When I Stopped Being Your Shadow - Chapter 111

That was how the trial ended.

 

Charlotte was sentenced to 30 years in prison for false accusations, murder, and concealment of the body.

 

Marquis Usher was sentenced to 20 years in prison for false accusations and concealment of the body.

 

In addition, the forensic doctor who forged the death certificate for money was punished for forgery of official documents, and Count Hanson was also taken to his cell side by side for fraud.

 

“How can you do this to me? My precious son, my son……!!”

 

“How dare you kill my brother?!”

 

In the meantime, the Viscount Gott’s mother was sitting in the audience, couldn’t contain her anger and injustice, and attacked Charlotte.

 

“I, I, I can’t breathe!!”

 

Charlotte fell down as the Viscountess used her body to suppress her.

 

“Your Majesty, please have mercy on me once!”

 

There were various disturbances, such as Marquis Usher running to Edward, crying, pleading, and showing an ugly appearance.

 

[T/N: XD]

 

In any case, the trial that had roused Lancaster for months had come to an end.

 

While those involved in the incident were being held in prison.

 

Ines visited Felix who was imprisoned in a juvenile prison for forgery of official documents.

 

“Countess of Brierton.”

 

Felix looked better than she thought.

 

“How are you?””

 

“I’m fine. Everyone is nice to me.”

 

“……I see.”

 

Ines looked at Felix with a pitiful gaze.

 

Perhaps Felix was much more comfortable staying in juvenile prison than living as an apprentice under Marquis Usher.

 

“How much you must have suffered from Marquis Usher.”

 

Feeling sorry for Felix who smiled brightly, Ines bit her lips.

 

Of course, she couldn’t get Felix out of prison no matter how much she wanted it.

 

The price of forgery of official documents itself had to be paid.

 

However,

 

‘Felix had to commit a crime because of me.’

 

Enoch had already advised Ines not to Blake herself because of guilt.

 

Though Ines was sorry nonetheless.

 

“Felix, are you interested in studying painting?”

 

“What? What do you mean by that…….”

 

“Well, I don’t know if you know but I’m actually interested in building a school.”

 

“School?”

 

Felix’s eyes widened.

 

Ines nodded.

 

“Yes. I’m going to accept all the students regardless of their status or gender and I want to help you get into the school if you want. We will provide support for living expenses and you will not have to worry about tuition…….”

 

Ines was excited.

 

“…Oh, of course, I should get out of the juvenile prison first, right?”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

There was silence.

 

‘No, what can I do?’

 

He’s still in prison!

 

In order to fix the awkward atmosphere, Ines hurriedly opened her mouth again.

 

“Of course, you don’t have to go to school. If there’s anything else you want to do, I’m going to help you apply, so don’t think it’s forced…….”

 

“I want to do it.”

 

What?

 

Ines opened her eyes wide.

 

He wanted to go school, because it was the first time ever such an opportunity came.

 

Felix expressed his opinion clearly.

 

“I want to study painting and go to school.”

 

A trembling voice came out.

 

Felix had to gather all his courage and part his lips.

 

Ines, staring at Felix, smiled.

 

“You can do whatever you want to do.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, I’ll help you.”

 

At the firm answer, a smile slowly began to spread over Felix’s young face.

 

It was a bright smile.

 

* * *

 

Ines came out after meeting Felix.

 

Enoch, who was waiting in the waiting room, welcomed Ines.

 

“Ines.”

 

“Oh, Enoch.”

 

Ines walked up to Enoch with swift steps.

 

“You’ve been waiting for a long time, haven’t you? I’m sorry, it took a little long.”

 

“No, what happened?”

 

“Once Felix was released from prison, I decided to support him until he became an adult.”

 

Standing close to Enoch, she talked excitedly.

 

“Oh, by the way, I asked him to study at my school and he agreed.”

 

“Did he?”

 

“It’s a relief that the child seems to be enthusiastic about studying…”

 

But then,

 

Ines’ expression suddenly darkened.

