<h4>6 – 13</h4>


    The guardsmen lead Liselotte and the others out of the court.


    With that, Eckhart pronounced the trial over and ordered the court to disperse.


    Half of the reporters outside of the court had already begun sprinting back to their papers to hopefully make tomorrow’s edition, whilst the others still loitered, sensing that there was still more toe.


    The nobles in attendance couldn’t cool their own excitement either. People’s eyes were still locked on the centre of the courtroom. Straight at Cami and Alois, who had overturned the trial together.


    “Julian, Miss Cami, you two ought to leave as well. I don’t believe things will settle down anytime soon.”


    Eckhart spoke to Alois and Cami with concern in his voice.


    “I’ll have a room prepared for you. I am sure we have a lot to talk about, don’t we? And forgive me, but there are some questions I have to ask. But before all that, the two of you should get some rest.”


    The exhaustion in Alois’ face was even more pronounced now than when he had burst into the courtroom. Ever since Mohnton’s rebellion broke out, just how little sleep must he have gotten?


    Eckhart also knew about the situation in Mohnton. That poor brother of his, just what burden did he have to carry in order toe here? It was all too painful.


    “Brother.”


    Alois returned Eckhart’s gaze. After a moment of brief hesitation, he softly shook his head and stepped back.


    “My deepest apologies. I have to return to Mohnton as soon as I can.”


    “Julian?”


    “The sole reason I came to the capital was for Cami’s sake. Please excuse my rudeness for not being able to receive your hospitality properly. I am sure that, one day, we’ll be able to talk about everything that’s happened.”


    As Alois bowed gratefully, Eckhart frowned. He looked at Alois and Cami incredulously, as if he didn’t understand what he was hearing at all.


    “Do you... truly mean to return?”


    Alois grimaced at Eckhart’s words.


    Mohnton’s uprising had been instigated for the purpose of ensnaring Alois once again. After winning, either they would have done away with him for good or, if not, attempted to break his heart once more.


    Alois’ magical powers had been sealed off by Alois himself. It had been a symbol of that heart of his that had once been broken. An intangible manifestation of his remorse and regret.


    They couldn’t afford to let Alois unseal his true magic. Their former masters, the Duke and Duchess, had died sealing it away, along with his memories. Because with that power, Alois could ovee it all.


    So, that’s why Gerda had used that poison. And by framing her for the act, sought to separate him from Cami. In order to protect the people of Mohnton, it was necessary to betray their lord and start a revolt.


    Mohnton should be a ce that Alois hade to despise. Both his circumstances and the miasma in the air had forced him to take on a grotesque appearance, the nobles of thend med him for every single thing they could, whilst the servants of his house had been overtly trying to exercise control over him.


    The days he spent in thatnd had been hard and painful, it seemed insane that he would want to go back.


    “You aren’t a member of the Montchat family. You don’t have any ties or responsibilities to thatnd, either. With the real heir to the Montchat family captured, the revolt should die down soon enough.”


    Even if Eckhart didn’t know the full details, he could only imagine what Alois had been through. If thatnd was also truly loyal towards the Montchat family, then no one would wee Alois’ return now. On the contrary, he might be in danger of someone seeking to take vengeance against the man who was the cause of their master’s condemnation.


    “It would be especially dangerous for Miss Cami as well. If you’re concerned about the situation, I can send some men up north for you. There’s no reason for you to return in person, is there?”


    Alois shook his head once again.


    He knew that Eckhart was saying all this out of genuine concern. And, just as Eckhart said, the fires of rebellion would soon be starved of oxygen. Perhaps, there was no real reason for Alois to hurry back at all.


    But, still, Alois had a reason to return.


    “In thatnd, there are people who are still fighting for my sake.”


    The people of Grenze, who had been on Alois’ side from the beginning. us and the people of Blume, who decided to throw in behind Alois despite knowing just how much opposition was arrayed against him. The people of Einst who refused the orders of the rebellion’s masterminds, the Meyerheim family.


    And, all the people back at the capital, who had stood by his side.


    “Even though the crisis is still raging, it was thanks to them I was able to return.”


    When Alois made the decision to return to the royal capital for Cami’s sake, there wasn’t a single person who tried to stop him.


    us told Alois that he’d protect his home until they got back.


    Günterughed heartily, whilst the cooks mentioned that without Cami, the kitchen felt like something was ‘missing’ from it.


    Nicole entrusted all the faith she held that Cami would return in Alois, and the rest of the servants saw him off on his journey.


