CH 10

People secretly hoped that David’s identity was Prince Ian, because they found him provocative and entertaining.

It was too late to resolve the long-standing rumour with a simple clarification. It seemed most effective to bring up David’s supposed identity as the Count of Humperwood….

Ian didn’t have to go there, as the conservative nobleman was already grilling David with his new book.

The nobleman was burning with a sense of duty to defend the royal honour by clearing up the prince’s scandal.

After exploring various ways to attack David, they finally decided to accuse him of violating publishing laws. The charge was that David’s new book contained explicit and obscene language.

Of course, it was just another sensual novel, so he would be acquitted, but it would be enough to expose him, shame him, and restore the broken social order.

But when it is revealed that David is actually a twenty-year-old baroness, it becomes a scandal of epic proportions.

The aristocracy literally flipped out when they discovered David’s true identity during the accusations against him.

They were outraged by the unmarried woman’s outrageous double life and immediately brought her to court.

The charge was ‘gross indecency.’ It was a catch-all charge of causing social disorder with indecent matters.

“The rumours about the Crown Prince and the former Princess Eris seem to have died down. The Queen is said to be very pleased….”

Marcus said and looked as positive as he could.

Indeed, Queen Violet was quite pleased that the eyes of the nation were on this unheard-of noblewoman named Natalie Dowse.

“In any case, the fact that the prince had nothing to do with David was obvious to everyone….”

“Except for the part ‘it wasn’t Prince Ian.’ Even people who didn’t know before will figure it out.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Marcus replied quickly, making a mental note of the prince’s order.

Slowly rising from his seat, Ian walked to the window and looked out.

The world was dizzy with sensual novels, but the gardens of Malik House were as peaceful as ever.

“…I don’t understand. Why they’re so angry. What is it with David?”

Ian muttered to himself.

“…It’s amazing to read, though, because there’s never been anything quite like it.”

Ian turned his head to stare at Marcus.

Aha. So you’ve read it, too. Marcus added hurriedly with a look as if he were talking.

“It’s not just about the stimulation, but the scathing social satire embedded in it. As you read, you can even feel a different level of temptation…”

This time, he didn’t look curious at all. Marcus trailed off noticeably.

“Hmph. Anyway, I’m afraid Miss Dowse and her family will find it difficult to set foot in social circles from now on.”

“Batten doesn’t recognizse freedom of expression.”

Grand Batten recognising freedom of expression. I admit it….

“…I think they’re just not used to the idea of a woman writing fiction. And even more so that an unmarried young lady wrote a sensual novel….”

“I don’t think it’s illegal.”

“It’s not illegal… but it’s not exactly normal either…. I apologise, Your Majesty.”

Marcus, who had been stammering, finally bowed.

His conventionally trained brain told him she was guilty, but the more he piled on, the harder it was to see the baron daughter’s guilt.

“It must have been a sin to startle the sensitive elders of the nobility.”

“…….”

Marcus, who was not an elderly member of the nobility, but who had been equally surprised by David’s identity, quietly shut up at the prince’s neat tidying up.

Ian looked out again at the peaceful landscape and thought.

‘Certainly unlucky.’

If David had been the Earl of Humperwood, he would not have been charged with gross indecency.

“It’s a shame.”

However, he had seen the lives of many individuals go downhill in the name of maintaining royal decency. Some had been accused of crimes they didn’t commit.

The baroness’s tragedy didn’t seem all that special to his jaded mind.

Ian stretched his long legs and began to pace. Marcus, who had returned to his duties, hurried after him to finish the rest of his report.

“The first trial for David’s case is tomorrow, starting at 10 a.m…..”

“There’s nothing more to report. Get the carriage ready. Let’s go to the Oberon Palace.”

“It will be ready at once.”

His Royal Highness Prince Ian Astius, soon to be crown prince, had better things to worry about.

“By the way, the name sounds familiar.

“Ah.”

Descending the stairs, Ian stopped dead in his tracks. Marcus turned to him, puzzled by the abrupt stop.

“What is it?”

“The letter.”

“What?”

An apricot-coloured letter envelope. Crisp handwriting. Lieutenant Heaton’s cousin.

Natalie Dowse.

“David.”

Ian muttered with a smirk.

Marcus couldn’t understand the prince’s mutterings. As always, he thought, he’s such an unpredictable person.

***

Bianca was unable to stay by Natalie’s side as her husband, the Earl of Rutherford, scolded her.

The Earl was intent on severing ties with his disgraced sister-in-law. He cut off all contact between his wife and her sister, ending with the introduction of a lawyer.

Bianca wasn’t the only one cut off.

Everyone quickly turned against her, including the Heatons, who had acted as Natalie’s guardians.

A letter arrived from her home, the Warfield Barony. It informed her that the Baroness was shocked that Natalie had been charged, and fell ill and unable to travel to Duan.

Natalie’s only companion was her defence lawyer, who seemed unmotivated.

