New Count Gordon (1)
There was an uproar.
It had been a week since Beth left. Yet she suddenly returned with the former count’s will. Not only that, the document was recently written. It was shocking that the once thought to be dead Count was alive and well. Not only that, the contents he wrote were surprising.
[I appoint Claire Gordon to oversee all county rights, privileges, and positions. Until she completes her succession classes after her debutante, she will be in the care of a guardian she has chosen.]
Claire could appoint her own guardian.
The Count looked like a bubble about to burst as he glared Beth.
“You!!!!!”
“You’re not deaf.”
“Beth, the master may be deaf.”
“Ah, that’s right. I didn’t properly show respect to the elders.”
Having Beth and Kedrick standing in front of him, the Count felt like blood had rushed to his head. Red-faced he rushed towards Beth. However, Kedrick subdued the Count when he unsheathed his sword.
The guards and workers stared at Kedrick and wondered, How could a commoner stop a nobleman?
Kedrick causally looked at the Count and chuckled.
“Shall we go to court and determine whether this is real or not, Count?”
Though he said ‘Count’, it was not said in the submissive tone of a commoner. Kedrick showed this last courtesy, however he did not view the Count as someone being superior.
The Count avoided eye contact with Kedrick. He felt if he looked at Kedrick, it would begin his downfall.
Instead, it would be easier for him to take it before a judge. There were several courts in various territories that were managed by the imperial family.
While each province followed the laws of the imperial family, they also followed laws established by the lords. However, conflicts between nobles were not easily dealt with, so they were created under the name of the imperial family.
This incompetent court was, unfortunately, not in Count Gordon’s territory, but in Baron Hyde.
Beth thought it was amazing there was a court near where the slave auction house is secretly held. They were set up in various territories. They would often audit to see if nobles would commit a corrupted act or not. Beth decided not to question the authenticity of whether it was real or not.
The Count felt that if he went to court, he would be at a disadvantage. Instead, he tried to punish Beth and Kedrick for slandering nobility. Except, there were too many eyes watching. Because of this, if he punished them recklessly, the validity to his claim to be the rightful Count would be dubious at best. Besides, how could it be a genuine edict when even he could not even find his own brother?
However, there was something the Count had overlooked. He wasn’t as dedicated nor motivated to find the legitimate Count as Beth was. Not only that, Beth knew James, the head of the massive information guild in the Empire ‘The Desk of Raven’. The Count did not.
***
The judges who worked as local government officials under the imperial family were troubled by the recent agenda.
“Why is Count Gordon so angry these days….”
“That’s what I’m saying… “
Of course, Beth was at the root of this, but they didn’t know. What could a simple commoner with no power, no strength, and no money do? The majority shared this opinion. When they discovered the former Count’s location, they wondered how could she have travelled there so quickly? Naturally, everyone thought Beth forged the will.
Yet, the handwriting analysis performed by the judge confirmed the handwriting and signature matched the former Count’s. As Beth had never seen his handwriting before, she could not have forged it. Meaning the will proved to be authentic.
At the judge’s discretion, he placed Claire and her staff in a separate building under his protection. They all lived and ate there.
Claire looked a bit down lately. Despite being given a lovely dress and cookies from a famous bakery before leaving the estate, she was depressed. Anxiously, Beth watched the young lady.
Eventually, though, she had to leave the room.
Ryan debated whether he should follow Beth, but in the end he chose to stay alone with Claire. Though his words were rough, his personality was not. He sat next to Claire on the long sofa and stared into her eyes.
“Cough cough”
Ryan cleared his throat and was about to begin his speech.
“There is-“
“-You know, Ryan…”
When Ryan started, Claire interrupted him.
He did not give a retort and just looked at Claire.
“Huh?”
As Claire swallowed before speaking, Ryan considered what to say to console her. She finally broke the long silence.
“If we lose this trial, what will happen to Beth?”
“… uh?”
Claire asked while she tightly hugged a bunny doll. It somewhat resembled how Beth was with Claire.
“What will happen to Beth…?”
No matter how much Count Gordon despised her, she was still family. At least, Claire thought so. But Beth was just a commoner. If she lost the court case, then she would be charged with sedition. In the young eyes of Claire, Beth went to the extreme.
Thinking of how Beth’s actions were all done for her, it truly broke her heart. If she lost this trial, what would be the outcome for Beth?
“If, if I ask father to…forgive Beth.”
Tears fell as she shared her thoughts.
“Hey!”
Embarrassed, Ryan pulled up his sleeve and wiped away the tears on her cheek.
“What kind of foolishness are you talking about! Beth will not lose!”
“…But.”
