6-76 Royal Court

“This is… disappointing,” Erin remarked as she glanced around the vast hallway she was in.

“Is it?” Aedan asked. He looked around the hallway that was large enough to accommodate the population of a town. “It looks fine.”

“I was expecting it to be more… grand. The walls are just one solid colour. The carpet is… just a string of simple patterns. As for the statues and paintings… There are barely any here. I have been to places of a similar stature. None was as dull and simple as this one, relatively speaking.”

Aedan chuckled. “If it’s too ostentatious, the effects of the various spells put in place will be dampened, especially if it’s a hallway that’s meant to… examine all who came to meet with the king and the high nobles.”

“What kind of spells are in place exactly?”

Aedan shrugged. “Just about every spell that can be used to protect a person. There are hundreds of them. So, don’t try anything here.”

Erin tutted. “I’m not that reckless or stupid.”

“Are you two ready?” a man walked up to them and asked them. He was wearing a ceremonial outfit with a ceremonial sword strapped to the side of his waistbelt and a hat that was twice as big as his head.

Erin looked down at herself. She was in fine clothing, a gown that fully clothed every part of her from her neck to her feet. The chest area was intentionally made half a size larger than her measurement, as an accurate measurement would accentuate her ample bust. That kind of display would definitely be frowned upon in an official setting. “You tell me, my good sir. I’m not that well-versed in the kingdom’s high court’s etiquette.”

“You look presentable, Lady Erynthea. But I’m asking about your state of mind. You are about to be granted an audience with the lords of the realm.”

“I have fought opponents who can kill me if I make one wrong move. I’m as ready as I can ever be?”

The man nodded with an indifferent look and turned to Aedan. “And what about you, sir?”

“I’m ready,” Aedan said plainly. “Let’s just get this over with.” He wore a set of garments that spelt wealth and fame in the most obnoxious way possible. These were not his garbs, but they were the only acceptable garments he could get his hands on, courtesy of Iris.

The man nodded once more and turned around. “Then, follow me,” he said and began walking towards the large double doors at the end of the hallway.

Aedan and Erin followed the man closely behind, with a distance of around four feet in between. There were only two of them here. The rest of their companions were waiting in a different building. For the sake of security, there was a limit to how many individuals could be present in court, depending on the issue or case at hand.

When they got within a few yards of the double doors, they swung open without any noise. There was no creaking or clangour of chains. It was completely quiet, and so was the chamber hall. It was not empty. All the seats on the high platforms were filled, and the lower platforms were stuffed with curious individuals. Their gazes turned towards Aedan and Erin the moment the doors revealed them.

The Fae Embassy were seated on the high platforms. Their gazes were less inquisitive, though their expressions were more… troubled than the rest. They knew Erin’s character. Though Erin wasn’t a part of their forest clan, she was still a Fae, and her actions would reflect on the Fae. Erin saw their expressions, and she had to restrain a chuckle.

The Ruvans were also here, seated on the same platform but across from the Fae Embassy. Erin didn’t recognise any of the Ruvans present, except Azaela. The Ruvan Apostle didn’t even spare Erin a glance. It was agreed beforehand. They were not to act too familiar with one another, or else the court might suspect a conspiracy out of their usual paranoia. The Saintess was not present and that was probably for the best.

At the end of the chamber hall, there were three thrones on a stage that was raised higher than everything else in the room. Amongst the three thrones, the middle one was placed the highest. All three thrones were occupied.

“That’s not the king,” Aedan muttered in a whisper.

Erin didn’t need to be told to realise that. The one sitting in the middle was younger than all the others who had seats on the high platforms. “That’s the crowned prince Leorick, right?”

“No. Leorick is blonde as gold. This one is… darker. Must be the other prince.”

“If the king is absent, his successor should be in his stead. Is that not how it is?”

“It is. Which means… this prince is the new crowned prince.”

“Silence back there,” the man whispered to them without turning his head. “Watch your words. You never know who’s listening.”

Aedan snorted lightly. “To prevent eavesdropping, spells are in place to prevent whispers from being picked up by magic or any sort of tools. While it prevents the nobles' secret conversations from being heard, it also prevents them from picking up whispers. Am I not correct?”

“...Do as you will. Just know that I have done my due diligence. I will not be advocating for you should you commit any offence, be it intentional or not.”

Suddenly, there was a loud thud. It came from the guards standing by the thrones, hitting the ground with the blunt end of their spears. The man came to a halt, and so did Aedan and Erin. They were taught about this procedure beforehand. The three went down on one knee and lowered their heads.

“Rise,” said the prince who sat in the middle throne.

The three rise and the man immediately left their side to take his place amongst the audience. He had completed his duties, if there was actually one. Erin doubted it.

