Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 232: Court room

Chapter 232: Court room

Merona was determined to have the showdown today at the royal court, where all the higher ranked nobles and officials would be present. Hamon had continued to refuse to release Cassius despite the people’s protest. All the public opinions favored Merona, however no one had the ability to forcibly disperse Hamon’s soldiers nor his authority_no one except the king himself. However, Fredrick had been ignoring the officials protests and request to have a word with him. Therefore, Merona planned to pressure Frederick today in the presence of all the officials and nobles.

Edwin followed behind Merona’s footsteps, and murmured to her in an urgent voice, "Sister, I have been informed that Prince Hamon is on his way here as expected."

Merona sneered, "Of course, he is. He wouldn’t want to miss this."

Each year the celebration took place, Hamon had never showed up in the court gathering where they talked about the De Biville family’s achievements for the kingdom, and also discussed about the kingdom’s affairs and politics, and the next in line to take the throne with their supporters.

Furthermore, since Cassius detention in the crown Prince’s residence, Hamon had been absent from any public appearance, he hadn’t stepped out of his residence as if avoiding to meet the people protesting against him. But today, he wouldn’t be able to avoid facing the judgment of the people.

Merona’s eyes gleamed, "...I must put him in his right place today."

She was determined to make Hamon pay the price of taking her son. As Merona approached the court room where the judgment was to be held, she covered her intentions with a benevolent smile on her face.

The guards opened the double doors, "Her majesty has arrived!" The herald at the entrance loudly announced her arrival. And all the people inside the hall bowed and greeted in unison,

"Hail her royal Majesty!"

Merona walked in with her head held high, behind were a procession of her followers. Edwin her brother, then numerous other prominent ladies-in-waiting were filled behind her, giving testament to the power and dignity of the queen.

Merona elegantly took her seat next to Frederick, who was sitting at the head of the table.

"Cough, cough, you are finally here..." Frederick managed to remark softly.

Merona furrowed her brows in false worry at the king’s pale face, "Your majesty, you don’t look so well. Have you taken your medicines today?"

Frederick nodded, "Yes, as I’ve told you before, those medicines don’t seems to be working for me anymore."

"Oh, then I’ll talk to the physicians about it." She said worriedly, however she smiled inwardly. Sure the medicines wouldn’t work when she’d added toxic hidden poisons to them. The king’s condition would surely worsen after her plans went the way she’d wanted today. He would be forced to watch how she would destroy Hamon and make sure he paid for all he had done to her son.

A wide smile spread across her lips, and she glanced away from Frederick to watch the vast array of nobles and officials arriving inside the hall. Among them, a few officials had given a secret nod towards her. Many who had already gathered here were all on her side. And with all of them, she was sure to win the case.

Just then, "The crown Prince and the crown princess have arrived!"

Merona’s eyes naturally moved towards the couple walking inside, Ara’s hand was wrapped around Hamon’s arm as they made inside the hall. However, the queen’s expression was quick to darken as she saw the people following behind the couples.

’Damn this girl!’

The people who followed behind the couple were all well-known figures in Findara. The first to appear was, Mary and her family, the Cabrera household, then Evangeline of the marquis Golding household, the flower of society.

That wasn’t all, lady Archer, the wife of the late head official was there as well, Richard Boxton and his son, Henry, who had a rigid expression, then followed by some more high ranked nobles. The procession behind the couple were quite impressive.

’...When did they get this much supporters without my knowledge?’

Merona’s frown deepened. It was obvious, who else but that troublesome crown princess! She had gathered such strong allies for her husband! Even Merona who was the queen, could not attract those people to her side for years, yet somehow they were supporting the crown Prince now!

’I have to get rid of this annoying couple before it’s too late!’

Fortunately, she would be able to destroy Hamon today, and afterwards deal with that girl, Arabella as well.

When everyone was seated, the time of the discussion began. Despite the king’s obviously sickly appearance, he spoke in a strong, dignified voice, "Before we get into it, anyone with a complaint should step forward."

The first issue on the table would normally have been concerns about the lives of the citizens and how the king had solved the issue of the kingdom so far. However, this time was different, one of the officials stood up and spoke,

"With all due respect, Your majesty, I have something to say, if you may permit me to speak." He bowed.

