“This is an act of unthinkable audacity, Lord Protector Kessler!” Lord Protector Ashcroft bellowed. “No noble has been sentenced to death in over two centuries! A single noble life outweighs a thousand mere human lives!”

His words ignited a fire in my chest, but this time I bit my tongue. I had learned that silence was often the best shield for survival.

“You’ve already stripped us of our wealth and titles. Is that not punishment enough? Must we now surrender our ...