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

mother's wedding robes."

married."

that Ari had taken from my mother's chambers, but I had no idea that she'd also taken things from my chambers. As

go then?" I asked, gesturing toward the doors. "Her trial will begin in just a

they headed out the door. I turned back to the rest

anyone dares to complain about dinner

out of the kitchen. I stopped to tell

might have been abused, forced to do something they didn't

a realistic grudge against Ari. He nodded and

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." I

nodded and

came to join the procession, including a knight. As I entered the grand hall, I was met with a cacophony of 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

all can

the Elders began, her voice barely audible over the din. "What are

Prince Tsuneo has

trial will take precedence. It is the more

glances. "Nothing could be more pressing than the

things are more important than the Convening. Like how Ari has been allowed to terrorize the palace staff all these years, and likely many citizens as she's

expect us to try a member of

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

hasn't disappeared. She's simply been detained." I turned to

a seat, we'll get started as soon

themselves. I could hear them speculating whether or not

have Elders like