Work Text:
Mudita
/moo-DEE-tah/
noun
a feeling of joy derived from another’s happiness or success; unselfish delight in the well-being of others
“watching her friends achieve her dreams filled her heart with mudita”
+++
Edgeworth wasn’t quite sure what it was that compelled him to object. He was the prosecutor – getting Dee Vasquez to admit Will Powers was innocent would do him no good. Ever since his first trial against Wright, though, something had shifted. The urge to win every case was no longer quite as strong, and a small voice in the back of his head was growing louder. It was still only a whisper, but before, it had not been there at all. He knew for a fact Vasquez was guilty, and even though he was not meant to be prosecuting her, he found that the urge to bring her to justice was stronger than the urge to win this case.
It was strange, yet he was sure Wright’s presence was the cause. He had been the first one Edgeworth lost to, but he could not even be angry at the man for winning the case. After all, the true culprit was caught. Why now? Before, he had no doubts that whoever stood in the place of the defendant was guilty. Now, he was uncertain. If Maya had been innocent, who’s to say others Edgeworth had convicted weren’t innocent as well? It was an unpleasant feeling, being unsure of himself. Even so, he wanted Wright to win. The thought of sending someone he knew was innocent to prison caused his stomach to twist.
When Will Powers was declared “Not Guilty”, the knot untwisted itself, just a little. There was a smile on Wright’s face, and seeing it again after all these years made him feel warm. For a moment, he too felt like celebrating.
He shook his head. Getting into the habit of celebrating a loss would only interfere with his work, and so would Phoenix Wright. Being uncertain of his convictions was the last thing he needed. The warmth that had spread through his body upon seeing the relief on Wright’s face was an unnecessary feeling, and one that would serve him no good.
Still, it was nice to see.