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

wedding robes."

married."

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. Ari was much worse than

toward the doors. "Her trial will begin in just a

nodded and they headed out the door. I turned back to the

your time," I said. "If anyone dares to complain about dinner being late, tell them to

of the staff out of the kitchen.

might have been abused, forced to do something they

otherwise had a realistic grudge against Ari.

you find them, bring them to the hall. If there is any spare

nodded and went

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 potion in the few minutes

glad you all can

to discuss the Convening of the Celestial Compass," one of the Elders began, her voice barely audible over the din. "What are

Tsuneo has

trial will take precedence.

glances. "Nothing could

how Ari has been allowed to terrorize the palace staff all these years, and likely many citizens as she's pleased with

to try a member of the royal

"And her status has no bearing on the fact that she is guilty of several crimes and should be punished accordingly." Another scoffed. "That's all well and good, but

chuckled. "She hasn't disappeared. She's simply been detained."

a seat, we'll get started as

nodded. The Elders continued to grumble among themselves. I could hear them speculating whether or not

have Elders like