10

"The Imperial judge has concluded his Verdict." Anthonette stared hard at the judge. The entire court room went silent on hearing the judge's statement. The judge had a long look at Anthonette and quickly his gaze went from Ezra to the eyes of the court. "Lady Anthonette is infact not guilty. Court dismissed." Anthonette heaved a sigh of relief. Violette her maid didn't hesitate to shake the lady with joy. It has been a rough period.

The house of Hivera pitied the lady so they were overjoyed to hear the verdict. The people who even met her to congratulate her were her servants. Anthonette wondered why she always ignored them, they were indeed the kindest.

"Lady Hivera, shall we go shopping today ? Your clothes must be outdated." Anthonette only smiled briefly. "Maybe not today. It's truly been a while since I went shopping." Anthonette was relieved but she knew that this was just the beginning of what the Imperial family had in stored for her.

The Duke really came through for her, she almost felt bad for doubting him, well almost.

"Lady Anthonette.." Anthonette turned to meet the Imperial Judge.

The only time she met with him was in her past life when she was trying to separate from Dante. She was suddenly nervous in front of him. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was handsome.

Soren turned to see what she was intensely looking at. She was almost glaring. "I didn't know I made the lady uncomfortable." Anthonette who realized checking him out had caused a misunderstanding.

"No-no I thought you looked familiar." The judge was taken aback while Anthonette wanted to die. She just told the well known judge that he looked familiar like this was her first time.

"Oh, this isn't the first time we've met lady Anthonette. We shared a dance once, remember ?" Anthonette's mind went blank.

Even if that was not mentioned in the book why did no body tell her about this. "I wasn't a very good dancer but you didn't mind. I traveled out of Cordenia after that to study law. I used to be one of your biggest fan." Anthonette could not believe what she was hearing. She felt her brain shut down and reboot.

"Lady Anthonette ?" Soren called her name as she came back to reality. "you used to be my biggest fan ?" Anthonette shamelessly repeated. Soren chuckled, Anthonette couldn't detect any form of deceit, it was refreshing.

"I'm still your biggest fan." He came closer pressing his palms across the bottom side of his face. "But the Imperial Pillars would be at my neck for not being fair at your trial." He bat an eye to Anthonette, she could not help being flustered.

Ezra immediately comes in between the two pushing Soren away from Anthonette. "Better." Ezra muttered, he still went further to shoot daggers at Soren.

"Ah, I almost forgot you were courting Duke Ezra." Anthonette could only giggle, the entire time she could not detect deceit but she knew that was a lie. "We'll be married a month from now, stay clear from her." Anthonette could not understand why he was being possessive all of a sudden. Her mind went back to Dante, it felt as if someone bathe her with a bucket of ice cold water.

"Well seeing as she married you, that will be hard." Soren replied. Anthonette could see the veins popping up at the side of his head.

"What do you mean by that ?" Ezra yelled at the top of his voice as Soren smirked. "Nothing.." his eyes met with Anthonette once again.

She was truly breath taking, it was a shame she had to court Ezra.

"Lady Anthonette I'll be taking my lead before your fiance cuts off my head. If you need anything don't hesitate..." Ezra drew out his sword shutting Soren up. "Well I must take my leave." With that Soren left leaving Anthonette with her Maid and Erza. Violette remained quiet the entire conversation between Soren and Anthonette, she was as well taken aback by his looks.

"Aren't you her maid ? What were you doing letting that bastard talk to my fiance ?" Violette didn't have a reply she only bowed and wanted to apologise but Anthonette told her to leave. When she was far away from them Anthonette first bowed. "Thank you.."

"I feel bad for doubting you all this time, you kept your promise so I escaped death this time. It's been long since I found hope in anyone so I must commend you for keeping your promise." The Duke was speechless, he didn't even consider getting a thank you from her.

"Although we are getting married, our marriage is nothing but a contract that benefits each other so I advise you don't treat me like some property. I'm allowed to talk to who ever I want to, it will be best if we both abandon fruitless emotions. In other words you should not fall for me and I don't fall for you." Anthonette looked at the Duke expression, he was quite calm when receiving a lecture.

"I understand but don't mistake my intention, Soren is part of the body that would have sentenced you to death. With my intervention you managed to live today." Ezra turned his back against Anthonette to hide his irritation. "Don't worry about fleeting emotions, I have no need to that. This our agreement or should I say marriage is strictly professional." Anthonette couldn't help but he relieved. She didn't want to expect anything from this marriage. It's why she kept dying in the first place.

Ezra walks away before she could address another concern. He was pissed at her for misunderstanding his intentions.

How could she confuse that ?

But then again she was right the first time, she was barely useful to him.

Why did he start trying to prove his loyalty ? Was this a side effect of swearing his life to a woman instead of the kingdom ?

He even made sure she won the trial.

Ezra made a stop at the entrance of the Court House. His eyes met a familiar figure.

"Of course she'll come." Ezra scoffed walking up to the young lady who was chatting with a nobleman. She already was tired but the men kept forcing conversations.

"Ada." His gaze fell to the nobleman who quickly retreated alone from a glare. "Finally, I was this close to murdering the bastard. He was all talk and he wasn't even that handsome." Ezra wasn't interested in her conversation with the nobleman.

"You're here because ?"

"I wanted to see the Lady Anthonette that is the talk of Cordenia. The woman I had to risk my life for to get the evidence." She scoffed tearing her gaze away from Ezra. "Did you talk to her ?" Her expression alone confirmed her answer.

"And be turned to ash ? I think not." Ada chuckled but Ezra didn't find it funny. "Now I wish I didn't cower and talk to her at least she might have a sense of humor. For the very least she's indeed beautiful like the rumors say. Too bad she was wasted to the likes of you." Ada muttered pampering her hair with one hand.

"Anyways, I heard the crown prince will return in a month."

"Isn't that ?"

"Yes, when your wedding takes place. All I know is that he's returning, I don't know if he'll have the guts to attend your wedding but I hope he does, after this trial Cordenia is going to be hell as boring." Ezra doubted this information it might as well be a trap. "As for the Empress ?"

"Her whereabouts remain unknown. I won't be surprised if she was killed eventually." Ada pouted deep in thought.

"Thank you, I'll have Tilo pay you in kind. If I need you I'll call for you." Ada nodded, she twirled but then paused. "Did you finally find the second transmigrator ?"

"No." Ezra replied instantly. Ada turned around muttering outloud.

"You used to be a better liar, enjoy the peace for now, you know where to find me when it's over."