Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 729: The Hearing - 2

Queen Maeve’s presence had set the stage for what was sure to be a contentious meeting, and everyone braced for the clash that was bound to unfold.

"For this case, my son Andre would precede it." King Oberon said and another round of murmuring rippled through the air.

King Oberon’s declaration that his son Andre would preside over Elena’s case sent a ripple of murmurs through the grand hall. Traditionally, this role should have fallen to Prince Valerie, the crown prince and Elena’s fiancé. The gathered ministers and high lords exchanged glances, puzzled by the deviation from the norm.

All eyes turned to Valerie, but his face remained an unreadable mask, betraying no hint of his thoughts or feelings. His posture was rigid, his gaze fixed forward, giving no indication of his inner turmoil. The expectation of an emotional reaction hung heavy in the air, but Valerie offered none, his stoic demeanor a barrier to the speculation swirling around him.

King Oberon acknowledged Andre with a nod, and Andre stepped into the center of the hall, his expression solemn yet resolute. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for entrusting me with this responsibility," he said, his voice steady as he took his place before the assembly.

He began with a grave introduction. "We are convened here today under the shadow of a grievous loss," Andre said, his gaze sweeping over the gathered nobles. "Elena, a promising young fae, has been taken from us prematurely. It is alleged that the dark Fae prince, Aldric, is responsible for this heinous act."

Gasps and murmurs erupted anew at the mention of Aldric. Although many had suspected as much, hearing the accusation spoken aloud intensified the shock and anticipation. The dark Fae prince had always been a figure of controversy, but the charge of murder of a high Fae brought a new level of gravity to his reputation.

"Prince Aldric, High Lord of the Winter Court," Andre continued, his voice carrying the weight of the accusation, "stands accused of the murder of Lady Elena of the Raysin family. We have witnesses who claim to have seen the events leading to her death."

At Andre’s signal, the grand doors swung open, and four faeries entered the hall. Their presence immediately drew attention, each of them bearing the distinct physique of the Winter Court.

The witnesses, three male and a female, took their places at the front of the hall. Their expressions were a mixture of apprehension and determination, each aware that their words could shape the fate of the notorious powerful prince.

The hall fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present. The ministers and high lords leaned forward, eager to hear the testimonies that would either condemn or exonerate Aldric. The tension was palpable, a collective breath held in anticipation of the revelations to come.

Andre turned to address the witnesses, his tone formal and commanding. "You have been called here to provide your accounts of the events surrounding Lady Elena’s death. Speak truthfully, and let justice guide us."

The first witness, a tall lanky fae stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly as he began. "I... I saw Prince Aldric on the night of Lady Elena’s death. When he heard that Lady Elena had kidnapped the human, he commanded the witch to track her down and when he returned, eventually saving the human, Lady Elena ...was dead."

The second witness, a woman with silver hair, added, " We had never seen rage on the high lord Aldric’s face and I can guess he killed her out of anger."

As each witness gave their account, the atmosphere grew heavier. Their testimonies, laden with emotion and vivid detail, painted Aldric as the antagonist in a tragic confrontation.

Yet, there was a glaring omission in their accounts: none mentioned the circumstances leading up to Elena’s death. They did not recount Elena’s role in kidnapping Islinda, nor the desperation that drove Aldric to confront her. It seemed a deliberate omission, as if the narrative had been shaped to portray Aldric solely as a murderer, devoid of any context that might explain his actions.

Andre’s face was a mask of solemnity as he listened, absorbing each statement. His expression gave away nothing of his thoughts as the witnesses concluded their testimonies. The hall was filled with an air of anticipation, everyone waiting for the verdict.

"From the evidence presented so far," Andre declared, his voice carrying the weight of his judgment, "it is concluded that Prince Aldric, High Lord of the Winter Court and fourth son of King Oberon, is responsible for the murder of Lady Elena of the Raysin family." freewёbnoνel.com

A collective cheer erupted from the ministers and members of the Raysin family, their joy at the perceived justice evident in their exultant cries. They celebrated the verdict with fervor, their voices a cacophony of satisfaction and triumph. Yet amidst the jubilation, Queen Maeve’s face remained clouded with suspicion. Her eyes narrowed, sensing that something was amiss. Her husband, King Oberon, had not put up a fight, and the trial had progressed too smoothly, too easily. It made her uneasy.

As the noise crescendoed, the members of the Raysin family began to demand louder and louder, "Bring Prince Aldric forward! He must be punished for Elena’s death!" Their demands grew, echoing through the hall until they became a unified chant, a call for retribution.

"Silence!" King Oberon’s voice boomed with undeniable authority, cutting through the clamor. The hall fell into a hushed stillness, the echoes of their cries dying away.

Andre continued, his demeanor unyielding. "At the conclusion of this hearing, Prince Aldric will be apprehended and charged with the murder of Lady Elena of the Raysin family."

The ministers and lords exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Justice had prevailed at last, they believed.

"But before then," Andre said," I would like us to address the murder of the High Fae Karle, former lord of the Winter court who was killed gruesomely by the hands of Lady Elena of the Raysin Family."

And just like that, the hall went dead silent.