Three Days Later – Imperial Court, Solvaris Empire
The Imperial Court was a cauldron of whispers and sharp glances, its marble walls gleaming under the golden chandeliers.
Crimson banners swayed faintly, stirred by an unseen breeze. The air was thick with tension, nobles packed into the galleries, their ornate robes rustling as they leaned forward, eager for the spectacle.
Reth stood two steps behind Princess Asthia, his hand resting lightly on the runed hilt of his sword.
[Location: Imperial Court – Central Chamber]
[Threat Perception Lv. 0.7 – Passive Scan: High Hostile Intent]
[Loyalty Sync: 16%]
[Side Quest Progress: Survive 7 Days – 2 Days Remaining]
[EXP: 37 / 200]
Asthia sat on her designated seat, the Ninth Flame's throne of polished obsidian, her posture relaxed but commanding.
Her silver hair was bound in an intricate braid, gold threads woven through it, catching the firelight. Her red eyes scanned the room with calm precision, missing nothing.
At the center of the chamber, a woman stood in chains. Tall, striking, with long black hair cascading in glossy waves down her back, she carried herself with a mature, unyielding grace despite the iron binding her wrists.
Her dark emerald robes, though slightly torn, marked her as a noble of significant standing. Her eyes, a deep hazel, burned with defiance as she faced the court.
A robed priest stepped forward, his voice echoing as he unrolled a scroll. "Lady Seris of House Thalren, you stand accused of conspiring with the Rebels, aiding their efforts to undermine the Solvaris Empire. Evidence includes intercepted letters and testimony from captured insurgents. How do you plead?"
Lady Seris's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "I plead nothing. Your 'evidence' is a farce, woven by cowards who fear truth more than rebellion."
Murmurs erupted. A few nobles shifted uncomfortably; others smirked, savoring the drama.
The priest's expression didn't change. "Your defiance is noted. The Central Authority will now hear arguments."
Asthia leaned forward slightly, her fingers tapping once on the arm of her throne. Reth caught the motion—small, deliberate. She was thinking, calculating. Her red eyes flicked to Lady Seris, then to the crowd, reading the room like a chessboard.
A noble in blue robes rose, his voice oily and practiced. "Princess Asthia, as a Flame of the empire, your judgment is trusted. Yet House Thalren's influence is vast—trade routes, merchant fleets. If Lady Seris is guilty, her house falls with her. Surely such a weighty matter demands a public trial, not a swift execution."
Another noble, a woman in gold, stood. "Agreed. House Thalren's loyalty has never wavered. These accusations smell of political maneuvering. Perhaps the Ninth Flame seeks to weaken a rival?"
Asthia's smile was cold, sharp as a blade. "Careful, Lady Veyra. Accusing a Flame of scheming is a bold move for someone whose house barely clings to Tier 2 status."
The woman in gold flushed but sat down, silenced. The crowd's whispers grew louder.
Asthia's gaze returned to Lady Seris, studying her. The chained noble met her eyes without flinching, a silent challenge passing between them.
The priest raised a hand for silence. "Princess Asthia, as a member of the imperial bloodline, your counsel is sought. What is your judgment on Lady Seris's fate?"
Asthia stood, her robes shimmering as she moved. Every eye in the court followed her. She paced slowly toward the center, stopping a few feet from Lady Seris. The air seemed to tighten, the nobles holding their breath.
"Lady Seris," Asthia said, her voice clear and deliberate. "Your house is powerful, your name respected. Yet here you stand, accused of treason. Your defiance suggests either innocence… or arrogance. Which is it?"
Seris's eyes narrowed, but her voice was steady. "I serve the empire, not its paranoia. If you seek truth, look beyond your scrolls and spies."
Asthia tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Bold words for a woman in chains," Asthia said. "But words alone prove nothing." She turned to the priest. "A public trial risks turning this into a spectacle for rebels to exploit. House Thalren's influence makes transparency dangerous—it could embolden dissent. I propose a different solution."
The court leaned forward, hanging on her words.
Asthia's gaze swept the room, then settled on the priest. "Place Lady Seris in my custody. I will extract the truth—whether she's guilty or framed. If she's innocent, House Thalren remains untouched. If she's guilty…" Asthia's smile sharpened. "I'll ensure her punishment fits the crime."
The priest hesitated, glancing at the other nobles. A few whispered, but none dared object openly. The weight of Asthia's title—and her reputation—silenced them.
"Very well," the priest said, rolling up his scroll. "Lady Seris is remanded to the custody of Princess Asthia, Ninth Flame of Solvaris. The court will reconvene in seven days to hear the findings."
Lady Seris's expression didn't change, but her eyes locked onto Asthia's, a mix of wariness and curiosity. Asthia met her gaze, unflinching, then turned to leave the platform. "Reth," she said softly, "escort Lady Seris to the Serpent Wing."
[New Command: Escort Lady Seris to the Serpent Wing]
[Objective: Ensure Safe Transport. Remain Silent.]
[Reward: 15 EXP]
[Failure: Punishment Trigger]
Reth stepped forward, his presence drawing eyes from the crowd.
Lady Seris glanced at him, her expression unreadable, then moved as the guards unlocked her chains from the floor, leaving only the wrist bindings.
She walked with the same grace as Asthia, her black hair swaying like a dark river.
The court parted as they exited, nobles whispering behind jeweled hands. Reth's Threat Perception skill pinged faintly, picking up subtle hostility—not from Seris, but from the crowd.
Eyes lingered on him, the "thrall" who'd killed a Virex heir and now walked beside another high noble.
[Threat Perception Lv. 0.8 – Hostile Intent: Low but Persistent]
The walk to the Serpent Wing was silent. Asthia led, her steps measured, while Seris followed, her head high despite the chains. Reth stayed two steps behind, scanning the corridors. The snake carvings along the walls seemed to watch them, their stone eyes glinting in the torchlight.
At the Serpent Wing, Asthia stopped before a reinforced door—a chamber clearly designed for high-value prisoners. She gestured to the guards. "Secure her inside. I'll speak with her tomorrow."
The guards nodded, guiding Seris into the chamber. She paused at the threshold, glancing back at Asthia. "You think you'll break me, Princess?"
Asthia's smile was almost gentle. "I don't need to break you, Seris. I just need the truth."
The door closed with a heavy thud. Asthia turned to Reth. "You're dismissed for now. Rest. Tomorrow, you'll stand guard during my… conversation with her."
[Command Fulfilled: Escort Complete]
[EXP Gained: +15]
[Current EXP: 67 / 200]
[Loyalty Sync: 18%]
[Side Quest Progress: Survive 7 Days – 2 Days Remaining]