By the time evening settled after the council meeting, the capital lived under a pulsing heaviness—as if the air itself was waiting for something that would break with the first thread of dawn.
Inside the palace, the king stood before the assembled royal guards and the High Court officials, his voice like a blade drawn from its sheath:
King:"Prepare the High Royal Court…Tomorrow, the proceedings begin.No one enters or leaves the capital… until the trial is complete."
The royal guards moved at once, each of them feeling the weight of orders that sounded more like the declaration of an inescapable siege.
The king's commands were absolute:
"Do not release any of those arrested during the previous assembly…I want them ready to stand before the court."
On the capital's walls, guards rushed in every direction.The massive gates were pulled shut.Iron chains dragged across stone in a metallic roar that shook the chest of anyone who heard it.
Prince Adrian — Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard — stepped forward and raised his voice, cutting through the noise of the city squares:
Adrian:"By order of His Majesty the King!I, Adrian Val Orvalis, Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard…hereby command the closure of the Royal Capital's gates!No entry… no exit…for anyone!"
The square trembled.Soldiers straightened as if struck by lightning.
A guard whispered to his companion:
Guard 1:"What's going on? I haven't seen the capital closed in years."
Guard 2:"I don't know… but I heard a royal trial is coming."
Guard 1:"A trial?… Where's the Commander of the Guard?"
Guard 2:"They say he's ill… so his deputy took command."
Then the army commander, Adreval, exited the hall—a massive man with a long beard and eyes sharp as a hawk's.
Prince Leon followed him, looking lost amid the storm of events.
Leon:"Adreval! What are you planning to do now?"
The huge man turned slowly, his voice deep and heavy:
Adreval:"First… we're on duty, Your Highness.Address me properly: Commander of the Army."
Then he added dryly, with a hint of sarcasm:
"And I'll call you Deputy Commander… just as I've reminded you a thousand times before."
Leon waved his hand dismissively:
Leon:"Fine, fine… Commander of the Army… what will you do?"
Adreval sighed:
Adreval:"I'll head to the dukedom territories…watch from a distance…and make sure no one escapes."
Leon:"They're only three dukedoms! Havenner, Montefra, Fitzberg!"
Adreval stared at him for a long moment before speaking again, his voice even heavier:
Adreval:"I'm not talking about those three…I'm talking about the three families among the Sixteen."
Leon's words died on his tongue.He couldn't respond.
Adreval patted his shoulder:
"Your Highness… you should stay here.The trial won't be easy.And—"
He paused.
"—I suspect it will revolve around your brother."
Leon looked down… his fist tightening slowly.He lifted his head to reply—but Adreval was already gone.
In the markets…
in the alleys…
in the taverns…
The news spread like wildfire.
A guard running—Gates closing—More soldiers in the streets—People's eyes widening with fear and curiosity.
A woman carrying bread asked her neighbor:
"Why are they closing the gates? Did a criminal escape?"
The fish seller muttered:
Seller:"These are palace guards… this is no ordinary matter."
In the Bull's Arm Tavern, the argument grew heated:
Man 1:"You think the war with Cartos has begun again?"
Man 2:"Impossible!A twenty-year truce was signed… we're only in the tenth year!"
Man 1 drank anxiously:"No, no… I'm sure Cartos is moving.Remember what happened ten years ago?When their army suddenly marched toward the capital?!"
Man 2 slammed the table:"First… the army didn't march suddenly.It was a plan.They smuggled troops through the borders, gathered them in the forest, then attacked all at once."
Man 1:"Then maybe they're doing it again!"
Man 2:"Don't rush… let's wait for news from the palace."
In the Fourth Prince's Wing , Marvin stood before Ken, holding a stack of papers.
Marvin:"Your Highness… I doubt the trial will proceed smoothly.The evidence against the forty nobles is strong…and the three dukedoms are definitely involved."
He paused, then added:
"But the three families among the Sixteen…the evidence is not conclusive yet."
Ken stood and answered sharply, without hesitation:
Ken:"We won't wait.We are not threatening anyone…we are showing them we are awake."
Marvin:"I know… but we must be careful."
Ken:"Caution is for the weak, Marvin.We're not defending…We're attacking."
Marvin exhaled—while Gray, behind them, wore half a calm smile.
Gray sat on his bed, pulling off his gloves and lifting one leg to rest.
He stared at the ceiling and murmured tiredly:
"Damn…With all this chaos…I forgot my daily training."
He chuckled:
"I'm barely strong as it is…and acting like some hardened veteran!Hahaha… good job, Gray."
He closed his eyes…
and outside his window, the city shut its gates—awaiting a trial that would alter the face of the kingdom forever.