Even as the nobles and commoners surrounded her and poured out their insults and curses,the scrawny woman with restraints so tight ,they scratched away her fragile skin,stared down at her feet in a daze.

“Kill that despicable woman!”

“If you stare into her eyes,you’ll be cursed and suffer for the rest of your life!”

“Move back!If you accidentally touch her,you’ll be dirty.”

Nobles and townsfolk alike treated her as if she was the plague,a being that would bring about despair and bad luck if you even looked at her.Even her own family had abandoned her without a second thought,crushing whatever honour she still had

The woman with unique hair,as black as the night,was dragged by the chain by the knights that would disrespect her even before her condemnation.And yet,she never complained,she lowered her head and so nobody could tell what expression she held.

The imperial knights who were roughly dragging her to the destination of her public trial,grimaced,unsatisfied that the woman didn’t show any signs of suffering.

[To think that woman was so arrogant that she wouldn’t even recognise her situation]

[I expected her to cry pathetically,what a shame.]

[She must still be delusional enough to think the Olleana Duchy will save her]

Many spectators found it disappointing that they weren’t able to witness first hand the downfall of the proud lady of Olleana,who was despised for her luxurious lifestyle and her petty nature.Each time the lady stumbled or was pushed by the guards,they rejoiced.

Finally,after an unnecessarily long walk of shame,the accused had arrived at her trial.The crime?Harassment and attempted murder on the Crown princess.Essentially,she was now a treacherous witch in the eyes of the people of the empire of Cassia.

She stood in front of the Emperor with the crown prince,showing a disgusted expression,by his side.The emperor,despite his age and growing grey hairs,exuded a powerful presence that silenced all spectators.For what felt like an eternity,the emperor stared down with his uniquely orange eyes at the ragged figure that was rumoured to be the most prideful woman in the empire.Everybody held their breaths as the emperor,Rowen Askan Cassia,breathed out a long sigh.He finally opened his mouth.

“Raise your head,the accused,Lady Maribelle Olleanna”

All eyes turned to Maribelle,who calmly raised her head revealing a pair of alluring black cat-like eyes that curled upwards at the side with delicately long eyelashes.A determined and yet expressionless gaunt face,that was neither too delicate nor too harsh.She was truly a beauty deserving of the Olleanna Duchy

Without any visibly readable expression,she held the ends of her grey and filth caked skirt,and bowed down until her body was essentially on the ground.

“This lady undeservingly greets the light of the empire”

Unconsciously,her gaze turned momentarily to the shivering rose gold haired lady clinging to the crown prince’s side,looking as if she was about to burst into tears.

“Don’t worry,my love,that wicked woman can’t harm you anymore.”

“But…but…Angelina is scared…..she looks scary..”

Maribelle rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue,in her mind of course, at the overly affectionate display that she was always disgusted by.

[Just get a room!Can you at least not do this during MY trial,what do you think this is?An audition for an Oprah show?]

The emperor motioned to begin to the aide who was on a level lower than him.

“Lady Maribelle Olleana,you have been accused of knowingly attempting to cause harm to the future empress,Lady Angelica Cellino,by hiring a maid to poison her tea and sending assassins repeatedly to kill her.Do you have anything to say for yourself!?”

[Future empress my ass,that brat is so incompetent,a monkey could do a better job]

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I have never committed such acts,the accusations are false.”

“Liar!You dared to threaten Angel with your position and even had your followers harass and outcast her!”

“That's right!Lady Maribelle would send me threatening letters and even purposely ruin my dresses by pouring wine on them!”Angelica cried out in crocodile tears

The emperor massaged his temples,as if coming up with a headache.Maribelle understood his actions and felt an inkling of sympathy.

“Lady Maribelle,do you have any explanation?”

“I never sent any letters and….how would the black sheep of society even have any followers?”The crown prince,Lloyd Arno Cassia,pointed at her in an outburst.

“How dare you insult the Royal family with your tone,you wicked woman!”

“Then,Lady Maribelle,can you explain the numerous witnesses including the young masters of Olleanna that agree with the accusations?”

Maribelle shifted her gaze to the Olleanna Duchy,glaring down at her in hatred from above,her two older brothers and her biological father.She expected them to side with Angelica,but didn’t think they would stoop so low to crush her chances by speaking out against her.

