The throne room buzzed with tension, whispers leaking through the cracks of the towering marble pillars like smoke before a fire. Maids kept their heads low. Guards stood rigid. The weight of betrayal hung thick in the air.
At the foot of the throne, Commander Rhodes knelt, wrists bound, blood dried along the edge of his missing arm. Two royal guards stood on either side, spears crossed, forming a wall between him and his king.
King Velrick sat forward, his expression unreadable but his knuckles pale as they gripped the arms of his throne.
"Commander Rhodes," the king's voice echoed. "Did you try to assassinate Prince Daemon? Was it at the command of Duke Elias?"
"No, Your Majesty! I didn't!" Rhodes shouted, eyes wide with disbelief. "He gave me the sword—he stabbed himself! This is all a setup!"
"Enough!" the king snapped, rising from his seat. "Your own soldiers witnessed you holding the weapon as the prince bled at your feet!"
