They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 592: The Defense has... One More Witness

The hall was still echoing with Daniel’s final words when a chair scraped sharply against the stone floor. Heads turned as a young woman rose from the defense bench. Lora, the housekeeper’s second daughter.

She gripped the edge of the table for a moment, gathering herself, then stepped forward. Her hands trembled, but her voice rang out with a strength that surprised many.

"Your Honors. Everyone in this hall." Her eyes swept over the room, stopping briefly on the Prime Minister, then Daniel. "I am not just here as a trained lawyer or as a subject of his highness but also as a daughter."

A murmur rose in the chamber. A few of the younger servants lowered their eyes, unwilling to meet her gaze.

"My father is many things, strict, demanding, sometimes even harsh. But a poisoner? A traitor? No." Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on.

"He has served this household longer than most of us have been alive. He raised me and my siblings under this roof while giving his life to protect His Highness’s. And now you ask me to believe that the man who regards his highness highly, taught me honesty, who punished me when I lied, who would rather starve than steal, suddenly decided to betray everything he stood for?"

Lora turned toward the bottle placed on the evidence table. Her jaw tightened. "You call that proof? A single bottle found in a pantry anyone can access? A recording from a hidden camera, conveniently placed and conveniently checked only after suspicion fell? Tell me, what loyal servant would stand openly over His Highness’s food to pour poison if he truly wished him harm? Who poisons slowly, in plain sight, instead of striking cleanly if their heart is so dark?"

Several attendants shifted uneasily at her words. A few exchanged quick looks, as though the question had forced them to reconsider.

"My father is no fool," Lora said fiercely, her eyes flashing. "If he wanted to betray, he would not be so clumsy. The truth is simpler, uglier: someone is framing him. Someone who knew the court would believe the worst. And now we are so desperate for answers that we’ll sacrifice a loyal man to protect our fear."

The Prime Minister’s brow furrowed, though he said nothing.

Lora’s voice softened suddenly. Her eyes shimmered as she looked at the crowd, then at the bench where her father stood in chains. "I cannot stand here and tell you who the real culprit is. I cannot unravel plots spun in the dark. But I can tell you this: my father is innocent. And if you condemn him today, you will not just destroy a man, you will stain Riverum’s honor by silencing loyalty in favor of convenience."

with emotion. "My father does not deserve this. Please...

was silent.

tears. Others clenched their fists, torn between reason and the rawness of her plea. The nobles sat stiff, masks of neutrality on their faces, though their eyes

heart pounding. She could see the conflict breaking across the room. Logic against love. Proof against loyalty. Truth

tighten, waiting for the hammer

at the time of arrest and another in his room when it was

Silence

Lora had no words.

was just

so, she slowly sat

the Prime Minister slowly sat up on his seat. His

and the suspicions undeniable. It grieves me, yes, it grieves me, that such betrayal could come from one so

shoulders sagged,

lifted the gavel, wooden mallet poised above the circle on the desk. "For attempted regicide, the punishment

"Your Honor!"

but firm enough to cut

who

lifted, "has one more witness to