The high council chamber was filled with an uneasy silence as Maravelle spoke. She opened a parchment and read aloud.
"To our benefactor. The king grows fond of me, just as you said he would. His trust deepens every day. If all goes as planned, I will send word once the defenses are weak. The Lycan crown will fall, and vengeance will be ours."
Several council members exchanged uneasy glances.
Maravelle let the silence drag for a moment.
"This," she added raising the parchment, "was discovered in Lady Lara's chambers. She denies it, of course. But here we have this in her own hand."
At the head of the room, Thornak sat upon his throne. No one could tell what he was thinking, and that troubled them more than an outburst ever would.
Maravelle turned to him now. "Your Majesty. This must be investigated at once. For the good of the kingdom. I think perhaps… a temporary confinement until the matter is fully explored. Surely that is prudent."
Still, Thornak said nothing.
Lord Edrion stood up. "This is a grave accusation," he said, glancing towards the King. "But if the letter is real, we cannot ignore it. No one, not even the King's… chosen, should be above scrutiny."
"Is this what we've allowed into our court?" Lord Halric muttered, rising from his seat. "A traitor hidden under our very roof?"
Alpha Merel scoffed. "There's no seal, no signature. That letter could've been written by anyone."
"But it was found in her room!" a young noble argued. "Are we supposed to believe such a damning letter just showed up there by chance?"
Alpha Veyra, gave a sharp snort. "If the enemy already has her loyalty, then what does that say about the strength of our defenses?"
Across the room, Lady Brynne of the Eastern Marches raised her chin. "This feels too neat," she said. "Too convenient. A letter appears in her chambers with perfect timing while the King is away? I smell something… orchestrated."
"She's been in the palace," Lord Vaelen countered, his voice rough with age. "If she were a spy, she's had access to sensitive conversations for weeks. It will be unwise to act like this means nothing."
A few people murmured in agreement, while others shifted uncomfortably.
Lord Casmir, always a cautious man, cleared his throat. "Let's not forget who gains the most if the lady is gone."
Suddenly all eyes turned towards Queen Maravelle, but she only smiled.
"I ask for fairness," she said. "Not punishment. Confinement ensures her safety… and ours, as we investigate this matter."
Maravelle folded the letter carefully.
"The facts remain," she said. "The letter was found in her chamber."
"How did you find out about the letter?" Thornak spoke for the first time.
"A spy informed us." She answered lightly.
"Bring him to me."
"I cannot."
"Cannot?"
"I gave him pardon in exchange for the truth."
Thornak's eyes narrowed. "And how did you know he was a spy at all?"
Maravelle's lips curved faintly. "Am I on trial here, Thorn?"
Thornak descended from the throne. He then raised his hand and signaled to the guards at the door.
The doors opened and two guard walked in, pulling someone in chains by the arm into the chamber.
Murmurs erupted.
Maravelle paled. "I understand your anger, Thornak," she said quickly. "But my word is law. I have the right to grant pardon..."
"No, mother. My word... is law." He thundered. "The investigations have officially began," he added. All in accordance with the council's trial of inquiry."
Maravelle's face darkened as she turned sharply to Thornak, her eyes burning with anger. "How convenient. You bend the rules when it pleases you, Thornak."
Thornak did not flinch.
"I am merely following protocol."
Maravelle's eyes flashed. "Are you? Then the girl must be confined as well, as per protocol."
His jaw tightened, voice a low growl. "The lady is still recovering. I will personally limit her movements."
"Your personal assurances are not law!" she snapped. "If one suspect is locked away, so must the other. Or do you intend to crown her above the council itself?"
"Mind your tongue, mother. Do not mistake the council's duty for your chance to undermine my command."
The Queen did not flinch. "And do not mistake your crown for immunity against justice. You swore to uphold our laws. If this trial is to mean anything, then even your favored human must face its weight."
"Lawwarden," Thornak said to an elderly looking man sitting quietly behind. "Can you remind the queen what our laws say about beating up a suspect without the council's approval."
The Lawwarden leaned forward from his seat, his voice cutting across the chamber.
"Your Majesty, if I may, our laws are clear. A royal suspect, however damning the evidence may appear, cannot be subjected to punishment or violence without council approval. That decree has held since the founding of Vargorath."
"And what are the consequences if such a thing were to happen?"
The Lawwarden cleared his throat.
"Should such a breach occur, the punishment is severe. All guards who lay unlawful hands on a suspect would be flogged and stripped of their station, never again permitted to bear arms in service of the crown. As for the accused, they would be declared wronged in the eyes of the law, absolved of the charges until a lawful trial is convened."
"So you see, Mother, I am conducting myself entirely in accordance with the Trial of Inquiry you invoked."
"I see you have covered all the bases, Thorn," Maravelle said sharply. "You forget, however, Lara is not a royal."
"Technically," the Lawwarden interjected. "She holds royal status by virtue of being the King's chosen. According to the laws of the court, this grants her the same protections and duties as a member of the royal family
Maravelle's eyes narrowed, a faint frown creasing her brow. "Chosen or not, Lawwarden, her bloodline doesn't entitle her to royal treatment. She's an outsider, no matter the King's preference. How can she be treated as a royal?"
"The late King's decree states otherwise Your Highness," the Lawwarden said quietly.
"The late king?" Lord Edrion asked in surprise.
"Yes mi' Lord. The King's wishes were clear."
"Auriya," Alpha Ren said.
Maravelle stiffened, remembering everything that had happened with the king's mistress.
Just as the tension seemed to be reaching a boiling point, the great doors creaked open and a hooded figure stepped in.