Death was the punishment for treason. “That’s ridiculous,” Bitterblue hissed. “I would never let the High Court condemn Saf to death for stealing a crown.” “For treason, you mean, Lady Queen,” said Helda. “And you know as well as I do that even your own rulings may be overturned by a unanimous vote from your judges.” Yes. It was another of Ror’s funny provisions, this one to put a check on the monarch’s absolute power. “I’ll replace my judges,” she said. “I’ll make you a judge.” “A person Middluns-born cannot be a judge on the Monsean High Court, Lady Queen. I don’t need to tell you that the
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Limits to absolute power meant to prevent cronyism. I think royal pardons are typical in real-world limited monarchies?