I am not the Villainess

Chapter 58 pt.2

CHAPTER 58 pt. 2

“What could be odder about them than the fact that we were unaware of this? The people are already questioning us, your highness. Families of the victims are growing impatient as well. Do you know how critical it is right now? If we can’t give them an answer, they might start a rally or worse a rebellion!” Count Pernelle argued.

The officials gasped at the mention of a 'rebellion'. For such a word being mentioned in the presence of His Majesty, Count Pernelle has gone mad.

Noah's eyes were cold as ice when he glared at him. "Count Pernell, be careful of what you say," he warned. To calm himself, Count Pernelle averted his sight and cleared his throat. He didn't say anything further after that.

“I understand what you’re trying to say. We're indeed under a lot of pressure and we don't have a lot of time, but that doesn't mean we'll just grab anyone and accuse them of being the suspect, am I right?” Noah stated.

“But... your highness, why are you so sure that Baron Miller is not the suspect?” now, it was Marquess Preston who raised the question.

Since earlier, only members of the Aristocratic Faction have been expressing their opinions. Although the Imperial Faction was dissatisfied by His Highness' decision as well, they were afraid to speak up for fear of jeopardizing His Highness' reputation.

They were, however, so intrigued that Marquess Preston couldn't stop himself and had to inquire already.

On the other hand, Noah doesn't really care if the Imperial Faction expresses their discontent. He was well aware of how his decision appeared to others, but he couldn't simply reveal his suspicions and Investor J.

“Right, aren’t the evidence we have right now enough to conclude it’s Baron Miller? Everything points to him so perfectly!” Count Barbel agreed.

Noah exhaled silently, undecided about whether or not to answer their queries honestly. If he tells them the truth, he’ll risk the fact that the true culprit may be among them. However, if he continues to deny it, it will also not look good on him and the officials will just insist anyways.

What should I do?

He sighed once again and answered, “Exactly my point. Everything points to him so perfectly, it’s already suspicious.”

After that, Noah didn't say anything else, leaving them to figure out what he was pointing at on their own.

After some time had passed, Marquess Preston spoke out and expressed what they had all been thinking.

“Are you saying...it might be orchestrated?” he asked.

Noah didn't respond anymore, confirming it. The officials all became silent as well as they considered the possibility. Even His Majesty began to understand what Noah was implying.

As Noah stated, the pieces of evidence were so thorough and flawless that it was easy to identify Baron Miller as the suspect without a doubt. However, if one thinks about it, it does seem strange. The timing was too perfect, it couldn’t be a mere coincidence.

Is it truly orchestrated as Noah said? But...who will do this and for what? His Majesty thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the Aristocratic Faction's members were becoming restless. This was a great opportunity for them to obstruct His Highness. They could easily blame His Highness for being irresponsible, and they will broadcast this later so that the public will be aware of his actions. Then, the public will lose their trust and the Imperial Faction will weaken.

However, now that they raised the possibility that the pieces of evidence they found may be orchestrated, they couldn’t use it against His Highness anymore. The public will see it as reasonable that they will even praise His Highness for being ‘careful’.

“T-that couldn’t possibly be! Are you sure you’re not trying to make an excuse for your irresponsibility, your highness?” Marquess Browne challenged, obviously feeling threatened.

Noah's eyes were frigid as ice when he looked at him.

“What are you trying to say, Marquess?” he asked in a voice so cold, one would tremble on the spot. There was also a dark aura that started to surround him, causing everyone in the room to shudder in fear.

Marquess Browne was already trembling, but he kept his cool and rebutted back.

“I-I'm implying that the evidence has already been discovered and the culprit has already been identified. It simply does not make any sense that we are continuing to prolong the investigation. A-and, even if it was all staged, why did your highness keep it hidden from the Imperial Court? I-if this isn’t being irresponsible, then I don’t know what is...” he argued, boldly.

With what Marquess Browne had pointed, the Aristocratic Faction had discovered yet another opportunity to thwart His Highness. They all agreed with Marquess Browne, and His Highness was sent to a corner yet again.

Noah exhaled exasperatedly. He already expected them for this to be stubborn, but they’re really getting on his nerves.

He looked around the meeting hall to observe everyone. While the members of the Aristocratic Faction continued to throw statements at him, the Imperial Faction remained quiet with their brows furrowed. It was obvious that the members of the Imperial Faction felt restless at how things were going. Noah was at the disadvantage, and even though the Imperial Faction wanted to help him, they really can’t do anything as well since they can’t deny Marquess Browne had a point.

This doesn’t bother Noah, however. He knows he’s really at the wrong here, and he doesn’t really want to be justified. What’s done was done. Now, what’s more, important was to find out who leaked this information in the first place and who the true culprit is.

“Your Majesty, please give us an order to arrest Baron Miller at once!” one of the members of the Aristocratic Faction shouted.

The rest followed, all of them insisting for Baron Miller to be arrested.

“Arrest Baron Miller!”

“Baron Miller is the criminal!”

The chants grew louder, and His Majesty was already in a state of confusion. He cast a glance at Noah, who remained standing in front of the officials. Noah wasn't doing anything and didn't have any expression on his face that His Majesty couldn’t help but worry.

What are you thinking, son?

His Majesty sighed.

To be honest, he understood Noah's argument in this situation. Noah was being cautious and wanted to look into it further because he suspected the evidence was being staged. They cannot, however, dispute the fact that they were indeed running out of time. People are already becoming agitated, and extending the investigation may cause them to create a ruckus.

After the meeting, the Aristocratic Faction will undoubtedly broadcast all that had been discussed in this hall, ensuring that His Highness is portrayed in a negative light. They will unquestionably utilize the public's opinion to impede His Highness. And, of course, the outcome will be obvious.

That’s why His Majesty must also take into account what the Aristocratic Faction has said. In order to protect Noah, he must first calm the people down.

If we don’t arrest Baron Miller, Noah will be the one who’ll suffer the most... I’m sorry, son, but this is what I have to do.

“Arrest Baron Miller immediately.” His Majesty ordered in a magisterial tone.

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reyankleyr