Chapter 10
People secretly hoped that David’s true identity was Prince Ian. It was probably because that was more exciting and entertaining.
It was too late to resolve the long-neglected rumors with a simple explanation. The most effective approach seemed to be to expose the Marquess Humperwood, who was suspected to be David’s true identity.
Fortunately, the extremely conservative House of Lords was already targeting David over his new work, so Ian didn’t have to get involved personally.
The House of Lords was fired up with a mission to clear the prince’s scandal and protect the royal family’s honor.
After exploring various ways to attack David, they finally decided to indict him for violating publishing laws. The charge was based on the inclusion of explicit and obscene words in David’s new work.
Of course, since the expressions were no different from those in typical erotic novels, he would likely be acquitted even if prosecuted. But revealing his identity and shaming him would be enough to restore the broken social order.
However, when it was revealed that David’s true form was a twenty-year-old baroness, the matter became a huge scandal.
The House of Lords, upon discovering David’s identity during the indictment process, was literally turned upside down.
They were extremely angry at the audacious double life of an unmarried young lady and immediately filed charges against her.
The charge was “serious obscenity.” It was a convenient law for arresting anyone causing social disorder through obscene matters.
“The rumors about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and former Marquess Eris seem to have quieted down. The Queen is very satisfied…”
Marcus tried to speak in the most positive way possible.
In reality, Queen Violet was very pleased that the entire nation’s attention was focused on an unheard-of noblewoman named Natalie Dawes.
“Anyway, everyone knows the prince has nothing to do with David…”
“Leave out that it wasn’t Prince Ian. Otherwise, even those who didn’t know will find out.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Marcus answered promptly, taking notes on the prince’s orders.
Ian slowly stood up and walked to the window to look outside.
The world was in turmoil over the erotic novel, but the garden of Malik House was peaceful as ever.
“…I just can’t understand it. Why are they so angry? What is David anyway?”
Ian muttered to himself, almost laughing.
“…When you read it, it’s surprising. Such boldness and exhilaration have never existed before.”
Ian turned his head and stared intently at Marcus.
Marcus hurriedly added, as if saying, “Ah, so you’ve read it too.”
“It’s not just provocative. The social satire within is sharp. If you keep reading, there’s even a different level of aestheticism…”
This time, Ian’s face showed no interest at all. Marcus wisely cut his words short.
“Ahem. Anyway, Miss Dawes and her family will have a hard time stepping into society from now on.”
“Doesn’t Grand Batten recognize freedom of expression?”
Grand Batten did recognize freedom of expression. They did, but…
“…It’s just that it’s unusual for a woman to write novels, and even more so that an unmarried young lady wrote erotic novels…”
“That’s not illegal.”
“It’s not illegal, but… it’s hard to say it’s normal either… Sorry, Your Highness.”
Marcus, babbling, finally bowed his head.
His brain, steeped in tradition, concluded she was guilty. But the more he spoke, the harder it was to pinpoint the baroness’s crime.
“Seems she shocked the sensitive old men of the House of Lords.”
“……”
Marcus wasn’t one of those old noblemen, but he was equally surprised by David’s identity. He quietly fell silent at the prince’s neat summary.
Ian looked out at the peaceful scenery again and thought,
‘Definitely unlucky.’
If David had been Marquess Humperwood, he wouldn’t have been indicted for serious obscenity.
“Such a pity.”
Still, Ian had seen many lives ruined trying to maintain the royal dignity. Some were even falsely accused.
Having become numb to such things, the tragedy of the baroness did not feel particularly special to him.
Ian stretched his long legs and began to walk. Marcus, having returned to his duties, hurried after him and continued the remaining report.
“David’s first trial will begin tomorrow at 10 a.m…”
“No more reports. Prepare the carriage. We’re going to Oberon Palace.”
“I’ll prepare it immediately.”
Prince Ian Astiers, soon to be Crown Prince, had more important matters to attend to.
‘By the way, that name sounds familiar.’
“Ah.”
Ian stopped suddenly while descending the stairs. Marcus looked puzzled and asked,
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“A letter.”
“Yes?”
An apricot-colored envelope. Sturdy handwriting. Lieutenant Heaton’s cousin.
Natalie Dawes.
“So it was David.”
Ian muttered with a bitter smile.
Marcus couldn’t understand the prince’s muttering. As always, he thought the prince was quite unpredictable.
***
Bianca couldn’t stay by Natalie’s side due to pressure from her husband, the Count of Rutherford.
The Count intended to sever ties with the disgraced in-laws. After introducing a lawyer, he cut off contact between his wife and her sister.
It wasn’t just Bianca who lost contact.
The Heaton family, who had been Natalie’s guardian, and everyone else quickly turned their backs on her.
A letter arrived from the Warfield Marquess family, but the Marquess’s wife was so shocked by Natalie’s indictment that she fell ill, and no one could visit Dwan.
