Page 198 of I Ran Away to Evil
All turned to Wizard Lorthar, who sighed and lifted a finger to cast a spell. “[Detect Lie].”
Gray magic swirled into a ball in his hand.
“Repeat that last part,” the wizard ordered, and Keith obliged, explaining the shroomdoom, and the royals’ untimely demise. The gray orb remained unchanged. Lorthar faced the council. “He speaks the truth.”
Witch Agatha harrumphed. “You returned them too late to be revived, you know. How do you explain that?”
Keith spread his hands, innocently. “We had a trying evening, Witch Agatha. It was not our responsibility to repair the damage done by Servalt. I am not the ruler of North Sumbria, nor the victims’ liege lord.”
Witch Agatha turned piercing eyes on me. “What of you? Areyounot responsible for this either?”
I stepped forward to stand beside Keith. “It is true that I did nothing to aid the king and queen of Drendil. But I am no longer a citizen of Drendil. Evenifthe council does not recognize my immigration to Nilheim, I would still be found not guilty of treason.”
“Why is that, Princess?” Lorthar cut in, intrigued. He still held the truth-telling gray orb, confirming everything said. Witch Agatha short the wizard a glare but turned back to hear my answer.
“In Drendil, they do not legally recognize revival outside of the dungeons. And for all intents and purposes, legally, Simon and Thalia were no longer the king and queen when I arrived.” Speaking my parents’ names—without title, even—was a strange feeling. I ignored my discomfort as I continued.
“I would also like to make an official statement on what happened last night. As my parents were the ones who sold me to Marquess Dorset, they too were tricked by him. When I found Keith, slave traders working for the marquess were in the process of trying to pour molten ash vane on my mother and father.”
The council all reacted to the mention of the poison. Grand Duchess Calisto turned to her neighbor in concern and whispered, “That is five times this year I’ve heard about molten ash vane popping up.”
“I would also point out”—Keith waved at Chloe—“that just because the time for resurrection has passed, it does not mean they are gone forever.Ifthe council agrees to my demands for justice, I would offer to [Raise] King Simon and Queen Thalia. They could live on, though stripped of their Royal title. We could also use this time to have them officially abdicate the throne.”
“Towhom?” Witch Agatha frowned. “The princess? She’s not without a hand in this. How do we know it wasn’theridea all along? Working with Nilheim to overthrow Drendil, as King Simon and Queen Thalia always feared?”
I resisted the urge to violently reject the proposal, simply saying, “Please no. I gave up my right to inherit ages ago. I have a cousin; he can have it!”
Witch Agatha scoffed. “We all know that your cousin Francis is an incompetent louse.”
“Agatha!” the Grand Pontiff spoke for the first time, his giant, bushy eyebrows raising. Not enough to see his eyes, though, so he wasn’t truly scandalized. “We do not insult the misfortunate … Grand Duke Francis may have chosenIntelligence as a dump stat, but he is still a person whom we as the council represent.”
“Fine, yes, that wasn’tkind of me.You know, the Witch of Winter’s End, ‘Oh, She of the Frozen Heart,’ and ‘The Cruel Sorceress of Ice,’” she mocked with a note of scorn. “Regardless of what you all think of me, what I said still stands. The boy isnotfit to rule, and his son is too young.”
Keith held up his hand and spoke, “What about a regent?”
CHAPTER 120
Witnessed!
Keith
Keith’s words made everyone pause to consider.
Henrietta jumped on the chance. “A regent who could be trusted! There’s one honorable enough, renowned for his valor and strength still living in Drendil. I’m sure between Knight Commander Havork and Aunt Beatrice, they could run the place just fine. Until Crown Prince Nathaniel comes of age?”
The princess took the opportunity to throw the entire mess at her mentor.
Keith was so proud.
Before anyone else could speak, Knight Commander Havork stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I cannot, for I am not worthy. After serving King Simon and Queen Thalia for so many years, I would beg the council leave to repent.” He took a deep breath. “My oath to serve had become my undoing … and I have no regrets with my new title.” He smiled sadly at Ria. “My only regret is not betraying my oath sooner.”
“He speaks the truth,” Wizard Lorthar stated, lifting his hand holding the gray orb. “And I’m beginning to question how Drendil has survived this long.Whodoesn’t wantpower? The crown princess and even its knight commander reject the throne. What’s wrong with the place? How has Nilheim not overrun it ages ago?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Drendil.” Havork stood straighter. “Only with those who were in power for far too long.”
“Isn’t Knight Commander Havork here to be punished for his involvement in this debacle?” Their Royal Highness of Peldeep smiled a sly smile. “What better punishment than to serve as regent? The one thing he does not wish to do?”
“But I am an Oath Breaker,” Havork protested. “I am unworthy, and I have lost my powers.”
