How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

I had heard that Matthias’s strange behavior had been a small source of entertainment for the villagers. Every time he caused a disturbance, people from the village would gather, chattering and making a fuss. To some, it might have seemed as if his actions spread a dangerous influence throughout the village. If this continued, it could eventually reach the royal family.

If the mayor had ties to Everett, he would have recognized that this could become a sensitive matter. That was why he wanted to silence Matthias before things got out of hand. Whether Matthias was actually innocent was of no importance. After all, it was just a matter of dealing with a simple, ignorant villager.

However, Matthias had only one life. I could not allow him to be executed as in the original story. There was no one else to help him. Everything depended on me.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Tristan held my hand beside me.

When I turned my head, his blue eyes met mine. They were calm and steady, like a deep lake. Slowly, I felt a sense of peace and warmth at my fingertips. I nodded lightly to Tristan. His lips curved slightly into a soft smile.

I rose from my seat.

“Defendant Matthias. I ask you one last time. Do you admit to the act of treason…?”

“Wait.”

I raised my hand gently, interrupting the mayor. The mayor glanced at me with half-lidded eyes, clearly annoyed. He looked as if he wanted to shout at me to leave immediately. It was fortunate that I had already revealed my identity as the Grand Consort. Had I stepped in without any explanation, I might have been accused as an accomplice of treason.

I spoke calmly.

“I am Ruellin del Elsworth von Hezekia. I wish to present a rebuttal to all the charges brought by the court.”

“…What do you, the Grand Consort of Hezekia, intend to say regarding the allegations against a mere traitor?”

“I speak not as the Grand Consort of Hezekia, but as the defense attorney for the defendant, Matthias.”

“…Proceed, then.”

I had informed the mayor of Belforte beforehand that I intended to defend Matthias. Therefore, he did not prevent me, though his displeasure was clear.

The spectators, however, were surprised and confused. Matthias himself also looked startled. The villagers whispered among themselves, thinking that perhaps the presence of the Grand Consort would change the situation. A faint glimmer of hope passed through Matthias’s eyes, but it soon faded into a shadow of doubt.

I continued quietly.

“Your Honor, the defendant is currently suffering from a serious mental illness. Therefore, I request that you consider that Matthias is not in a state to be held fully responsible for his words and actions.”

“A mental illness, you say… It seems every defense attorney always presents the same argument,” the mayor muttered with a deep sigh. He looked exhausted and annoyed.

“Since the Grand Consort says so, we shall consider it… However, simply insisting on this will not allow a matter as serious as treason to be dismissed.”

His low, grating voice asked reluctantly.

“Do you have any evidence that the defendant is mentally ill? Without proof…”

“Of course there is evidence.”

It was evidence concerning his mental state. The mayor’s expression stiffened immediately, as if he did not expect me to have anything substantial.

“…Please, present it.”

I took a slow, steady breath before speaking.

“Matthias is a hat maker. He was born in this village and, except for occasional trips to sea to work as a sailor, has spent his life making top hats.”

“How does that relate to proving the defendant’s mental illness?”

“It is relevant because Your Honor surely knows that mercury is used in the processing of the felt for hat making.”

“Who would not know that?”

The mayor replied in a gruff, indifferent tone. I smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.