Chapter 98 : Chapter 98
Volume 2
Chapter 22 : Dreams Always Reflect Reality
FLASH!
The lights suddenly blazed on, shining down on Muen.
The light was so bright that it was hard to keep his eyes open, but unfortunately, Muen had no hands free to shield them, because both of his hands were firmly tied to the chair.
The surroundings were noisy.
Countless pitch-black shadows sat in tier upon tier of rising seats, whispering among themselves and pointing at Muen.
BANG.
At the source of the light, the majestic judge struck the sacred gavel.
“Order!”
“The court is now officially in session for the case of Muen Campbell’s disrespect toward Her Highness Princess Selicia!”
“We will now hear the accusation from counsel representing Her Highness Princess Selicia, the plaintiff, against the defendant!”
FLASH!
A new spotlight came on. Behind the wooden desk, Ariel Bugarde, counsel for the plaintiff, rose to her feet, adjusted her oversized black-rimmed glasses, and began her stern accusation against the defendant, Muen Campbell!
“Your Honor, please permit me, on behalf of the plaintiff, to read Muen Campbell’s crimes before this court!”
“You may.”
“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 dared to touch Selicia’s soft, fair little hand at will. It was far too enviable... far too damaging to Her Highness’s reputation!”
“Second, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! He actually dared to invite Her Highness Selicia into a closed room to be alone with him. It was far too enviable... far too alarming!”
“Lastly, Muen Campbell is a complete and utter beast! Even after being alone with Her Highness Selicia and breathing the same air as her, he was still not satisfied. He actually drugged the black tea and did that sort of thing to Her Highness Selicia. It was far too enviable... far too 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. Now then, what does the defense have to say?”
“I object!”
Muen struggled violently.
“The plaintiff’s counsel is obviously acting out of personal feelings! She’s using public authority to settle a private grudge, she’s using public authority to settle a private grudge!”
BANG!
The judge slammed the gavel down.
“Muen Campbell, now is not the time for you to speak. I was asking for your counsel!”
FLASH!
The spotlight shone down once more, this time upon Muen’s counsel.
“Ribbit!”
As counsel for the defense, Mr. Frog bulged his eyes wide and delivered his rigorous opinion!
“Ribbit ribbit ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!”
“Yes, yes, mm-hm, mm-hm indeed.”
The judge nodded repeatedly. “I see! So defense counsel, you also believe that Muen Campbell is a beast?”
“I object! Why is my lawyer a frog? And Your Honor, you clearly don’t understand a word he’s saying!”
BANG!
“Muen Campbell, if you dare disrupt this sacred court again, I will pronounce your sentence on the spot!”
Muen shut his mouth helplessly and could only watch as his counsel croaked a bunch of nonsense, then hopped away one bounce at a time.
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 stares 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 worn. In fact, as his personal maid, I believe this unquestionably already counts as extremely serious workplace harassment!”
Witness Two: Lorne Campbell, Grand Duke Campbell, Muen Campbell’s biological father.
“Sigh, to think that a beast like this would actually be my son. As his father, I have truly failed. But please rest assured, everyone, I will no longer acknowledge this son. From this point on, my wife and I shall devote ourselves to the production of a new child!
“As for Muen... hmph, do as you please 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’ statements, the judge nodded in understanding.
“In that case, Muen Campbell, do you have anything else to say?”
“I object! The witnesses are obviously lying, and I’m pretty sure I already saw one of those witnesses sitting in the plaintiff counsel’s seat earlier. She’s completely here just to vent her personal emotions and desires!”
“Hm, so in other words, you have admitted that you are a beast?”
“No, damn it! And aren’t you supposed to be judging my actual charge? Is there really such a thing as the crime of beastliness in this world?”
BANG!
The judge struck the gavel once more and solemnly proclaimed:
“I hereby announce that Muen Campbell is guilty of the crime of beastliness! The sentence is death, to be carried out immediately!”
“So it really does exist?!”
Before Muen could object again, the black shadows in the audience rose to their feet and surged toward him like a tide.
They lifted Muen up and carried him toward the execution ground, shouting in unison:
“Beast! Beast! Muen Campbell is a beast!”
FLASH!
The spotlight shone down.
Upon the cold execution scaffold, the noose had long since been prepared!
With a sudden shift of perspective, Muen Campbell was already standing upon the execution scaffold!
“No! I don’t want to die! I’m still young! I still haven’t gotten a girlfriend! I’ve only made it to the second-to-last episode of Magical Girl M●! At least tell me whether Qb died or not!”
As the cold noose drew closer and closer, Muen Campbell began to struggle frantically.
“Muen Campbell, do you think you are not a beast?”
Suddenly, a clear, chilly 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 completely. Only Selicia remained beneath the light, coldly questioning him:
“Muen Campbell, do you think you are not a beast?”
“I...”
Wasn’t he?
No. When it came to Selicia alone, he could not give that answer.
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 am a beast!”
With a shout, Muen suddenly sat bolt upright in bed.
Only to meet eyes with Ann, who was holding a medicine bowl.
“...”
“...”
Ann silently stared at Muen for a moment, then set down the medicine bowl.
“I see. So Young Master Muen injured his brain as well? Please wait a moment. I’ll go call the doctor back to examine you again at once.”
“I did not!”