"Checkmate," Mahalia muttered under her breath, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes as she watched Melinda's panicked expression.
"You're getting what you deserve."
Her attention shifted to Rachel, who remained relentless in her interrogation of Melinda.
"Sacred Court, the testimony we just heard from Mr. Tyler not only casts reasonable suspicion but also corroborates the accounts of other workers on the estate: Melinda Charmale stepped out. If she had to lie about it, then it's clearly because she's trying to hide something."
The room erupted into murmurs and hollers as the pieces began to click for the audience.
"I'd like to summon Saunders Millers as a witness," Rachel declared, turning to the king with a cheeky grin.
Awin scoffed, leaning back on his throne. "This woman is testing my patience... but I'll indulge her," he mused aloud, giving a subtle nod of approval.
Saunders Millers, a stout, round man with curly hair and an almost childlike demeanor, waddled to the stand.
"Good day, Mr. Millers. Tell me, who were you to the deceased?" Rachel asked.
"I was Miss Qaya Wright's carriage driver," he replied.
Rachel smiled. "So, it's safe to assume you spent enough time with her to know about her personality and relationships?"
He nodded sheepishly. "My boss was a very quiet person. She kept to her trade and didn't socialize much, but she was civil with most people."
Rachel cocked her head. "So, she was close with everyone?"
He quickly shook his head, as though afraid of being misunderstood. "No, some people didn't like her because of her job. My boss ran an investigative newspaper that exposed the corrupt practices of nobles. Naturally, some didn't take kindly to her."
"Was Melinda Charmale one of those people?"
He nodded eagerly. "I knew they were acquaintances, but every encounter I witnessed involved Miss Charmale criticizing my boss and calling her names. On the morning my boss... passed away, they had an argument."
Rachel paused for effect, letting his words sink in. "Thank you, Mr. Millers. That's all. You may return to your seat."
Turning to the king, she continued, "It's established that Melinda disliked the deceased, lacks a reasonable alibi, and gained the most from my client's arrest and removal from office. She replaced him, which casts reasonable suspicion on her motives."
The court murmured in agreement.
Awin clenched his fists. "Will I have to release that bastard?" he wondered.
Mahalia glanced at Melinda, who was visibly sweating, and chuckled quietly. "You're not helping yourself with that reaction. Anyhow, I have you where I want you."
"What's your prayer, Rachel?" the king asked, his voice dripping with disdain and annoyance.
"My client's life has been on hold because of this baseless accusation. We pray that Melinda be removed from office and my client reinstated, along with compensation of 1,000 ests."
The king shook his head. "I will not depose Melinda. It would be unwise to repeat the mistakes we made with Milton. We'll only take action if she's proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. However, the accused will be compensated with 2,000 ests and the fief of Ragnabor."
Mahalia scoffed, turning to the murmuring crowd. They seemed to find the king's decision reasonable, even generous—Ragnabor was a historic estate. But Mahalia knew better. "Ragnabor is past its glory days. Now it's overrun with underworld organizations and kidnapping dens. Awin's handing Milton a distraction as consuming as prison would've been," she thought. "But he doesn't know how dogged Milton is."
Milton bowed, feigning gratitude. "Now it begins," he muttered.
The king continued, "We'll conduct a more thorough investigation into Qaya Wright's death. To ensure fairness, the newly implicated suspect will be placed under house arrest with no access to communication. The investigation begins in four days, and we'll convene again in twelve days. The accused is acquitted and discharged."
The courtroom erupted in cheers. Justice had been served—or so they thought. Milton gave Mahalia a subtle nod, his gratitude evident.
"I owe her my life," he muttered. "Now I have two purposes: to be loyal to this woman and to bring down that thug masquerading as a king."
---
The Heris Mansion – Evening
Mahalia skimmed through the account book in front of her, rubbing her temples in frustration. "This is exhausting."
Jaslin entered with a bowl of sliced fruit. "For you," she said, placing it on the table.
Mahalia accepted it gratefully. "Thank you."
"May, I'm glad you've become so active, but I think you should slow down."
"You think I don't want to? I just can't afford to. Don't worry; once my plans go smoothly, I'll finally get some rest—and maybe even live a life of leisure."
"Really? What plans?"
Mahalia bit her lip nervously. "I proposed an alliance with the Mariale family. Their agreement hinges on whether our finances are stable. I'm reviewing the accounts to ensure we're not buried in debt."
Jaslin's jaw dropped. "Mahalia! Aunty will kill you. You know she's not on good terms with your father!"
Mahalia shrugged. "Who do you think I'm doing this for? She'll understand eventually. I'm doing this to secure her release. Speaking of which, I need your help."
"With what?"
"Can you help me hire a mercenary?"
Jaslin frowned. "What are you getting yourself into?"
"Trust me. Be discreet. I need someone to capture Denzel."
"Denzel?!"
"Calm down. He's the reason my mother was arrested, so he's key to uncovering the truth. Tell the mercenary to search the hospitality region of Summer City."
