"If you truly do not want to end up like , if you truly want to make changes, then I urge you, despite my desire to preserve the line, do not have children, for there will co a ti when you will choose your spouse over them. Your love can never be enough."
I leveled my gaze at my hands on my lap before they clenched into fists.
"Having to hear that from you ans a lot. Putting your selfish desire aside to tell the truth. I have wondered if the reason why I lived a life before this was because my parents’ love wasn’t enough for . I never knew my mother; she may have been a snowblood, but she was still the woman who brought into this world. I’m also a victim of love not being enough."
I lifted my gaze. "But I believe that Drevon and I can break that cycle, after all, he’s the product of what you raised him as, but he chose to change himself for ."
She smiled. "I hope you’re right, Eloise. You’ll never know until you experience it yourself. You remind of my youth, it’s funny, I’m just seeing it right now..." She looked at intensely as if she could see her younger self.
"I’m eager to know if you’ll go down the road like I did or make your path. I get to see sothing interesting, finally."
"Yes... until then. I hope I don’t disappoint you."
"I can’t stand that pompous look. It gets under my skin."
I cleared my throat. "After the trial, we shall discuss my courts."
"Courts?"
"My inner court and yours, which is mine now. Or have you forgotten the rits of my win? Old fox?"
"Old fox? Disrespectful!"
I smirked. "A na fitting for you."
"Tsk! Completely at the rcy of you is not my best look." She sipped her tea. "I must be nearing my death if an insect like you is thinking of squashing the lion."
"Don’t be dramatic. Youth always shines on the worst ones."
~•~
The day ca for Sloane Altherin’s trial. The noble houses were present, and the look of apprehension was on House Altherin. They were all apprehended this morning and brought to court. I didn’t want them to co in as a house but as prisoners, which gave them no leverage to try anything. They were a powerful house, but I had half of Drevon’s army.
I veered my gaze to the Dowager who sat on the throne beside , before glancing ahead when the doors opened and Sloane was escorted by two knights in chains.
Murmurs erupted when she was seen; she still wore the gown from yesterday, and it was dirty, her ginger hair resembling a bird’s nest. The wound on her face has covered half of it.
They stopped just at the stairs leading to the throne, and Sloane fell to her knees, hanging her face down in sha.
"Sloane Altherin of House Altherin, you stand before the noble houses and royal family, on trial for these charges. Attempted poisoning, assassination, and treason," I announced.
Sloane sobbed, lifting her eyes to and then the Dowager, but she looked away, unable to bear the sight of her.
Sloane’s bottom lip trembled as if all hope was lost.
"Is there anything you have to say, Sloane Altherin?" I questioned. "I’m giving you the chance to speak up for yourself and show evidence if this trial is unjust. If you do not speak, then it’s clear you’re guilty of this and you shall et execution as well as your house."
When Sloane said nothing, the entire hall erupted in murmurs.
"Unforgivable!"
"Who could have known that such a great house would resort to sothing like this?"
"How dare she try to harm the royal body of the queen!"
"She should be executed. The entire house must go down along with her!"
"B-But they are a great house."
"Yes, they are."
"If we lose them, we will be short in power."
"You’re right, but that doesn’t change what they did. It’s unacceptable!"
"Agreed!"
"Dealing with them is the right course of action!"
"I second this!"
"Silence!" the Dowager spoke up, and the entire hall turned dead. "I understand your worries. However, we cannot overlook this. The future of our empire has been threatened!"
They nodded in agreent.
"Sloane was a strong figure to the empire. However, her cris must be judged. Any threat to the future must be taken care of."
I rose to my feet and stepped forward while tucking my hands in my sleeves. "I ask once again, is there anything you have to say to prove that this trial is unjust? If there is none, then we shall proceed. I’m giving you the chance to have a voice, I suggest you use it wisely."
Sloane sobbed. "rcy," she begged. "rcy...! I have done wrong not just to you but to the empire, and for that, I beg for rcy and forgiveness. At least spare my house."
I sighed heavily. "Sloane Altherin, the charge of assassination and harming innocent bystanders, are you responsible?"
"Y-Yes, I’m responsible."
"The charge of attempted poisoning, a substance targeted at destroying the womb, are you responsible?"
"Goodness!"
"May the goddess help us!"
"Such a malicious act!"
"Unforgivable."
"Distasteful."
"WICKED!"
"EVIL!"
"WITCH!"
Sloane said nothing, chewing the inside of her mouth.
My eyes gave an eerie glow, and the once hot room turned cold as I repeated in a dark tone. "The charge of attempted poisoning, a substance targeted at destroying the womb, are you responsible?"
"Yes! I-I’m responsible."
I exhaled sharply. "The charge of treason, becoming an enemy to your rulers and the future of your empire, are you responsible?"
"Yes, I’m responsible," she replied, slowly.
"For these heinous cris, you shall be judged fitting, along with your entire house."
Sloane whimpered and tried to crawl up the stairs, but the knights stopped her.
"Eloise, please!" she implored. "I beg of you! Spare !"
"Please? A criminal has no right to beg. Your words have no aning as your life."
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