The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 366: Power enough to crush the capital

"You mock the dead!"

"I honor the living," Jolthar replied simply.

Akopa's mustache twitched. He leaned slightly toward the prince and murmured, "Sharp. He parries as he speaks."

The prince nodded, eyes alight with interest.

"And he strikes where it hurts most—without raising his voice. Dangerous."

Raayani felt her chest swell despite herself. She lifted her chin, her gaze fixed on Jolthar, pride cutting through the tension like sunlight through clouds.

At the edge of the chamber, Milan said nothing.

He didn't look at Jolthar.

He watched Richardus.

Watched the minister's jaw tighten, his fingers curl, and his composure strain just enough to show.

And Milan understood then that this was no longer a trial Richardus controlled.

Richardus straightened his robes and returned to his place, the faint disorder in the hall settling as he raised his voice once more.

"Justiciar Dodd," he said evenly, "the matter before us is no longer ambiguous."

He turned, one hand extended toward Jolthar—not accusing yet, but claiming ground.

"Jolthar Kaezhlar has admitted to the killing of a sitting baron without imperial investiture or writ. He has further failed to provide documentation that conclusively legitimizes the extraordinary financial expansion of Tekkora during the same period."

A murmur stirred, quickly silenced by the Justiciar's raised hand.

Richardus continued, his tone sharpening. "Taken separately, each matter invites scrutiny. Taken together, they establish a pattern: unlawful assumption of authority, followed by the consolidation of power through violence and unregulated capital."

He let that settle, then delivered it cleanly.

"I therefore formally place Jolthar Kaezhlar under two charges."

He raised one finger.

"First: the unlawful killing of Baron Rothgard, a Crown-appointed lord, outside the protections of imperial law."

A second finger followed.

"Second: willful financial misconduct, including the unauthorized use of baronial assets and concealment of material financial activity, sufficient to warrant trial."

Richardus turned back to the bench. "I move that both charges proceed to full adjudication before the High Tribunal. And given the severity of the accusations and the accused's demonstrated capacity to influence events—"

His eyes flicked briefly to the murmuring councilors, then back to Jolthar.

"—I further move that Jolthar Kaezhlar be remanded into imperial custody pending trial, to prevent interference, flight, or further consolidation of unlawful power."

The chamber went still.

This was no longer a debate.

It was containment.

All eyes shifted to the Justiciar.

Jolthar did not move. He did not speak. He simply stood, hands relaxed at his sides, gaze steady—like a man who knew that once the blade was drawn, the only question left was who would bleed last.

"Wait."

Prince Milan's voice cut through the chamber as he stood.

Every head turned. Halvren looked uncomfortable.

"Your Highness, this is most irregular. You are not a party to this case."

"I am a witness to injustice," Milan replied, moving to stand beside Jolthar.

"And I cannot remain silent while this farce continues."

"Your Highness," Richardus said with forced patience, "this is a legal proceeding, not a political forum."

"Then let's discuss the law," Milan countered.

"You've spent this entire hearing twisting facts and ignoring context. Baron Rothgard was a monster. That's not an allegation; it's a documented reality. Multiple reports reached the imperial administration about conditions in Tekkora under his rule. Reports that were ignored because investigating a baron is inconvenient and politically complicated, as the Duke Hernais had managed them."

"Your Highness, I must object—" Halvren began.

"Object all you want," Milan interrupted.

"Baron Kaezhlar did what your ministry failed to do. He stopped the ongoing atrocities. And now you're prosecuting him for it because it's easier to punish someone who acted than to admit your own failure to act."

Richardus's expression hardened.

"The prince's personal opinions do not change the law."

"Neither does your corruption," Milan shot back.

"This trial was scheduled without proper notice, rushed to prevent adequate defense, and based on charges filed by individuals with obvious conflicts of interest. Duke Rothgard wants control of Tekkora. You—" he pointed at Richardus "—have been paid to make that happen.

This isn't justice.

It's a conspiracy."

Behind them, Cleora sat rigidly, her hands gripping Raayani's arm.

The Matriarch had started to rise earlier, her fury at the proceedings evident, but Cleora had held her back.

"Not yet," Cleora had whispered urgently.

"If you intervene, they'll use it against Jolthar. They'll claim he's hiding behind powerful women. Let the prince take care of this."

Raayani had forced herself to remain seated, but her eyes blazed with cold anger as she watched Richardus manipulate the proceedings.

Now, with Milan intervening, the dynamics had shifted.

The prince had the standing to challenge the court directly.

"Your Highness," Halvren said carefully, "your concerns are noted. But the law must be applied equally—"

"Then apply it equally," Milan demanded.

"Damn it!"

"Investigate how Baron Rothgard was allowed to commit atrocities for years without intervention. Investigate why Finance Minister Richardus accepted this case so enthusiastically despite obvious conflicts of interest. Investigate why this trial was rushed through without proper procedure."

Richardus stepped forward, his composure cracking slightly.

"The prince may have opinions, but they don't supersede legal authority. Jolthar Kaezhlar broke the law. That is a fact. His motivations are irrelevant."

"His motivations are everything," Milan countered.

"Intent matters in law. Self-defense is treated differently from murder. Stopping ongoing crimes is treated differently from vigilante violence. You're deliberately ignoring context to secure a conviction."

Hernais stood again, unable to contain himself any longer.

"Your Highness, with respect, you're defending a commoner who murdered a baron. A man from nothing who has risen above his station and thinks he can—"

"Careful," Jolthar said quietly, his voice cutting through Hernais's rant.

The duke turned to him with contempt.

"Careful? You forget yourself, boy. You're a criminal standing trial. And just because you carry the name Kaezhlar, that doesn't mean you get respect. You have no authority here, no power, no—"

Something changed in the air.

It started as a pressure, subtle at first but rapidly intensifying.

The temperature seemed to drop despite the warm morning. Every person in the chamber felt it—a weight pressing down on them, making breathing difficult.