The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 40 - Trial for Treason

* The Castle at Drakor; The Capital of the Chromos * Royal Court: Lucian's Trial for Treason Lucian POV

I walk into the courtroom holding hands with Viola and take my place at the defendant's table with Viola sitting down behind me. Usually I'm at the head of the courtroom but seeing that I'm the one on trial I cannot sit at the head so in my place is the royal deacon. To my right is the one that called for the petition, Lord Foreman, and then to his right are twelve elders that have been handpicked for their knowledge of laws, ethics, and social norms. The elders consist of former university professors, religious icons, and noblemen. My brothers and other curious onlookers sit behind me. The courtroom is actually quite large and most of the town has shown up today.

The deacon uses his gavel to call the court to order. "Lord Foreman, do you and those that you represent accuse King Lucian of treason because of the law he has enacted that has barred indentured servitude?" "Yes I do." Foreman replies.

"Can you expand on your reasoning?" The deacon asks.

"Many manors across the empire use indentured servants and their contracts have not yet run out. We have paid good money for their labor. To lose their labor before the end of the contract would present a huge loss of money for quite a few different manors. This is not just a local problem but an empire problem and the King has done nothing to help these manors out. This law is hurting our people, not helping them. Also, for the servants, how do people expect to get out of debtor's prison? What about people trying to immigrate here to live and needing a host family during the interim while their paperwork is processed." Foreman pleaded with the court. Agreements could be heard around the courtroom. The deacon held up his hand in silence.

"King Lucian, what do you say in response?" The deacon asks

"The majority of indentured servants live in such deplorable conditions they never live long enough to reach the end of their contracts. Indentured servitude is nothing more than slavery with a new name on it which has been outlawed in this empire for decades. Looking at this from a legal standpoint once you see that there is no difference between indentured servants and slaves you will agree that with my new law. Looking at this from an ethical standpoint and thinking of the conditions these servants live in you will agree with my new law. Looking at this through our social norms and knowing how we look so down at slavery then you will understand my new law. However, I will offer a compromise to the lords that have indentured servants. I will be willing to pay off the remaining part of the contract for the servant if they send the original contract to me." I finally sit down next to Viola and breathe out a sigh of relief. The courtroom erupts in applause at my last statement. The deacon has to use his gavel to calm the courtroom.

"Before the elders deliberate, Lord Foreman would you and those that you represent, accept King Lucian's offer of compromise?"

After a brief pause and a deep breath inhale Lord Foreman answers. "We will accept the compromise rather than going to deliberation."

Quentin POV

So, I'm your mate? Elena asks hesitantly.

"Yes, we're mates. That means before we were even born someone paired us together to be soulmates. As soon as I saw you I knew I had found the one that my soul loves." I answer while holding her hands. I reached down and ran my fingers through her hair while turning her head slightly to the side. I pressed my lips to hers gently at first and then more passionately. I bit her bottom lip and as she gasped out I slipped my tongue inside her mouth. Our tongues fought for dominance and we did not separate until we were forced to pull apart because we were out of breath. I walked her to her room that night so that more people would see me taking possession of her and leave her be.

The next morning was Lucian's court appearance and I wanted to go in support of "Lucian. Tomorrow will be Lord Aragon's trial for sex trafficking and Elena will have to appear on the prosecution side as a witness. Lucian's case was settled with a compromise as I assumed it would be and now I wanted to talk with Elena about how her case would go tomorrow.

"Elena, are you nervous about your case tomorrow?" I ask her while we walk to the gardens.

"Yes but I'm also glad that justice is finally being served for myself and for the other girls. He took so much from me. He even forced me to have a miscarriage and now I don't know if I can get pregnant or not. I saw many forced abortions that would often leave the girls dead. I have nightmares every night about the rapes, beatings, verbal abuse, the horrible punishments, and the list goes on. Some days I feel like I'm still locked up there even when I'm awake. I know that sounds crazy but I don't know how else to explain it. Are you sure that you want to be with a girl this broken?" She said sadly as tears started to fall down her cheeks.

