Magnate's Blood Crown

Twenty Six

The courtroom of Narathiwat Palace was filled with royal guests. General Narai Thawi and Chancellor Kittisat of Ayutthaya were present in court, requesting to meet the emperor on behalf of Emperor Chatchawan Naharet. The news of the Former Empress being found in Narathiwat had spread across the nation.

Emperor Rama, whose health was now better than before, walked up to his throne and sat. Bunsong and Mongkhon followed him in. Everyone in the courtroom got up and bowed to the Emperor.

Mongkhon, as per his habit, walked to the second chair near his father, but Bunsong pulled his arm and made him turn. "We will take our seats, brother. In Brother Force's absence, that seat can remain empty," Bunsong said.

Mongkhon clenched his jaw but, having nothing to say, walked to his seat, now second to Bunsong's.

The Chancellor of Ayutthaya, Kittisat, got up and bowed to Rama. "Long live Your Majesty! Today, we are here to get an answer from you. We believe that you are the one who was chosen by Former His Majesty Rattanachai for taking this throne. The whole sovereign had broken long ago but was still bounded by a seal. But someone whom you consider family had the seal stolen. We question you: how are you going to give back what belongs to our Emperor?"

Rama looked at him but gulped before saying anything. "General Ohm is still not with us; we are searching for him and the seal."

Kittisat scoffed. "Apologies if I cross my line, Your Majesty, but if you are still referring to him as General, then don't you think it is as good as going against Ayutthaya?"

General Narai Thawi got up and bowed to Rama. "I apologize for the rudeness of Chancellor Kittisat, Your Majesty." He turned to Kittisat. "Until something is proved, nobody can be deemed guilty."

Mongkhon eyed Chief Chancellor Han, who immediately got up. "General Thawi, we know that you respect our former general. But I agree with Chancellor Kittisat too. And I am from Thammarat, yet I will make sure that General Ohm Pawat Viwatchaichok is punished for his immeasurable crimes and betrayal."

Bunsong got up from his chair. "Chancellor Han, who are you to take decisions when His Majesty is here?"

Mongkhon turned to Bunsong. "And who are you to interrupt when His Majesty is here? Besides, what Chancellor Han and Chancellor Kittisat are saying is completely correct."

Rama clenched his fist. He was still not able to accept Ohm being a betrayer. The child he had seen growing in front of his eyes since he was five, a faithful general, a dutiful son, an honest person—Ohm could never be a betrayer. But nothing was in his hand to show as evidence to prove Ohm's innocence.

The argument in the court got heated. Thawi tried his best to suppress Kittisat, but Mongkhon, along with Chancellor Han and Imperial Secretary Det, was prepared to pressurize Rama to declare Ohm a betrayer and pass a kill-on-sight decree.

When it all boiled down for Rama to speak, he closed his eyes. His hands were trembling. He was about to speak when someone's footsteps made everyone turn to look at the door.

Force walked in, his aura so intimidating that when he locked eyes with Mongkhon, for once, Mongkhon took a step back from his place.

Force, in his golden robe, walked in without even giving a second glance to his eldest brother, who was in prison when he left for Sukothai. General Narai Thawi relaxed his stance, looking at someone who would be able to handle the situation better than him.

Bunsong smiled and bowed to Force from his place. Force nodded to him. "Long live Your Majesty!" Force bowed to his father in the middle of the court.

Rama, too, relaxed in his place and briefly nodded at his son.