WVKWnovel Chapter 362: Release Him
Chapter 362: Release Him
The chamber became a battlefield of words and legal precedent.
Torven pulled regulation after regulation from his case. Cited previous judgments. Pointed out procedural violations with surgical precision.
Every time Crovin tried to dismiss his concerns, he produced another document, another law, another reason why rushing to judgment would be legally problematic.
Revna fought back. Her voice rising. Calling on her own connections. "Magistrate Crovin, surely you’re not going to let some technicality—"
"Technicality?" Torven’s eyebrows rose. "Legal procedure is not a technicality, Lady Revna. It’s the foundation of justice."
"Justice?" Revna gestured sharply at Tessa. "What about justice for her? For the victim? She was assaulted and you’re more concerned with—"
"Alleged victim," Vanessia interrupted smoothly. "Until proven otherwise."
Back and forth. Arguments layering on arguments. Crovin trying to maintain control of her own courtroom while being pulled between two powerful merchant families.
Finally, Torven delivered the killing blow.
"Magistrate Crovin." His voice carried formal weight. "I formally request individual interrogation of all claimed witnesses under truth-binding seal. As is my client’s legal right when facing serious charges."
Crovin’s face went pale. Because truth-binding was expensive. Time-consuming. And would reveal if the witnesses were lying or coordinating stories.
"That’s... excessive for a simple assault case—"
"My client is a ward of House Valcieri," Torven reminded.
"Which elevates this beyond ’simple assault.’ It becomes a matter of noble reputation. Which means he’s entitled to full legal protections afforded to household members of recognized noble families."
He pulled another document. "Greyford Legal Code, Section Twenty-Three. I can read the relevant passages if needed?"
Silence stretched.
Crovin looked at the documents. At Torven’s unwavering professional expression. At Vanessia’s cold copper eyes.
Then at Revna, whose confidence had begun to crack around the edges.
Truth-binding. If the witnesses are lying, if they’ve been paid or coerced, it will show. And then I’m the magistrate who convicted an innocent person based on false testimony.
My reputation. My position. All are at risk because Revna wanted to play politics.
The calculation was visible on her face.
"Very well." Eventually Crovin spoke, voice tight.
"Release the accused pending proper investigation. All claimed witnesses will be questioned individually under truth-binding seal within three days. Until then.." She glared at Alaric. "You are confined to House Valcieri’s property. Any violation and you’ll be immediately re-arrested."
"Acceptable," Torven said smoothly.
One of the guards moved forward and unlocked the restraints around Alaric’s wrists with obvious reluctance.
Alaric stood slowly. His legs were shaky. Blood still dripping from his forehead.
The shattered vials in his pockets had soaked through completely, ruining Kyra’s medicine and staining his clothing.
But he was now free.
Though Vanessia wasn’t done yet. She didn’t had any plans to let this go easily.
She turned to face Magistrate Crovin directly. "And what of the false accusation? The public spectacle? The damage to my household’s reputation?"
Crovin’s eyes narrowed. "Lady Vanessia—"
"My ward was publicly assaulted by guards. Restrained without cause. Paraded through streets like a criminal."
Vanessia’s voice was ice.
"Based on testimony that you’ve now acknowledged requires investigation. Which suggests the accusation may be... questionable."
She gestured to Tessa. "If the investigation proves these charges false, if my ward was indeed innocent and this woman knowingly made false accusations, I demand appropriate punishment. False testimony is a crime, Magistrate. Or has Ashfeld’s law changed?"
Crovin’s jaw clenched. But she nodded stiffly. "If the investigation reveals false testimony... appropriate measures will be taken."
"Good." Vanessia turned to Revna. "And compensation for the damage to House Valcieri’s reputation. Public accusations against my household. Coordinated harassment. I believe a fine of..."
She paused, calculating. "Five hundred gold would be appropriate. To be paid to the city’s charitable fund, of course. In House Valcieri’s name."
Revna’s face went red. "Five hundred... you can’t be serious!"
"I’m very serious."
Vanessia’s smile was sharp.
"Unless you’d prefer I pursue this through civil court? Where the fine might be... considerably higher?"
Magistrate Crovin raised her hand before Revna could explode.
"Lady Revna will pay a fine of two hundred pending investigation results. If Merchant Tessa’s testimony proves false, the full amount Lady Vanessia suggested will be levied."
Not what Vanessia wanted. But enough. A compromise that saved face while making the point.
Vanessia inclined her head. "Acceptable."
She turned to Alaric. Her expression softened fractionally. "Are you alright?"
Alaric nodded. Didn’t trust his voice yet.
"Can you walk?"
Another nod.
"Then let’s go home." She looked at Torven. "Master Torven, your services were exemplary as always."
The solicitor bowed. "Always a pleasure, Lady Vanessia. I’ll await the investigation results."
They moved toward the exit. Vanessia leading. Henry supporting Alaric’s elbow when he stumbled slightly. Torven gathering his documents.
Vanessia paused at the doorway. Looked back at Revna and Crovin one final time.
Her copper eyes held pure contempt. No words needed. Just that look that promised this wasn’t over. That there would be consequences.
Then she swept out.
---
Torven’s carriage was already waiting, marked with legal guild insignia. He gave a final bow. "I’ll contact you when the investigation concludes. Good day, Lady Vanessia."
He climbed into his carriage and departed.
The Valcieri carriage pulled up seconds later. Their family crest painted on the door. Henry helped Alaric inside first.
Vanessia followed. Henry last.
The driver didn’t need instruction. Just snapped the reins and headed directly toward the healer’s district.
Inside the carriage, Vanessia studied Alaric. Her expression unreadable.
"We’re taking you back to Healer Kyra," she said quietly. "You need proper treatment. Again."
Alaric nodded. "Thank you."
"Don’t." Vanessia raised one hand. "Don’t thank me yet. We still have to survive the investigation. If those witnesses hold to their lies under truth-binding..."
She shook her head. "This could still go badly."
"They won’t," Henry said firmly. "They were lying. It was obvious. The truth-binding will prove it."
She sighed and closed her eyes.
"Yes. Unless that bitch do something else..."
Then opened her eyes and looked out.
I need to take care of her.