 

 

“……but I didn’t want Felix to have a criminal record.”

 

“But you did your best to reduce the child’s sentence.”

 

Enoch comforted Ines.

 

“Forgery of official documents is a serious crime, so it can’t help but be punished at all.”

 

“It’s… but it is.”

 

Ines sighed briefly, smiled bitterly.

 

“In addition, the problem of building a school is troublesome in many ways.”

 

After the trial, Ines was completely cleared of charges.

 

However, it was a problem in itself that she suffered from gossip for a long time.

 

Although the truth was clear, it was not known to what extent the negative images that had been accumulated so far had caused her reputation.

 

“It’s a relief that there’s no problem in establishing the school, but I can’t estimate the number of entrants at all…….”

 

Ines’ shoulders dropped.

 

Usually, before establishing a school, they check in advance how many people are expected to enter the school.

 

What to expect, what will be the quality of education, etc.

 

Before establishing a school, it was to estimate one indicator or another in advance and submit it to the royal family.

 

However, she was worried that parents and students would already have negative thoughts about the school after experiencing this kind of gossip…….

 

“But, well, I have to cheer up.”

 

She was depressed for a while.

 

Ines soon clenched her fists.

 

“Because I believe that my idea is right…… I won’t hesitate any more.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Enoch smiled and nodded.

 

“I’m always on your side, you know?”

 

“Of course. Who would I trust to move forward like this?”

 

Ines also smiled playfully at Enoch.

 

“It’s all because Enoch is by my side.”

 

* * *

 

‘….I certainly did.’

 

“What’s going on here?”

 

Ines murmured in a bewildered voice with her nose stuck in a bunch of papers.

 

Ines took her eyes off the document and looked out the window, wondering if it was because her eyes were tired.

 

After a long look at the dark green garden, after blinking a couple of times.

 

“Whoa.”

 

She took a big deep breath and looked at the documents again.

 

However, the number on the document had not changed at all.

 

In other words, Ines was not mistaken.

 

“Oh, over 500?!”

 

She was considering a total of four-year school, so she thought about 200 to 300 students per grade…….

 

More than half of the total number of students applied for admission from the first recruitment!

 

“Oh, my God. I’m not dreaming about me, am I?”

 

Ines reached out and pinched her cheek.

 

“Oh, my.”

 

It hurt to the point of tears.

 

“Oh, it must not be a dream.”

 

Ines smiled with tears in her eyes.

 

She had been laughing alone for such a long time, quickly picked up her outer clothes and got up.

 

“Oh, my God, my lord?”

 

Mary found Ines with surprised wide eyes.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“…… I’ll be out for a second!”

 

Ines ran out as she was.

 

As soon as she got on the carriage, she shouted in an excited voice.

 

“To the residence of the Duke of Sussex!”

 

The carriage began to run briskly.

 

Ines finally arrived at the residence, rang the bell right away.

 

“Ines?”

 

At the unexpected visit, Enoch greeted her with a surprised face.

 

As soon as she faced him, Ines suddenly shouted.

 

“There are 500 people!”

 

“What?”

 

“There are 500 people who want to enter my school!”

 

He was confused for a moment then a smile began to spread slowly on Enoch’s face.

 

The two hugged each other and burst into laughter.

 

*********

 

Epilogue.

 

Ready to go out, Ines read a letter that had recently arrived.

 

<Dear Countess of Brierton.

 

Hello, Countess. It’s Andrea Attlee.

 

How are you doing?

 

My mother said that the opening ceremony of Evans Academy will be held this time.

 

When I grow up a little bit more, I will definitely go to the academy to study.

 

Now my mother said that I’m too young to go to Lancaster alone.

 

My mother treats me like a child.

 

Then I’ll write to you again.

 

With love, from Andrea.>

 

Ines smiled.

 

“Are all kids normally this cute?”

 

Felix and Andrea…… she wanted to kiss them terribly.

 

“Ines.”

 

Just in time she heard a soft voice calling for her.