In the mansion's dungeons, several cells were filled with rebels and wounded mercenaries. The walls of stones were illuminated by torches that added to the dark atmosphere of that place, mainly by hearing the moaning and prisoners' whining. Elyon frowned in disgust at being taken to the same place as the plebs.
The knights escorted Elyon to the farthest part of the dungeon, where they passed in front of large and dark rooms whose stench of blood and flesh was repugnant as well. The moans and laments that passed through the closed doors already said much about what was happening inside those rooms for all that time.
Instinctively, Elyon swallowed dry.
The last room was with the door open. The broad-shouldered figure and frosty glare remained cold as Elyon entered the room. The prince hesitated for a few seconds when he saw the Emperor himself sitting waiting for him, although at his side was Count Vauhnir and two more guards.
"Come in, Elyon."
The Emperor's order was obeyed in silence. The clear eyes noticed the handcuffs on his wrists, only he didn't sketch any reaction. As expected. Elyon sat in the chair and watched around him, noticing that the room was filled with too many people. They were blocking the only way out, the door, while Cadec and Magnus Grimwood remained against the wall.
"Can you explain the reason for your arrest?"
"This nonsense of being allied with the people of Geledel and the rebels? I consider it a story of terror."
"In this case answer the questions that the Count. Be honest, if you want to prove your innocence."
The Emperor leaned against the chair and crossed his arms, at which Count Vauhnir approached. It was a man in his forties, whose sides of the hair were gray white. The signs of weariness were clear, although he maintained a cold and neutral expression that Elyon certainly disliked.
A faithful Emperor's doormat.
The Count approached the table and showed reports that Elyon recognized only by flicking his eye over. His fingers closed under the table, although he kept the neutrality in his expression.
"Do you recognize these reports?"
"Yes, they are the reports on the taxes of the Port of Baydenn. I had commented with His Majesty that I would increase taxes because of the increased flow of merchants landing in the port. The latest mercantile deals ensured that more ships docked in port. We are above capacity, so improvements must be made, which results in higher taxes."
"Understandable, but we have no record of spending part of this money on reforms in the port. In addition, a small ship was seized with weapons from Geledel's kingdom."
When the Count mentioned the seizure, Elyon froze and clenched his fingers again. Tried to the maximum not express nervousness, although there are three pairs of eyes on his shoulders evaluating each movement and blink your eyes. The pressure he felt at that moment was suffocating, only Elyon still wanted to get out of it.
"The Count of Shad confessed that he received orders from Marquis Kahar to store the weapons that Geledel's ship would bring. Do you know about it?"
"I didn't know."
"But the Marquis is your vassal. He swore allegiance to you for the contest to the throne. It is the heirs' duty to monitor their vassals and ensure that they follow the laws of this Empire."
"I don't have enough power to monitor as they are supposed to. Just as there are many nobles who cheat taxes and many rebels find ways to escape from the knights. It is foolish to think that I couldn't have been deceived by him."
The Count laid his hands on the table and leaned coldly to face the Seventh Prince.
-"So you're saying that your vassal may have done it of his own volition or that he might be swearing allegiance to someone else?"
"It is not to be doubted."
"And would have any guess as to who the supposed master might be?"
"I have no idea, but I never ordered anything of the sort. Much less gave permission for Geledel's ships to dock at Baydenn."
Moving away from the table, the Count checked more documents in hand. Elyon felt tense, despite being ahead. That is, until the voice of Magnus Grimwood sounds behind him.
"Are you saying that a Marquis, a noble of high society who swore allegiance to an imperial prince, would have swapped masters? This sounds stupid."
Looking at the corner, slightly over his shoulder, Elyon frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that only an idiot would trade a prince for someone with a title below his own. Such treachery would only make sense if it came from someone who is in a higher position", Magnus said calmly, closing his crimson eyes to Elyon "The only people in a higher position are his older brothers, the Imperial Consort and the Emperor himself."
"Ha! By chance are you saying that someone among those mentioned would be involved with Geledel? It is very daring of yours, Your Grace."
Magnus was not affected by Elyon's dry laughter, nor did Cadec and the Emperor say anything. Count Vauhnir opened a small map on the table, and just checking what exactly was on the map made Elyon's blood cold once more.
