CHAPTER 128: ACCUSATION! 2

The heavy atmosphere in the throne room deepened. Servants, guards, and courtiers all focused on the witnesses standing before the king.

The Head Concubine, dressed in layers of silk and jewels, stepped forward first. She bowed low, her lips curved in an innocent smile that looked rehearsed.

"Your Majesty," she greeted softly, her voice filled with respect and sweetness.

The king inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her greeting. Something he hadn’t done for Rin.

Rin caught it immediately and rolled his eyes under his veil.

’Of course. She gets the royal treatment. I don’t. Obvious discrimination. That’s not a surprise since I’m new here, and she’s been here since the beginning.’

He remembered the rumours he had heard since he got here... words he had overheard from everyone’s lips while walking through the harem.

’She’s favoured... she’ll probably be the next queen once Caspian becomes king.’

Rin’s lips curled faintly.

’I just hope Caspian doesn’t make the mistake of choosing the wrong person.’

The king’s voice was deep and commanding. "Repeat what you said to me about the new concubine."

The Head Concubine lowered her head as if she were nervous, though her eyes gleamed. She began softly, pretending to be the victim.

"I... I did not want to say it at first, Your Majesty, but I could not keep silent."

Her tone wavered with practised fragility. Rin almost laughed.

She continued. "Two nights ago, I went for a walk..."

Rin rolled his eyes so hard he thought they might stick.

’It’s always a walk. Always.’

The courtiers nodded as if her words already carried weight. She went on, pretending to wring her hands.

"I arrived in the garden, and there I saw a familiar figure with white hair. As everyone knows, only one person in this palace has such hair."

Her eyes flicked to Rin for a brief second.

Rin tilted his head lazily. Subtle as a hammer.

She went on, voice dripping with righteousness. "He was handing a book to someone. They looked suspicious, whispering to each other and hiding in the shadows. I could not just stand by. So I spoke to the librarian, and he confirmed my fears. He said that several books were missing. Ten, to be exact... and all of them were demon texts. What other proof is needed? Clearly, the new concubine has been selling forbidden books every night. And this—" she gestured to the unfamiliar man standing stiffly behind her, "—is the person he has been selling to."

Rin glanced at the man. He had an ordinary face, but something strange in his eyes. He looked nervous. Too nervous.

Rin smothered his laughter behind the veil, keeping his body posture serious.

’This is so badly written, I almost feel insulted. Of all people to trade demon text with, why would I meet a middle-aged man who looks sick,’

The king turned to the stranger. His eyes were sharp. "Have you interacted with the new concubine?"

The man nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty. He... he gave me texts."

The Head Concubine smiled proudly, as if her little performance had sealed Rin’s fate.

"You see, Your Majesty? He must be punished before more damage is done."

Rin sighed quietly. His voice came calm and dry. "Before we start, can someone explain why my maid is standing in the list of witnesses?"

The court stirred. Whispers filled the room.

The Head Concubine blinked, clearly having forgotten about Maris, but she recovered fast.

"Because, Your Majesty... the new concubine always sends her maid on errands. Who knows what errands those were? Perhaps she carried books for him."

She looked at the stranger. "Isn’t that so?"

The man nodded obediently, as if he’d been instructed beforehand.

The king leaned back on his throne, expression turning bored. He drummed his fingers on the armrest. He wasn’t fooled. His sharp eyes studied the witnesses one by one, already sensing holes in their story.

Still, he said nothing.

Just as he was about to dismiss the matter, a hand touched his shoulder. The king flinched slightly and turned.

It was Evan Vortellion.

"Would you like me to handle this, Your Majesty?" Evan’s voice was smooth, filled with false loyalty.

The king raised a brow. "You?"

Evan nodded and smiled politely. "It is related to your son’s matter. Since I’m one of your loyal subjects, allow me to take responsibility."

The king leaned back, amused. "Very well."

Rin frowned. His crimson eyes darkened.

Evan walked forward, his steps slow and deliberate. When he reached Rin, he bowed politely. "Greetings, Prince’s New Concubine."

Then, without hesitation, he took Rin’s hand and kissed the back of it.

Rin’s entire body stiffened. His frown deepened. He yanked his hand away immediately.

"Don’t bother," Rin said flatly. His tone carried no warmth. "I’ll handle this myself."

