Chapter 11 - The Dead King Returned
Adrian crossed the chamber.
He stopped three feet from Julian.
"You are alive."
Julian's eyes filled with tears.
"I am."
Adrian hit him.
Gasps erupted through the court.
Julian fell against the railing.
Guards moved.
Adrian raised one hand.
"Nobody touches me."
Julian wiped blood from his mouth.
"I deserved that."
"Ten years."
"I know."
"You let me bury you."
"I know."
"You let Mother grieve."
Julian looked at Beatrice.
"I know."
Adrian's voice cracked.
"You let me become a king's son without a father."
Julian whispered, "I was trying to keep you alive."
"By disappearing?"
"The Council had already made two attempts."
"You could have told us."
"I trusted no one."
"That disease seems common in this family."
Evelyn watched from behind Adrian.
Julian noticed her.
"You must be Evelyn."
She did not smile.
"You knew my mother."
"Yes."
"Where is she?"
Julian's face changed.
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
He looked at Adrian.
"The Tribunal must proceed."
Adrian laughed.
"You return from the dead and your priority is paperwork?"
Julian lowered his voice.
"If we don't proceed, the Council wins."
Adrian wanted to hit him again.
Instead he stepped back.
"Then explain the challenge."
Julian faced the judges.
"I challenge Adrian's succession on the grounds that my own death was fraudulently recorded."
The chief judge nodded.
"If King Julian remains alive, Prince Adrian cannot legally hold regency authority."
Adrian understood.
By revealing himself, Julian had temporarily removed Adrian's command powers.
Including control of the Royal Guard.
"Why would you do that?"
Julian looked toward the gallery.
"Because someone here has been issuing orders under your authority."
A judge frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Julian produced documents.
Military transfers.
Security clearances.
Emergency contracts.
All signed electronically with Adrian's royal credentials.
Adrian had approved none of them.
Gabriel leaned forward.
"Where did they go?"
Julian answered.
"St. Catherine Children's Institute."
Evelyn went cold.
The facility.
The blood archive.
Adrian turned to Rowan.
"Arrest everyone connected to those transfers."
Rowan did not move.
"Captain?"
Rowan looked devastated.
"I can't."
Adrian stared.
Julian said quietly, "Because until the Tribunal determines the lawful monarch, neither you nor I command the Guard."
Beatrice stood.
"Then who does?"
The chief judge answered.
"Under emergency succession law, command transfers to the Lord Protector."
Adrian felt something terrible forming.
"Who is Lord Protector?"
The rear doors opened.
Marcus Vane entered.
Not in chains.
In ceremonial robes.
Adrian stared.
Marcus smiled.
"Good afternoon."
Rowan reached for his weapon.
Guards surrounded him.
Marcus walked toward the throne.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance."
Adrian stepped forward.
"You tried to murder Evelyn."
"An accusation."
"You confessed."
"Under unlawful detention."
Marcus turned toward the judges.
"The palace has become unstable. A dead king returns. An illegitimate princess appears. An unverified infant is placed near the succession."
Evelyn shouted, "My son is not illegitimate."
Marcus smiled.
"We shall determine that."
Adrian lunged.
Julian grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
Marcus looked pleased.
"As Lord Protector, I hereby place Bellmont Palace under emergency authority."
Guards closed the doors.
Marcus continued.
"Prince Adrian is confined to his quarters."
Adrian stared at Rowan.
The captain's jaw clenched.
"Queen Beatrice is placed under house arrest."
Beatrice did not react.
"Gabriel Marlowe is detained as a threat to national security."
Gabriel reached slowly toward his coat.
Ten rifles turned toward him.
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
"And Evelyn Marlowe and her infant will be transferred to St. Catherine's for genetic verification."
Adrian went silent.
May you like
Marcus smiled.
"The cage, Your Highness, was only the beginning."
