“Viscount Zehrfeld’s actions in Anheim are strongly indicative of anomalies. I insist that he be properly be investigated.”
“I am aware.”
A few days after Werner’s letter had been delivered to Ingo, a meeting was held before the king. A viscount who served as the office chief of the Ministry of Justice spent an exorbitant amount of time making this case to the king and crown prince, since a group from Anheim’s commune had delivered a bill of indictment to the capital.
There were two particular points this noble found issue with. One was that men connected to the commune had been punished without proper trial, and the other was that Werner had hired a foreign agent to work under him without seeking proper permissions. However, the chancellor and king had the man stand down without offering any direct words.
“I still believe that the actions of Viscount Zehrfeld are too heavy-handed
“Perhaps they are heavy-handed, but as deputy, that is his prerogative. There is no issue in forestalling this matter’s resolution until we have received a report from the deputy himself.”
Another noble had tried to criticize Werner, but Audenrieth, Minister of Domestic Affairs, shut him down. It was true that the deputy had the authority to carry out judgments himself using the authority awarded to him by his title should he judge the issue too urgent to wait for trial. While it was rare for a deputy to exercise that privilege, nothing was strange about his actions, given he was dealing with men who conspired with bandits.
“Even had judgment not been carried out by the commune, it is within the deputy’s judicial authority. There are no problems at this time. Next.”
With the king reaching that conclusion, they moved onto the next matter of discussion. One noble who had chosen to participate in this meeting raised his hand with a cry. “Lord Chancellor, my apologies, but I have something to say!”
“What is it, Count Gahmlich?” asked Falkenstein, all the while thinking to himself, Ah, here it comes. Just as we predicted.
“I do not believe Viscount Zehrfeld is fit to serve as deputy count in Anheim.”
“Why is that?
Gahmlich turned to the king and crown prince, gauging their reactions. They said nothing, and the count confidently retrieved a letter from his breast pocket. “Please review this letter. It is addressed from the viscount to his father, yet it is filled with his want for money and alcohol and complaints about his maids. Its contents are truly deplorable! I do not believe he is befitting the title of viscount, much less deputy!”
“I understand your opinion, but first, let us read the letter.” One of the vassals who had until then been waiting beside the wall approached Gahmlich, took the letter, and delivered it to Falkenstein as if he had been lying in wait for this moment. He quietly read over its contents before presenting it to the king. Knowing its contents, the king read it in silence, and seeing that he was done, Falkenstein asked a follow up question. “How did you come into possession of this letter?”
“While slaying bandits in my own domain, this letter was discovered amongst the items surviving a messenger from Anheim,” Gahmlich proclaimed, brimming with self-satisfaction.
“Lord Zehrfeld.” Falkenstein had the letter passed on to Count Zehrfeld.
Ingo looked over it before responding coldly. “While the handwriting may be similar, this is a fake.”
“Huh?!”
Gahmlich went pale and clearly had something more to say, but before he had the chance, Ingo responded calmly. “Unfortunately, I, Minister of Ceremonies Ingo Fathi Zehrfeld, have not educated my son so poorly as to deliver letters stained with meat juices and wine.”
With that proud declaration and glance from Ingo, Gahmlich was lost for words. The other nobles nodded along. Over the years, Ingo had earned their trust. His response and demeanor were enough to convince the nobles who were less well-versed in such matters that it was preposterous to think he would rear his heir so poorly.
With nothing more to say, Ingo silently handed the letter to the king. After watching the letter pass from the king’s hands to the crown prince’s, Minister of Domestic Affairs Audenrieth spoke.
“I hear that your son is an honor student at the academy. I doubt he would send such a tarnished letter even to family.”
“B-but rumors that he squanders gold and acts like a hedonist spread even here in the capital. I wonder if his reputation as an honor student is truly…”
“The royal family has eyes in the academy. The viscount has proven his worth there,” said Hubertus, speaking to Gahmlich. His eyes were still lowered to the “fake” letter as he continued. “I too have read plans and reports submitted by the viscount. None were in such deplorable condition. I cannot believe that he would send such a letter, even if it was meant only for his family’s eyes.”
With that, he submitted the letter to one of his servants and commanded it be removed from the meeting room. Count Gahmlich, his evidence thus dismissed, bore a frantic expression as the king then began to speak.
“Viscount Zehrfeld has acquired a position of honor despite his young age. I am sure some resent him for it. Count Gahmlich?”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty?”
“This matter shall be discussed no further. Do you have any objections?”
“N-no, Your Majesty.” Even if he did object, it would be difficult to say as much after all that had happened. His evidence was already out of his hands. For a mere moment, his expression soured, and then, he was silent. The court moved on to their next matter of business.
Once decisions had been reached on multiple issues and the king announced that this meeting had come to a close, most nobles were quick to leave the room. With the return of the Demon Lord, monsters had become much more active both at home and abroad, causing no end of trouble for the nobility and the kingdom at large. It created business for upstanding nobles and civil servants that would not come to an immediate close. They had little time to investigate what the crown or other noble houses were up to themselves, and some instead created factions or used their servants to gather intel. While a few nobles remained seated, once they had grasped the situation, they returned to their offices.