Chapter 55 - Why Was He Still Alive?

The officer closed the door and looked around as if to indicate that he was done reading. In a fit of rage, the ministers on the other side of the room got up from their seats. Some tried to defend His Majesty with everything they had. A number of them even argued about the authority of the scroll that was presented before the court. The peaceful environment was shattered and turned into a grocery store.

But, at one point, the supporters of Rhesus froze when someone brought up the fact that the king had killed his family members to obtain the throne. Doubt flickered through their eyes as they turned to look at the king. Did they have any proof that their king was honest? It was still time before the princess could show the scroll.

Should they believe in the words of the scroll just like that?

It didn't take long before Edda produced a second scroll, which she hurled straight at the officer. It was written by a witness who still knew the secrets of how the royals had died all those years ago and was willing to share them. As before, the officer grabbed the letter, opened it, and read it robotically as he had before.

This letter was also anonymous. "I've seen it all with my own eyes! After seeing His Majesty's dark, menacing face, I was terrified. As a result, I hid among the citizens. I'm sorry, but I can't reveal my identity. But after His Majesty had killed everyone, the king destroyed all of the royal knives, but the murder weapon was still there, and I was able to hide it, but it was stolen from my home a few days ago! Who else could it be if not the king? I believe he's the one who wants to wreak havoc once again!"

As he watched this unfold, the king was dumbfounded.

"What're you still standing here for?! Go and kick those people out!" The king shouted at the guards, but they didn't listen to him. He stared at them for a while before a trace of anxiety flashed in his eyes. It felt as though his power was slipping through his fingers.

Rhesus's body slumped on the throne, and he waited for his fate. Fear filled his eyes as he surveyed the crowd. A few days ago, he could call on his soldiers at will, but the scene before his eyes was contrary to the past. The difference between how his soldiers behaved was like heaven and Earth! But he knew why they hadn't reacted today. The first king of the family created the rule before his death, and it remains in effect today. The first king had stated in the scroll stamped with his thumb that if a future king ended up becoming a threat to the kingdom and dynasty, the court would temporarily uphold all powers until the evidence could be presented. Afterward, it would be displayed for the public to judge.

Every member of the royal family, as well as the guards, was aware of this fact. This scroll was the first thing that almost everyone in this kingdom was taught in school when they began their studies. That was why everybody promptly stopped listening to Rhesus's orders after reviewing the scroll.

The king's expression darkened as he glanced around at the people. Even though a certain so-called witness was still alive after twenty years, Rhesus didn't react. He just lowered his head and continued to listen. He could tell this was a plan his son had devised to bring him down. Just how much resentment did Bradley hold toward him?

The tears welled up in Rhesus's eyes at the thought of how he treated his son like a treasure, but Bradley didn't even give it a second thought before lashing out at him. As a father, he had no idea that his son would be so brutal.

It was only after a few deep breaths that he realized that the officer had already read the scroll containing the witness's testimony and that the princess was pulling out another old scroll from her waist. He opened his mouth to say something, but words died in his throat as he averted his eyes. What was the point in struggling? No one was going to listen to him anyway.

The princess continued to throw scrolls of evidence one after another as the officer in the courtroom read them aloud.

The king couldn't do a single thing about it. He only watched the scene unfold in front of him with a hint of panic in his eyes, but he did not speak. Anger was evident on the faces of most of the officers by the time everything was over.

After hearing about all the evidence, an officer flipped his sleeves and got up from his seat, almost convinced that Rhesus was a manifestation of evil. "It's hard to believe we once listened to this kind of a king! His actions must be brought to justice! The evidence is stacked against him! How will he manage to escape?"

"Yes! We should choose another person." The officials from the right and left sides agreed at one point. "How about Prince Linton?" asked a member of the opposition party.

When they thought of that gentle-looking prince who was captured and locked in the dungeon, their hearts ached, and they collectively glared at their king.

One of the chief officials couldn't take it anymore. He pointed at the king and said, "Capture the king, and force him to stop this nonsense! Many of our soldiers have died. Just how much more bloodshed does this demon want?! I, the leading officer of the left cabinet, command the soldiers to capture King Rhesus and torture him until he stops the war!"

After that, he hurriedly wrote a scroll, and almost all the officers signed.

Rhesus, who witnessed his sudden downfall, let out a chuckle and glanced around helplessly. "Do whatever you want."

At that moment, a thunderous voice erupted from the courtroom's entrance, filling everyone's ears. "Are you going to leave it like that, father?!" A trace of astonishment flashed across everyone's eyes as they turned their heads toward the courtroom's main entrance.

Unbeknownst to them, a girl with blond hair tied up in a bun came and stood at the entrance. She used a stick she found from who knows where to keep her bun in place. No, she wasn't wearing one of her usual princess dresses. The armor around her body was stained with blood, while a sword hung from her belt.

Behind her, a young man stood with his head bowed in submission. But none of the officials were calm after watching his face.

Wasn't this the human servant 52?! Why was he still alive?