POV: Kaelis Drayden
Timeline: One week after returning to Arventis
Location: Arventis Royal Court
---
The trial begins at dawn.
I insisted on it.
I wanted the symbolism.
New day.
New beginning.
New justice.
The throne room is packed—nobles, courtiers, servants. Everyone who wants to witness the fall of those who helped Isolde.
I sit on the throne.
My father's throne.
My real father's throne.
It feels wrong.
Too big.
Too heavy.
But I don't let it show.
"Bring in the accused," I command.
The doors open.
Seven nobles enter in chains. Lord Torren leads them—the oldest, the most complicit.
They look smaller than I remember. Less powerful. Just… people.
People who made terrible choices.
"You stand accused," I begin, my voice echoing through the vast chamber,
"of conspiracy to commit murder. Of treason against the crown. Of twenty-two years of lies and complicity in Queen Isolde's crimes."
"Your Majesty—" Lord Torren starts.
"You will have your chance to speak," I interrupt.
"Each of you. I will hear everything. Every confession. Every justification. Every plea."
I lean forward.
"And then I will pass judgment."
Silence.
"Lord Torren. You first. Tell me everything."
He swallows hard. Looks at the crowd. Then back at me.
"It started twenty-three years ago," he says.
"Queen Seraphina was pregnant. With twins. The prophecy activated—bleeding stars, magical surge, all of it. King Aldric was overjoyed. But Isolde…"
"What about Isolde?"
"She was Royal Advisor then. Brilliant. Ruthless. Ambitious."
He pauses.
"She said the prophecy was too dangerous. That twin princes with that much power would destroy the kingdom. That we needed to… intervene."
"Intervene," I repeat coldly. "You mean murder."
"I said no!" His voice cracks.
"She threatened my son. His illegal dealings. Execution. She said if I helped her, she'd protect him."
"So you chose your son over your Queen."
"Yes," he says simply. "I chose my son."
I believe him.
And somehow that hurts more.
"Continue."
"The night the twins were born, Isolde poisoned Queen Seraphina's wine. Made it look like childbirth complications. Then she took one baby—the younger twin—and ordered a servant to abandon him in the Night Forest."
Kieran.
"Who was the servant?"
"Dead," Torren says quietly. "Isolde killed her three days later."
"Of course she did."
"And King Aldric?"
"He suspected. Found proof five years ago. Was going to expose everything."
Torren's voice drops.
"She poisoned him too. Slowly."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I demand.
"You loved her," he says. "We thought maybe… it was better you never knew."
"Better?!" I'm on my feet.
"She murdered my parents and threw my brother away like garbage!"
"I was wrong!" Torren sobs.
"I deserve whatever punishment you give me."
I shake with rage and grief.
But vengeance isn't justice.
"Sit down, Lord Torren."
He obeys.
I turn to the next noble.
"Lady Maris. Your turn."
---
Four hours later, I've heard everything.
Confessions. Justifications. Pleas.
Some were coerced.
Some ambitious.
One—Lord Kaine—believed eliminating one twin was right.
They aren't monsters.
They're human.
Which makes it worse.
"I've heard enough," I say. "And now I will pass judgment."
The room leans forward.
"Lord Torren. Lady Maris. Lord Heston. Duchess Vara. Count Mathis."
They look up.
"You were coerced. Your crimes are real. Your guilt is real. But your circumstances are… understandable."
Hope flickers.
"You are stripped of your titles. Your lands are forfeit. You will serve five years as common citizens in the territories you exploited."
"You will live."
Relief crashes over them.
"If you betray the crown again," I add coldly,
"this mercy will not be repeated."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I turn to the remaining two.
"Lord Kaine. Baroness Selene."
"You chose this. Willingly."
"No explanations," I cut them off.
"You are guilty of treason. The penalty is death."
They pale.
"However," I continue,
"I am not Queen Isolde."
"You are sentenced to life imprisonment in the black cells. You will live—with the weight of what you've done."
Lord Kaine looks sick.
Good.
"Take them away."
Chains rattle. Whispers explode.
I sit again.
"This trial is concluded," I announce.
"Arventis chose truth over lies. Justice over vengeance. Mercy over cruelty."
"Court is dismissed."
---
Two hours later, I'm alone.
I sit on the steps below the throne.
I'm exhausted.
My mother—poisoned.
My father—murdered slowly.
My brother—abandoned to die.
Me—raised by their killer.
I should scream.
But I'm empty.
"You handled that well."
Nyx stands in the doorway.
"How long?"
"The whole time." He sits beside me.
"You needed company."
"I thought gods couldn't linger."
"I made time." He puts an arm around me.
"You're worth it."
"Did I do the right thing?"
"Yes."
"It doesn't feel good."
"Good," he says gently.
"That means you're a king—not a tyrant."
---
"I need to visit her grave," I say.
"I'll come."
---
The royal cemetery is peaceful.
White marble. Flowering trees.
Queen Seraphina's tomb.
Beloved Wife. Devoted Mother.
"She loved you," Nyx whispers. "The water remembers."
I kneel.
"I found him," I sob.
"Your other son. He's alive."
The wind stirs.
"I'll make this right," I promise.
"You won't do it alone," Nyx says.
"You and Kieran. Together."
"Together."
We walk back hand in hand.
I'm not healed.
But I'm lighter.
"What happens next?" Nyx asks.
"Next," I say, voice hard as steel,
"we find Isolde."
"And we end this. Once and for all."