Chapter 19 - The Crown’s True Heir
Three days later, the conspirators were brought before a full tribunal in the Hall of Aurel. The trial was swift, public, and absolute.
Lord Garrick and Father Thomas stood in chains before the high throne. The evidence recovered from their secret correspondence laid bare every betrayal, every fabricated document, and every assassination attempt orchestrated over the past twenty-one years.
"You have anything to say for yourselves?" Clara asked, her voice echoing through the silent, packed hall as she sat regally upon the throne, the Crown of Aurel resting securely upon her dark hair, glowing with a soft, steady, everlasting light.
Garrick stared at the floor, broken and utterly defeated, refusing to speak. Thomas bowed his head in silent shame, accepting the inevitable weight of his crimes.
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"For high treason, conspiracy, and murder," Clara declared, standing tall as her voice resonated with unyielding justice, "you are sentenced to permanent exile in the northernmost fortress of Frostpeak—to live out your days in isolation, stripped of all titles, names, and privileges."
The sentence was carried out before sunset. The capital watched in silence as the last remnants of corruption were permanently cleared from the heart of the realm. The shadow that had hung over the kingdom for two decades was finally, irrevocably gone.
