CHAPTER 308: INTERROGATION AND MELINDA’S PLEA

Inside the study, Ragan stood in front of the window, staring at the cloudy sky outside. Behind him, Melinda stood with her head bowed, as if trying to hide her emotions.

Silence filled the room until Ragan suddenly spoke.

"Melinda, how are you going to explain this?"

His voice sounded calm, but the faint pressure in it made Melinda’s body tremble.

Trying to compose herself, she replied weakly, "I don’t understand what you mean, Your Majesty."

"Don’t understand?" His tone rose. He turned around and glared at her sharply. "Do you think I’m stupid, Melinda? Two days ago you came to visit your father in Thal’ren prison, and now he’s managed to escape just like that. If not you, then who else?"

Although he tried to soften his voice, anyone sensitive enough could tell he was struggling to hold himself back. But that was only natural.

The trial had been witnessed by ministers, princes, and concubines, not to mention the thousands of people crowding the palace square and courthouse courtyard, all waiting for the verdict.

But now, Belfor had managed to escape—something that would surely make many believe it was his doing.

Of course, it wasn’t. But convincing the people and the other members of the Imperial family would be nearly impossible.

The harder he tried to prove his innocence, the deeper their suspicions grew.

That was why he hadn’t given any clarification in the courtroom. He wanted to keep their trust steady.

Melinda trembled, lifted her head, and looked at Ragan with sorrowful eyes.

"Your Majesty, I’m being honest with you. I really don’t know anything. As you know, I only went there to see my father one last time," she said in a hoarse voice. "I never asked any of the guards or warders to release him. You can check for yourself. If I’m found guilty, I’m willing to be locked up in prison."

Ragan studied her face but didn’t find the slightest hint of a lie. Subconsciously, his brows furrowed. Could she have been wrongly accused?

Come to think of it, Melinda was a clever woman. There was no way she would do something so reckless—it would be no different from suicide.

It wasn’t impossible that someone else had acted from the shadows, setting her up to make him blame Melinda for everything.

However, one question remained: who was responsible?

He had a few suspects—the princes, the concubines, or some ministers close to Belfor.

Among them, his suspicions fell most heavily on the princes. But which one? He didn’t know yet.

The more he thought about it, the more his head ached. In the end, he pushed the thought aside and let out a quiet sigh.

"Alright, I understand. The investigation has been carried out, and we just need to wait for the results. Nonetheless, you’re still the prime suspect, so don’t be happy just yet. Do you understand?" he warned.

Melinda nodded weakly. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"Then, go back." Ragan waved his hand.

But instead of obeying, Melinda remained where she was, a troubled expression on her face.

Ragan furrowed his brow and asked, "What now? Didn’t I tell you to leave?"

In the past, he would never have spoken so harshly to his wives. However, because of the Belfor case, a faint sense of resentment toward Melinda had begun to grow within him. It was only natural.

After all, Belfor’s crimes were extremely serious. As his son-in-law, Ragan couldn’t avoid being dragged into the whirlpool of public gossip.

What made matters worse was Belfor’s disappearance. And the prime suspect was none other than his daughter—Melinda, Ragan’s own wife.

Sensing Ragan’s impatience, Melinda’s heart ached. But she knew giving up wasn’t an option. If she lost now, not only her life but also her son’s would be at risk.

Suppressing her sadness, Melinda lowered her head and pleaded softly, "Your Majesty, I beg you... Please don’t take over the Red Obsidian Trading House."

Ragan was taken aback by her plea. A faint pressure escaped from his body as he asked in an indifferent tone, "What do you mean? The Red Obsidian Trading House has been investigated, and the results are clear—it was used by Belfor to carry out all his crimes. By law, it must be confiscated by the Empire."

The Empire’s legal system was vast, consisting of palace law and the laws of the four regions. Since Belfor’s crimes were grave, his case was naturally judged under palace law.

One of the rules stated that a criminal’s trading house must be confiscated.

"I know that, Your Majesty," Melinda replied, her voice heavy with despair. "But as you know, the Red Obsidian Trading House is Zarak’s foundation for surviving the succession to the throne. If it were taken away, it would be tantamount to his defeat. Moreover, without it, you know what will happen to both him and me."

With the Red Obsidian Trading House, her son still had a foothold. Without it, neither she nor Zarak would have any defense against the onslaught from other princes or concubines.

It wasn’t impossible that they would be completely crushed.

Ragan fell silent, a hint of doubt flickering in his eyes. Melinda’s request bordered on breaking the rules. Just as he was about to speak, Melinda continued.

"Your Majesty, do you remember how you defended Nolan and Elina from the Singularity of Light at that party? You were even willing to declare war for them. But why do you hesitate now, for me and your son, Zarak? Where is your justice, Your Majesty?"

Tears streamed down Melinda’s face as she wiped her eyes. Many people said Ragan was a just emperor—and in many ways, that was true.

Yet as a father and husband, he was a man who could not always uphold his own justice.

Melinda was no fool. She knew very well how much Ragan loved Isabella and his two children, Nolan and Elina.

She could even swear that Ragan’s love for Isabella far surpassed his feelings for Vanessa.

With that in mind, she deliberately used this knowledge to pressure Ragan into yielding to her wishes. And, as she had hoped, Ragan took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

"Alright, I agree. But this is my last favor to you and Zarak. After this, I will not interfere anymore, not even with your father’s affairs. Don’t expect me to show mercy if he gets caught. Understood?" His eyes narrowed sharply.

Still wearing a sad, subdued expression, Melinda gave a small nod and murmured softly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

A faint, meaningful smile appeared on her face.

"Alright, go now. I want to be alone," Ragan said, shooing her away.

Melinda did not dare argue and left immediately. Once her figure vanished, Ragan’s somber expression disappeared, replaced by a calm, indifferent mask.

"What do you think, Orion?"

Whoosh!

A shadow slid from behind the bookshelf on the right, and Orion emerged as if from nowhere.

"From my observations, Concubine Melinda is lying, Your Majesty. She knows Belfor Horven has escaped, but she doesn’t know where he went," Orion said, holding a red orb.

Ragan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. "So the escape was indeed carried out by Belfor?"

"Correct, Your Majesty." Orion nodded firmly.

"There must be someone working behind the scenes, trying to deceive me and the entire Empire," Ragan said coldly. "Find that person at all costs. I want to know who had the audacity to toy with me and the Great Velmora Empire."

"As you command, Your Majesty!" Orion gave a small bow before his figure slowly melted back into the shadows.