When the word "sister-in-law" slipped out, the surrounding area immediately fell into a prolonged silence.
Subordinates behind the Princess could not help but bulge their eyes and slowly open their mouths wide enough to almost fit an egg.
It was as if they had heard some preposterous tale.
Are you trying to screw me over?
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The closest, Glaya, looked at Eleanor with an astonished expression and then glanced at Lynn in the distance, a trace of pity rising in her eyes.
Seeing their expressions, Eleanor’s heart suddenly tightened.
The murderous intent that had enveloped her just a moment ago should have vanished.
Could it be that she had misspoken again?
For a moment, the young girl found herself in a perplexing quandary, doubting the course of her life.
Fortunately, the next second, she suddenly felt a pair of cool, delicate palms grasp her wrist, then gently pull her into an embrace, and a faint scent of roses wafted to her nose.
Feeling the soft, warm embrace of the Princess, Eleanor was momentarily dazed.
"Looking at you this way, you really do bear a striking resemblance to him," Ivyst said as she cradled Eleanor’s small face, gently caressing it. "However, your brother is indeed a bit cuter."
Hearing this, Eleanor was not upset or annoyed but was rather confused about the situation and subconsciously replied, "Yes, my brother is the best."
Ivyst’s lips curved into a smile, nodding in apparent agreement.
The resemblance between these siblings was so striking that it almost gave her the illusion of caressing a female version of Lynn.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat eerie.
Fortunately, moments later, the resonant voice of Saint Laurent VI, like a large bell, echoed throughout the entire Council Hall.
"Lynn Bartleion, do you acknowledge your guilt?"
This inquiring tone made Eleanor tremble subconsciously, and then she realized that her brother might still be in danger.
The reason today’s events had escalated to this point was ultimately because of her.
If it wasn’t for defending her honor, maybe her brother wouldn’t have killed so many people.
In an instant, a trace of fear appeared in Eleanor’s eyes.
She subconsciously looked toward Ivyst, who was holding her in her arms: "Sister-in-law, will my brother be... by those people..."
It might have been an illusion.
Upon hearing the term "sister-in-law," Eleanor thought she felt the strange big sister trembling slightly, and a hint of red flushed across her face.
Just as she felt puzzled by this, she suddenly heard several coughs from behind the Princess.
Looking up, Eleanor saw that several of the subordinate-looking youths had their hands clenched to their mouths, their expressions somewhat peculiar as though they were holding back laughter.
Hearing her, Ivyst gently pinched her little nose: "Don’t worry, your brother is very capable."
All that had transpired was already within his and her expectations.
Therefore, Ivyst seemed especially composed.
Hearing the authoritative words coming from the high platform above, Lynn remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.
At this moment, Saint Laurent VI, crowned and holding the Holy Wand, was bathed in a soft golden glow, looking solemn and supreme.
Unfortunately for Lynn, who had read the original source material, he was very clear.
The Emperor before him... was most likely a stand-in.
His real body was probably still near the Holy Spirit Tree, but this was an extremely secret piece of information that virtually no one knew, not even the Princes and Princesses.
Nevertheless, he had to maintain the facade.
Lynn knelt on one knee, his expression solemn, "Your Majesty, what crime have I committed?"
Saint Laurent VI snorted coldly and then turned his gaze toward Marquis Mosgla at his side, as well as Eunice in his arms.
"Lord Frederick, speak your piece."
The Emperor had not displayed the furious wrath one might have imagined.
Or perhaps, to him, Lynn was merely a minor character, not worth significant anger.
Hearing this, Marquis Mosgla, who had just been scrutinizing him, suddenly became an old actor taking on a role.
When he looked up again, his eyes, previously sharp as a hawk’s, instantly clouded over as if he were nothing but a withered old man nearing death.
Surprisingly, the anticipated aggressiveness did not materialize.
On the contrary, holding his sobbing granddaughter, Marquis Mosgla fell silent for a moment and then let out a soft sigh.
"Your Majesty," said the old man in military attire humbly, "to speak of today’s incident, in the end, it is truly this old man’s fault." "If I hadn’t spoiled and doted on this granddaughter so excessively, she wouldn’t have committed such a foolish act."
His words slowly settled, and the entire venue suddenly fell into silence.
Everyone then looked at Marquis Mosgla with amazed eyes, not understanding why he would take a step back before His Majesty and choose to give way to this young man.
Even Lynn gave him a glance, his eyes revealing a hint of thoughtful speculation.
Saint Laurent VI seemed puzzled and furrowed his brow, "Lord Frederick, we are discussing the crimes of this Lynn, what does that have to do with you?"
Hearing this, Marquis Mosgla shook his head, "Your Majesty, I am already aware of the specifics."
"Knowing Eunice as I do, she likely meant well but did ill." Marquis Mosgla sighed, "Although her intentions may have been to assist the family of a former ally, indeed her actions included sending servants on behalf of the Bartleion family."
"And this son of an old friend has just returned from the border, having experienced quite a lot over the past year, plus holding some misunderstandings towards us, it’s natural for him to want to vent the anger within his heart, I understand."
"Therefore, regarding today’s incident at the Royal Transcendent Academy, the Mosgla family will not pursue the matter."
Having said this, Marquis Mosgla bent over to bow.
Hearing his words, a flicker of surprise passed through the depths of Saint Laurent VI’s eyes.
At this moment, quite a few people came to a realization, also discerning the profound meaning behind the old man’s actions.
Through Eunice’s heavily embellished narrative just before, they had gotten a rough understanding of the entire truth of the matter.
Plainly speaking, the Mosgla family was in the wrong for this affair.
Sending servants to undermine another family was, at the very least, bullying, and at most, an infringement on noble rights.
Although the Bartleion family was currently downtrodden, were this matter to be taken to court and the truth investigated using the Sealed Object, Eunice would not be able to escape implication.
Moreover, Lynn, although he had killed, did so with great restraint.
In the end, those he killed were all servants dispatched to his home.
For the nobility, the death of even a hundred or a thousand such people was inconsequential.
So Marquis Mosgla was very clear.
Using this matter to bring down Lynn was impossible.
Especially now that the young man had the protection of the Third Imperial Princess, that woman having just returned from the border with honors upon her, whom no one in their right mind would provoke.
Therefore, Marquis Mosgla chose to step back, which opened up infinite possibilities.
Not only that, he shamelessly twisted Eunice’s act of thievery into "a well-intentioned deed gone awry."
For a time, the thoughts of those present varied, sensing that the old man’s cunning was quite sophisticated.
Regrettably, with their knowledge of the Mosgla family’s nature for holding grudges, they were aware this matter would likely not so easily be concluded.
Since this reason couldn’t threaten Lynn, why not opt for a more threatening proposition?
The next second, Marquis Mosgla’s formerly stooped back suddenly straightened a bit, and those previously cloudy eyes instantly sharpened a little.
"However, since Your Majesty wishes to discuss the crimes of this son of an old friend, then I, this old man on the verge of death, have a few words I wish to say."