Only a disinterested lawyer remained by Natalie’s side.
Meanwhile, the “David trial” was approaching rapidly.
“Stand up. Those attending the Central Criminal Court’s treason and serious crime trial must maintain order.”
Even while waiting in a dark corridor with the sheriff before entering the defendant’s seat, Natalie clearly heard the judge’s solemn voice declaring the session open.
Treason and serious crime. Me, a serious criminal. She felt dizzy.
“God save the King.”
“Bring forth Warfield Marquess’s daughter, Natalie Dawes.”
She thought fainting would be better. But fainting, unlike in novels, rarely happened.
Passing through the dark corridor and standing in the defendant’s seat, she saw the solemn courtroom at a glance.
A heavy silence fell at Natalie’s appearance. Except for her, the crowded attendees were all elderly gentlemen.
Their gazes turned sharply hostile toward Natalie. She unconsciously shrank her shoulders.
“The court of His Majesty the King charges Warfield Marquess’s daughter, Natalie Dawes, with producing immoral publications, inciting public disorder, and dishonoring ladies…”
The judge began reading Natalie’s charges. Occasional shouts and jeers broke out.
Natalie anxiously looked for her lawyer. He was yawning. Her faint hope was shattered.
“Natalie Dawes. Guilty or not guilty?”
Finally, the judge asked the prosecutor, Sir Anthony Gotton.
Sir Gotton, with his detective-like mustache, stood eagerly and shouted “Guilty.” Then he enthusiastically began listing Natalie’s crimes.
Before the trial, Natalie’s lawyer, who was not proactive in proving her innocence, demanded she remain silent. He said it would look better to the jury.
“Please stop.”
Because of that, she endured one-sided verbal abuse and mockery throughout the first trial.
At that moment, the courtroom felt like her entire world. She felt as if everyone was accusing her of being abnormal. Or maybe it wasn’t just a feeling.
“I’ve done something crazy. I shouldn’t have written those stories.”
She was ashamed and scared.
Natalie felt extreme shame and fear. Tears fell uncontrollably as she regretted everything.
“I want to disappear like this.”
That was exactly what the House of Lords who accused her and Sir Gotton who prosecuted her intended.
“It seems time for recess. The trial will resume next Sunday at 10 a.m.”
“…But are they right? Is writing a little dirty novel really such a terrible crime?”
She doubted it.
Even as she left the courtroom in tears, Natalie kept asking herself silently. Questioning and arguing was an old habit of hers. That rebellious attitude was something her mother found very troublesome.
***
Ian, who had been closing his eyes as the carriage remained stuck, suddenly opened his eyelids. Beneath the shadow of his long eyelashes, his bright blue eyes appeared.
“We should have arrived a hundred times by now.”
He muttered in a languid voice.
Oh no, it’s stuck here. Marcus, who had been watching Ian nervously, glanced out the window in vain.
“Today is Miss Dawes’s last trial, so the roads seem blocked. Every time she has a trial, not only the courthouse but the surrounding roads are paralyzed.”
Neither Marcus nor the coachman knew the roads far from the courthouse were also blocked.
Miss Dawes.
Natalie Dawes.
At the mention of the long-forgotten name, Ian involuntarily looked out the window. He immediately noticed tabloids with the bold headline “Last Trial” scattered on the streets.
He remembered hearing about the first trial two months ago. Her trial was already nearing its end. He scoffed at how quickly things moved in this case.
Seeing Ian’s interest, Marcus cautiously added,
“She will probably receive a prison sentence.”
“…Was that really a crime deserving prison?”
Ian’s brows instantly furrowed, unable to believe a baroness would actually be sentenced.
What was David? It was bizarre how everyone rushed to bury a twenty-year-old baroness.
“The charge of serious obscenity is a vague law that can be applied anywhere. The jurors assigned to her trial are all conservative, probably appointed by the House of Lords. At this rate, she’ll get prison time.”
Ian narrowed his eyes at Marcus’s fluent explanation.
“You’re very interested. Are you a fan?”
“…Not a fan. But it’s impossible not to know since every newsletter is talking about it.”
Marcus denied sheepishly after speaking excitedly without realizing it.
Ian looked out the window again.
The carriage still showed no sign of moving. It was completely blocked front and back, making turning impossible.
After a moment of contemplation, Ian suddenly asked Marcus,
“Is it true that the naval admiral Portney and the Duke of Northum were invited to Mother’s luncheon?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The Queen wants to build personal ties with both of them.”
“I understand. But I suppose the three of them will have to enjoy the luncheon today.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. The roads are quite blocked, but we should arrive at Windsorbell Palace before the luncheon…”
“I don’t think so.”
The twenty-four-year-old man spoke in an adorably teasing tone and gave Marcus a sly smile.
