Page 84 of The Royal in Room 3

I had returned to Belvaria because I wanted to serve my people, but every room in the palace felt larger without him, and every success felt incomplete without him there to celebrate with.

Julian nudged my arm. “Your Royal Highness.”

I blinked.

The judge was looking at me.

“It is time.”

Crap. I’d spaced out thinking about Jude again. I rose, the courtroom quiet as I walked toward the small witness stand positioned near the front. A microphone had been placed on top, adjusted lower before I’d arrived.

I rested both hands against the edge.

“Your Honor, members of the court, citizens of Belvaria,” I said, using every bit of what I’d been taught about diction. “The actions committed by the former chancellor, Edmund Presley, did not harm just one person. They hurt a family already familiar with loss, and through defamation, weakened the trust placed in the Crown.”

“My family lost its first two princes in a tragedy we are still learning to live with. Years later, because of the chancellor’s ambition, the Crown was forced to endure the loss of a third.”

My throat tightened, but I continued.

“I was removed from my position, separated from my family, and made to believe that my own failures had caused harm to the country I loved. I will not stand before you and pretend I was prepared for every responsibility placed upon me. I was sheltered. I lacked experience, and there were many things I did not understand.

“But I was never given a true opportunity to become the crown prince Belvaria needed.”

My eyes met the chancellor’s. “You decided I would fail before I had the chance to learn. Then you created the failure you expected others to see, and for a nation to lose a third prince in two years, that is unforgivable.”

“For a long time, I believed leadership was inherited through blood and protected through title. I know better now.”

I thought of Halo House.

Of Phoenix opening his doors to people who had nowhere else to go.

Of Aaron choosing compassion even when duty became painful.

Of Jude giving until there was almost nothing left for himself.

“A true leader does not place personal ambition above the people entrusted to him,” I continued. “Leadership is not power. It is a service. It is recognizing that every decision made in these halls affects families who may never stand before us, but whose lives remain our responsibility.”

My hands steadied.

“Today I want to thank the presiding judge for allowing me the opportunity to say publicly that I forgive you, Chancellor. Not because the harm no longer matters, but because I refuse to allow your choices to shape the rest of my life.”

For the first time, he looked at me, and I stared back at him, speaking only to him this time.

“And while my forgiveness does not exempt you from facing the consequences of your crimes, I want you to know that the royal family will ensure your granddaughter, Isolde, is protected and cared for, as my brother would have wanted. Thank you, Your Honor.”

The judge gave me a respectful nod. “Well said, Your Royal Highness.”

I bowed my head, then walked away, but I didn’t return to my seat. I’d done what I’d come here to do. Julian hurried after me, catching up outside the closed doors. Members of the security team instantly flanked us.

“The sentence is about to be announced,” he said. “Do you not wish to hear it?”

“It is not necessary. Let’s return to the palace. Father and I have much to debate.”

Since I’d returned to Belvaria, I’d taken to learning as much as I could from my father. Now, instead of shirking my duties, I was eager to sit in on council meetings, review policy proposals, and listen to the concerns brought before the Crown. For the first time, I understood that ruling was not about appearances or ceremony. It was about paying attention to the people whose lives were affected by every decision we made.

And debating policies with Father in the confines of his chambers, just the two of us, was one of the highlights of my days.

Outside, the courthouse steps were packed with people who had come to witness the sentencing in real time. This was one of the most serious cases in Belvarian history, and it was even being broadcast live on streaming platforms in an effort to restore the royal family’s dignity.