“Calm down, Sir Archibald,” Crown Prince Bennett said evenly.“We will discuss this with level-headedness.”
“This is all rather off topic, Your Highness,” Sir Sylvester said, stroking his oily beard.“We were all summoned here to discuss the topic of visitation and opening Witch Village up to the public.”
I saw Ferdinand and Rowena exchange a look.I realized I never had the chance to speak with them about their opinion.
“The elders in Witch Village are hesitant,” I began.“They’ve lived a long time in isolation after being driven out of the kingdom.The village is their sanctuary.To open its doors without their consent would be...disrespectful.Perhaps a survey could be sent out and we can decide by vote.”
Sir Sylvester sneered.“The doors of Olderea were opened to the witches without the consent of our civilians.”
“That is not the same, sir,” Rowena said.“We witches were a part of Olderea once, but had been forced to flee due to the Non-Magic Age.The ending of that age can be counted as a homecoming, not an invasion.”
Crown Prince Bennett covered the lower half of his face with a hand, likely suppressing a sigh or yawn; I couldn’t tell.He looked rather ill-rested, evidenced by the purplish circles beneath his eyes.
The grand doors of the throne room opened with a boom and two royal guards marched in, their footsteps heavy against the marble floor.Between them was a familiar figure.I recoiled when I saw my attacker from the other night.In broad daylight, he appeared less frightening, but I still gave him a wide berth as the guards deposited him in the middle of the throne room, his hands bound by ropes.
Crown Prince Bennett frowned.“Who is this?”
Maddox stepped up and bowed.“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I have taken the liberty of bringing a relevant suspect.”
“Suspect?This isn’t a trial,” the crown prince said.Displeasure creased his brows.I feared we were pushing the poor man’s limits.
“Giselle and I have expressed to you the matter of her attack last night,” Maddox continued with impressive calm.“This is the man who attacked her.We have reason to believe he was hired by Sir Archibald.”
The councilman in question sputtered.“What right do you have to throw accusations at me?”
Crown Prince Bennett rubbed his temples, seeming to have come to the conclusion that this meeting was fated to go off the rails.“What do you have to say for yourself?”he asked, addressing the assassin.“Who were you hired by?”
“Him,” the man said, jutting his bushy chin toward Sir Archibald, who stumbled back at this gesture.“Paid me good money.”
The guard beside him dropped a bulging pouch with a heavy thump.Gold coins spilled out onto the marble floor, gleaming in the light.Maddox bent to pick one up, turning it between his fingers.The coins were sanded smooth along the surface, but traces of the original emblem still peeked through in small divots in the metal.
“The Archibald family crest,” Maddox said, flashing the worn coin at the crown prince.He produced another coin from his pocket and held the two side by side.This one was fully intact, stamped with a seahorse—the same one that embellished the door frame.
Sir Archibald straightened the front of his robes in one indignant motion.“I know nothing of this, Your Highness!What reason do I have to attack that witch?Those coins may have my family crest on them, but look at the condition of them!They must’ve been in circulation for a while.Someone compiled them to frame me!”
Maddox stepped forward and presented the coin to the crown prince.“This is no regular wear and tear, Your Highness.If that were the case, both sides of the coin should be worn down.However, only the side with the Archibald crest is erased.”
Crown Prince Bennett inspected the coin.“My grandfather King Humphrey put into practice the stamping of currency.Every noble in court is paid with coins bearing their family crest, to track any suspicious spending.There have been several instances of rebellion and bribery being found out this way.You’re aware of this as a councilman, are you not, Sir Archibald?”
Sir Archibald seemed at a loss for words.
“Councilmen and courtiers are not allowed to melt down their gold or silver without supervision or prior permission, or risk being accused of insubordination,” the crown prince continued, as if reciting from an Olderean lawbook.“In addition, defaced currency is not allowed to be in circulation.Anyone in possession must turn them into the city guards, or be arrested for breaking the law.You suggested this addendum yourself, Sir Archibald.”
The assassin threw the councilman a glare.“Were you double crossing me, old man?”
“He’s spewing falsehoods, Your Highness!I charge him with defamation, as is my right!”Sir Archibald smiled triumphantly.
The assassin’s face paled, no doubt coming to the conclusion that a commoner like him could never win a case against a councilman.“I tell the truth,” the assassin said, rearing up.The guards bracing him pushed him back down.“If you don’t believe me, tell that witch girl to hypnotize me.Let me speak nothing but the truth!”
He pointed at me, and I gaped.Was my coercion magic just common knowledge now?Furthermore, no one had everaskedme to use it on them.
Crown Prince Bennett seemed to consider this.
“Your Highness, I must protest,” Sir Archibald cried.“This witch could make him say whatever she liked!”
“Would you prefer a truth potion instead?”Rowena piped up.“We can have an herbwitch whip one up.”
The councilman sputtered.“This is blasphemy to the practice of law!”
