The hall exploded in indescribable chaos following the King's accusation of his wife. As the guards surrounded Queen Laura, a sharp voice rang out from the back of the hall: "Objection! His Majesty is hurling accusations without legal cover; this is a violation of Article Seven of the Rights of Defense!"
Forward stepped the man the nobles often called "The Fox of the Law," the attorney Lisson. Dressed in an elegant black robe and carrying a leather briefcase filled with loopholes, Lisson was not merely a lawyer; he was Laura's secret ally, sharing her hardline vision for the grandeur of Atheria.
Lisson (Standing before Judge Nichiren with absolute confidence):
"Your Honor, the King speaks from emotion, and Count Silver speaks from vengeance. I am here to speak the language of the law. Accusing Queen Laura of forgery and staging a coup requires proof of actual harm, which has not occurred."
Count Silver (Interrupting angrily):
"No harm occurred? She attempted to mislead justice and tarnish the King's reputation! Your Majesty, I urge you to pressure the jury. This treason is enough to send Laura and Pionel to the execution block together before sunset!"
King Ragus (With a heavy gaze): "Justice must be firm, Silver. Manatok, the jury must realize that leniency toward forgery is leniency toward the rights of the Throne."
Manatok withdrew with the jury once again, but this time Lisson had sent an urgent legal memorandum with them. A heated debate broke out among the jurors.
First Juror: "Count Silver is right. If we let Laura escape this, we will look like fools before the people."
Second Juror: "But Lisson relied on 'Statute Eighteen.' Look at the text here in the Atherian Royal Code."
Manatok (Reading the text aloud):
"Article 18: In the event that evidence alleged to be invalid is presented, if its falsity is uncovered before it results in a judicial verdict or material harm to the parties of the lawsuit, the act shall be classified as a 'Grave Procedural Error' and not a 'Crime of Coup,' unless tangible military movement is proven."
Third Juror: "Does this mean that Laura's forgery—since we discovered it now and it didn't actually harm the King—is not considered high treason punishable by death?"
Manatok: "Legally, yes. Lisson is very clever; he chose this timing to present the evidence knowing it would be exposed, thereby downgrading the crime from a 'successful conspiracy' to a 'legal blunder.' We cannot sentence her to death based on a 'mistake' that was never completed."
The jury returned to their stands. Lisson flashed a faint smile at Queen Laura, while King Ragus and Count Silver waited for the word "Execution."
Judge Nichiren: "Mr. Manatok, what is the jury's decision regarding the charges of forgery and conspiracy brought against Queen Laura?"
Manatok (Clearing his throat with difficulty, feeling the weight of the King's stare):
"Your Honor, after a careful review of the Royal Code, specifically Statute Eighteen... the jury finds that the evidence presented, though proven false, was uncovered in its infancy and did not lead to actual harm to the King or the core course of the case."
Count Silver (Screaming): "What do you mean?!"
Manatok (Continuing firmly):
"It means the act is legally classified as a 'Litigation Error' rather than a felony coup. Consequently, the jury drops the charge of high treason against Queen Laura regarding these documents, and the court shall limit itself to the original case of Prince Pionel."
The gavel fell. The chapter ended with King Ragus in shock and the nobles in disbelief, while Laura breathed a sigh of relief behind her cold gaze, realizing that Lisson had saved her neck from the noose at the very last moment.