Chapter 29

King Ambrose POV....

I walked in unhurried steps, confident. My face was stoic, no emotions could be detected, I made sure of it. I reached my throne and made myself comfortable before I looked at my subjects. I don't know why I still call them subjects, most of them are traitors. Let me just call them subjects for now as not all of them were bad.

Even in a sack of potatoes, there will always be some rotten potatoes in the bunch, trying to ruin the rest. As any good farmer would do, you take the rotten potatoes out and throw them away before they could do any further damage. Today was the beginning of my restructuring. I will clean up the whole court if I have to and I will feel no remorse whatsoever.

I turned my attention to Nalani making sure she was with me before I turned to the snakes in my court. They were worried. I could sense the energy in the room before I even checked their faces. I mean, I would be worried if I were them. The uncertainty and anxiety must be eating at them, slowly and slowly until they won't be able to take it anymore. Patience was my strongest attribute. We will see who will win in the long run .

I stared at them and they stared back at me. No sound could be heard. The tension in the room was over the top. I liked it. What I liked more than keeping them in suspense was punishing people.

" Bring in the prisoner" I ordered.

I know they were all speculating at this moment. They wondered if I would really punish the nobleman. What would befall the sinner? No one knew. I had not decided yet. But once I see the weezal again I will make a decision.

We didn't wait long before Melvin was dragged into court. His clothes in tatters, no shoes on and his face swollen. His eyes were swollen from crying. It amused me that he actually cried. I mean when these people are before me they exude power . They try to dictate my every move but here he was, crying. Pathetic. He was a sorry excuse for a human being.

How did this man become a nobleman? Is a question I will keep asking myself until I get an answer. How can a weakling like this serve in my court? This changes were long overdue.

" Your highness, your highness... please.." Melvin blurted out before he was hit by a knight

" Do not speak unless you are spoken to prisoner" the knight said " I'm sorry your highness" he apologized with a bow.

" No need to apologize for someone else's mistakes"

I saw Melvin turn slightly to look at his friends. Eyes begging for help but they all pretended to not notice him. What kind of friends are these? I knew he didn't do anything on his own. He was too dumb to plan and execute everything, that's means he had someone helping him or he was following orders. A puppet most likely.

But who? Who was the mastermind behind everything? The plans were too organized to have been done by one person. I will find out everything, eventually, it has been a while since my mind was engaged in anything. I will get to the bottom of things. I nodded at Harry to proceed.

" Formerly Sir Melvin, you are accused of stealing and embezzling taxes,  failing to follow the king's ruling and creating havoc in your district. How do you respond to your charges?" Harry asked.

Melvin's eyes widened at the charges. It seemed as if he didn't realize how much trouble he was in until now.

" Noo...I-I... Your majesty" he started stammering.

" Your answers should be guilty or not guilty. I will ask once again. How do you plead to the charges?" My voice hardened

He gave his friend one last look, like a plea but they ignored him once again.

" I was not alone" he yelled

" Who else is involved in this" I asked

" Sir C..."

" Your highness, Sir Melvin will incriminate all of us to avoid getting punished alone. His words should not be taken into consideration " Sir Carl interrupted.

What an interesting turn of events? Why was he interrupting Melvin just before he mentioned his name. Moreso the way Melvin kept stealing glances at him meant they were more than acquainted. Otherwise why would he interrupt Melvin like that.

" Even a man sentenced to death is given a chance to speak" I retorted

" But your highness..." Said another

" Silence! " I ordered.

Who were these people taking me for, their friend?

" Sir Melvin you will respond to the charges" I ordered.

Melvin looked down, he shoulders shuddered as he sobbed. He could tell no one was on his side and he was about to go down alone.

" G-uilty" he sighed

Gasps and sudden whispers were heard. They didn't think he would accept the charges. They forget once you are backed in a corner, there's nothing left to do but say the truth.

I raised my hand to silence the room.

" Since you have admitted to the charges I will give your sentence"

Everyone was quietly looking at me.

' How should I punish him,' I wondered

A punishment that is brutal. A punishment that showed I meant business. A punishment that will set an example for the rest to ,never, ever think of betraying me. I thought quickly before I signalled Harry.

" The king will give his verdict. Kindly be silent"

" For stealing from me and my people, failing to follow royal decrees and causing havoc not only in your district but also in others . You will be punished as follows: your hands will be cut off for taking what was not yours to take" I paused

Everyone gasped. No one has ever had their body parts cut before. I like to set new records.

" You will be striped of your rank and properties. You will receive a hundred whips and you will spend ten years in jail" I concluded

People didn't bother whispering this time round. Everyone turned to each other to discuss the rulling.

" Your highness please " Melvin tried to beg over the sound of people talking.

" Take him away Sir Stanley " I ordered.

I trusted no one on that court. They were capable of anything. Anything could happen to the prisoner between now and tomorrow when the punishment will be carried out.

Sir Stanley took a begging Melvin away. I didn't feel any kind of remorse for him. Infact I felt no pity for any of them.

" The King will depart" Harry announced

They all bowed while I left the throne room, Nalani following closely behind. I was too focused on the court proceedings that I didn't get a chance to see her reaction to the ruling.

I headed straight for my office. I knew the other noblemen will try to silence Melvin, so I asked Stanley to bring him to my office after the ruling. I will get the information from him personally.

" Come in" I said.