Lawyer Sterling: The legal documents state that the council can appoint a regent manager.
Queen Eleanor: My son is seventeen years old! He turns eighteen next week!
Lawyer Sterling: Until next week, the estate papers permit emergency oversight.
The private study was filled with piles of legal files, property deeds, and financial audits. Duke Thomas stood near the fireplace with a smug smile across his face.
Duke Thomas: We are simply protecting the kingdom's assets from youthful errors.
King Julian: You are trying to steal control of the royal military budget.
Duke Thomas: A necessary precaution during uncertain economic times.
Clara stepped forward, holding a thick folder bound in blue leather that she pulled from the desk drawer. She threw it directly onto the polished mahogany table in front of Lawyer Sterling.
Clara: Read page forty-two of the original foundation charter, Mr. Sterling.
Lawyer Sterling: What is this document?
Clara: The original estate agreement signed by Julian's father before his passing.
Duke Thomas: That old paper was invalidated three years ago!
Clara: It was never invalidated because it contained a self-executing trust clause.
Lawyer Sterling adjusted his glasses and quickly scanned through the fine print on the yellowed parchment. His confident posture instantly collapsed as his eyes moved across the bottom lines.
Lawyer Sterling: She is correct, Duke Thomas.
Duke Thomas: What are you talking about, Sterling?
Lawyer Sterling: The former king transferred full emergency authority to Queen Eleanor and Clara jointly.
Queen Eleanor: Which means your council resolution is completely void.
King Julian: You thought you could trick a boy who was busy studying history books.
Clara: But you forgot that his bride was studying the law books right beside him.
Duke Thomas took a step back, his face turning pale as he realized his political ambush had failed completely. The guards stepped forward, standing firmly between Thomas and the royal family.
King Julian: You are relieved of your duties on the council, Thomas.
Duke Thomas: You cannot banish me without a formal trial!
King Julian: A lawsuit will be filed tomorrow morning for attempted fraud against the crown.
Duke Thomas: This is an outrage!
King Julian: Escort Duke Thomas out of the palace gates immediately.
The guards gripped Thomas by the arms and led him away through the heavy double doors. The room fell silent as the threat that had loomed over them for years finally dissolved.
Queen Eleanor: Clara, you saved us all today.
Clara: We saved each other, Eleanor.
Julian looked at Clara with deep admiration and affection. The young girl who had once offered him a pastry was now a fierce protector of his reign.
King Julian: Next week, I take full power as King.
Clara: And you will be the greatest leader this nation has ever known.
King Julian: I cannot do it alone, Clara.
Clara: You will never have to.
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