All Chapters of Second chance at happiness: Chapter 381 - Chapter 390

400 Chapters

And that decision cost me ten years of sleep.

The inner court chamber grew heavy with silence once the weight of what they accomplished and what they were about to do settled over them.“We have three issues that need to be looked at… they overlap yet differ in nature.” Orseus opened the discussion, gesturing for Bernard to continue.“First is the case of the Sleighs, which was put on hold due to their involvement in the treasonous act.”“Second is the case of treason itself.”“Third is the war at the eastern border.”Bernard listed the matters in a flat, procedural tone.Cornelius immediately cut in.“Don’t lump them together. They are distinct matters. We only held back action to gather evidence… in order not to alert the snake in the grass.”He leaned forward slightly.“Start with the Sleighs’ case regarding Mira and Leander.”Thomas frowned. “Wasn’t their punishment already issued?”“Yes,” Cornelius replied, “but was it enforced?”“No,” Bernard admitted. “The last update I have is that they were still scrambling to meet the pe

When you all tricked and ditched me to go after that old man at the gypsy camp.

Bernard stepped forward and started to brief everyone on the results of the investigations that were carried out.“Alaistair, Cassian and Bruce are equal partners although Bruce wasn’t in on the original act.” He paused, “Bruce only joined their camp after he was banished, and his duchy revoked by his supreme royal sovereign and Viktor joined the cause after that.”“He still ended up in the ditch… didn’t he?” Alex asked regretfully when he heard Viktor’s name.“He was always meant to be there…” Baldwin spited before comforting, “he is responsible for his life, you cannot guard him for life.”“If it makes a difference…” Jerome spoke hesitantly as he looked at his big brother, “he didn’t know they were related to your murder and he regretted it.”“Not committing a treasonous act…” Jerome corrected with awkward disdain, “but joining your murderers.”Cornelius and Baldwin snorted.“If he regretted Uncle’s murder, he should have taken up uncle’s cause as his own.” Martin crossed his arms in

There is no debt or guilt between brothers… but if you insist…

“These will need to be documented chronologically by a scribe and submitted to the chamber for cataloging and public display.” Baldwin sighed as he took in the volume of information scattered before them. He shifted his gaze towards Alex, guilt outweighing every other emotion, “You have been busy… and we weren’t there to assist.”“There is no debt or guilt between brothers… but if you insist…” Alex shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “I have also been asleep for more than a decade while you sorted the mess and brought me and my family back…” Alex chuckled “We’re even…”“No… no…not even… we can never be even…” Cornelius shook his head, “I vote for the first notion, no debt between brothers…” He knew this word game. In Alex’s world, debts are for outsiders, once the tally is evened, there is no need for further contact.“I second it.” Baldwin jumped in; he raised his hand and punched Alex, forgetting that he had just been woken up and not yet fully back in for

That does have poetic justice.

“Here…” Annemarie stood up looking like a cat that had her head down the chimney.Martin snatched it first to look, his intention pure. He didn’t want his little sister making a fool of herself in front of everyone. But he was pleasantly surprised.“It’s him… that’s him…” He lifted the scroll, a soft whisper escaped his throat, “Not a strand of hair out of place.”Alex’s lips curled up in a knowing arc.The scroll was passed around and finally reached Alex. Alex stared at the image for a long moment.The resemblance was undeniable.Too undeniable.The face looked exactly like a younger version of Bruce, but it couldn’t be… not with his age. Those eyes… he had seen them… where… he couldn’t place them but definitely not on Bruce.Lost in thought, he blurted, something buried in his memory, something his father told him a long time ago, “If something defies logic, then there isn’t one… if there isn’t any logic, then it must be an illusion.” His whole being stilled for a minute before turn

What a brilliant move.

Alex hooked a brow towards Zelda, who had reappeared in the room.Zelda didn't bother with formalities either. "Blood Curse Illusion.""What the hell is that?" Cornelius frowned, turning to Alex."No idea." Alex shrugged."It is an ancient enchantment," Zelda began explaining without waiting to be asked. "One believed to have been lost to the passage of time.""It allows the faces and fates of two people to be exchanged.""Can it be reversed?" Thomas asked curiously."Very simple... call the person by his birth name.""That simple?" Humphrey wrinkled his face in disbelief. “Just anyone can call to break the curse?”"Yes, but it must be his birth name, not merely the name he is known by.""What's the difference?"“Birth name is the name whispered in your ear when your senses fully develop.” Zelda spoke matter-of-factly, as though it were common knowledge. Judging by the expressions around the table, nobody else shared that opinion."Bruce would know that, right?" Cornelius mused aloud.

