bookpub Chapter 575 The Intruding of Royalty - Part 3
Chapter 575 The Intruding of Royalty - Part 3
In his mind – and in Oliver's mind as well – such things shouldn't have needed explaining. There was already a mountain of evidence against the claims that Oliver had butchered those men of his own violation. This was merely another nail in the coffin. A perfect setting of the stage.
"That does seem like an impossibility to me, Minister," Lancelot agreed. "I am no fan of the Patricks, despite my Lady's own fondness, but it is clear to see, for anyone with the slightest bit of integrity, that the crime was not done by Oliver Patrick, but against him."
From Lancelot of all people, for Oliver, that meant a great deal, for as the man had said, they were far from seeing eye to eye.
Hod seemed to take note of that, for he looked Lancelot firmly in the eye as the boy said it, and he studied him for a long few moments. "Well, behold, you who rule. There's a student capable of it, even if you are not. Separating justice from personal dislike, that is what we need do here today. These guardsmen were coincidentally there, right as Oliver left, forcing their paths to intersect.
These guardsmen, coincidentally, numbered over twenty, when they ordinarily patrol in groups of five at the very most. These guardsmen, coincidentally, held two wanted fugitives amongst their rank – Alistar Hoofless and Fabian Small. And again, these guardsmen, coincidentally, without exception, all had their blades smothered with poison."
He let those words hang in the air, as he dismissed the case for what it was, once and for all. After all they'd said, after all they'd done, there could be no doubt. The proceedings had gone on for well over two hours now. They all knew enough about what had happened to be certain of its oddities. Either that, or they were wilfully blind to them.
"Does that align with what you yourself saw upon surveying the scene, Your Highness?" Hod asked.
"It does," Asabel agreed. "Their blades were covered with a black grass extract, a death herb. Verdant Idris was afflicted with such a poison when we arrived at the scene, and we needed to treat him for it.
Another word further, and you will be dismissed from the trial entirely – for now, be content that you will merely have your Ministry taxes doubled for a season."
Tavar said 'merely' but from the bitter expression on Jolamire's face, it was not a punishment that should be taken lightly. Lazarus seemed similarly distressed, but he at least had the grace to keep his mouth closed. Gavlin, for his part, seemed satisfied, if slightly reluctant to meet the eyes of any who asked.
"If I may, Minister..." Asabel asked, gesturing towards where Hod stood, in the centre of the platform. Hod raised an eyebrow, apparently caught off guard by the proposition, but after a moment's pause, he made way for her, when he wouldn't make way for anyone else.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the spot. "There is no harm in it, is there, General?"
"...I suppose not," General Tavar admitted begrudgingly. "Not if I view it as an extension of her witness testimony. Do forgive us, Your Highness, but we can not allow you greater station than that. Not within these Halls." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire
"You have been most generous and accommodating," Asabel said bravely, giving the Ministers another courtesy, as she climbed the steps and claimed the centre of the platform that Hod had dominated for so long.
The Minister of Logic studied her, as if trying to figure out what she was trying to do... He must have managed it, for the moment before she opened her mouth, he adopted a thoroughly stunned expression, before catching himself, and hardening his face once more, only allowing a smile to slip out.
As things were proceeding now, Oliver was well and truly lost. He knew that the Pendragon Princess had stood witness on his behalf, and for her to put herself in such a position, after only meeting him twice, he couldn't have been more grateful.
Her testimony bore more weight than any before her, and for the first time – from the defeated expressions of the crowd – there seemed to be at least some amount of hope for him.