With loud bang, the judge knocked down the gavel which officially enforced the judgment.
Mateo still struggled to move. He opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t say a word.
It was only then that I realized his tongue had been cut off. That was why he couldn’t speak.
My heart sank. Seeing this, I was even sure now that Ethan put all the blame on Mateo so that Richard could be protected.
I thought that Richard was finally going to be rightfully punished for what he had done, but in the end, he was still safe. This was unfair to Rufus.
A wave of depression and anger came over me. It turned out that we might have still been powerless all this time, like pawns under the control of one supreme power.
Sylvia’s POV
Rufus held my hand and spoke in a low voice. “Well, Richard technically is the healthy son between the two of us. That’s why our father wants to protect him.”
I grumbled, “Still, he shouldn’t do that. It’s been proven that Richard’s done so many horrible things. He caused you so much suffering, Rufus…”
Rufus managed to chuckle and lightly pinched my cheek. “Oh, stop pouting. We finally cleared your mother’s name, at least. We can also be confident that Richard will be behaving himself for a while after this incident.”
“I guess…” I frowned, still upset for Rufus.
After announcing Mateo’s crimes, the judge ordered him to take him away. He then announced Rufus’ innocence and reinstated him.
I smiled at Rufus and excitedly shook him by the arm. It was a good moment.
As usual, Rufus didn’t say anything. He only touched my head affectionately and returned a smile to show me that he was also in a good mood.
“Finally, Miss Sylvia Todd, please come up to the platform.” When the judge declared my name, I was stunned.
Patting my shoulder, Rufus said, “Go ahead.”
Confused, I obeyed the judge’s order anyway and got up the platform.
The judge was smiling at me when suddenly Ethan also stood up from his seat and walked over to me with a calm expression on his face as well.
“My child, I promised you something yesterday. I will fulfill it today.”
I smiled back calmly, despite the excitement raging inside of me, as Ethan walked up to the microphone.
“Now that Mateo Brook’s crimes have come to light, it is only fitting that we rectify the name of the former Beta of the Black Moon Pack who he framed more than ten years ago, Olivia Todd.”
Ethan’s regal voice resounded throughout the audience with unquestionable authority.
“I hereby declare that Olivia Todd, the former Beta of the Black Moon Pack, was innocent. She did not betray nor murder her pack’s Alpha and Luna at the time. Therefore, the slave status of her daughter, Sylvia Todd, is also hereby eradicated. Today, she will once again be known as the daughter of the pack’s deceased Beta.”
As soon as Ethan’s declaration was finished, the audience burst into applause.
Tears filled my eyes and uncontrollably fell down my cheeks. My heart felt like it was going to explode with mixed emotions.
I wasn’t sure if my mother could see what was happening now, but I hoped that this would finally allow her to rest in peace.
“There is also one more thing I would like to announce,” Ethan continued, after letting the applause run for a minute.
The crowd quieted down in no less than ten seconds; all eyes turned back to Ethan again.
With joy in his eyes, Ethan smiled. “It is important to note that Sylvia Todd has also performed very well in the test in the forbidden forest. Not only that, but she also even went beyond and rescued many of our soldiers from death. Because of this heroic act, the soldiers have collectively appealed, and we’ve decided to give her an advanced recruitment. She will be granted with the title of staff sergeant and awarded with a second-class merit.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I thought I was having a hallucination, but Ethan said my name again.
“Sylvia Todd, do you accept the position to work for the empire?” Ethan smiled.
My mind was blank. A part of me was afraid that all of this was in my head, and I was only in a dream. I turned to Rufus, who was watching from below the platform. He gave me an encouraging nod.
With Rufus’ positive reply, I was filled with confidence.
I turned back to Ethan with a newfound determination.
“Yes!”
The crowd cheered for a long time. From a distance, I thought I heard Harry’s voice and looked in that direction, only to find that he was there. Harry followed his father and was shouting for joy.
After minutes of applause, it was time for the title conferring ceremony.
“Commander in Chief, please come up and confer the title.” Ethan now called on Rufus to the platform.
Rufus fixed his cuff links and put on a serious look on his face as he walked up to the platform.
After saluting Ethan, he then walked toward me.
Sylvia’s POV
I was so nervous that my palms were sweating. I didn’t dare to look up at Rufus.
He took the medal from a soldier and calmly put it around my neck.
My body went stiff at his touch, and I held my breath. Although I was nervous, I was a little excited, too. I got the thing that I never thought I’d have. I wanted to pinch myself, wondering if I was dreaming.
So, I did. I pinched my finger hard and felt the pain. No, I wasn’t dreaming.
Subconsciously, I raised my head. My eyes met Rufus’. He was looking at me intently, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.
I almost couldn’t control my emotions. There was a lot I wanted to say to him at that moment. But in front of so many people, I could only shake hands with Rufus briskly.
Rufus was also very serious. He shook my hand firmly before finally letting go.
I thought that was all, but then he also hugged me.
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