The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 95

CH95

Tsunco

I led Anya towards the kitchen. The memories Tarufu had shown me were all horrible. I knew that Ari had a history of being quite mean to the palace staff, but I had never imagined it had all been so violent. The worst of it had been while I was pretending to be unconscious. I hoped that some of the other victims would be willing to testify against her. None of them had heen hurt as badly as Anya, but that didn't matter.

As we entered the kitchen, the servants looked up, their eyes wide with surprise. I cleared my throat, my voice filled with a mixture of determination and resolve.

"Listen to me," I said, my voice echoing through the room. "I am putting Ari on trial for her crimes against the palace. It's staff and other miscellaneous crimes. I want you to be heard. I apologize on behalf of the royal family for the abuse you have endured, and I want proper justice to be administered."

The servants exchanged uneasy glances. A murmur ran through the group of them. They kept looking at Anya:

"If you testify against her," I said, my voice filled with a mixture of hope and determination. "You will be compensated in full accordance with the law. What can be made right will be made right."

"Who will agree to testify against her about her abuse?"

The servants hesitated, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anger. But then, one by one, they began to nod.

"If you would come stand with me, please?"

A few of them stepped forward.

There were more than enough to testify.

"Now," I said, my voice filled with a sense of urgency, "I need you to tell me about the things she has stolen from the palace... from you if applicable. I'd like to facilitate the return of those items. quickly if they haven't already been returned."

"She stole from me," one of the servants finally said, her voice barely a whisper. "She took my necklace, the one my mother gave me...." She looked down. "She said it was too nice for at

servant."

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CH95

nodded. "My mother's wedding robes." She sniffled. "I...

married."

by one, the servants began to speak. They described the items Ari had stolen and the valuables she had taken from them. Some of them knew about the robes and pieces of jewelry that Ari had taken from my mother's chambers, but I had no idea that she'd also taken things from my chambers. As I listened, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust.

I asked, gesturing toward the doors. "Her

out the door. I turned back to the rest of the

dares to complain about dinner being late,

I followed the rest of the staff out of the kitchen. I

have been abused, forced to do

grudge against

of guards with a list. "Search Ari's room for these items. If you find them, bring them to the hall. If there is any spare coinage, bring it as well."

guards nodded

voices. The Elders were gathered, their faces etched with concern and anxiety. My father, sat on the throne, his eyes scanning the room. He looked a little more rested as if he might have taken a nap or a

can make it for

discuss the Convening of the Celestial Compass," one of the Elders began, her voice

Tsuneo

Ari's trial will take precedence. It is the

exchanged uneasy glances. "Nothing could be more pressing than the

staff all these years, and likely many citizens as she's pleased with no repercussions." A

to try a member of

a ward of the royal family, not a member," I said. "And her status has no bearing on the fact that she is guilty of

been detained." I turned to

get started as

among themselves. I could hear them speculating whether or

you have Elders