Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Volume 1
Chapter 22 : Dreams Always Mirror Reality
FLASH!
The lights suddenly came on, shining down on Muen.
They were so bright that it was hard to keep his eyes open, but unfortunately, he had no free hand to shield them, because both of his hands were tightly bound to the chair.
The surroundings were noisy.
Countless pitch-black shadows sat on tiered rows rising upward like steps, whispering among themselves and pointing at Muen.
BANG!
At the source of the light, the dignified judge struck his sacred gavel.
“Order!”
“The case of Muen Campbell’s disrespect toward Her Highness Princess Selicia is now officially in session!”
“We will now hear the charges from the plaintiff’s counsel on behalf of Her Highness Princess Selicia!”
FLASH!
Another spotlight came on, illuminating the wooden desk where the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ariel Bugarde, rose to her feet.
She pushed up her enormous black-framed glasses and began delivering a fierce accusation against the defendant, Muen Campbell.
“Your Honor, please allow me to formally read aloud Muen Campbell’s crimes before this court!”
“Granted.”
“First, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! Relying on his status as Her Highness’s betrothed, he actually dared to invite Her Highness Selicia to dance with him, and even had the audacity to touch Her Highness Selicia’s fair and tender little hand whenever he pleased. It is unbearably enviable... unbearably damaging to Her Highness Selicia’s reputation!”
“Second, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! He actually dared to invite Her Highness Selicia into a sealed room to be alone with him. It is unbearably enviable... unbearably disturbing!”
“Lastly, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! Being alone with Her Highness Selicia and breathing the same air as her was still not enough for him. He even drugged the tea and did that sort of thing to Her Highness Selicia. It is unbearably enviable... unbearably hateful!”
“In summary, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! On behalf of the plaintiff, I sincerely request that Your Honor sentence Muen Campbell to death!”
“I see.”
The judge nodded expressionlessly.
“The court has received the plaintiff’s request. Then what does the defense have to say?”
“I object!”
Muen struggled violently.
“The plaintiff’s lawyer is clearly acting out of personal emotion! She’s abusing her position to settle a personal grudge! She’s absolutely settling a personal grudge!”
BANG!
The judge slammed down his gavel.
“Muen Campbell, this is not the time for you to speak. I was addressing your counsel!”
FLASH!
The spotlight shifted again, landing on Muen’s defense attorney.
“Ribbit!”
As counsel for the defense, Mr. Frog widened his bulging eyes and solemnly presented his opinion.
“Ribbit ribbit ribbit ribbit! Ribbit ribbit! Ribbit!”
“Mm. Mm-hm. I see, I see.”
The judge nodded repeatedly. “So that’s how it is! Defense counsel, you also believe that Muen Campbell is a beast?”
“I object! Why is my lawyer a frog? And Your Honor, you clearly can’t understand a word it’s saying, can you?!”
BANG!
“Muen Campbell, if you dare disrupt this sacred court again, I shall pass judgment on your crimes immediately!”
Left with no choice, Muen shut his mouth and could only watch as his lawyer croaked a few more incomprehensible noises, then hopped away.
Wonderful. Now he did not even have a lawyer anymore!
“We will now hear from the witnesses.”
Witness One: Ann, Muen Campbell’s personal maid.
“Yes, Young Master Muen truly is a beast. Every day, he looks at my body with wicked eyes. He gets excited the moment I put on a maid outfit, and he often secretly hides away the stockings I’ve already worn. In fact, as his personal maid, I believe this unquestionably constitutes extremely serious workplace harassment!”
Witness Two: Grand Duke Lorne Campbell, Muen Campbell’s biological father.
“Sigh, to think that such a beast would be my son. As his father, I have truly failed. But rest assured, everyone, I shall no longer acknowledge this son of mine. From this moment on, my wife and I shall devote ourselves to the task of producing a new child!”
“As for Muen... hmph, do whatever you like with him. Why would I care whether a beast lives or dies?”
Witness Three: one of Muen Campbell’s classmates.
“Muen Campbell is a beast! Muen Campbell is a beast! Muen Campbell is a beast! Important things must be said three times! Selicia is mine!”
“I see.”
After hearing the witnesses, the judge nodded in understanding.
“Then, Muen Campbell, do you have anything else to say?”
“I object! The witnesses are obviously lying, and I’m pretty sure I saw one of them sitting in the plaintiff counsel’s seat earlier! She’s clearly just here to vent her personal emotions and desires!”
“Mm, in other words, you admit that you are a beast?”
“No, damn it! And aren’t you supposed to be judging my crime? Is there even such a charge as the crime of being a beast in this world?”
BANG!
The judge struck his gavel once more and solemnly declared:
“I hereby pronounce that Muen Campbell is guilty of the crime of beastliness! The sentence is death, to be carried out immediately!”
“So that really is a crime?!”
Before Muen could object again, the shadowy figures in the gallery rose to their feet and surged toward him like a tide.
They hoisted Muen up and, while carrying him toward the execution ground, shouted in perfect unison:
“Beast! Beast! Muen Campbell is a beast!”
FLASH!
The spotlight fell.
On the cold execution scaffold, the noose had already been prepared!
The scene shifted, and Muen Campbell was already standing on the scaffold!
“No! I don’t want to die! I’m still young! I still don’t have a girlfriend! I haven’t even finished the second-to-last episode of Magical Girl Little. Yet! At least tell me whether Kyubey died or not!”
As the cold noose drew closer and closer, Muen Campbell began struggling wildly.
“Muen Campbell, do you really think you are not a beast?”
Suddenly, a cool, clear voice rang out.
Muen looked up and saw Selicia standing not far away.
The judge, the lawyers, the witnesses, and the audience had all vanished.
Only Selicia remained, standing beneath the light and asking coldly:
“Muen Campbell, do you really think you are not a beast?”
“I...”
Am I not?
No. At least when it came to Selicia, he could not answer that way.
After all, he really had done such a thing.
“I am...”
Tears of remorse slid from the corners of Muen’s eyes.
He took a step forward and walked into the noose of his own accord.
“That’s right, I am a beast!”
“I, Muen Campbell, am a complete and utter beast!”
...
“I’m a beast!”
With a loud shout, Muen jolted upright in bed.
And the moment he did, his eyes met Ann’s, as she stood there holding a bowl of medicine.
“...”
“...”
Ann silently stared at Muen for a moment, then set down the bowl of medicine.
“I see. So Young Master Muen injured his brain as well? Please wait a moment. I shall go call the doctor back to examine you again at once.”
“I didn’t!”