Chapter 69: EVERY DETAILS ABOUT HER
The grand courtroom of Drakonia stood in tense silence as nobles filled the rows, their robes trailing like shadows across the ground.
The golden emblems of the Realm glowed behind King Aden’s seat.
"Here Comes the Royal High King of Drakonia!" The moment everyone heard the announcement they all rose to their feet as the heavy doors opened and King Aden stepped in.
Behind him is Prince Adam, dressed in dark armor lined with deep crimson.
Everyone bowed, from the lowliest lord to the highest general, and when King Aden got to his seat, he lifted his hand, the room straightened and settled back.
Adam shifted backward and bowed before the king before going to the men and standing in his position.
King Aden’s voice boomed like thunder making everyone keen and listening. "Today, we close the matter that has almost brought darkness and sad news upon this palace."
Everyone stared at one another wondering what King Aden meant and as if he understood he proceeded.
"The one who dared poison Queen Sephora would be called out today because he has been found by the last prince." Murmurs filled the room as they threw questions at themselves.
"You can come inside." He announced and the door opened, there Ashen stepped inside in his full court attire which got everyone speaking.
Adam stared at Ashen wondering what game he would play now.
"Long Live... Your highness." Ashen showed courtesy and King Aden signaled for him to begin.
"After of investigation we finally got the culprit your highness and..." At his signal, two guards dragged a man into the courtroom.
His face was bruised, his clothes torn, and his head low with shame. The room filled with murmurs as the man was thrown to the ground.
"We get to know that the hairpin on Lady Mireya had contained a deadly poison." Everyone gasped sd they shot a dirty gaze at Lord Carlos who slowly shifted his eyes.
"Making more investigation we found out from Lor Carlos that the hairpin was an actual gift from another Lord to him." Everyone began staring at themselves now fear gripping them.
"This is the seller of the hairpin.." he pointed out and the man fell to the ground in fear.
"Your highness... I had only sold the hairpin to Lord Vellian." Everyone gasped as their eyes met with Vellian who stood astounded.
It was a disgrace to him that he had just gotten into the royal palace, and one he was being framed for murder.
Adam’s eyes widened recognizing the man to be the queen’s side man.
"Don’t you dare lie against me!" Lord Vellian, fired at himrushing towards him as he fell bowing in front of King Aden but then the man shook his head.
"Your highness this is the receipt...he pulled out a receipt from his pocket.
"Your hinges I promise I am just a seller I know nothing bout the poison."
"You might not know.." Ashen stated moving closer to Lord Vellian.. "But your house has been raised this morning by guards and this was found..." Ashen leg out now pulling out a small container from his pocket of whuvh contains a dark plant.
Eyes widened around and Lord Veillain shook his head refusing to accept, "I... I... know nothing about this.." He tried to plead in fear.
"Would you like to know where your daughter and Wife are currently?" he went weak, for some reason couldn’t defend himself anymore.
There was no room for doubt anymore. The more he tried to defend himself he would be placed in more trouble.
"Your highness... The poison wasn’t meant for the queen, but for Lord Mireya’s daughter." Lord’s Villain let out.
"Wh... what have I done to you... What... has my daughter done to you?" Lord Carlos cried as Adam’s fist folded tightly in anger.
"Enough!" the king announced and everyone straightened now staring at King Aden.
"So... the queen wasn’t meant to be poisoned... and it was just a coincidence." Lord Carlos fell to the ground.
"Your Highness... I am sorry that my daughter had been a scapegoat who almost caused doom to the realm."
King let out a cold laugh that made everyone freeze, "I grant you death with pain!" Lord Vellian broke into a loud painful wail.
"And Ashen you will be in charge of that." Ashen bowed before the king as he gestured for the guards to take Lord Vellian out.
Lord Carlos bowed his head several times. "Thank You... Your Hugness."
"But your daughter!" King Aden said and Lord Carlos paused in fear. "She wouldn’t not stepped into the Queen’s chambers nor get an opportunity in the royal palace henceforth."
"Thank you, your highness!" Lord Carlos let out and King Aden raised his hand once more.
"Drakonia cannot survive on the strength of warriors alone. We need one who understands truth, who can uphold law by justice."
Everyone stared at themselves confused, while Adam’s fist tightened understanding what the King was about to do.
King Aden turned fully toward Ashen. "I had promised that if you got to the bottom of this I would give you a position in the royal palace."
King Aden could see the disapproving look on everyone’s faces but he ignored them. "For this reason, I now name Prince Ashen the Drakonis Arbiter of Law, the highest voice of justice beneath the crown. From this day forward, his word shall shape law. His seal shall carry the weight of my own."
The hall erupted with shock, though no one dared speak against it. Murmurs swept across the room like wind through dry leaves.
Ashen he bowed deeply to the king.
From the left side of the room, Prince Adam clenched his jaw. His eyes burned as the king’s aides walked down from the dais and pressed the Royal Seal into Ashen’s palm.
Then the king Aden’s voice rang again. "Let it be known, by everyone in this realm, that Prince Ashen the last son of the Drakonis realm is now the Arbiter of law." And with that, the court was dismissed.
As nobles filtered out, heavy with unease they dared not speak, Ashen walked quietly through the marble corridor.
He had not gone far when he heard the cold voice of his brother.
"You won." Ashen paused, turning slowly as Adam stepped into view, his arms folded behind his back.
"You finally impressed Father, and now you wear the seal. Congratulations, little brother."
Ashen said nothing at first and turned to leave but Adam stopped him again.
"Are you being bold now that you are valued a bit by the King?"
Ashen looked at Adam with calm eyes before he spoke up. "I don’t care about what you think, as long as this position makes me strong enough to protect her."
A bitter laugh left Adam’s lips. "Of course, all these for a blind Celestial girl I agree but always have this inserted in your head." he moved closer to Ashen as he placed his hands on his shirt.
"You will never be me." Ashen smiled faintly. "That’s exactly why I will do better."
With that, he turned and walked off, leaving his brother standing behind in rage.
Just as Ashen disappeared down the hall, Adam’s aide, Ceyres, stepped forward.
"My Prince, there’s something strange about the arrest. Lord Vellian isn’t the culprit." Adam’s eyes narrowed as he shook his head sideways.
"What?"
"I get to find out that Lord Carlos and Prince Ashen had an agreement to make Vellian take the fall."
A chuckle escaped Adam’s lips as he tried to recap Cerey’s words in his head.
"Ashen isn’t clever enough for that." Adam let out a now glancing at Ceyres as his lips curled into a smirk.
"Lumina," he whispered.
Ceyres blinked. "His woman?"
Adam didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, "I want every single detail about her."