Chapter 246: The King’s Tribunal (2k words)

At the palace...

Edgar was brought in wearing mana dampening cuffs. Two high-ranking Imperial Guard officers walked from both sides, bearing almost no expression.

They were both in the uniform reserved for high-ranking officers of the Imperial Guard, martial in design, with capes hanging from their shoulders and katanas secured neatly at their sides.

Annette walked to his left with a dark patch covering one eye.

Leona was on his right with her long black hair cascading down her back and her red eyes staring forward.

Finally, the towering doors of the throne chamber opened with a resonant groan, and Inside King Carson sat upon his throne, elevated above the rest of the chamber.

At his side stood the ever-imposing General Iroh. And Behind them were two robed figures.

Their forms were concealed beneath long, heavy garments of gray, with hoods drawn low enough to obscure their faces entirely.

They were part of the Verity Order; servants of the crown, summoned only in matters such as this.

Anette pressed down on Edgar’s shoulders, forcing him his knees before the King.

The King began, "Do you know why you are here?"

Edgar hesitated. Then slowly... he shook his head.

King Carson leaned forward and gestured as he explained. ,"When a man breaks the law," he began calmly, "he answers to the enforcers. In certain cases, the parliament may intervene."

"But when a law set by the crown is broken, then the one who judges you... is the King itself."

The air in the chamber seemed to have sudden grow heavy.

"Therefore, Edgar Desdemona," the King continued, "welcome... to the King’s Tribunal."

Edgar swallowed hard. "I have done nothing of what I am accused of, Your Majesty," he said quickly with a tight voice. "I am merely a businessman seeking to thrive."

The King nodded lightly, as though considering his words. "Of course," he said. "We will get to that."

He leaned forward slightly. "You see, the King’s Tribunal is... simple, really. I ask. You answer. And the truth is given... whether you will it or not."

Edgar looked confused for a moment. "I have told you all the truth I—"

"Oh," the King cut in softly with a dangerous looking smile. "We will find out."

He made a slight gesture with one hand and The Verity Order servants stepped forward in perfect unison, with their robes flowing as they positioned themselves on both sides of Edgar.

One to his right.

One to his left.

Their heads tilted downward, then they raised their hand and a magic circle formed beneath Edgar’s feet.

Edgar’s breath hitched as he looked down, confusion quickly giving way to unease.

"What is this—?"

The King spoke.

"That circle," he said, "ensures that every word you speak to me... will be the truth."

Edgar’s face drained of color and a bead of sweat slid down his temple. "Your Majesty..." he began with an unsteady voice. "Perhaps—perhaps we can come to an arrangement."

The King said nothing.

Encouraged, or perhaps desperate, Edgar continued.

"My company, Crypco... we are extensive and very profitable. I could offer fifty percent ownership to the crown....Sixty, if that would be more appropriate."

His voice trembled just slightly beneath the attempt at composure.

"A partnership would be far more beneficial than—"

The King laughed, cutting him off half way through his sentence.

It started as a chuckle, then grew into levels that echoed through the chamber. For a few long seconds, the laughter simply continued.

Edgar hesitated. Then, uncertainly... he began to smile. It was an awkward, hopeful curve of the lips, as though trying to follow along.

Maybe the King liked the offer?

Edgar cautious chuckle.

However, instead of addressing the offer, the King simply said, "Your trial shall now begin."

Edgar’s eyes widened in shock as the King continued, "Edgar Desdemona, testify."

"Did you order the assassination of Mr. Isaac Hargreaves?"

Edgar’s lips parted, and he said "Yes."

The word came out plainly. But the moment it did, realization hit Mr. Desdemona. His eyes widened as he understood exactly what he had just said.

A quiet chuckle escaped the King. "I see."

"And why," he asked, "did you order his death?"

Edgar’s expression twisted, but again, the truth came. "That man was too conceited," he began. "I offered him good money... and he refused."

His jaw tightened.

"I saw the value in what he had built. I saw what it could become. He was sitting on something that could change a whole lot."

"So yes, I had him killed to bring him back as my summon"

The King nodded. "Very well." Then he asked, "Was your grandmother, Lady Audrey, aware of or involved in this?"

Edgar shook his head quickly. "No. She was not."

The King clicked his tongue in mild frustration, though he did not press further. He had genuinely wanted her to be implicated.

"That will be all."

The Verity Order servants stopped, and the glow beneath Edgar’s feet fared. .

Edgar looked around wildly, already hitting extreme panic levels.

"No—no, that’s not—those aren’t—" he stammered, trying to grasp at something, anything.

