Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 95: Trial of House Draykar

The Ambrose carriage rumbled over the cobblestone streets toward the palace. Grim sat opposite Chen Xing, both men dressed in formal attire befitting the solemn occasion.

"You’ll act as my servant for the trial," Grim instructed, his voice low despite the privacy of the closed carriage. "Servants are allowed in for this proceeding, as are noble family members and upper families of the Empire."

Chen Xing nodded. "I understand. A trial for treason is a rare and serious affair."

Grim studied his friend for a moment, a hint of amusement flickering in his otherwise composed expression. "Tell me, how did you manage to create five years’ worth of documents in a single night?"

A smile appread on his face as he tapped the side of his head. "Always plan five moves ahead."

"And the elven script? The imperial seals?"

"Let’s just say I had help from certain specialists. Lady Mei’s connections extend to some... talented individuals." Chen Xing’s expression grew serious. "But the documents will withstand scrutiny. I guarantee it."

Grim nodded. "They’ll need to. Julius will be looking for any inconsistency, any flaw in the evidence."

"He’ll find none," Chen Xing assured him. "The paper is aged appropriately, the ink properly faded, the handwriting consistent."

The carriage slowed as they approached the imperial palace grounds. Through the window, Grim could see a procession of nobles and officials making their way inside the palace.

"Remember," Grim said as the carriage came to a stop, "today we are merely observers. We’ve done our part. Now we watch as justice takes its course."

Chen Xing’s smile held no warmth.

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Massive columns of white marble supported a vaulted ceiling. Rows of tiered seating faced a central floor where two tables stood. One for the accused, one for the imperial prosecutor. Behind them on a raised dais sat the judgment seats, empty now but soon to be occupied by the Empire’s highest authorities.

Nobles and officials filled the tiered seating, their whispers creating a constant susurration that echoed through the cavernous space. Grim and Chen Xing took their assigned places among the second tier, positioning themselves with a clear view of both the judgment seats and the table where House Draykar would soon sit.

Across the hall, Grim spotted Julius Luminaris with his daughter Mira. Their gazes met briefly, Julius’s rage could be felt just by beingin the same room as him. Mira’s expression was more thoughtful. Grim inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment before turning away.

A hush fell over the assembly as Chancellor Levenhart entered from a side door, followed by Archmage Marcus and several imperial officials. They took their positions to the left of the judgment seats. Moments later, a trumpet sounded, announcing the arrival of Empress Alexia.

The Empeess arrived along with Princess Liona followed close behind, her expression solemn as she took her place beside her mother. Once the Empress was seated, the assembly returned to their seats.

Chancellor Levenhart stood. "Bring in the accused."

The main doors opened, and Lord Draykar entered with imperial guards. Once one of the most powerful nobles in the Empire, he now walked with shuffling steps and his hands bound. Behind him came Lady Draykar and their two adult children, similarly bound though treated with slightly more dignity.

They were led to the accused table and seated. Lord Draykar’s eyes scanned the assembly, briefly resting on Julius before finding Grim. Recognition, then hatred flashed across his face before he composed himself and faced forward.

Chancellor Levenhart addressed the assembly. "We gather today to try House Draykar on charges of high treason against the Empire. The evidence was discovered following an assassination attempt against Lord Grim Van Ambrose and has been verified by Imperial Intelligence." He gestured to a table laden with documents. "The prosecution will present this evidence, after which the accused may offer their defense."

The imperial prosecutor, a stern-faced woman named Lady Verin, rose and approached the evidence table. "Your Majesty, honored members of the court, the evidence before you tells a disturbing tale of betrayal spanning years. House Draykar has been in secret communication with agents from the Demon Lands, providing sensitive information about imperial defenses, trade negotiations, and noble house alliances."

She lifted several documents, displaying official-looking parchments with elaborate seals. "These communications, found in Lord Draykar’s private study, detail payments made to known elven agents, including the spy Talyra who infiltrated the imperial tournament."

Lord Draykar surged to his feet. "Those documents are forgeries! I’ve never—"

"Silence," Chancellor Levenhart commanded. "You will have your opportunity to speak."