The only one to look at her with sorrow in his eyes,was her politically powerless cousin,who was like a puppy who would stick to her side.She felt regretful that she wouldn’t be able to stand by him in the future,but in her heart,she prayed he wouldn't suffer the same fate as her.

“I cannot.”

“So you have no counterargument?”

“I do not.As you may be aware,I do not have any witnesses that would side with me”

The spectators all scoffed and whispered at her sarcastic and petty tone,as if picking a fight.But to her,she would not go down without at least putting up some sort of a fight.

[Either way,the result was already decided before I arrived.This trial had no purpose other than to shame me.]

Would they execute her?Seeing how the Duchy had disowned her,it was a probability.

[Hopefully when I die,I don’t have to deal with assholes like these.]

As if already preparing for her death,she started planning her next life.Unconsciously,letting out a smile,causing others to move back at the creepy sight.

[In the next life,I hope I can be born near the sea…if I have to deal with corsets and diets again,I’ll probably kill myself..]

The emperor spoke up in a serious tone.

“Then,do you admit your guilt?Lady Maribelle?”

With a gentle smile and eyes that curled upwards into crescents,Maribelle spoke.

“It seems I have no other choice but to admit I’m guilty”

Lloyd,Angelica and all members of the spectators all fumed at her nonchalance,seeing that she held no remorse.Everyone,except the emperor.

[It's a shame.That Cassia will lose such a talent so easily]

His eyes showed a glint of pity and regret.

But if she had no will to fight,he would not fight for her.

“Very well.”

Everybody held their breaths waiting for Rowens verdict,would it be execution?Torture?Painful Labour till her death?

“By my will,I sentence the accused,Maribelle Olleanna,to be banished from Cassia and live the rest of her life in the land of Donna!”

Whispers and questions burst out in confusion at the surprisingly lenient punishment?

Especially the crown prince,who turned to his father,requesting for a far harsher punishment.

The emperor waved his hand and announced to the bewildered crowd.

“This is my final decision.The prisoner will be stripped of her family name and live in exile for the rest of her life.She will reside in the dungeon until it is time for her transfer.”

“Father!’

“I will not change my mind.”

“Your majesty,I object.”

Surprisingly,someone other than the crown prince decided to speak up.Maribelle who was equally shocked as everyone else turned to the source of the voice and scoffed.It was none other than her own oldest brother,the future Duke of Olleanna

“You dare challenge my decision”

“The crimes of that woman have brought shame to my family and have also threatened the future of this empire.I believe her crimes warrant more than Exile.”

“That woman is your sister,is she not?”

“The traitor is not my sister,she is not worthy of the Olleanna name”

The emperor looked unpleasant at the words of the young duke.

“Does the Duke agree with your son?”

The unresponsive and cold duke,answered as if it was obvious from the start.

“That woman is unrelated to Olleanna,I have no reason to side with her….I will accept whatever punishment you bestow,My emperor.”

“ Then my decision stays the same”

There were of course still objections from both his son and the young dukes,but the emperor remained steadfast as he looked at the fragile but strong figure of Maribelle.

[This is the last thing I can do for that child]

The trial had ended and as the crowds started to disperse,the guards roughly grabbed Maribelle by her forearm and dragged her towards the dungeon,where she would be imprisoned until she gets sent to Donna

“To think that heinous thing would get off so easily”Lloyd grumbled as he begin walking away.Angelica,who remained hooked to his arm replied in a sympathetic tone

“It’s okay,Lloyd,I just hope Maribelle will learn her lesson and repent.”

“My dear Angel,You are far too kind”

[I can’t believe that woman was let off so leniently!I even had the crown prince and Duchy on my side!]She bit her lip in frustration.

Angelica wanted to see Maribelle fall into despair and finally give up her pride,she wanted her to beg for mercy.

[I need to get rid of her]

She turned to the Lloyd and with a hidden smile,she spoke of her ‘worries’

“Hopefully Maribelle's journey will be safe,I heard it's common for accidents to happen when travelling through Donna,since the roads are rough and the winter is harsh”

Lloyd,hearing Angelica’s words,came up with an idea to finally crush the proud Maribelle.

“Yes,it would indeed be unlucky if an accident were to happen”