I reached up to wipe away the tears with my thumb. "I don't think you're broken. I see a beautiful pattern that just needs a little mending. I love everything about you broken or not. I want to spend the rest of my days proving to you how much I love you." I said while I was on my knees in front of her.

Wolf POV

The royal doctor came running into our room to find Emily laying on the floor, she had vomited everything that was in her stomach and now her mouth was just covered in white foam, and the convulsions had stopped but she was still unconscious. It was a terrifying sight to see. I quickly ran to her side and lifted her to the chaise lounge.

"It looks like she may have vomited the poison when she vomited the rest of her stomach's contents so I believe the poison is no longer in her system. Here are some herbs to help with nausea. Just mix them with boiling water like you would for a tea. I would just monitor her and see when she wakes up." The doctor seemed pretty positive with his diagnosis so that helped to calm me down.

Because of all the commotion that I stirred, two palace guards had followed me to see what was going on and I asked them both to stand guard outside the bedroom doors while I went to talk with Lucian.

"Lucian, I know you have a lot going on right now but I wanted to inform you that someone poisoned the wine in my room. Emily drank some and became violently ill. She's doing better now but she's still very sick." I'm feeling angry that someone would try such an outright attack on a member of the royal family as the poison was probably meant for me. Then I wonder who my possible enemy was.

"Oh wow! I wonder who would do such a thing? Have you made any enemies in Salona?" Lucian sounds genuinely surprised by the poisoning.

"The only enemy that I've made was Lord Garbg, he wanted Emily for himself, but he's dead now." I'm trying to think back in time to come up with possible enemies. "Are you sure he's dead?" Lucian asks with one eyebrow raised.

"Well, I threw a knife directly into his heart but I wasn't there when they buried or burned the body. I had my soldiers take care of it." I answer wondering what Lucian is getting at.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "How honest are your soldiers? Are they all well taken care of? Do you think any of them would have sold the body to witches?" Cyprian POV

Following Lucian's trial I have requested time to speak with him regarding the treaty alliance with the werewolves.

"Lucian, the werewolves run the empire directly south of us. They have been at war with the Kingdom of Cait for a long time because King Rufus would organize hunting parties to run into their packs and kill werewolves for sport and keep their skins and heads for trophies. But, they are willing to negotiate with the Chromos Empire because they know of our strict laws against hunting for sport." I quickly explain. I'm almost certain that Lucian will be okay with me negotiating the treaty alliance.

"I will agree to an alliance with the werewolves but be careful they can be very cunning and manipulative; however, they would make great allies as they can also be extremely loyal. Just make sure that you're not walking into a trap." Lucian is four years older than me and growing up he was always my hero so I really value his advice. I'm looking forward to going home now and working on this treaty.

Molle POV

I'm packing our things and I decide to take a break and sit down on the bed while drinking a glass of water while nibbling on what's left of the breakfast platter that hasn't been picked up yet. Cyprian is off talking with Lucian about an alliance with werewolves. The mean waiter from last night walks in and gasps while slapping his hand over his mouth when he sees me. I have a cheese cube in my mouth and couldn't say anything.

"Why are you sitting on your master's bed, eating his breakfast, and not folding his clothes? Why aren't you working? If you were under me I would have you soundly whipped for insubordination!" He was nearly screaming at me waving his hands in the air. He crosses the room to pick up the breakfast platter and slaps me across the face causing me to have to spit out the cheese cube and leaving a bright red handprint on my face.

"That cheese is for the prince. It's not for servants. If I find your prince I'm going to report you." With that he turns and walks out of the room carrying the breakfast platter.

I immediately go into panic mode thinking what will Cyprian do when he finds out. Will he punish me? Of course he'll punish me. I asked to come along as his servant and I keep on messing up and embarrassing him. Of course he'll punish me. What else would he do? I start crying and shaking. The best thing I can probably do is to find Cyprian and tell him the truth about what I did and take whatever punishment he gives me.

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