“If this were a normal courthouse, the two maids would already be on their way to the execution grounds,” Theon spoke.
These words made the candle light flicker. His shadow seemed to hiss on the maids’ shadows.
Arnacia gripped her clothes tightly to stop her hands from shivering.
At her side, Isabelle’s eyes were already teary. It looked like just one more word from the knight and she would sob uncontrollably.
The female knight, Rose, also had a foul expression, but did not speak.
“Silver Knight Theon, I commend you for bringing these poor girls to the Woman’s Court of Justice,” the veiled lady broke the shivering silence.
“What’s this long delay when the place is empty?” Theon said in a mocking tone.
“Trainee maid Arnacia, step forward for questioning,” the lady said. Her tone was unaltered since the beginning.
Arnacia walked towards the stage. Her steps were slow and steady.
‘I can change it. I can change the story. If I keep my heart rate slow and expression calm, I can deceive the lie detector! The real Arnacia would’ve confessed without thinking, but I am different.’
She climbed onto the stage and stood at the side of the table. From this angle, the wide-brimmed hat completely hid the veiled lady’s face.
“Hold this pot in your hands,” the veiled lady said.
Arnacia received a small flower pot. Under the candlelight, the single flower on the pot shined orange. It looked like a fragile primrose, with a green stem.
“Answer all my questions with honesty. If you lie, the Truthtale flower in your hands will turn black and die. ,” the veiled lady said.
Arnacia looked at the veiled face that was looking at her now. Hundreds of thin shadows covered the lady’s face. Hidden in between the dark were two shining gems.
‘Green almond eyes… is it really her?’
Arnacia and the lady stared at each other without blinking.
“Trainee maid Arnacia, do you understand?” the veiled lady said after a pause.
“Y-yes milady,” Arnacia slipped out of her stupor and said.
“What is your name?”
“Arnacia…”
‘I don’t know the full name!’ Arnacia’s eyes reflected the horror of this situation. Her character wasn’t major enough to have a surname in the novel. How could she know?
“For how many years have you been a trainee maid?” the lady asked another question.
“Three-three years,” Arnacia quickly said.
“Is the woman’s court a joke?” Theon interrupted. “Directly ask the relevant question!”
“Theon,” Rose gradually raised her voice, “This is to verify if the names you filled were right!”
“What reason do I have to bring in some random maids!” Theon angrily said.
“Then where’s the proof?” Rose also showed the same level of discontent.
“Enough,” the veiled lady interrupted. Her voice had a strange aura to it.
The two knights snorted at each other before looking towards the stage.
Everyone was now looking towards the lady.
“Trainee maid Arnacia, what is the crime you have been accused of?” the veiled lady asked.
“Silver Knight Theon accused me of sapphism,” Arnacia said.
“Whom did he accuse you of being in a relationship with?”
“My fellow maid, Isabelle,” Arnacia plainly said.
Her heart was calmer than before. She regulated her breath because in TV lie detectors measured pule and heartbeat.
‘This pot must have some receptors that connect with the flower.’ Arnacia speculated.
“Are you in a relationship with Isabelle?”
“No, I am not,” Arnacia plainly said.
Theon squinted his eyes and examined the flowerpot carefully.
Everyone’s eyes were on the flower, that was still alive as ever.
Isabelle’s hands were clasped tightly. She was expecting the flower to die at any moment now.
“Do you harbor and love towards Isabelle?” the veiled lady asked.
“No, I don’t know have any romantic feelings towards Isabelle, nor do I love her by any means,” Arnacia said without stopping.
The flower still remained orange in her hands!
‘I did it! This will be not my demise since I am not the real Arnacia.’ She rejoiced in her mind.
But admits this no one noticed Isabelle. Her face which was even pale than before.
Theon walked forward when the flower did not show any signs of movement. He looked towards Arnacia, who plainly stood on the stage with her head high.
“It’s a fake Truthtale flower! Do you use such flowers to save women?” Theon glared at the veiled woman.
“Silver Knight Theon, what is the meaning of this?” Rose stepped forward.
“It’s a ploy to save women! No wonder why not a single soul seeks justice from this place.” Theon swung his hand in the air.
“Silver Knight, why don’t you test this flower?” the veiled lady said calmly.
Thron snorted and directly jumped on the stage. His imposing figure snatched the spotlight. He gave Arnacia an angry look and snatched the flowerpot.
For a moment, he froze while examining the Truthtale flower. But he regained his haughty composure and turned towards the veiled lady.
“Silver Knight, what is your name?” was a sudden question.
“Theon Alucard,” the knight said. He surveyed the flower while answering.
“Do you hold any proof against these maids?”
Theon eyes widened. He looked at the veiled lady but did not speak a word.
Rose moved close to the stage. It seemed as if the situation could flip any moment now.
Theon was quiet for few seconds before he spoke.
“Yes, I saw them snuggling,” he said with a grin.
Just as those words left his mouth, the flower shivered. It turned gray, and the petals fell like dust.
Theon’s expressions froze on such reaction from the flower. His posture with lowered head paused at the spot.
“This can’t be true,” he spoke slowly. “This can’t be true,” his voice turned louder. He put the flowerpot on the table and stepped down from the stage. His movement was very low key. And his direction was towards the door.
Rose was surprised at this, but said nothing. Neither did the veiled lady, but a person broke the awkward silence.
“You think it’s that easy to walk away from the Women’s Court of Justice after abusing a frail young maid?”
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