The casual admission shocked me more than denial would have.
"You're not even going to try to deny it?" I asked.
"Why would I? You clearly have evidence or you wouldn't be here." King Aldric stood slowly, looking at each of us. "Though I am curious how you figured it out."
"Master Finn's papers. Your secretary's testimony. Financial records showing payments to conspirators." Kael's voice was controlled but I could hear the pain underneath. "Why? Why do all of this? Why hurt so many people?"
"Because chaos is easier to control than order. Because keeping everyone fighting each other means no one fights me." He moved to pour himself wine like we were having casual conversation instead of confrontation. "Surely you understand. You've benefited from my methods. The throne you sit on exists because I eliminated everyone who might have challenged it."
"You murdered my mother."