    As Alois left the capital of Mohnton, the soldiers who had been manning the outskirts of the city saluted him as he left.


    <i>We look forward to your safe return</i>.


    “I’ve lived half of my life as Alois.”


    Alois calmly gazed at Eckhart. But, the determination in his face was in to see.


    “The ruler of Mohnton, Duke Alois Montchat. The people of thatnd still recognize me as their lord.”


    In his absence, us was taking care of things.


    But, before Alois left, he grabbed him by the shoulder and said ‘Make sure toe back.’


    “I have people waiting for me to return. Those who are making sure I have a home to return to. And that I have to protect.”


    The northernnd that was scorned by all in the south. Mohnton, and of criminals and sinners.


    That swampynd filled with nauseating miasma, that was Alois’ ce to return to.


    “I can never go back to being ‘Julian’. To throw away the name ‘Alois’ now, given everything that’s happened, would be like a betrayal.”


    “Julian...”


    Eckhart sighed. Then, after a moment of consternation, he spoke.


    “...Then, so be it.”


    Eventually, he looked at Alois with a stern frown.


    “I’ll prepare a carriage for you to return in. What’s more, I’ll assign some of my men as an escort. That is yournd, after all. Make sure to take care of it well, Duke Montchat.”


    Although his face looked severe, Eckhart’s words were full of his true feelings for Alois. And, because of them, he epted Alois’ decision.


    He was a serious and honest man, who no one had ever seenugh at a joke. But, that serious man had his simrities to Alois.


    “Your Highness... thank you.”


    “...Once things have settled down, promise me you’lle and visit the royal capital once again. I’ll be content with that.”


    Alois’ eyes opened wide with surprise as Eckhart gave him the smallest of smiles, before turning on his heel and leaving the court to help organize the carriage and escort he had promised.


    After Eckhart left, Cami finally felt able to breathe again, as she whirled around like a storm and grabbed thepels of Alois’ coat.


    “...So, it is true after all!? The fighting is still going on!?”


    “Y-Yeah.”


    Alois was slightly confused by just how pale Cami had suddenly be. Cami, meanwhile, had no idea why or how Alois had suddenly appeared in the royal capital.


    “Is it truly fine for you to be here, Lord Alois!? Is everyone safe!? Just what is happening back in Mohnton!?”


    Cami hade to the royal capital alone for the sake of Mohnton. But, right now, she was desperate to know what was going on back there.


    “What about the people in the mansion!? Grenze!? Einst!? Blume!?”


    Nicole and Günter. Those irreverent cooks in the kitchen. All the people that Cami had met in her travels. Was everyone alright?


    When Eckhart was talking, did she stay silent because she didn’t want to interrupt the Prince? Or, was she simply overwhelmed with relief to see Alois? It felt like all the anxiety that had been building up in her mind for days was tumbling out at the same time as her words.


    “We have to get back straight away...! If something happens whilst you’re away, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”


    “Cami.”


    As Cami finally found her voice again, Alois spoke over her. Despite how anxious Cami sounded, she stopped to listen to his voice that was by contrast calm and confident.


    “Cami, if we go back, you really could be in danger, are you okay with that?”


    He hade to the capital to bring Cami back. But, he also wished for Cami to be safe as well.


    Now that the truth has been exposed for all to see, the royal capital wasn’t a dangerous ce for her anymore. If he asked Eckhart, he was sure that Cami would be kept exceptionally safe.


    Staying here would certainly be safer than returning to Mohnton with him.


    But, that worry Alois held in his heart was blown away by Cami’s strong words.


    “Of course I am!”


    Still holding his coat with her gripped fists, Cami answered without a moment’s hesitation.


    Alois couldn’t help butugh as he marvelled at her strength. The cautious and prudent Alois, who always thought, or perhaps sometimes overthought, one step ahead... she was hisplete opposite.


    But, maybe that’s why he liked being with her so much. Perhaps, that’s why she was able to force him to change.


    And, maybe, that’s why he fell in love with her.


    “Let’s go home, Cami. Everyone is waiting for you toe back.”


    Alois smiled, as he held out his hand.


    Cami, again, didn’t hesitate to let him go and reach out to take that hand of his.


    But, just before she could, she heard a voice from the crowd behind her.


    “Wait!”


    As that scream broke through the courtroom, Cami turned around to look.


    “I won’t let you take her! The one who’ll take my sister’s hand is me! The one who’ll save my sister... is me!”


    At her screams, everyone turned to look.


    As they did, they saw a pitifully desperate Therese mbering over the pews set out for the audience, rushing towards Cami.