Corvin rose with steady purpose.
"The Crown calls Elder Scott Norrin."
The elder stepped forward, bowed once, and took his place.
Corvin waited for him to be seated and then spoke.
"State your name and position."
"Elder Scott Norrin. Steward to Princess Meredith Ashbane during her stay in Shadowclaw."
Corvin nodded. "Elder, did you witness or overhear conduct by the Princess relevant to this case?"
Norrin's jaw tightened. "Yes. I was steward of the Princess Meredith Ashbane during her stay here. I heard an incident through the door and walked in while it was happening."
He folded his hands behind his back, his jaw tightening slightly.
"I heard her say, 'I wonder if she screamed when my mother opened her throat.' She called Nova a whore—like her mother. Multiple times…foul language for a princess. And I heard her shove someone into the wall."
A ripple moved through the room.
Corvin kept on. "Did she attempt contact with Nova afterward?"
"No. Nova was kept out of her sight. The Princess was assigned ten omegas with no ties to her. I arranged that myself."
Corvin gave a single firm nod. "Entered into record."
He stepped back.
"No further questions."
Jax didn't bother with formality.
"Vaelor. Cross."
Eldric stepped forward like he'd already won.
"Elder Norrin, let's not dance around it. You heard more than what you just gave the Crown, didn't you?"
Norrin stiffened.
"…Yes. Things I'd rather not repeat."
Eldric gave a humorless smile.
"That's the thing about rot, Elder. If you don't name it, it spreads. So—what else did she say?"
Norrin took a breath.
"She said, 'I wonder if she screamed when my mother opened her throat.' Called her a whore like her mother. Over and over. And I heard someone hit the wall."
Eldric didn't blink. "There was more."
Norrin rubbed the back of his neck, eyes lowering.
"She said she hoped Nova was raped by every warrior here and died a painful death. Then I heard a hard crack—someone hit the floor. When I went in, Nova was the one bleeding."
The room went icy.
Norrin swallowed.
"The Princess ordered me to remove Nova and Elle. I reassigned her attendants after that."
Eldric nodded once, sharp.
"There it is. Full truth on the record."
He didn't let the silence settle.
"Elder Norrin, as steward, you tracked the princess's movements. Correct?"
"Yes. I managed her schedule and her escorts. Her whereabouts were to be accounted for at all times."
"Then let's talk about the times she wasn't accounted for. Any unexplained departures?"
Norrin hesitated and that was all Eldric needed.
"…Three. That I can confirm."
Whispers broke out. Jax cut them down with a single crack of the gavel. Norrin continued, voice tighter now.
"All after nightfall. One a week before the Helga–Nova incident. One before the poisoning. And the last…" He swallowed. "The day Alpha Shadowclaw shifted with Nova in the courtyard, and they were attacked."
The room reacted instantly.
Fin's knuckles went bone-white.
Eldric didn't even turn.
"You're saying she saw it."
"Yes. Her tea was always at that window. She would have watched it. She was… upset."
"And she left right after?"
"Yes."
"Where did she go?"
"Into the woods beyond the boundary wall. She met a hooded figure. Same one all three times. Cloak was dark. Voice distorted. I couldn't identify them. But the scent was the same."
A ripple of unease moved through the gallery.
"You didn't report it?"
"She was about to be Luna. I thought it wasn't my place. I assumed it was a private contact."
Eldric tilted his head with his signature 'that excuse won't save you' gesture.
"And now?"
Norrin exhaled shakily.
"Now I see the timing. The attack. The poisoning. Everything lines up. Too perfectly."
Eldric pressed once more. "Did she meet with anyone else regularly?"
"Yes. A few. But one more than the rest at the start. Helga Emberhide."
Silence detonated across the room.
Eldric didn't savor it. He turned toward the dais in one smooth motion.
"I'm done."
Jax leaned forward, elbows braced on the dais, voice low and commanding.
"Record the testimony as given."
His gaze cut to both tables, sharp as a blade.
"This witness can be recalled by either side. Court recess. Ten minutes."