Lady Verin continued methodically, presenting document after document, building a damning case against House Draykar. She detailed meetings with elven agents, coded messages exchanged with contacts in the Demon Lands, and plans for territorial concessions in the event of an invasion.

From his seat, Grim watched the proceedings. i

Inwardly he admired Chen Xing’s thoroughness. The evidence was comprehensive, each piece reinforcing the others, creating a web of guilt that would be nearly impossible to disentangle.

When Lady Verin finished her presentation, Chancellor Levenhart turned to Lord Draykar. "You may now present your defense."

Lord Draykar stood, his face flushed with anger and fear. "Your Majesty, I have served the Empire faithfully for three decades. These accusations are absurd. The documents are clever forgeries, undoubtedly created by enemies of my house." His eyes flickered briefly toward Grim. "I have never communicated with agents from the Demon Lands, never betrayed imperial secrets, never arranged for any spy to infiltrate the tournament."

"Then how do you explain the documents found in your private study?" Lady Verin asked.

"They were planted there, obviously!" Lord Draykar’s composure cracked. "Someone gained access to my estate and—" frёeωebɳovel.com

"Your study is protected by both physical locks, and guards posted." Lady Verin interrupted. "Are you suggesting someone bypassed both without detection?"

"I’m suggesting a conspiracy against my house," Lord Draykar insisted. "These charges are—"

Chancellor Levenhart raised a hand. "The imperial experts have examined these documents thoroughly. The paper, ink, and seals have been verified as authentic. The handwriting matches samples of your own correspondence kept in imperial records."

From the judgment seat, Empress Alexia spoke for the first time. "Lord Draykar, do you have any evidence to support your claim of forgery? Any witnesses to corroborate your whereabouts during the alleged meetings with elven agents?"

Lord Draykar’s shoulders slumped slightly. "Your Majesty, I cannot prove a negative. I cannot prove I didn’t attend meetings that never happened."

"Then do you have an explanation for how these documents came to be in your possession?"

"I do not, Your Majesty. Only that they were placed there without my knowledge."

The Empress’s gaze was penetrating. "And the assassination attempt on Lord Ambrose? The evidence linking that attempt to your house?"

"Another fabrication," Lord Draykar insisted, but his voice had lost its conviction.

Chancellor Levenhart stepped forward. "If the defense has no further evidence to present, we will proceed to judgment."

A murmur ran through the assembly. Trials of this nature typically stretched over days or weeks, yet this one was concluding in a single session. The evidence was simply too overwhelming, the defense too inadequate.

In the silence that followed, Julius Luminaris rose to his feet. "Your Majesty, if I may speak?"

The Empress nodded permission.

"House Draykar has been our ally for generations," Julius began. "While I cannot speak to the veracity of these specific charges, I urge the court to consider Lord Draykar’s long history of service to the Empire. Perhaps a more thorough investigation—"

"Lord Luminaris," the Empress interrupted, "are you suggesting the imperial investigators have been remiss in their duties?"

Julius bowed slightly. "Not at all, Your Majesty. I merely suggest that matters of this gravity deserve the most careful consideration before judgment is rendered."

Grim rose from his seat. "Your Majesty, if Lord Luminaris is permitted to speak, I request the same courtesy."

The Empress gestured for him to continue.

"House Draykar sent assassins to my estate with the clear intent to murder me," Grim stated, his voice steady. "The evidence recovered from those assassins led directly to the discovery of the documents presented today. I have no personal grudge against House Draykar, but the attempt on my life required investigation. That investigation revealed treason." He paused, meeting Julius’s gaze directly. "No amount of ’careful consideration’ can erase the facts before this court."

Silence followed his words. Julius’s expression darkened, but he offered no rebuttal as he returned to his seat.

Chancellor Levenhart addressed the assembly. "If there are no further statements, we will proceed to judgment."

"In the matter of House Draykar, charged with high treason against the Empire through collusion with agents of the Demon Lands, this court finds the accused guilty on all counts."

Lord Draykar’s face drained of color. His wife let out a small, choked sob.

The Empress continued, her voice unyielding. "Treason against the Empire is the gravest of crimes, demanding the severest of punishments. It is the judgment of this court that Lord Draykar be executed at dawn tomorrow for his crimes."