"This was found inside the Geledel's ship. Could you explain why there is a map showing the route to the neighborhood in which Your Highness is usually responsible?"
"I believe that the Marquis took the neighborhood that was in my care just to incriminate me."
"That's not what he said."
Elyon's body shivered when the Count's voice sounded low. Only by the tone of voice and those words he understood that the Marquis was arrested and confessed his crimes. Clenching his teeth, the Seventh Prince began to feel more concerned.
"Are you saying that the Marquis said I ordered something?"
"More precisely that you have incited the smuggling of these goods into our Empire and store in regions of the capital that were under your care. Which curiously matches the regions where there is intense movement of rebels and mercenaries in recent months."
"This is ridiculous!!!" Shouted the prince, having Magnus holding his shoulders tightly to keep him seated and immobilized. "There are rebels on all sides, even Cadec has chased them out of his region! How can you tie this only to me?! Believing in the words of a mere Marquis!"
"If you are innocent, then do you have proof that this is some kind of trap?", Questioned the Count "The knight who was arrested today also had contact with mercenaries, and coincidentally is from a noble family vassal of his twin sister. I wonder how he would have contact with mercenaries without a mediator."
"Don't involve Dáhlia in this..."
"Then cooperate, Your Highness. The former Earl of Shad and Marquis Kahar have confessed their involvement in this smuggling. And during the hunting festival, there was an attack of rebels and mercenaries who tried to kidnap your brother, the Eighth Prince. The rebels and mercenaries were hired by Marquis Kahar to transport the goods to his warehouse."
Elyon's body trembled as the Count revealed every piece of evidence acquired against him. It was as if the Count had decorated each line just to not have to read any paper, only to face the prince and get some reaction from him.
Which was going very well.
The terror in his expression was sharp and uncontrollable. Especially when Elyon looked away from a dead end. At that moment, the Emperor raised his hand silencing the Count, who took a few steps back leaving Rehael to take care of the rest.
Resting his arms on the table, the Emperor's cold and freezing eyes fell upon his son.
"Elyon, do you deny the accusations made by Count Vauhnir?"
There was no denying it.
Elyon was caught. He already imagined that it would be a matter of time until he was investigated when he learned of the delay in the arrival of goods. Yet Elyon continued the plan... He just didn't expect it to be so soon.
"I'm innocent. This is a trap, that person..."
Elyon bit his own cheek when he realized that he had said too much. A shudder came up on his back, making him tremble. The Emperor sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, slightly stunned by the confession. But he soon resumed the posture and continued to look after his son.
"Could you tell me if your sister and mother are involved in this?"
"N-No... I was the one being tricked", lied the alpha.
Everyone there knew it was a lie, but there was no concrete evidence to arrest them. Elyon realized this when he was the only one arrested. Dahlia was safe, at least.
"If you have been cheated by someone, I want you to tell me the name."
From that point on, Elyon refused to answer. The Emperor realized that there was something more there, and that probably his son would need some time to think. Mainly because Elyon was shaking and seemed scared. Sighing low for not being able to get any more answers, the Emperor got up from his chair.
"Leave him locked up separately, while we prepare to return to the Imperial Palace", before the Emperor left that room, he looked at Elyon from a corner "I hope you change your mind and choose to tell what you know. It is shameful to prepare a carriage for a child who will remain imprisoned."
The look laden with disapproval and coldness that would judge each act of his irritated Elyon. He clenched his fingers and turned his face refusing to let himself be carried away by any sense of guilt.
The knights escorted Elyon to a cell, where he was held for three more days. In those days, the volunteers were able to send the wounded to the hospital in the capital where they would receive proper treatment for their wounds. The rebels and captured mercenaries were divided into groups to be taken to prison in the capital. Magnus tried to get the name of the person from Elyon, but without success.
On the fourth day, when the Emperor, the First Prince and the Grand Duke would also leave, they went to the dungeon to see Elyon and try a new interrogation to know if he would say who is behind the plans.
However, the scene in front of them was shocking. Even the Emperor saw himself astonished and without words but disbelief that brought a bitter taste in his mouth. The blood splattered all over the stone wall tinted with melancholic colors in a shade of red. The body sitting on the floor with his head down held a sword stuck in his chest, silencing Elyon for eternity.