Chapter 12 - THE TRIAL IN THE CAPITAL
Three weeks later, the grand halls of the High Royal Court in the capital city were packed to capacity. Nobles, merchants, and common citizens filled the gallery to witness the final judgment of the infamous Van Doren conspiracy.
Lord Cedric Van Doren stood in the iron dock, stripped of his fine velvet coats and brass-buttoned waistcoats, wearing the coarse gray wool of a federal prisoner. Beside him stood Vance, the blackmailer, and Vivienne, who sat in silent, stone-faced fury, her former elegance crushed beneath the weight of her crimes.
Sitting in the front row of the courtroom were Eleanor and Julian Vance. Julian wore a clean, tailored dark suit, his posture straight and dignified, while Eleanor sat beside him wearing a neat black dress with a lace collar.
The High Justice of the Realm struck his heavy wooden gavel against the bench, his voice echoing through the marble chamber.
"Cedric Van Doren," the High Justice proclaimed, his eyes burning with stern authority. "You have been found guilty of high treason against the Crown, illegal gold extraction, murder, and the systematic extortion of an officer of the court. The court sentences you to life imprisonment in the deep dungeons of the Royal Fortress, with all your remaining assets, titles, and property forfeited to the Crown."
A wave of loud murmurs and applause swept through the gallery.
"Vivienne Van Doren," the Justice continued, turning his gaze toward the cold woman. "For your active participation in conspiracy and blackmail, you are stripped of all noble status and sentenced to twenty years of hard labor in the northern correctional monastic estate."
As the guards hauled Cedric and Vivienne away in heavy iron chains, Vivienne cast one last, venomous look toward Julian. Julian did not flinch, nor did he look away with hatred; his expression was one of quiet, sorrowful pity for a woman whose life had been consumed by greed.
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The High Justice turned his attention to Eleanor and Julian, his tone shifting into one of deep reverence.
"Julian Vance," the Justice announced. "In light of your extraordinary courage in gathering evidence against a corrupt magistrate while under deadly duress, and in recognition of your late father Thomas Vance’s supreme sacrifice in defending Crown lands, the King issues a full pardon for all coerced actions. Furthermore, the Crown grants the Vance family full royal restitution in the amount of five thousand gold sovereigns, along with the title to the valley's land survey office."