The King spoke over him. "Edgar Desdemona, for breaking a law set by the crown. Your punishment shall be the sentence of Severance."

"...and thereafter," the King continued, "you will serve the standard penalties prescribed by law."

Edgar’s face was filled with terror. "No... no—anything but that," he said with a breaking voice. "Your Majesty, please—"

Desperation was evident into his tone.

"This wasn’t just me... Chief Roland, the head enforcer, was involved. He gave me what I needed to summon Isaac—"

"So far as I am concerned," the King cut in, "I am addressing the sole culprit before me."

Edgar shook his head briefly. "No no your majesty —"

"Your severance will be carried out publicly," the king continued. "Let it stand as a reminder to the others who may ever go against my rules."

He made a small motion with his hand. "Take him."

The Imperial Guards moved immediately. Annet and Leona stepped forward in unison, gripping Edgar firmly as they pulled him to his feet.

"No—no, wait—please—" he struggled weakly, but it was useless.

He was dragged away, and the chamber doors opened and shut almost as quickly.

After a moment, the King’s gaze shifted to his right, "...Where is Alistair?"

General Iroh immediately spoke, "Your Majesty, Prince Alistair departed some time ago."

"hm...I see." He muttered, standing from his seat and retiring back to his study.

——

Meanwhile, at the residence of Lady Audrey...

A polished roundtable dominated the center of the chamber with its dark surface reflecting the restless movement of those seated around it.

Her children and grandchildren.

Most bore the telltale streaks of gray in their hair, while the rest were no younger than twenty-five. Yet their composure, at that moment, was anything but dignified.

The room was alive with a frantic, almost rabid exchange, with each of them speaking over the other with rising voices as they dissected the collapse of the Desdemona name, the fallout from Edgar’s arrest, and the chaos that had unfolded in the last day.

Then, the doors opened and Lady Audrey’s servant descended the staircase.

Esmeray looked to be in her mid-twenties, and she descended the stairs gracefully. Before she could take move any further, a man rose abruptly from the table and approached her.

He looked to be in his mid-sixties, while still possessing an agile posture. "Esmeray," he called. "Please. Get Mother. We have been here long enough."

Esmeray nodded. "I have already informed Lady Audrey, she will be with you shortly."

The man looked surprised. "You still refer to her that way?"

Esmeray smiled. "There is a reason I still look like this," she said lightly, "despite being your elder sister."

The man clicked his tongue, but said nothing further.

—

Moments later...

Footsteps echoed from above and Lady Audrey descended the staircase.

Esmeray quickly stepped aside immediately, bowing her head as the older man followed suit. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"...Mother."

She gave no sort of acknowledgment as she passed. And when she reached the table, every single person stood.

Their heads inclined as she took her seat. Only then did they now sit as well.

Her gaze swept across them briefly, looking uninterested. "I will have you all know," she began, "that this meeting is inconvenient. And I would prefer to be done with it quickly."

Her eyes settled on the man from earlier.

"So," she said, "someone tell me why you are all here."

Cleavon straightened. "Mother... things have grown worse," he began. "Since Edgar’s arrest, the family name has been dragged through the mud. We’ve lost partnerships and some of our subsidiaries are on the verge of collapse."

Murmurs of agreement followed.

Another voice, female this time, cut in sharply. "If this continues, we may not recover at all. The damage is too severe."

Voices began to rise again, until..

"Enough."

The single word silenced the entire room.

Lady Audrey’s gaze look almost annoyed. "You have all, been nothing but a burden since the moment I brought your bloodlines into existence."

No one spoke but their face stiffened with hurt.

Then she turned. "Esmeray."

The servant stepped forward.

"Prepare and send invitations to every noble house," Lady Audrey continued. "I will be hosting."

Esmeray inclined her head. "Yes, Lady Audrey."

That was all from the Matriarch who had now risen to her feet. "Now," she said without looking back, "every one of you... leave my house."

They inclined their head again, and one by one, they left.

——

Back in her room...

Alistair sat casually on her bed, shirtless, and dressed only in loose shorts. Then he rose slowly, walking toward her.

"I take it, they came begging for rescue," he said with a light tone.

Lady Audrey finally turned from shutting the door. "They’ve never known how to do anything else."

She studied him for a moment. "However, "I believe it is time. That we make our announcement."

Alistair’s expression changed, just slightly. "...Are you certain?"

She held his gaze. "We have waited long enough."

A dangerous smile formed on her lips.

"Unless," she added, "you are beginning to have doubts."

He stepped closer. "No," he said. "I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time."

Then, their faces met each other in a kiss.

—-

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