[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/clIHoiY.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3wGoS7n.png[/img][/center] [color=DDB775]Time:[/color] Evening [color=a187be]Location:[/color] The Castle Dining Hall [color=DDB775]Interaction/Mention:[/color] [@CitrusArms] Stratya [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@Oso] Killian [@Tae] Torvi [hr] [center][color=ab274f]“You see, it was my very mother who showed me magic."[/color] [i][sub][color=#DDB775]W[/color][color=#D9B478]h[/color][color=#D6B17C]a[/color][color=#D3AF80]t[/color] [color=#CDAA88]h[/color][color=#CAA78C]a[/color][color=#C6A58F]v[/color][color=#C3A293]e[/color] [color=#BD9D9B]y[/color][color=#BA9B9F]o[/color][color=#B798A3]u[/color] [color=#B093AA]d[/color][color=#AD91AE]o[/color][color=#AA8EB2]n[/color][color=#A78CB6]e[/color][color=#A489BA]?[/color][/sub][/i][/center] A stunned silence strangled the banquet hall in an instant. Servants froze mid-motion, goblets stilled mid-air, and the room seemed suspended in time as eyes widened, mouths parted in mute disbelief. Nobles glanced at one another, shifting nervously, their gazes flickering rapidly from Wulfric to Alibeth. Accusing stares stabbed at the queen from every angle, each carrying judgment, horror, or cold fascination. Meanwhile, the words had hit the queen as if a sword had struck her, though outwardly she was still. Her pulse quickened, and her thoughts raced like an internal storm. Wulfric’s hands on her shoulders felt suddenly cold and alien, not the reassuring gesture of a son but the calculated maneuver of a strategist. [i][color=a187be]Why? [/color][/i] She wrestled silently with the question, her sharp mind piecing together potential motives as the ramifications spiraled out in every direction. Her breath quickened as the magnitude of her son’s words pressed upon her, realization pooling dark and heavy in her stomach. Did Wulfric not realize the severity of his accusation, or was he intentionally orchestrating this betrayal? Had he planned it all along, or had some recent revelation changed his course? Did he understand that the kingdom would not just question her, but [i]all of them?[/i] Doubt was truly the most dangerous spell one could cast. Beneath her hard exterior, a painful sense of loss and confusion unfurled. Alibeth had always prided herself on her intellect, her ability to read and anticipate the court’s moves. Yet she had been blindsided by her own son. That he would do this publicly, without warning or discussion, was as strategically brilliant as it was personally devastating. Whatever his intent, she quickly realized the full extent of the damage. Her careful efforts over the years had just been shattered with a single strike. In the oppressive silence that had fallen over the banquet hall, Alibeth saw no benefit in protest or argument. Wulfric had already ensured that any defense she offered would be viewed with suspicion or dismissed outright. Her keen intellect grasped this harsh truth instantly; fighting the inevitable would only further damage Wulfric’s future reign and fuel rumors of division within the royal family. So, with a quiet dignity, Alibeth let her initial shock and confusion fade into a stoic acceptance. She would bear this burden quietly, as a final, bitter act of duty to the kingdom. Edin, however, was another matter entirely. The king had been sobered to say the least, his eyes widened in denial. Wulfric would never do this, right? He couldn’t think of a solid good reason why the Wulfric he knew would have seen reason in such an insane notion. His hand clenched around his goblet, knuckles whitening. As the reality began to set in, anger had surged upward violently, hot and suffocating. How dare Wulfric endanger them? Surely he could reason his way out of this? Could he minimize it? But no. The severity was clear. The law was unambiguous. And the kingdom’s eyes were upon him. Then Stratya's voice rose, her thick accent making it difficult for Edin to immediately grasp the full extent of her argument. Confusion flickered across Edin’s face as he tried to decipher her speech, catching only fragments of her logic. [color=peru]“...tha’d make ye terrn yer blade on y’ kin… Changed t’ colour of a table cloth?”