Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully
Chapter 131: Plans Foiled

Chapter 131: Plans Foiled

"Of course, Your Majesty. We have solid, undeniable proof with us." The Grand Luminar Albus said smugly.

GASP

The entire court broke into murmurs after the Grand Luminar’s wild claims.

"Silence."

King Harius’ loud voice immediately quietened the agitated court.

"I cannot review the evidence now, Albus. You know how it works. The defendant has to be present before any verdict is passed."

"I understand, Your Majesty." Albus bowed.

King Harius leaned forward slightly. "Have you found him, Luminar?"

The Grand Luminar shook his head, a look of deep regret on his face. "Sadly, no, Your Majesty. However, our evidence is ironclad."

"Furthermore," the Grand Luminar continued, his voice heavy with false sorrow, "in his flight from justice, it appears he has taken his entire family with him. Lady Beatrice, his son Marcus, and their innocent children... they have all vanished without a trace. It is with a heavy heart that I must declare them fugitives from the Crown."

He bowed his head. "I humbly request that Your Majesty issue a royal decree for their immediate arrest, so that they may be brought back to Luxia to face the King’s justice for their treasonous crimes."

A murmur of shock and outrage went through the assembled court on the balcony. The King’s expression darkened. This was a grave charge against one of his longest-serving officials.

Just as the King was about to speak, the Captain of the Royal Guard at the main doors of the audience hall below shouted, "Make way!"

With a deep groan, the massive, ornate doors swung inward.

Framed in the grand doorway, escorted by Baron Charles Hummer and his household guards, stood the entire "missing" family of Lord Arnold. Lady Beatrice stood tall, her expression defiant. Marcus and Eleanor stood beside her, their children clinging to their hands, all of them alive, whole, and very much present.

A collective gasp swept through the court.

The Grand Luminar froze, his carefully crafted speech dying on his lips. His face drained of all color, his eyes widening in pure, unadulterated shock. The New Chamberlain looked like he had seen a ghost.

King Harius III rose slowly from his throne. His gaze shifted from the pale, horrified face of his Grand Luminar to the living, breathing proof of his liesstanding in the doorway.

Things were definitely not as simple as The Grand Luminar made them seem to be.

"Marcus," the King’s voice boomed, cutting through the stunned silence. "You have a great deal to explain. Begin. Now."

Marcus stepped forward, his voice ringing with righteous fury. "Your Majesty! The Grand Luminar speaks of fugitives, but he stands before you a liar and a conspirator! We did not flee; we were abducted! Taken by men loyal to Marquis Valerius and held captive in his dungeons!"

The court erupted in chaos. The Grand Luminar, regaining a sliver of his composure, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this is outrageous slander! An absurd fantasy!" He gestured condescendingly at the Arnold family. "Look at them! Do you see any signs of imprisonment? Any marks of torture? None! They stand before you hale and healthy. This is clearly a desperate plot orchestrated by the traitor Arnold to discredit me and your loyal council!"

The King’s gaze fell upon the family. He frowned. It was true; there were no visible wounds. The law was clear. He could not act against two of his highest officials on testimony alone.

"Marcus, the Luminar speaks the truth on this point," the King said, his voice heavy with frustration. "You appear unharmed. You have no proof of these grave claims."

Before Marcus could answer, High Archon Seraphina stepped forward, bowing to the King. "Your Majesty, if I may?"

The Grand Luminar shot her a look of pure venom, but Seraphina met it with a calm, unyielding gaze.

"I cannot speak to the claims of torture," she began carefully, "but I can confirm that it was I who located this family. They were discovered in a dire state and rescued by the noble Lord Charles Hummer just last night. When they were brought to safety, their condition was indeed most grim. Their current health is... a recent development."

The Grand Luminar gritted his teeth, incensed at his subordinate’s betrayal.

The King seized on her words. "A recent development? How were they healed so quickly?"

Marcus stepped forward again. "It was the Whisper Healer, Your Majesty. The same one who provides the talismans. He is working with House Hummer. He used his miraculous arts to restore us."

"Aha!" the Grand Luminar exclaimed, seeing an opening. "A mysterious, unnamed healer! A charlatan who uses unknown magic! Your Majesty, this proves our point! The traitor Arnold has clearly allied himself with a rogue mage, using dark arts to create these illusions of health to further his lies!"

"Then allow me to acquire real proof, Your Majesty!" Marcus declared boldly, his voice cutting through the Luminar’s accusations. "The men who orchestrated this believe my father is isolated and powerless. They will not rest until he is captured or killed."

He looked the King directly in the eye. "Publicly declare my family to be under your royal protection. Let all of Luxia know that we are safe. When my father hears that his family is no longer a tool to be used against him, I swear to you, he will emerge from hiding. And he will bring with him the evidence you need to burn this conspiracy to the ground!"

King Harius stared at Marcus, then at the furious Grand Luminar. The choice was clear.

"So be it!" he roared, his voice echoing across the square. "Let it be known! The family of Lord Arnold is hereby under the personal protection of the Crown! Any who seek to harm them will be deemed an enemy of the kingdom!"

He glared at the Grand Luminar. "This court is dismissed."

As the nobles and clergy began to disperse in a flurry of shocked whispers, the Grand Luminar walked slowly past Marcus and his family. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes held a look of pure venom, a silent promise of retribution that was more chilling than any spoken threat.

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