Were they wrong... or not???

“Some might while others won’t, so I will let my commander brief you before we proceed.” Cornelius sat on the throne as he gestured towards Parker to speak.Parker stepped forward into the center of the chamber.Before him sat not only the crown, but the surviving Grand Dukes of the founding clans. Many eyes unconsciously drifted toward the elevated seats surrounding the throne.The seating arrangement within the Chamber of Justice differed greatly from that of ordinary court sessions held in the throne room. The Founding Dukes, also known as the Grand Dukes, sat facing the court alongside the crown. Their seats were elevated above the rest of the chamber, second only to the throne platform itself.Of the original founding clans, only the Ambertons and Worthingtons still occupied their positions in full legitimacy. The Haribeorts had been erased from history—or so they thought. The Asters had been banished, though their seat remained, a silent tribute to their founding ancestor. There

Crime of passion Vs crime of necessity… are they the same?

Silence reigned supreme as everyone waited for someone else to bear the weight of the judgement.As everyone deliberated, the man Alex sent had returned and handed over a paper. Alex eyeballed the paper and passed it to Baldwin who was about to sit back. He glanced at the paper, before turning his gaze to Alex who nodded subtly. He then turned his gaze towards Cornelius who too gave a subtle nod of approval.“Those whose names are called, please step to the right side of the hall.” Baldwin announced before calling out the names listed on the scroll.The soldiers looked at one another in bewilderment, but all the same they stepped to the right obediently as their names were called.“Crime of passion and crime of necessity…” Alex slowly opened his mouth, “Although they aren’t the same, the effect of both is the crime itself. And while our hearts may go out to those who acted out of necessity, necessity does not excuse the crime itself. Had it succeeded, the end result would have been no

You think you have time?

The historians who were quietly scribing the events, sitting at the back of the chamber, nodded in unison, acknowledging the order.The soldiers who were punished were led out in an orderly manner by the leading guards.Silence returned to the chamber as the courtiers lowered their heads to review the scrolls distributed to them. The evidence was clear, in black and white. The chain of events related to the smuggling operation was documented with precision. Soldiers were transported from the East Kingdom to the gypsy lands under the guise of caravan trading, then distributed throughout the various duchies disguised as slaves. Dates, locations, transit points, and the number of people involved were all meticulously recorded.No one could refute the overwhelming evidence. There was also witness accounts from the gypsy tribe, with the one with the greatest weight being the one from the chief of the Lovari tribe who brought in more than a dozen to the spies in chains to open court.However

Involvement by association and not involvement by knowledge...

Both lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. “You will answer that question.” Cornelius slammed the table.“No” Both answered in unison. Cain tried to struggle one last time, “but that was not part of the operation I was responsible for.”“You were aware and participated….” Cornelius’s lips curled in disdain, “just not responsible… did I understand correctly?”Cain felt his body burning red hot from shame… that was exactly what he meant but he didn’t expect to be bared openly in front of everyone…“Being aware but not participating…” Cornelius paused in deliberation before continuing, “…in itself is a crime. Knowing yet not stopping… putting everyone in danger… how exactly does it make you innocent of the crime?”He didn’t wait for anyone to answer and continued, “Either way, that dilemma doesn’t exist in your case, you were aware and you participated.” He enunciated each word of the last part of his sentence.“Your highness…” Both Cain and Cole called out in unison, “We were

I never had a chance…

Cornelius exhaled, his features etched with exhaustion. His page hurried over to serve him hot tea and refreshments. Cornelius waved him away, devoid of his usual amiability, irritability evident for all to see.“My dear…” Aglaya gently patted Cornelius’s hand, spoke in a soft whisper, “every debt has its debtor. Don’t let the innocent burn in the flames.”His gaze turned towards his wife, his anchor and advisor. He sighed once again and gave a soft nod. He could never quite keep his temper in check. If he did not have his sworn brothers and wife by his side, he might well have become a tyrant.He threw a side glance at Alex and Baldwin, hoping against hope that they didn’t notice anything was amiss. They gave him face and feigned ignorance, but the upward curl of their lips spoke volumes. They knew each other too well, words were never needed.He coughed to regain his composure, took a sip of the tea, and nodded in acknowledgement towards his page. The old man lowered his head, there

...

35 36 37 38 39 40

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP