“Yellian.”
When he returned to the estate, Yellian was curled up on the sofa. Leonard called his name with a voice full of concern.
Yellian didn’t even budge at Leonard’s call. Leonard carefully sat beside Yellian and enveloped his shoulders in an embrace.
“You don’t have to answer, just don’t push me away.”
“Leonard…….”
At his words, Yellian called his name with a voice mixed with crying.
Leonard let out a sigh of relief. The fact that Yellian called out to him, even with a voice that sounded like he might cry at any moment, brought him comfort.
“Nothing will happen. It’ll be okay. So…… since nothing is certain yet, let’s not worry or despair.”
“……Yes.”
With tears welling up in his eyes, Yellian nodded, and his tears splashed onto Leonard. Leonard gently wiped away his tears with his hands.
Yellian clenched his fists. Despairing and frightening thoughts kept flooding in. Thoughts he shouldn’t entertain gnawed at him.
But Leonard was right. Nothing was certain yet. So it was too early to break down.
I can wait a little longer, just a little longer for Gamja.
* * *
On the third day after Abigail announced the revised bill on animal abusers, Elton urgently sought out Leonard.
“My lord! The culprit behind the stray cat incident has been caught!”
Leonard, who had been reading documents while letting Yellian rest on his lap on the sofa, looked at Elton with surprised eyes. Yellian also sat up abruptly.
“Did you say the culprit was caught?”
“Yes! That’s right! They’re being transported to the prison right now.”
“When is the trial scheduled?”
“In a week. But there’s one problem.”
As Elton hesitated, Leonard’s brow furrowed. He pressed him with a sharp voice.
“What’s the matter? Speak up right now.”
“Well…… the culprits, you see……. they’re the heir of the Tums Dukedom and the heir of the Adenborough Barony. It’s said that heirs from other baronies are also involved.”
Leonard fell into thought for a moment. He narrowed his eyes, trying to recall who the heir of the Tums Dukedom was. Finally, remembering the face, Leonard spoke.
“The heir of the Tums Dukedom? Are you talking about Grafia Tums, the young duke?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“As for the heir of the Adenborough Barony, I know there are two. Which one is it?”
“It’s said to be both of them.”
‘Several nobles are strongly opposed. They’re saying it’s too much to execute someone just for tormenting animals a little.’
‘Some nobles are adamant. They say they absolutely cannot agree to this.’
At that moment, Abigail’s words came to mind. It had seemed strange that nobles, who appeared to have no connection to the punishment of animal abusers, were so vehemently opposed.
But to think that so many nobles were involved in this incident. Leonard ground his teeth.
“The law has already been revised, so what’s the problem?”
“Isn’t there the noble protection law? The system that reduces penalties even if a noble commits a crime. Moreover, two or three of the culprits are in their mid-teens, quite young.”
Elton, looking troubled, cautiously gauged Leonard’s reaction as he spoke. In response, Leonard replied coldly, his tone as chilling as a winter breeze.
“That’s ridiculous. The animal protection law is a newly established bill, announced with the imperial family’s consent. According to the Lapelsnia Empire’s law, when an old law and a new law conflict, the new law takes precedence. Furthermore, a bill announced with the imperial family’s consent holds higher authority than ordinary bills agreed upon by nobles. There’s no way the judge doesn’t know this, so I don’t see what the problem is.”
“Even so, they are the children of noble families. Their parents won’t just stand by. They’re already looking into who the judge will be. It’s undoubtedly an attempt to bribe or intimidate them.”
“It seems they don’t know that I was the one who created that bill. Otherwise, unless they’ve gone mad, they wouldn’t dare try to interfere with a law I made. Tell them to go ahead and try their best. Let’s use this opportunity to cut off the branches that need to be pruned.”
Leonard didn’t even blink. He had no intention of letting this incident slide.
Moreover, the Tums Dukedom and Adenborough Barony were families that constantly interfered in Abigail’s political affairs. It would be better for the future to deal with them now.
“Leonard, are you okay?”
After Elton left, Yellian asked carefully.
Though he didn’t know the exact details, he could tell that nobles had abused and killed cats. It seemed it wouldn’t be easy to punish such nobles.
He was worried that Leonard might get into trouble by pushing too hard to punish them.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry. I mean it.”
“But…….”
“Yellian, trust me.”
“……Yes. I will.”
Yellian nodded. There was nothing else he could do but trust him. Yellian struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to burst out.
* * *
“This can’t be! My child is only 15 years old. According to imperial law, children under 18 are not subject to punishment!”
“That’s true. As you say. But there’s one thing you’ve overlooked. For children under 18, the punishment is borne by their guardians instead. So, the punishment your child should receive will be taken by you and your spouse.”
Leonard responded coldly to Baron Huela’s words.
The parents of the noble children involved in this incident all flocked to the imperial family. They were pressuring Abigail to reduce their children’s sentences. Leonard, who had anticipated all of this, also headed to the imperial family and confronted them head-on.
“B-But there’s the noble protection law. So, you can’t punish us, that’s what I’m saying! No matter if you’re my lord…….”
“Imperial law dictates that when an old law and a new law conflict, the new law is followed. Did you not know even this much? Even if there’s a noble protection law, since the animal protection law was established later, the criminals can be punished under the animal protection law. Even if you are nobles. Well…… even if you call yourselves nobles, you’re utterly insignificant.”
“Even so, this can’t happen. We are nobles too, you know. You’re not the only noble, my lord. If we unite our strength, even you and the imperial family are nothing!”
At the excited words of the Adenborough Baron, Abigail slammed his fist on the desk with a loud bang.
“Baron Adenborough. Should I take your words just now as a declaration of intent to commit treason?”
“N-No, that’s not what I meant…….”
“Everyone here heard what you just said. Since you’ve declared treasonous intent right before my eyes, I can’t let this slide. Bind that man and take him away at once!”
“P-Please spare me! Please spare me!”
No matter how arrogant a noble might be, once involved in a crime of treason, even the noble protection law couldn’t protect them. Baron Adenborough, in his excitement, had made a grave mistake.
Leonard and Abigail exchanged a glance for a moment. Abigail pretended to adjust his mouth with his hand, subtly curling up the corner of his mouth. He remembered the conversation they had before the meeting.
‘Give me the support to ensure the culprits are properly punished.’
‘They’re the children of noble families. It’s tricky.’
‘Then help me take down those nobles. Weren’t they thorns in your side anyway?’
‘Is…… that possible?’
‘We have to make it possible.’
Leonard was shrewd. He perfectly guided the conversation to elicit the words he wanted. It was as if everything had been scripted like a well-written play.
Now, Baron Adenborough, entangled in the crime of treason, would be subjected to torture. Until the names of the nobles they wanted came out of his mouth.
Comment