PART 31 :-
CHAOS AND TENTION
Iras perspective :-
[The atmosphere was chaotic and unsettled. Everyone was still in shock over Minidra's decision.]
"I told them not to bring up anything irrelevant here," Sagurd said in frustration.
"Do you really think her family will let her go? She is blessed by God and was born with a boon. They may accept her freedom, but they will never let her slip out of their hands."
"Oh, come on. I can't let them gamble with her future."
"Look who's talking—the person who loves gambling more than his own life."
"You can't decide that. It depends on her family and whether they want that or not," one of the judges answered.
"I have one question for you, boy. What's your name?" the Judge of Bennue asked.
"Bright."
"I assume you know that if you lose, all of you will be considered criminals for opposing the law. And because you are commoners, you will receive the death sentence."
"Yes, I know that."
"Why!? Why do you stand with her? Knowing the consequences, why are you still standing with her? Is it because she is your friend?"
"I don't need a reason to stand with her. What is happening here is wrong. If I abandon her because I fear death and allow injustice to happen, then I would be no better. I want to stand beside everyone who needs my help. My goal is to protect the helpless and erase hatred."
"You don't want to fight in wars!!?"
"Rather than fighting in wars, I want to stop them and save innocent lives."
What!?
How can he say that without even a hint of hesitation!?
"So now, the Curse of Joyful wants to become the Hope of the Helpless… Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"It's like the Symbol of Hate wants to become the Symbol of Hope."
Everyone started laughing, except for the old man of the Bennue Clan.
"Hey, Sagurd—you know, you were right about him. He really sees the world differently from us."
That boy resembles Madam so much.
...…..
Minidra perspective :-
How dare they laugh at someone's goal when that dream is so beautiful!?
"The judges wish to know from the representative whether you have more to say or if you wish to proceed further."
"We cannot let our pride be tied to a cursed boy. She belongs to us."
"Pride!? My family thinks I am their pride? Since when have you ever treated me like one? I don't belong to any of you. I want to fly higher. I want to become a warrior and bring honor to my clan. But more importantly, while it is true that he is cursed and that they do not possess the blood of any higher clan, I feel safer around him than I do with my own family."
"He fought for me. He stood with me. Unlike my father and the rest of my family, he was never ashamed of me. So don't laugh at his dream, because at least he is trying—unlike all of you."
"I am a member of the Machimoi Group, and I will not allow anyone to disrespect my comrades." I finally let out all of my frustration.
The entire room fell silent.
I looked toward Iras. She was smiling proudly.
Did I do well?
"You did a great job, Mini."
Bright, do you really think so?
"No matter what the outcome is, I will never leave you."
"The judges will now deliberate on the first allegation."
[Amid the chaos, the future of the Machimoi Group was about to be decided.]
...…..
PART 32 :-
STARTING OF THE VOTES
Bond perspective :-
"All of you, step into the center," the judges ordered, directing them to stand in the middle of the circular stage.
"After hearing everyone's testimony, we have reached our decision. What Minidra, the Princess of Scribes, chose regarding the Machimoi Group was not wrong. The Machimoi Group did not cause her any harm; instead, they protected the princess. Furthermore, it is a rule that every member must remain in the group they registered with. Therefore, if she wishes to stay with that group, she may do so."
Oh...
Finally, we are safe.
That was a huge relief.
"However, because she is not an ordinary person, if the group ever fails to protect her and she loses her life, all of you will receive the death sentence."
"Now, the matter of the Princess of Scribes' freedom will be decided by a vote of the High Council members. Afterward, we will announce our judgment."
So now the voting begins.
There are twenty-eight voters present. Three outcomes are possible: those who support her freedom, those who oppose it, and those who choose to remain neutral.
Iras said that she already had three votes in her favor. We managed to secure two more, and if my deal with that man still stands, we can gain at least eleven votes on our side. But that is not enough. I don't think five or six council members will choose neutrality.
"Hey, Minidra—how many supporters from your family are present here right now?"
"I don't know exactly, but I think they have at least thirteen votes on their side."
A gentle gust of wind brushed against my face. I looked up and saw the old man standing at the highest balcony, watching me.
"You did great. Now relax." I read his lips.
"Those who choose to remain neutral shall raise their index finger. Those who believe she deserves her freedom shall raise an open hand, showing their palm. Those who oppose her freedom shall raise a clenched fist."
The Herald announced the voting procedure.
"The voting will now begin. We order all council members present here to cast their votes."
The voting started. The Lord of Joyful was staring directly at me.
And I knew exactly why.
[In Bond's memory]
[At the Lord's office in Joyful, Bond stood before him.]
"I thought I had gotten rid of you. Then why are you here!?"
"Well, I don't want to be here either. But after finding your name on the High Council members' list, I had no other choice."
"Now, don't tell me he's actually willing to stand beside her before the High Authority Council."
"We've already decided that."
"I thought you were smarter than him, at least. But considering your involvement, I'm really surprised. More importantly, how did he rizz a princess!?"
"That's none of your business. But that isn't why I'm here.
"I want you to vote in our favor."
"Hmmm... and why should I?"
"You are smart enough to know the answer. You only care about profit. So tell me—what do you gain if we win?"