"What would a criminal be doing in such a luxurious area?"
"Because it's overcrowded with tourists—it's the perfect place to hide. But he won't be staying as a guest. Focus on the workers."
Jaslin sighed. "I'll start tomorrow, but I must say—you've become perceptive lately."
Mahalia flinched. In truth, she'd only guessed Denzel's location based on something he'd let slip. "Is that how it seems?" she asked with a sheepish smile.
Jaslin nodded. "Let's hope your hunch is right."
---
Two Days Later – The King's Office
"Impossible!" the short, lanky man yelled, shaking his fists in frustration.
"Calm down," Awin said with a hearty laugh as he moved his chess piece across the board. "The game's not over."
"My king, how can you tell me to calm down? Your king just killed my queen... That's, that's—" The man's voice trailed off.
"Impossible?" Awin cocked his head, a playful smirk on his face. "Well, you can't say that—I just did it."
The man shook his head in annoyance. "Your Highness, using a back-rank mate at this point in the game is reckless. I'm here to strengthen your strategy and tactical skills. Moves like these aren't executed in real life, and if they are, you make yourself vulnerable—like so. Check—"
Before he could finish, a royal clerk curtsied and interrupted, "Your Highness, the young lady from the Heris family is here to see you."
Surprise flickered across Awin's face, but he quickly masked it and motioned for her to be brought in. He turned back to his chess partner.
"Let's play another time."
"But, Your Highness, the game—I was just about to—"
Awin cleared the board with a single motion, throwing the man a dismissive look. Without another word, his companion bowed and left.
Mahalia strode into the room without ceremony. Ignoring the formalities, she slammed a report onto the table and met the king's gaze with defiance.
Awin glanced at the document, his smirk returning. "Excuse us," he said.
The servants immediately scurried out, leaving the king and Mahalia alone.
"And a good morning to you, too," he said as he picked up the file. "What's this?"
"You can read?"
Awin flinched. Mahalia's blatant disrespect was nothing new, but the audacity still grated on him.
"Mahalia, remember who you're speaking to. I am your king."
Mahalia rolled her eyes. "Forgive me. Before you is evidence proving that the Doyenne Execurium is innocent. The Oceanria family is responsible. Everything you need is in that file. I'm here to request my mother's release."
Awin scanned the documents, his poker face betraying none of the fury boiling inside him.
"This girl is undoing all my hard work," he thought bitterly. "First Milton, and now Marie..."
"And, Your Highness," Mahalia continued coldly, "before you try to concoct any outlandish excuses, know that this has already been submitted to the justice department. I've also taken the liberty of leaking the truth to the news outlets."
Awin chuckled, masking his irritation with feigned amusement. "Even without your elaborate scheme, I would've released her once you provided evidence," he lied smoothly.
He scribbled a note and stamped it with his seal before handing it to her. "Take this. You can request your mother's release."
"That's not all," Mahalia said, her tone icy.
Awin raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I want access to visit Melinda Charmale while she's under house arrest."
Awin leaned back in his chair, laughing in amusement. "You just keep pushing your limits, don't you?"
"Don't be mistaken," Mahalia replied, her voice calm but firm. "I'm asking because I know you'll give in eventually."
Awin scoffed. "And what makes you think that?"
Mahalia settled into a chair across from him, her expression smug.
"Free salt for two years. What do you think?"
Awin's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"I assume you're aware that salt is scarce since it's monopolized. You've been spending a fortune to import it from the Occident Coast—"
"I'll stop you there," Awin interrupted, his tone sharp. "Yes, your father's family monopolizes the salt supply. And so? You're estranged from them."
Mahalia suppressed a laugh. "If I were estranged, would I have a signed contract from the head of the Mariale family allowing for two percent of their salt supply to be sent to Eastforde? That's more than enough to supply your kingdom—and others."
Awin's gaze darkened. Though irritated, a flicker of admiration crossed his face.
"So, you partnered with the Mariale family just to visit Melinda Charmale?"
"Hardly."
"Then why? Your offer is generous—too generous."
Mahalia stood, a cold smile on her face. "To show you who has the upper hand. Who's at the mercy of whom."
She saw Awin clench his fists, his fury barely contained. The sight filled her with a rare sense of satisfaction. As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.
"Your mother. The proof—how did you come by it?"
"Does that matter?" she asked, her tone mocking. "I hunted down the cause of the problem and tortured him until he confessed. Do you wish your team was capable of such efficiency?"
Awin gave her a calm smile. "It's not that. It's just impressive that you caught the real culprit. You must be such a just person."
Mahalia recoiled at the unexpected compliment. She hurried out of the room, but as she sat in her carriage, an unfamiliar emotion bubbled within her.
"I didn't frame anyone. I didn't fabricate evidence. I worked hard, and the truth came to light." Her voice trembled as she whispered to herself.
"This feeling... what is this feeling?"
---
To be continued