The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 894 The Trial Begins

While the ministers and leaders of the noble families whispered among themselves, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the courtroom entrance.

Everyone turned to see Ragan walking in with a stern expression. Two senior judges walked beside him, one on each side.

"Welcome, Your Majesty."

Queen Vanessa rose to her feet and bowed respectfully.

"Welcome, Your Majesty."

Everyone else immediately followed.

Ragan simply gave a slight nod in response. His grim expression made it clear just how furious he was.

He and the two senior judges then took their respective seats.

Once everyone had sat back down, silence filled the courtroom again, though the tense atmosphere remained.

Ragan swept his gaze across Vanessa, Isabella, Melinda, Clarisse, and finally Cassandra.

His second wife looked pale and exhausted, as though she hadn't slept all night.

Ragan then turned his attention to the young man standing beside the judges' bench.

"The trial may begin."

The young man's name was Berlin. Upon hearing the order, he bowed respectfully to Ragan before stepping forward.

"The trial is now officially in session!"

Everyone took a deep breath and straightened in their seats. Even Aldric and Adalen wore serious expressions.

Cedric had always been their greatest rival in the battle for the throne. His downfall was a reminder that the same fate could one day befall them.

For that reason, neither of them dared take this trial lightly.

Berlin spoke once more.

"The prosecutor and the defendant, please enter the courtroom."

Immediately, everyone's attention shifted to the courtroom entrance.

Cedric entered with Roswell at his side. A few meters away from them walked another man.

He wore a stern expression and had a tall, slightly muscular build. His name was Magus, a representative of the Phantom Guard who had arrested Cedric and Jakes.

The moment they saw Magus standing beside Cedric and Roswell, several people's expressions changed.

They had expected the anonymous informant who reported Cedric to appear in court. Instead, it was Magus.

A moment later, they quickly understood what was happening.

Since the accuser had chosen to remain anonymous, the Phantom Guard had taken their place in the trial.

"Tsk! The mastermind is truly cunning."

A count from the eastern region let out a quiet chuckle.

The others nodded in agreement. Such tactics were neither rare nor unfamiliar.

Many people had used the same approach before. The only difference was that this time, the target was Cedric, the Empire's second prince. That alone made the case unprecedented.

Cedric and Roswell walked side by side, while Magus kept pace a short distance away.

As they made their way through the courtroom, Cedric could feel the strange stares, sneers, and mocking gazes directed at him from every direction.

Even so, his expression remained calm and indifferent, as though none of it mattered to him.

"Pfft! Cedric's really in a sorry state this time." Adalen couldn't hold back his laughter. "He's lost all the fire and confidence he used to have. Poor guy."

He let out a soft sigh. But there was no pity in his eyes—only barely concealed mockery.

Aldric and Elina remained silent. Even so, they agreed with his words. The Cedric they knew had always carried himself with unwavering confidence.

Unfortunately, he now looked like a completely different person.

"Sister, do you think Father will punish Brother Cedric?" Eliza asked Seira.

Seira didn't answer immediately. She looked at Cedric, who was standing not far from Ragan and the judges, before shifting her gaze to Roswell.

"I don't think so. He'll get off scot-free, but he'll have to pay a price for it."

Her vague answer left Eliza confused. She didn't understand what Seira meant.

Even so, the words "He'll get off scot-free" led her to one conclusion—Cedric wouldn't receive a severe punishment from their father.

Cedric, Roswell, and Magus bowed to Ragan.

Ragan simply gave a slight nod.

"Go ahead. Present your defense," he said indifferently.

Magus stepped forward first. He clasped his hands before looking at Cedric, who stood beside him.

"Your Majesty, Prince Cedric has been proven guilty. He collaborated with Jakes, a criminal involved in numerous illegal operations, including the slave trade. I will now present the evidence."

He clapped his hands once.

A middle-aged man standing among the noble family leaders stepped forward, carrying a document.

He handed it to Berlin, who then passed it to Ragan and the two senior judges.

Ragan opened the document and began reading it.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Everyone felt as though an invisible hand were gripping their hearts.

Second after second passed before Ragan finally closed the document and took a deep breath.

"Read it aloud."

The senior judge to his right took the document, rose to his feet, and began reading in a loud, clear voice.

"Jakes was a well-known businessman from the northern region. His crimes are truly horrific and despicable. He was involved in seven large-scale illegal operations, including prostitution and the slave trade. He established a headquarters in the northern region, where many young women, girls, and children were held captive before being trafficked to foreign kingdoms."

Disgust spread across the courtroom.

No one could imagine how anyone could be so heartless as to sell their fellow human beings into slavery.

Jakes deserved to die in the cruelest way possible.

"And Jakes was one of Prince Cedric's main supporters in the battle for the throne."

The senior judge cast Cedric a meaningful glance.

"During a meeting between Prince Cedric and Jakes in the VIP room of the Mermaid's Tears Restaurant in the northern region, Jakes asked Prince Cedric to provide his signature. That signature would be used as collateral so his business could expand into the eastern region. On the surface, the business was the opening of the first Mermaid's Tears Restaurant branch there. However, that was only a cover."

He took a deep breath to suppress his disgust before continuing.

"The real business was the slave trade. Their targets were the young women and children of the eastern region."

Boom!

Everyone felt as though their minds had gone blank.

Although most of those in the courtroom already knew about Jakes' crimes, hearing the details firsthand still shocked them.

Duke Austin's face flushed with rage.

"Damn it!" he growled, slamming his fist against his thigh. "How dare Jakes commit such a crime? And he even targeted my people?"

He turned to Duke Ashvale, who was seated beside him, and glared at him.

"Duke Ashvale, I demand an explanation!"

Duke Ashvale turned pale. He didn't dare meet Duke Austin's rage-filled gaze.

Duke Valcrest immediately stepped in to calm Duke Austin down.

"Don't get angry just yet. The trial is still in session."

Duke Austin took a deep breath to compose himself, though it wasn't easy.

The senior judge closed the document and sat back down.

Ragan had remained silent the entire time. However, his silence only made the atmosphere even heavier.

His cold, crimson eyes rested on Cedric without a trace of emotion.

"Present your defense."