Frederick gave a nod, "You may speak."

"Thank you, Your majesty." He thanked, then began to speak, "Are you aware that the crown Prince has been going against our laws? He imprisoned the second Prince without any conviction. Even though he is the crown Prince, he should surely follow our laws, and this, he has gone too far."

As soon as the topic was brought up, the other officials began to add their words, as if they had prepared it beforehand.

"I agree. This is a matter of fair investigation and process. And someone like the crown Prince who finds it easy to break the laws of our kingdom, would certainly not make a great ruler of Findara."

"Even though he is royal, it doesn’t make him above our laws. He should be punished like any other citizens who went against the laws."

Edwin, who had been keeping watchful eyes, exchanged glances with his sister. She gave him a slight nod, judging it was the right time, he stepped forward and spoke as well.

"Your majesty, the officials have brought numerous complaints to you concerning this matter, but you ignored it. Why have you not given them a response yet?"

Frederick coughed roughly into his palms before replying, "...I haven’t responded because I was investigating the matter myself."

"It seems like his majesty is trying to protect the crown Prince. No matter what, if one breaks the laws of our kingdom, regardless of rank or position, one has to be punished accordingly, by being whipped to death or banishment."

In response to Edwin’s words, the eyes of the well-trained knights of Findara, which Merona had prepared in advance to take the crown Prince, began to burn with spirit of determination, with their hands gripping on their sword handles waiting for the king’s orders. In an instant, the atmosphere inside the hall turned heavy.

Edwin wasn’t done, he pulled out a parchment from his inner pocket, it was a petition signed by the officials expressing the same sentiment, all of them agreeing that they wanted the crown Prince punished.

Edwin held it out to the king, "Here is a petition demanding the crown Prince’s punishment. We will like your agreement to proceed with the punishment, your majesty."

Ara, who was seated beside Hamon felt her blood boil with rage as the king took the petition from Edwin, she had almost rose to her feet to protest, when she suddenly felt Hamon’s hand on her lap under the table, as if telling her to stay calm. She glanced at him with a frown, but he offered her a small smile, and he looked calm. She thought.

Noting how calm he looked, Ara relaxed back on her chair and placed her hand on top on his on her lap. She decided to watch and see how everything would end. But she still couldn’t help the rage stirring up in her as she saw the irritating smug look Edwin had on his face. She felt the urge to slap that look off his face.

After Edwin gave the petition to the king, he took two steps back. Given that today was an important day for the De Biville’s honor, the king would have no choice but to do everything according to the law, and he wouldn’t be able to ignore the officials request to punish Hamon.

Edwin turned towards Hamon with a triumphant smug look, but then he met the crown princess’ deadly glares, ’ Why is she glaring at me?’ He glared back at Ara, then turned towards Hamon, who was watching him with an indifferent expression, even as the tide was turned against him, anyone who saw him would think that he looked...bored and as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

Edwin met his red eyes, and he suddenly felt an ominous chill ran down his spine when he noticed Hamon’s lips tugged up in a small smile. He glanced towards his sister, and saw she was also looking at the crown Prince with a grave expression.

Edwin masked his fear and spoke authoritatively, "Prince Hamon, rise up and explain yourself to the king."

There was a murderous glint in Hamon’s red eyes, he didn’t make any attempt to stand and remained sitting with his right hand still on his wife’s lap. He chuckled darkly, and spoke in a mischievous tone, "A petition? Ha, I have been looking forward to seeing what you would do, and I must say, I am totally disappointed in you. Is this all you’ve got? A petition, and some mere knights to punish me?"

This time, even Ara turned towards Hamon with a bit of surprise. She wondered what he was up to.

Edwin’s face flushed in embarrassment and anger, "You should be looking for ways to defend yourself, Your Highness, instead of being arrogant."

Feeling his wife’s gaze on him, Hamon didn’t reply immediately and instead decided to tease her by moving his hand on her lap, but Ara quickly pushed his hand away. Hamon grinned, then glanced around the hall in a relaxed manner, most of the officials avoided his gaze, he then spoke,

"Ha, if you all are done with your show, may I have the chance to give you all what I’ve prepared?"

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