“Beth is the most capable person I’ve ever known!”
Ryan, an eight-year-old, exclaimed.
“Do you think Beth is so weak?!”
“Oh, no.”
Claire shook her head, still crying.
“But it’s scary…. If Beth leaves, who will stand by me?
These were Claire’s feelings. However, Ryan didn’t understand as he’d always placed himself first. Since he lived in such a way, Ryan didn’t understand Claire’s concerns.
Ryan peered into Claire’s bright, colorful eyes. Since the moment she shielded him from harm, she still worried about her maid.
The child looked up.
If… ..
If I had someone like this, would I have been a little different?
Thump, thump.
Ryan’s heart banged against his chest. How Ryan felt on this day became a secret he kept for the rest of his life.
***
Soon the day in court arrived.
The Count’s appearance was haggard as he stood in court. Such should be the appearance of a man being crushed by his despicable sins.
Beth was forced to bring Claire, despite not wanting to. She wore a subdued dress in a dark hue to match the somber atmosphere. Claire’s legs dangled where she sat.
Beth had stood with Claire as her representative. Meanwhile, the Count stood alone. This was a grim situation.
But not for Beth.
Claire gave Beth an anxious expression. Beth smiled and clasped her hand. She bent down to Claire’s eye level.
“Beth….”
“It’s alright, my lady. Please trust me.”
Beth would not run a fool’s errand.
When it was discovered a peasant woman was Claire’s representative, reporters contemplated how to phrase tomorrow’s newspaper heading.
The case over the former Count’s will was high-profile. And unlike the previously published stories, it was rumored Claire was the illegitimate daughter left behind by the former Count. This meant, the better it was written, the more it would sell.
“Now, the trial begins.”
Between a little girl who knew nothing and a commoner, the reporters expected Beth to lose.On the other hand, Kedrick was sure of Beth’s victory. It’s Beth.
“Honorable judge…”
Beth’s opening statement was filled with cliché lines taken from court dramas and movies from her previous life.
“I am Beth, a servant to Lady Claire. Today I will confess my sins and condemn the current Count Gordon.
The hall buzzed with excitement.
The Count tried to interject, but it was not his turn. The presiding judge allowed Beth to continue.
“From winter to the end of spring, I worked as the Countess’ maid. After a long period of time had passed, I learned of Claire Gordon, the young miss’ existence.”
The following words played out like a drama. She explained how she didn’t know much but knew of the girl’s neglected abuse. As a commoner, she was fearful of what would happen if she reported the Count. Instead, she told white lies to protect the young girl…
The tender-hearted ladies wiped away their tears.They were weak to sob stories like this. Fortunately, this turn of events happened in an instant. The room was filled with nobles with no connection to the Count. Prior to the trial, when Beth had received the visitor list she was delighted.
I thought the Count would have used his hand, but he didn’t. He’s truly a stupid old man!
While Beth continued with her story, she explained how poor and weak Claire was. Naturally, referring to Claire as poor being would also win some sympathy points for her, the commoner. As Beth spoke, the chance of escaping blame became slimmer and slimmer. Strictly speaking, Beth never lied about anything. This made it even more difficult for the Count to say anything because if the truth was revealed it would do more harm than good for him. In the end when it was his turn to speak, he could not say anything.
With great interest, the reporters recorded every single word that was said in the trial. What is with this maid?. How was it possible for a maid with no education to deliver such an amazing appeal?
The judge banged the gavel and shouted to be quiet.
The investigators had already confirmed that Claire was indeed left unattended in a tower. In addition, a few retired maids confessed and provided evidence due to their conscience. Beth’s victory was in sight.
The verdict was made. The Count would be replaced from his position as Count. Claire would be his replacement.
The judge announced.
“Count Claire Gordon, according to your father’s will, you shall appoint a guardian until you have completed your training to become the successor. The decision is yours to make. Now, announce who will represent you.”
Claire tried to reply, but she became overwhelmed from being the center of attention. It was then that her Uncle ran to Claire with a strained expression.
Except, he was blocked by the knights.
Pale-faced, he sunk to the floor and begged.
“Cl, Claire!! I apologize for everything I’ve done! I, I’m so sorry! But I had my own reasons too…!”
The deposed count was sullen. He was confused between his feelings of inferiority towards his brother and guilt towards his niece. The hall buzzed with voices again.
Claire looked at the Count with trembling eyes.
“I… “
Claire opened her small mouth.
Beth’s face stiffened. She feared Claire would announce the Count as her guardian due to being soft-hearted. However, when Claire opened her mouth, the hall shook.
The name spoken was both surprising and yet expected.
“I’ll appoint Beth as my guardian.”
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