The palace of Drakonia was filled with tension, thick enough to choke the air itself.
Guards stood frozen along the walls, afraid to move, afraid even to breathe as the young prince stood before his father.
"Your Highness," Ashen began, his voice steady but low. "I understand this was against the rules but I went to the Abyss because I needed to save my wife."
"Your wife?" King Aden’s voice thundered through the hall. His palm slamd against the armrest of his chair, echoing like a crack of lightning.
"Do you trust her that much? The sa woman who’s suddenly obsessed with becoming the Coven Leader? Have you completely lost your mind, Ashen?"
Ashen clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "Are you saying the sa woman who risked everything for ... the one you once praised for her loyalty, is now unworthy of trust? That’s what you are saying, Your highness?"
"I am not telling you to distrust her completely," King Aden snapped. "But she’s... different. She’s changing. You have seen it yourself, her powers are growing strange. The Queen was poisoned, and that poison contained dark energy. How could Lumina have treated her unless she wielded sothing similar herself?"
Ashen gave a bitter laugh. "Oh please, your highness. You think saving the Queen is proof she’s dangerous? Lumina has done nothing but heal, nothing but protect, while you turn a blind eye to what truly threatens this realm!"
"You dare raise your voice to ?" the King shouted. "You think your marriage excuses your defiance?"
"I don’t care what excuses you want," Ashen growled. "You want to punish for saving my wife? Fine. But don’t twist this into sothing it isn’t."
"Enough!" King Aden roared, his voice shaking the pillars of the chamber.
"The entire realm now knows you entered the forbidden land. The nobles are already gathering to discuss your punishnt and instead of sha, you stand here defending the woman who brought this curse upon us?"
"Curse?" Ashen snapped. "You call my wife a curse, oh please like that old change my mind... don’t fight, that is what I have also been all my whole life."
King Aden stood abruptly, his robes sweeping across the floor. "Watch your tongue, Ashen. I have given you enough honor for a son who still doesn’t know when to respect his king!"
"Your Highness," Ashen called but his father snapped.
"Call father!"
"I am sorry you’re higher you don’t deserve that from ."
"Ashen!" He called out in frustration but only earned a smirk in return.
"You want respect, but you have never earned it. You want to call you ’Father,’ but you were never one."
A stunned silence fell over the room. Even the guards shifted uncomfortably.
"Say that again," the King let out.
Ashen took a step forward, eyes burning. "Whatever anyone says, whatever punishnt they decide, I won’t abandon the only person who ever believed in . You can call cursed. You can strip my title. But I will stand by her, even if it ans I lose everything."
King Aden’s nostrils flared as he shouted, "Your mother’s life is at stake, Ashen!"
Ashen’s face twisted with pain for a brief mont before hardening again. "And as her son, I care deeply. But I see no reason to argue about it with a man who never once treated like his child."
The King’s hand slamd down again. "Guards!" he roared.
They rushed forward instantly, their armor clattering.
"Throw him in the dungeon until he learns so sense," the King ordered coldly. "And his chambers lock them down with no food, no water, no visits. His wife, his servant’s house arrest. I want no one to leave or enter that chamber."
"Your Highness!" one of the guards stamred. "Surely.."
"Enough!" King Aden barked. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at his son. "You want to save her so badly? Fine. You will do it with your own strength, while the realm watches you fall. That will be your punishnt."
Ashen laughed darkly, the sound sharp and bitter. "And that," he said softly, "is why I will never call you father."
The guards hesitated, unsure if they should seize him or kneel. Ashen raised his hand slightly, a gesture of surrender.
"I will go myself, don’t touch ," he said.
"Don’t you dare use your powers, Ashen!" King Aden shouted.
But Ashen didn’t even look back. His steps echoed against the floor as he walked away, leaving his father now in guilt.
The doors of the palace closed behind him with a deep, final thud.
Outside, the cold wind hit his face. The mont his boots touched the palace steps, Aria sparred before him.
"My lord!" she cried, stepping forward. But before she could reach him, the guards behind Ashen raised their spears, blocking her path.
"Don’t move," one of them ordered.
Aria’s hand instinctively went to her sword, but one glare from Ashen made her stop.
"What are you doing here?" Ashen asked.
"My lord..." she hesitated. "Your wife... she went to Prince Adam’s chambers." The silence that followed was deafening.
Ashen’s jaw clenched. His fist tightened so hard his knuckles turned white.. Why doesn’t she listen?
"She what?" he said, his voice low, almost dangerous.
Aria lowered her head. "She said she went to see Lady Serena, but... I fear sothing isn’t right. When I arrived, the guards wouldn’t let near."
Ashen turned his face away, his expression blank but Aria saw the flicker of anger in his eyes.
"He’s beginning to cross his limits," Ashen muttered under his breath.
"My lord, what do you wish to do?" He t her gaze then, and in that mont, she understood not even a word. Of course, she has been with Ahen for a long ti so she understood his gaze.
"Leave," he told her. "Send word to my wife. Tell her I am fine. I don’t want her to worry or do sothing foolish."
"But, my lord," she protested softly, "What if she refuses and wants you to be the one to co see her," she asked.
"Then I will handle it," he interrupted. "For now you should.." he completed his words with a look and the Aria bowed deeply, her eyes filled with both fear and loyalty.
"Yes, my lord."
Ashen turned toward the guards who still waited to escort him to the dungeon. "Let’s go," he said coldly.
They hesitated again, unsure if they should truly imprison the man who could easily overpower them all.
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