The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 107: Answers (1)

Chapter 107: Answers (1)

Nikolai let out a sigh as he gazed blankly at Rosela’s kneeling form right in front of him. He was currently debating what to do with the woman he once considered a friend... Someone that he once considered family... as a sister, even...

By the sidelines, he noticed that Mineah had already taken her spot up to where he would usually sit whenever he presided over a trial. He had heard the guards announce her arrival, but he didn’t want to stray his gaze away from Rosela for even a second. She might still have something up her sleeve despite being shackled down on the ground, and he refused to have someone else die yet again due to her machinations.

Still, that didn’t stop him from stealing glances at his wife every once in a while. Since he was the only one powerful and unbiased enough to compel someone of Rosela’s caliber to tell the truth, he had to be down there in the middle of the courtroom to preside over the trial instead of being in his usual spot beside the chair Mineah was currently seated in. Even his Mother was present, currently sitting near where his wife was located as they visibly began to exchange pleasantries.

[Are you doing well, Mine?] he talked to her through their Bond, to which Mineah quickly perked up as she stared at him.

[I’m doing fine, Lai,] she quickly nodded. [I just want this to be over with so that we can move on with our lives, to be honest.]

Nikolai hummed in agreement. He wanted the exact same thing not only for his own and Mineah’s sake but for his mother’s as well. He knew that the Queen Mother would be most affected by this, and he wanted to get things over with if only so that the healing process for both his family and his kingdom could finally begin.

With a deep breath, he gave the presiding judge, Minister Haman, a knowing nod before he announced the beginning of the main event.

"Today, we shall all witness the trial of Rosela Benett!" Nikolai bellowed out. "She stands accused of murder, treason, and conspiring against the crown!"

The present audience fell silent, and Nikolai could already feel the pressure bearing down on him as Rosela’s family understandably glared at him.

Nikolai paced himself as he announced Rosela’s crimes. Staring down at her, the woman simply gave him a pitiful stare as she knelt down right in front of him. It would seem that she was just about ready to give up, but he knew her. She might still have something up her sleeve in spite of all this, and he was going to be careful just to make sure that she wouldn’t be able to wriggle her way out of this one.

"Rosela, what do you say to these accusations?" Haman from above bellowed.

"Not guilty," Rosela growled. "I’m innocent. It’s the Queen over there that’s making me take the fall for her crimes."

Nikolai almost bit his tongue as he stopped himself from just slapping the woman below him. Around him, the audience audibly reacted, but no actual accusations flew out so far. It would seem that Rosela was relying on her own reputation to garner sympathy.

’We’ll see about that,’ Nikolai scoffed in his thoughts before he declared out loud, "Due to the severity of your supposed crimes, we must verify the truth via compulsion."

Kneeling down to Rosela’s level, he took her by the chin and rose her to his eye level. Immediately, he channeled his unrivaled power to make her tell the truth, his power coursing through him as he prepared to ask his questions.

"Now, are you the one responsible for the death that happened in Amaranth Palace yesterday?" he deliberately asked. "Are you the one responsible for that one servant having objects filled with dark magic?"

Rosela stared deep into his eyes, and for a second, Nikolai thought that she was going, to tell the truth. Only for him to feel his power bouncing off her for some reason.

"No, I wasn’t," she smirked. "It was all the Queen’s fault."

The audience muttered as they all thought that Rosela was telling the truth. Likewise, Nikolai saw both Mineah and his mother give him questioning looks. Clearly, they knew that something was happening.

"You’re lying," Nikolai repeated, his eyes now boring deep into Rosela’s as he forcibly exerted his will over her. "Something’s protecting you from my compulsion."

"No, I do not," Rosela replied, her voice strained as she visibly struggled against his will. "I-I’m not lying..."

Scoffing, Nikolai simply poured even more power into his compulsion. Eventually, something had to give, and Rosela let out a pained gasp as a wisp of magic left her body. He knew right then and there that her protection had disappeared, allowing him to question her without limits.

"It seems that I’ve finally gotten through," Nikolai chuckled darkly. "But before that, let me ask you this: Who gave you that kind of protection against compulsion?"

Rosela’s eyes were wide with fear as her eyes remained transfixed on his. Against her own will, her mouth moved, the truth finally coming out.

"Z-Zoran... He’s the one that helped me..."

Nikolai blinked at that revelation. Zoran? He was once his friend, and he was aware of how the man joined forces with the Demon King when Dahlia died. But why would he even want to help her? Does this mean that Rosela was colluding with Helion as well?!

He needed answers, but for now, he should set things straight. "Very well. Now, I ask again, are you the one responsible for the incident yesterday?"

Rosela had tears in her eyes as she replied, "Yes..."

The audience erupted at that answer. Nikolai himself felt vindicated at the truth finally coming out. However, he wasn’t done with his line of questioning.

"So you’re the one who gave the servant those dark magic items?"

"Yes..."

Another uproar echoed from the crowd. With each answer that came out of Rosela’s mouth, the more her case became more stacked against her.

"So clearly, you’ve been conspiring against the crown all this time," Nikolai sighed. "What else have you been doing till now?"