<h4>Chapter 657: Justice, Served</h4>


    <strong><i>[Third Person].</i></strong>


    Then, Draven’s expression hardened as he shifted his gaze back to Reginald.


    "Since you havee here demanding justice, you will first hear the truth." Then, his voice turned colder. "Your daughter attempted to steal from the royal bloodline."


    The words struck like a hammer in Reginald’s ears as his eyes widened. "What—?"


    "She entered a private chamber," Draven continued, "and tampered with what was left behind... with the intention of bearing a child tied to the throne."


    A wave of shock swept through the hall again, though the council had already learned of it. But the weight of those actions still bothered them greatly.


    Reginald’s lips trembled. "No... that— that is impossible—"


    But Draven was not done. "And she engaged in an immoral rtionship... with her own brother," he added, his voice dropping further.


    Levi’sposure was shattered at the same time. His heart pounded violently as his mind raced.


    Meanwhile, Reginald frozepletely. For a moment, he didn’t even breathe, then his head shook weakly. "No... no, this is a lie..."


    He couldn’t even stand. The weight of the usations forced him to remain on his knees.


    "There is evidence of her first crime," Meredith said calmly. "The camera also recorded her entering that room."


    Then, her gaze shifted to Reginald. "As for the second... I heard it myself." She continued, "I overheard the brother and sister talking about it in one of the rooms in the pcest night."


    Instantly, Reginald’s face nchedpletely. Levi’s pupils dted, and in that moment, the memory struck him.


    <i>The faint sound outside the roomst night. The presence he had dismissed, thinking it was just a bee.</i>


    His body went cold. ’<i>It was her...’</i> His knees almost gave way.


    Meredith’s voice came again. "If you doubt me, ask your son," she said to Reginald, "And if he denies it... we will summon a priest, then he can swear before the Moon Goddess."


    Her words left no escape.


    Reginald’s hand rose shakily to his chest, then, slowly, he turned to Levi and asked in a broken voice, "Is this... true?"


    He managed to release a small breath, then added, "Did you sleep with your sister?"


    The question hung in the air for a few seconds. Then, Levi snapped. He leapt to his feet and charged forward. But before he could take more than a step, the guards intercepted him instantly, holding him back.


    "Stand down!"


    Levi struggled briefly, then stopped, his eyes locking onto Meredith. "Why?" he demanded, his voice shaking. "Did you really have to do this?"


    On the other hand, Draven’s aura surged in anger, witnessing Levi’s actions. "You dare rush the throne?" he said coldly. "Were you trying to attack the Queen?"


    Levi turned to him with bitterness written all over his face. "Since she overheard us," he said, his voice strained, "then she should know I had already ended that rtionship!"


    He clenched his fists. "Why expose me?!" This was his anger.


    Almost immediately, outrage erupted from the assembly.


    "Shameless!" one elder snapped.


    "You still try to hide it?" another added.


    "Disgraceful!"


    Voices rose again, filled with anger and disgust.


    Meanwhile, Reginald stared at Levi. All thoughts of Wanda vanished. Only one thing remained. The truth. And it was written all over his son’s face.


    "Silence." Draven’s voice cut through everything, and the hall fell quiet instantly, allowing him to sweep his gaze across them.


    "You have heard their crimes." He turned slightly. "Attempting to corrupt the royal bloodline. Engaging in immoral acts that defy allws of nature."


    Then his eyes shifted to Reginald. "And you—failing to raise your children, allowing such rot to fester under your name."


    The look of disgust on his face shifted into anger.


    "Then, in your ignorance, you storm into my pce... and insult the Queen in front of the leaders of Stormveil."


    Draven’s voice turned final. "For these crimes, you are condemned to death by public hanging."


    Reginald’s head snapped up. "No!" he shouted. "That is too much! At most, I should be banished—"


    "How dare you?" an elder cut in sharply. "You think you can decide your punishment after nearly disgracing the entire kingdom?!"


    Draven didn’t even look at him. "If he speaks out of turn again, strike him," he instructed calmly.


    A guard stepped forward toward Reginald, and silence returned once more.


    Then, Draven looked at Levi. "Your wife and child will be spared," he said. Then, his voice hardened. "But you will die by poison."


    Levi’s body stiffened. The elders nodded in approval, thinking these punishments were just fitting and were over now. But then, Draven turned back to Reginald.


    "I have reconsidered your punishment."


    Low murmurs spread. Reginald looked up, hope flickering briefly, only to be crushed.


    "You will not be hanged. You will be stoned to death by the very people you tried to deceive because words of that have already reached my ears."


    Draven’s gaze was merciless as each wordnded heavily.


    Almost immediately, a ripple of satisfaction moved through the hall. Meredith’s eyes remained calm, but there was no hiding the approval beneath.


    She felt that Reginald indeed deserved a painful death to mark his ending.


    Draven continued, meting out punishments to the remaining members of the Fellowes family and deciding their fates.


    "The male members of the Fellowes family will be enved. Those found corrupt will be executed. The women and children will live... but as the lowest ofmoners and will work as hardbourers."


    His voice carried absolute authority. "And if any of them step out of line in the future, death will follow immediately without trial."


    No one in the room objected. In fact, no one dared.


    "Before their execution, Reginald, Levi, and all guilty members will be paraded through the city for seven days," Draven added. "Let the people see. And let them remember."


    The hall erupted immediately with satisfaction and happiness from the council of elders, the Royal Alphas and the high-ranking officials.


    "Your Majesty is wise!"


    "Justice has been served!"


    "Long live the King!"


    Voices rose in approval, filled with satisfaction. Reginald, however, lost himselfpletely.


    "You tyrant—!" he spat.


    The strike happened suddenly. A guard’s hand swung across him, stopping him in his tracks. He fell to the side,pletely stunned.


    "Take them away!" Draven ordered.


    The guards didn’t hesitate. They seized both Reginald and Levi. Levi didn’t resist this time. His face had gone pale and empty.


    No dignity was left for him.


    Reginald, however, struggled weakly, his fury broken into something desperate. But it didn’t matter.


    "Draven! You will regret this! You will regret this in this lifetime!"


    Reginald and Levi were dragged out of the hall. Their voices faded, and the doors closed behind them.