[/color] As Stratya continued, trying to downplay Alibeth’s spell as trivial, Edin finally pieced together her meaning. His eyes narrowed slightly in disbelief. Was she truly sympathizing with magic publicly? Around the hall, Edin could see other nobles mirroring his confusion and distaste. [i][color=DDB775]Foolish, this is why I insist on not hiring women,[/color] [/i] Edin thought sharply, her misguided attempt only reinforcing the gravity of Wulfric’s accusation. He longed to reprimand her openly, to remind her harshly of their divine laws, but time was fleeting, and his thoughts rapidly returned to the monumental decision he faced. Every gaze was fixed on him, waiting to see his reaction. In the oppressive silence, a vision of his father, King George, materialized, standing rigidly in the periphery of Edin’s mind. George’s dark, judgmental eyes burned into him. His gut twisted, nausea surging in tandem with a lifetime of painful memories. In that moment, the truth crashed down upon him like a wave: the disgrace Wulfric had laid bare before the court could taint not just Alibeth but his entire reign. Shame flooded through him, driving out all hesitation. Edin knew, then, what must be done. His gaze slowly found Alibeth, whose expression held quiet, pained disbelief. A lifetime of control snapped back into place. The king straightened, tension stiffening his posture as he carefully composed his expression, burying his turmoil beneath a mask of stern authority. The weight of every gaze rested upon him, expectant, judgmental, waiting for his verdict. Edin finally rose from his seat, his jaw set like stone. [color=DDB775]“Magic,” [/color]he began coldly, voice resonating with unyielding conviction, [color=DDB775]“is an affront against the gods themselves. Its foul nature corrupts not merely those who wield it, but threatens the very sanctity of our kingdom and the purity of the divine bloodline bestowed upon House Danrose.” [/color] Rising abruptly from his seat, Edin slammed his hand down upon the table, the sharp noise silencing any whispers. He turned his piercing gaze upon Alibeth, allowing righteous indignation to flood his voice. [color=DDB775]"You have defiled not only your position as Queen but the sacred name of Danrose itself. To wield magic—[i]to even entertain its use[/i]—is heresy of the highest order."[/color] He swung his gaze over the gathered nobility, voice raised, commanding authority. [color=DDB775]"This betrayal will be met with swift justice. We cannot, and we will not, tolerate such corruption within the very heart of our kingdom."[/color] Turning to the guards, he gestured sharply towards Alibeth. [color=DDB775][i]"Arrest her. [/i] Escort Her Majesty into confinement. She shall await judgment by tribunal of the Church. “[/color] Alibeth rose quietly, accepting her fate without protest. Her dignity never wavered even as she moved away, escorted by guards through a room filled with stunned silence and accusing stares. As she was quietly taken into custody, Edin stood rigid, his jaw set with grim determination, his public face perfectly crafted to project unwavering resolve and loyalty to the kingdom’s sacred traditions. Inside, however, lingered an uncomfortable truth he would not dare acknowledge that the betrayal he most keenly felt was his own inability to foresee any of this. After a sigh, he added, knowing he would have to address Wulfric's statement in order to defend the use of these hunters, [color=DDB775] “The servant in custody unlawfully used magic to tamper with the drinks of nobles and royalty, even their own master. An act of magical assault that warranted immediate arrest under Caesonian law. As for the other incidents Prince Wulfric mentioned, the witch hunters were summoned precisely to investigate and pursue those responsible. Despite having only just arrived, this man has already apprehended one such offender, proving both his efficiency and dedication to rooting out this growing threat.”[/color] He gestured to Torvi next. [color=DDB775] “I was informed that one over there also arrived just this week and single-handedly handled a ritual in the woods.”[/color] Edin then turned his gaze on Killian and addressed him directly. [color=DDB775]"Esteemed witch hunters of Varian, your services to this kingdom have been invaluable. I recognize the confusion stirred by the words spoken tonight, but let me be clear: regardless of who stands accused, utilizing magic… [i]Even through what some may mistake for poisoning my royal offspring as mere intoxication[/i]…is a grievous offense."[/color] He paused briefly, allowing the logic of his argument to settle over the hall. [color=DDB775]" Despite this painful revelation tonight regarding Her Majesty, your presence here has never been more critical. If magic has infiltrated not only the lowest levels of servitude but also the highest echelons of our nobility, we face an infestation of unprecedented magnitude."[/color] [color=DDB775]"I implore you to remain in Caesonia. Your continued expertise and cooperation in rooting out magical corruption are essential. Furthermore, in the coming days, I intend to open direct communication with the Varian Kingdom's King and Queen, to strengthen our mutual resolve against this threat and discuss further strategies to protect both our kingdoms."[/color] He paused, eyes sweeping the assembled crowd, commanding their understanding. [color=DDB775]"We must stand firm, united by our faith in the gracious Gods and our commitment to justice."[/color] Finally, Edin gestured decisively, signaling the end of the banquet. [color=DDB775] "Now, go in reflection. Caesonia shall endure and rise cleansed by faith, united in vigilance."[/color] [/color]