Daylight poured through arched windows in the Great Hall, spotlighting vaulted ceilings and polished marble floors. King Aldricus sat on the throne, regal and grave. To his right stood Crown Prince Corvex—shoulder stiff, eyes sharp. Facing them were Selene, Aro, and Iris.
A hush fell as the trio stepped forward. All eyes fixed on Selene—towering portraits of past rulers lining the walls seemed to lean forward too, eager for drama.
Selene's voice was calm but clear.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness—this court has tolerated secrets long enough. This"—she held out the crown-prince pin and forged documents—"is proof Corvex manipulated my place here. He almost had me removed… and worse."
Corvex's eyes narrowed, nostrils flared.
"Manipulated? Removed? Preposterous." He gestured dismissively.
"I merely—" he paused, searching the King's eyes, "—affected exam results to protect stability."
Iris stepped forward, tone unwavering.
"Your Highness, we nearly lost her. We have evidence—Mr. Morven—"
Corvex cut her off.
"Morven acted alone. He was loyal—too loyal."
Aro's voice, low and steady, echoed.
"And you allowed it. Did you not know? Or did you even encourage it?"
Silence. Corvex's jaw tightened.
King Aldricus leaned forward.
"Tell me the truth, Corvex."
The Prince raised his chin.
"I—Yes. I did. Stability must outweigh sentiment. This… Selene…" he spat the name, "...is unpredictable. Could topple this kingdom because of sentiment, not duty."
Selene's gaze bore into him.
"Sentiment keeps kingdoms humane, not fragile. You forgot that, brother."
The court murmured. The King's eyes flicked between them, caught in a storm of royal legacy and moral reckoning.
He sighed.
"I will not be party to regicide disguised as protection—or a throne stolen by fear." His eyes softened.
"Corvex… Swear that you will cease this and stand by your brother—or face exile."
Corvex's lip curled, flush rising. He spat the words: "So be it."
Selene's shoulders relaxed slightly, her eyes never leaving his.
A hush settled. A truce of sorts was struck—but nothing was solved.
In the gallery above, a soft sigh sounded as if the walls themselves exhaled, and the Fox-Rune above the throne flickered—quietly pulsing with ancient, watchful energy.