"Your Highness," Elysia's father called, "spare them. They are but children, youthful and innocent but reckless. Whatever offense has been made… punish us instead!"
Edwin's father's voice joined him. "Yes, my lord! Let your wrath fall upon me, not upon my son! I beg of you—release them!"
All eyes turned to the Celestial Royal, the sovereign who needed only a finger to summon destruction.
He had not moved. He sat upon his throne of gilded ivory, high above the arena, one hand resting lazily upon the armrest as though none of this chaos mattered.
And slowly—so slowly—the Celestial Royal rose to his feet.
"Your Majesty," Elysia's father spoke again.
He stepped forward, hands pressed tightly together in a desperate bow.
"I beg you—release them! They are but children! If there is doubt, then let the truth be sought through fair investigation. But this… this punishment… it is unjust!"
