperor has no power over the decision made in the trial, as this trial involves a higher power which is the gods and goddesses. And which is why most people in the royal family would sweep their problems under the rug, to avoid having a noble trial like this.
I leaned behind my chair and smiled slightly. Everything is over in under 2 hours. This has got to be the fastest noble trial ever since my reincarnation.
And Vance also might be the only one in history to take over the throne in less than 12 years unlike my little brother from my previous life.
"N-no...it can't be. Vance, tell them the truth! Tell them!," Wilhem shouted, losing his composure.
Vance trembled in fear as he looked at the high priest. "Grandpa, I swear to gods and goddesses I never lie!,"
"Child, if you aren't lying then swear by them. If you lie, you receive divine punishment,"
I stood up quickly. No! If he swears, then he'll be lying! This all started because I manipulated my own mana and caused injury to myself. Caspian turned towards me, wondering what caused me to stood up.
"Yes, I swear that my brother Wilhem wanted to kill my master but he also wanted to kill brother Hern so he told me that brother Hern should take the blame," Vance said.
I paused for a moment when the whole courtroom is noisy and anticipate a divine punishment. But nothing happened to Vance. "Wait...I don't understand," I mumbled.
The high priest calmed the room again with his gavel and stood up. "It is concluded. The one who is a sinner, the one who kills the noble Lady Carina von Aspera, is his highness Wilhem,".
The emperor sighed in relief knowing it's over while the empress smiled, knowing that her only son survived. "It can't be...no it can't!!!," Wilhem shouted.
"You little devil, you!!," Wilhem rushed towards Vance with bloodshot eyes.
However, the paladins quickly caught him and dragged him away. "You devil! I won't forgive you Vance! Die you piece of shit!!,".
Everyone watched Wilhem getting dragged away, but nobody noticed how Vance is smiling at the sight of one of his opponent being removed.