Norris, who’d ridden in the carriage with her, was the first to move. “Come, Your Eminence, it’s time to pass judgment on the witch.” He climbed out of the carriage and offered his hand to help her out.
Claudia’s face was just as Fermina remembered. From her supple cheeks to her glistening hair, every aspect of her appearance spoke to the wealth of her family.
She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Claudia had everything Fermina didn’t simply because she was born to a proper duchess.
She seems to have bewitched Father too. Fermina was deeply disappointed in her parents and their inability to love her the way she thought they should’ve. No matter. I’m sure they’ll change their minds after they hear the saint has condemned her.
Honestly speaking, Fermina would have preferred to save this for Claudia’s Canonization Ceremony, where she could have made a bigger splash in front of the public, but that presented the risk of outside interference. That was why she’d agreed to act against Claudia in a place where only other church officials were present.
Claudia performed a reverent curtsy before her, and it gave Fermina such pleasure to see someone as proud as her half-sister showing her respect. Oh, how I wish I could enjoy this moment forever.
Alas, her time was limited.
Fermina slowly pulled back her veil. Showing her face to Claudia would be the final nail in her coffin.
“Hello again, Elder Sister.”
Blood drained from Claudia’s face as the shock registered.
Fermina flashed a smile at her. This brought her an unmatched thrill. Her muscles clenched, straining to maintain the facade. It would be a waste to let this moment zip by too quickly. Fermina had waited too long.
Norris had advised her to deceive Claudia at first, to lure her into a false sense of security so she didn’t try to escape. Fermina was careful with her words; she didn’t want to miss this chance. She gripped Claudia’s hand and spelled out the truth for her.
“You’re a witch.”
“What?”
“Did you really think no one would notice? Please. Have some respect for the church’s ability to gather information.”
Norris was the one who told Fermina. Her blood had run cold upon learning that her half-sister was a witch. But Norris was convinced that, as the saint, Fermina could overcome this.
Before Harland moved its capital to its current location, the land had belonged to the Sunsets, and black magic had been performed there. That was how Claudia had gotten her paws on it. Honestly, it explained so much about Claudia that had been unnatural, such as how her personality changed so drastically upon her mother’s death.
When I met her, I was confused because she was so different from Father’s description. Claudia must have already started using black magic by that point. That’s why she was able to conduct herself so perfectly during the tea party the royal family hosted, and again at the academy.
It was as if she knew everything Fermina was going to do before it happened. But what convinced Fermina the most was the incident with the school festival. That idea was mine!
Claudia had used her black magic to steal it. Then she had found the instrument Fermina hid afterward.
The more Fermina recalled their shared past, the more certain she was about the witch accusation. Claudia seemed intent on maintaining her innocence, but as a victim of her wicked ways, Fermina would not be deceived. Claudia could try to make excuses and play the fool, but she wasn’t going to talk her way out of this.
“I understand you used black magic to harness power beyond your ken. Please don’t turn your eyes away from your own sins.” Her eyes moved to the knights, who immediately launched into action. Everyone here obeyed her blindly.
After she was apprehended by the knights, Claudia finally lost her calm.
Delicious, Fermina thought gleefully.
“I haven’t done anything!” Claudia cried.
“When I said the same in the past, you didn’t listen to me, did you?” Fermina could still remember how dispassionately her half-sister had been as she handed her over to the knights. It had to be so vexing to be on the opposite side now. She could not escape the consequences of her actions. Fermina was going to judge her, here and now, as the saint. “Claudia Lindsay, you malevolent witch! I hereby pass judgment upon you. For the sin of betraying the church and resorting to the terrifying power of black magic, you shall repent!”
Fermina had noticed the way Claudia’s gaze faltered as she listed examples of Claudia’s misdeeds, as if acknowledging Fermina was on the right track.
I was right, then. She is a witch.
The knights escorted Claudia to a simple, unadorned carriage they’d prepared for this. It would be nice if the church could appeal to Harland directly and convince them to give them custody of her, but Fermina very much doubted that would happen. This would affect the dignity of their kingdom. Sylvester’s lust for Claudia might blind him and lead him to defend her. It was imperative that they drag Claudia out of the country to pass judgment on her.
“It must be so difficult for you to condemn your own family, Your Eminence. Yet you performed your part splendidly,” said Norris.
She waved a dismissive hand. “I only performed my duty as saint. Any faithful should be able to do the same.”
Norris would take care of the rest; Fermina had a glorious stage to attend to. The public was waiting anxiously at the front of the grand cathedral, wondering when they would finally be able to see their saint and savior.