Meanwhile, the trial of David was fast approaching.

“Please stand. Those present in the courtroom for the trial of treason and felony offences at the Central Criminal Court, please come to order.”

Even as Natalie stood in the darkened corridor with the sheriff before entering the defence box, she could clearly hear the judge’s stern voice announcing the amendment.

Treason and felony. I’m guilty of felony, she thought dizzily.

“God help the king.”

“Lord Baron Warfield, bring forth Natalie Dowse.”

It felt like fainting would be better. However, fainting was not a common occurrence like in the novel.

Passing through a dark corridor, when I stood at the dock, a solemn courtroom came into view.

There was a heavy silence as Natalie appeared. Except for her, all the men in the room were elderly gentlemen.

Their eyes fell upon her in unison. They were all hostile. Natalie involuntarily stiffened her shoulders.

“His Majesty’s court finds that Natalie Dowse, daughter of the Baron of Warfield, has produced an immoral publication, causing a disturbance of the peace and bringing dishonor to the ladies…”

The judge began to recite Natalie’s crimes, with occasional hoots and hollers from around the room.

Natalie looked nervously at her defence lawyer, who was yawning. Her hopes shattered.

“Natalie Dowse. Are you guilty or not guilty?”

The judge finally asked the prosecutor in charge, Sir Anthony Gorton.

Lord Gorton, who sported an impressive detective moustache, jumped to his feet and shouted guilty as if he’d been waiting for it. He then began to ramble on about Natalie’s crimes.

Before the courtroom, Natalie’s defence lawyer had asked her to remain silent on a subject that was not actively part of Natalie’s case for innocence, because it would look good in the eyes of the jury.

‘Please stop.’

As a result, she was subjected to one-sided verbal abuse and ridicule throughout the first trial.

For a moment, the courtroom seemed to be the only place in the world. She felt like everyone in the world was looking at her as abnormal. No, maybe it wasn’t an illusion.

‘I’ve done something crazy. I shouldn’t have written that.’

Embarrassed. Scared.

Natalie felt intense shame and fear. Tears streamed down her face as she regretted everything.

‘I wish I could just disappear.’

Just as the nobleman who had accused her, and Lord Gorton, who had prosecuted her, had intended.

“I think it is time to adjourn, the trial will resume next Sunday at 10am.”

‘…But are they right. Is it such a terrible sin that I wrote a few racy novels?’

I don’t think so.

But even as she walked away in tears, Natalie kept asking herself. Questioning was an old habit of hers. This disobedient behaviour was something her mother found very frustrating.

***

Ian, who had been closing his eyes, lifted his eyelids with a twinkle as the carriage did not move at all. Blue eyes were revealed under the shade of long eyelashes.

“We must have arrived a hundred times.”

He muttered in a languid voice.

Oh, no, I didn’t think we’d get stuck from here. His aide, Marcus, who was watching Ian’s reaction, looked out the window for no reason.

“It’s Miss Dowse’s last day in court today. And every day she’s in court, the roads in front of the courthouse and the surrounding area come to a standstill.”

Neither Marcus nor the coachman realised that the roads were paralysed all the way to the courthouse.

Miss Dowse.

Natalie Dowse.

At the mention of the name he’d forgotten, Ian stared out the car window. He immediately saw tabloids scattered across the pavement with the words ‘last trial’ in bold letters.

As far as he could remember, it was only two months ago that he’d heard the first trial was taking place. He snorted at the idea of such a quick turnaround.

When Ian looked interested, Marcus added with a glance.

“She’ll probably get a prison sentence.”

“…Was that something to be punished for.”

Ian’s brow furrowed as he realised that he hadn’t expected the baron’s daughter to actually serve a sentence.

I’m telling you, David is nothing. It was bizarre to rush in and bury a 20-year-old baron lady.

“Gross indecency is as easy to throw around as that vague name. The jurors assigned to her trial are all conservative. Whether they’re from the nobility or not, and at this rate, she’s going to be jailed.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed at Marcus’s drunken reply.

“You’re very interested. Are you a fan?”

“…Fan, no. They’re all over the newsletters, you can’t help but notice.”

Marcus, who had been talking excitedly, denied with a shrug.

Ian turned his attention back to the car window.

The carriage still showed no sign of moving. It was jammed so tightly in the front and back that turning it around seemed impossible.

After a few moments of staring out in thought, Ian turned to Marcus.

“Was it Navy Lieutenant-General Fortney and the Duke of Northum who were invited to my mother’s luncheon?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is at the Queen’s request to cultivate personal relationships with the two gentlemen.”

“I know. However, it seems like today the three of them should enjoy lunch together.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty, the roads are quite busy, but I’m sure we’ll be at Windsorbell Castle before luncheon….”

“I doubt it.”

The twenty-four-year-old man, who spoke in a very lovely tone, smiled lightly at Marcus.