“The court is now in session,” announced the noble who sat to the right of the current crowned prince. He wasn’t young, but he looked young amidst all the old nobles. High Lord Charon was his name and title, the young head of House Trivon. Erin learned his name when she was being briefed on the high court etiquette. She also learned the names of all the important High Nobles here.

“Silence all around.” The room was already silent. “One shall only speak when spoken to. Any form of defiance will be seen as an act of contempt against the court and will be dealt with accordingly. Now, let us begin. Crowned Prince Leovin will be presiding.”

Usually, there would be a long introduction before the proceedings could begin, but that was only for the king, and the king was not present. There was only his regent present. Therefore, there was no long and obnoxious introduction. Aedan and Erin were thankful for that.

“High Lord William Marsh, a dear friend of the previous crowned prince, was exposed as the one behind all the disappearances of the numerous villagers, the kidnapping of the noble ladies, and also the attempted kidnapping of the Saintess,” the crowned prince Leovin said. “The exposition of this scheme and plot is a result of the Ruvan Paldin’s efforts. Of course, the two of you here, and your companions, also had a hand in the exposition. Gratitude is in order. However, your involvement is… questionable. Explain yourself, you two.”

Erin frowned. If the circumstance were anything else but this, she would have given a witty retort due to how utterly foolish the question was. “As you may already know, Your Royal Highness, I am an adventurer and also someone who can’t simply turn away from… shady happenings. I stumbled upon these empty villagers, and I simply can’t ignore the terrible situations.”

“That much is understandable and commendable,” said the old noble sitting to Leovin’s left, High Lord Samuel. He was the oldest among the three. “However, how did you manage to connect everything to the former High Lord?”

“...The empty villages left clues, the kind that can only be picked up by those with… heightened senses, such as scents. I followed the scent, and it led me to the bandits. I defeated the bandits, and I interrogated them. They told me everything they knew. They were hired by some rich folks to kidnap the villagers. A different buyer for each transaction. After I arrived in the city, I made contact with a resourceful friend of mine and I requested her help investigating this issue with the knowledge I have on hand. She worked fast. No sooner than a day, she came back with answers. The buyers shared a common point, and that is that they are all acquainted with the former High Lord in some way or form. From then on, we brought our findings to the Ruvans, and we worked together to expose the former High Lord.”

“A very likely story,” said High Lord Samuel. “A tad convenient, won’t you say?”

“It sounds convenient, but it is the truth, my lord.”

“You have a friend who is able to make all those connections. There’s nothing anyone can do.”

“Just who is this resourceful friend of yours?” questioned the crowned prince.

“Iris.”

“Iris? Just Iris?”

“Well… some do call her Iris of the Eternal Moon.”

There was a chorus of gasps from the audience.

Erin raised her brows in surprise. She knew Iris had significant connections, but to make the high court gasp was another story. She glanced towards Aedan, who gave her a small smirk and a shrug. He knew. Of course, he knew.

“....And how do you come to know Lady Iris?” asked High Lord Charon.

Erin noticed the ‘lady’ attached to Iris’ name. The Umbrum commanded much respect, even from the high nobles. “We met, by chance, in Green Scar. I was… appealing to her. We both saw the talents each of us has, and we decided to become friends.”

“That is all?” Leovin inquired.

Erin’s frown deepened. “I’m baffled, Your Highness. What else is there?”

The three upon the thrones exchanged brief glances before directing their gazes back to Erin.

“Lady Iris is a finicky person,” Charon explained. “Many talented individuals have attempted to befriend her. Many have been rejected by her. She doesn’t befriend just anyone.”

“Your Highness, may I know what you are insinuating? I am confused by your… disbelief. I have simply retold my history. I told is as it is. I won’t be able to elaborate further even if you want me to.”

There was another chorus of gasps from the audience, though it was much quieter than the last. The Fae Embassy were hanging their heads low and their faces buried in their palms, shaking slightly in embarrassment and dismay.

“Young Fae,” the old noble, Samuel, called out. “This is the Royal Court. I sincerely hope I do not need to remind you of your position, do I?”

Before Erin could let out a smirk, or even curl her lips, she was stopped.

“Don’t,” Aedan whispered softly, but firmly.

Erin clicked her tongue silently and lowered her head. “Forgive my misstep, my lords. I was… confounded by the questions. I apologise if my questions have brought about any offence.”

“There is no offence in your words, Erynthea,” the prince said.

The audience seemed to let out a sigh of relief. They were even more anxious than Erin herself, the one who was under scrutiny.

“You are mistaken, Erynthea,” said Charon. “No one is insinuating anything here. William Marsh is guilty. That is already determined and decided. This is a hearing to give clarity on William Marsh’s crimes. The depths of his punishment, and his accessories, will be determined by the testimony of those who are involved in the opposition.”

Erin nodded. “I understand.”

“Now, let us move on to the main parts of this hearing. Tell us everything you have seen in Marsh’s dungeon. Leave nothing out.”