"A group of commoners defeating a higher clan. I don't think anything like that has ever happened before. Everyone will want to know where they came from. And when they find out they came from Joyful... I think you already know how beneficial that will be for both your reputation and the reputation of your orphanage. You could gain influence, supporters, and a much greater standing throughout the land."
"Smart boy. But there's no guarantee you'll win."
"And that's exactly why I want you to convince others to vote in our favor. However, that alone won't be enough for you. If her family offers something more valuable, you'll simply betray me.
"So I brought something that you value even more—information. Top-secret information."
"Now don't tell me you're willing to talk about Annunaki. After all, I know the consequences of leaking internal secrets. The sealing magic would tear your body apart."
"So you know about the sealing magic. That makes things easier.
"Help me, and I'll tell you everything I know about Annunaki. In return, I want you to help us secure more votes."
"I'll think about the deal. You'll get my answer during the trial."
"Don't say that. I need a proper answer now. Only then can I move forward with my plans."
"Why are all of you so determined to save her? If this were about Bright, I could understand. But why her?"
"I made a promise. That's all."
"Ha... ha... ha...
"What a strange world. Everyone lives by promises, yet injustice still exists."
The Lord leaned back in his chair and smiled.
"You have my answer."
[In present time]
I was hoping he would accept my offer.
"Lord of Joyful, cast your vote."
He raised his hand, his fingers clenched into a fist.
Wait!!
At the last moment, he slowly opened his fingers and revealed his palm. My heart skipped a beat.
The deal was on.
Two other council members beside him followed his lead and voted in our favor. The Lord of Joyful was still looking directly at me. Then he subtly gestured with two fingers. I understood his message immediately.
I could only persuade two members.
So far, we had gained three votes in our favor.
...…..
PART 33 :-
THE RULED ABOUT FREEDOM
Athena perspective :-
How!!!!? How could a man stand up for a woman like that!????
Knowing what would happen if they lost, they still chose to stand beside her. She is truly lucky to have them.
"My, my. I never thought I would see men stand up for a woman, fully aware of the consequences if they lose. She really has an exceptional team."
"Yes, Mama."
Mother was the only female clan head present in the council. She hated men. The fact that they had managed to impress her was quite surprising.
What!!!!!? Mother voted in her favor.
"But Mama, you told me that you wouldn't support her."
"They impressed me. She possesses a remarkable boon. If she learns to use it on her own instead of relying on her family's control, she may surpass all of us one day. She truly deserves her freedom.
"And besides, how could I allow my daughter's friend to remain trapped inside a golden cage?"
"We are not friends," I said, my face burning with embarrassment.
"What!? You two still haven't made up?"
"She should apologize first. It's her fault."
"Alright, alright. Ha ha..."
Mother started teasing me.
"Don't laugh," I complained.
"Sorry, sorry."
They now had four votes in their favor. But it still wasn't enough.
...…..
Dex perspective :-
We had four votes on our side. But it wasn't enough. Her family hadn't started voting yet. If Aliza's family voted in our favor, we would have a strong chance of winning.
"For now, we choose to remain neutral."
Two council members cast their votes as neutral.
However, neutral votes were unpredictable. If the final count became too close, they could still change their stance and support either side.
"Saluters, cast your vote."
The Head of Saluters glanced at me before raising an open hand.
A vote in our favor.
So now we had five votes supporting us and two neutral votes.
Still, twenty-one votes remained. Of those twenty-one, fifteen belonged to members who favored her family and were present today.
That meant our chances of victory now depended entirely on her family. Would they choose their pride...
Or would they choose Minidra???
...…..
Minidra perspective :-
Now my family's votes were about to be cast.
"The members of Scribes may now cast their votes," one of the judges ordered.
Out of the fifteen supporters present, ten members voted in favor of my family. They immediately took the lead by three votes.
Wait!!!
What!???? The other five members voted in our favor. But how!?
"What are you people doing!?" my brother shouted. "Your votes should be supporting us, not her!"
Even Father looked stunned.
"If a daughter cannot feel safe around her own family, then that is the family's failure, not hers," one of the elders replied. "She should be where she feels safe."
"What kind of nonsense is that!?"
Excitement surged through us. For the first time, we truly had a chance. The votes were tied.
"Now, the remaining six members may cast their votes," the judges announced.
One member raised a clenched fist. Another raised a single finger, choosing neutrality. The remaining four members opened their hands and showed their palms.
Votes in our favor.
"YEEESSSSS!!!"
Bright and the others could no longer contain their joy.
What!? Tears streamed down my face.
I had won.
Bright pulled me into a tight embrace.
"See? I told you everything would be alright."
I couldn't find the words to answer.
"Eleven members believe that she should remain under her family's authority. Three members have chosen neutrality. And, in a surprising outcome, fourteen of the twenty-eight council members believe that she deserves her freedom."
The entire hall fell silent.
"So it is decided," the head judge declared. "The Princess of Scribes is hereby free from her clan's authority. From this day forward, she alone shall decide the course of her life. Her family may no longer force their will upon her."
I was free. After all these years...
I was finally free.
"The Scribes Clan formally demands the PurityTest from the princess."
What!?!????
The joy vanished instantly.
If I was free now...
Then why did I still have to undergo the Purity Test??????
...…..