Evan’s smile didn’t falter. "Of course. By all means." He stepped back with an exaggeratedly polite gesture.

Rin didn’t even thank him. His crimson eyes slid across the group of witnesses... Head Concubine, librarian, strange man, and Maris.

He was sure Maris had been forced to stand here. The nervous way she wrung her hands, her pale face... it wasn’t her will.

Rin smirked faintly under his veil.

’So this is how it feels. I’ve seen it in books, in movies. The protagonist falsely accused, standing before power. I never thought it’d be my turn.’

He cleared his throat, voice calm and steady. "Maris."

The girl flinched. "Y-Yes, my lord?"

"Bring me papers and ink."

The request shocked her. But Rin’s tone was too calm, as if this was nothing. She thought Rin would be scared of her but... He wasn’t.

She hesitated only a moment before bowing quickly. "Right away." She ran out, skirts brushing the floor.

Rin crossed his arms, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

’I’ve seen this strategy used somewhere before. Or maybe I just invented it. Either way... it’ll work. I’m smarter than all of them combined.’

Maris returned, breathless, holding ink and fresh parchment. She handed them over quickly.

Before Rin could say a word, the Head Concubine stepped forward, snapping. "Your Majesty, why are we wasting time? Arrest him immediately! The evidence is clear..."

"Silence," the king’s voice cut through hers like a blade.

She froze instantly.

"Let him continue." The king’s tone was amused now. "I want to see how he handles this."

Rin smirked faintly and turned back to the witnesses. He held out papers, handing one each to the Head Concubine and the strange man.

"Write the exact location where you claim I met him to exchange these forbidden texts for money."

They both blinked. "What?"

Rin ignored them, turning to the librarian. He shoved another paper into his hands. "And you... Write down the dates when these books supposedly went missing. Each one. Don’t skip any. You’re a smart librarian, it should be easy for you to remember all of those dates."

The librarian stammered. "I..."

"The king ordered it," Rin added casually.

The king raised his brow. "Do it."

The witnesses paled. Trembling, they each bent over the papers.

"Separate them," Rin added.

The king gestured, and guards spread them apart across the vast hall, making sure they couldn’t see each other’s writing.

For minutes, only the scratching of pens could be heard. Sweat dripped from foreheads. Hands shook as they wrote anything that came to mind.

Finally, Rin clapped his hands once, loud and sharp. His voice rose cheerfully. "Time’s up."

The witnesses flinched.

"We’re not done yet!" the Head Concubine cried.

"Too bad." Rin leaned against the desk casually. "This isn’t an exam. You don’t get extra time."

He gestured to Maris. "Collect them."

Maris, nervous but obedient, gathered each paper carefully and handed them to Rin.

He skimmed the first two with calm eyes, then spoke loud enough for all to hear.

"The Head Concubine wrote that I met the strange man behind the fountain." He held up the other paper. "And the strange man wrote that I met him at the entrance of the garden maze."

Whispers broke out across the throne room. The king’s eyes gleamed with interest.

"They can’t even get their lies straight," Rin said calmly, tossing the papers aside.

He turned to the librarian’s sheet next. His crimson eyes glinted. "And the librarian wrote that one of the books went missing on the twenty-third of last month."

He looked up, voice flat. "I’ve only been here four days."

Gasps echoed. Courtiers covered their mouths.

The king leaned forward, expression sharp.

The witnesses trembled.

The Head Concubine’s face paled. Quickly, she stammered, " I-I must have been mistaken. Perhaps the hair I saw was blonde, not white. It was dark... I couldn’t see properly."

The king’s voice boomed. "Enough." He gestured sharply to the guards. "Take them away."

The guards obeyed instantly, dragging the Head Concubine, the librarian, and the stranger out of the throne room. Their protests and excuses echoed faintly as the doors slammed shut.

The room fell silent.

Rin exhaled quietly and bowed slightly. "If that settles it, I’ll take my leave."

But the king’s voice stopped him.

"Wait."

Rin froze. His back stiffened.

"I want to see the face of my son’s new concubine."

Rin’s blood ran cold. His body tensed. Showing his face here meant... Evan would see who he really was.

His mind raced.

’Shit. Should I just teleport?’

"Go ahead, let me see your face,"

Rin’s jaw clenched under the veil.

’Damn it... Where is that goddamn prince when I need him?’