The grand hall of the Imperial Court fell into a heavy silence as Aden Vasco knelt before the gathered elite of the Empire. The sun filtered through the massive stained-glass windows, casting multicolored light across the polished marble floor. The weight of the empire's most powerful figures bore down on him, their gazes filled with scrutiny, disdain, and curiosity.
The Emperor, Julius Chrono, sat on his golden throne, his expression unreadable as he observed the proceedings. The Five Dukes sat on their elevated seats, their presence alone enough to suffocate lesser men. The ministers and nobles whispered amongst themselves, eager to witness the fate of the infamous criminal.
A figure stepped forward from the high podium, his voice cutting through the murmurs.
"Aden Vasco, you stand accused of the heinous crime of murdering a noble heir, an heir of the Great Five Houses." The High Inquisitor's voice was cold and unwavering. "Do you deny these charges?"
Aden remained still, his mind racing.
Deny? What proof did he have? Admit it? That would seal his fate.
He opened his mouth, intending to say something neutral, something that wouldn't make things worse.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
The words left his lips before he could stop them. A wave of murmurs rippled through the court, and a few gasps echoed in the chamber.
Aden gritted his teeth.
"Arrogant to the very end." A voice rang out from the side. Stepping forward with a glower that could burn through steel was Henry Remes, his expression a storm of barely restrained fury.
"The Remes family has been patient," Henry growled. "But patience has its limits." He took another step closer, his glare pinning Aden in place. "Do you even understand the consequences of what you've done?"
Aden didn't move. He wanted to say 'it was never my crime', but he knew that his tongue would twist it into something far worse. He chose silence instead.
Henry sneered. "The boy you murdered was of the Great Remes Bloodline. Do you have any idea what that means?"
Aden exhaled slowly, keeping his eyes locked on Henry's.
Henry's lip curled. "Do you even know who his uncle is?" He let the words hang in the air before spitting out, "His uncle is none other than the Grand Magician of the Imperial Family, Nicolus Remes."
The name sent a shiver through the hall. Nicolus Remes, the Empire's most powerful magician, a man whose presence alone could change the tides of battle.
Aden could feel the tension rising. He knew he had to respond carefully. He had to de-escalate the situation before it got worse.
His lips parted, and he spoke in the calmest voice he could muster.
"Never heard of him. Am I supposed to care?"
The entire courtroom fell deathly silent.
One could hear the distant chirp of birds outside, nobles turned to one another in disbelief. Some of the ministers' jaws dropped. Even the most battle-hardened knights stiffened at the sheer audacity of his words.
Henry Remes went pale, his hands trembling at his sides, his expression twisting between shock and rage.
And then, from the elevated seats, a low chuckle escaped.
Ed Vasco, the Patriarch of House Vasco, Aden's father, was desperately trying to suppress his laughter. His lips twitched, and then, unable to hold back any longer, a soft chuckle escaped his lips.
That was all it took.
A deep, resounding laugh erupted from the throne above.
The Emperor, Julius Chrono, burst with laughter. The sound filled the vast chamber, echoing off the walls as the mighty ruler clutched his sides. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Aden, still kneeling, blinked in stunned silence. 'What… just happened?'
The Trial's path had just turned.
What's going to happen to me now?