Everyone in the grand hall flinched at Alexa's words.
Each tried to convince themselves that killing Ethios was necessary for peace—
but was Ethios truly the reason peace had ended?
Alexa gazed deeply into Valiar's eyes.
"You're right, Father. The Union made countless sacrifices to end the Second War.
But tell me… was its end truly peace for the Akimo people?"
She paused briefly, then continued.
"What we achieved with the Alliance was nothing more than a ceasefire—
a temporary healing from the wounds of war.
Even if we erased Ethios from the equation,
the Alliance would find another excuse to attack.
Another war would begin, eventually.
The reason I've kept Ethios alive until now
is because I believe he is the one who can end this endless cycle of hatred and war.
He has what it takes to become that person."
Silence swept across the throne hall for a moment.
Valiar was the first to break it.
"Do you have any proof of what you're saying?"
To Alexa, her faith in Ethios was proof enough.
But in a trial, belief wasn't evidence.
She needed something more—something that could convince the court.
And she had none.
"I don't have proof for my claim, Father.
But you have no proof against it, either.
I request that this trial be postponed until the truth about Ethios becomes clear to everyone."
A wave of murmurs spread through the grand hall like wildfire.
Alexa's request stirred the entire court.
What were they supposed to do now?
The three judges—Valiar, Via, and Seraph—remained silent.
In truth, both Via and Seraph had held back intentionally.
They had been waiting for the right moment—
a moment to help Alexa escape this trial with minimal damage.
Perhaps that moment had just arrived.
But before they could speak, Iris's voice cut through the murmurs sharply.
"Your Majesty, granting her request carries great risk.
If we agree and the Third War begins, the consequences could be catastrophic.
We can't allow such a loophole to exist."
Another wave of whispers filled the hall.
Alexa's request had been logical—neither reckless nor emotional.
But Iris's objection, though harsh, was equally logical.
He sought to eliminate any chance for war to resurface.
Then, Seraph's voice rose, silencing the hall.
"Commander Iris. You know the truce between us and the Alliance is fragile.
It could collapse at any moment—and not necessarily because of Ethios.
So let me ask you this…"
The hall fell completely still.
Only Seraph's eyes spoke now—sharp, unwavering.
"If the Third War did begin,
and we later discovered that Ethios's power was vital to tipping the scales in our favor…
would you take responsibility for his death then?"
No one answered.
Not a single word broke the silence.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Even Iris couldn't reply.
If Ethios were executed now and the Union lost the coming war,
the blame would fall entirely on him.
And though Iris didn't care about politics or blame—
what if Seraph was right?
What if Ethios's power could save lives in a future war,
but Iris chose to destroy that chance?
He would lose his son…
and fail to protect his people.
That was what Iris called absolute failure.
Seraph sighed quietly, then turned toward her father.
"Your Honor, according to our sources,
the Alliance already knows about Ethios's existence.
Killing him now won't change anything.
If they intend to start another war because of him,
they won't stop simply because we executed him ourselves.
All we'd accomplish is losing a potential future warrior—
for nothing."
She turned toward Alexa.
"However… Alexa's actions and decisions regarding him are still unjustified.
Her emotions have clouded her judgment.
That makes her unfit to sit on the throne.
I propose her exile—along with Ethios—
with a conditional reinstatement of her royal title."
The judges and witnesses thought for several seconds,
then one by one began to nod in agreement.
Seraph's proposal was rational—it benefited both sides.
Even Iris couldn't oppose it.
Via gave her approval next.
Only Valiar's decision remained.
He thought in silence for a few moments,
then let out a slow sigh.
"I agree.
Since all three judges are in favor,
Alexa and Ethios shall be exiled,
with conditional recognition.
If another war breaks out,
Alexa will bear full responsibility for its outcome."
Alexa exhaled softly in relief.
Ethios had survived another day—perhaps another few years.
The audience began to disperse gradually until the hall emptied.
Only Alexa remained, still standing on the circular platform where she had been tried—
her wrists still bound in cold iron cuffs.
After several seconds lost in thought,
she heard footsteps approaching from behind.
She turned to see who it was.
It was Athena.
Athena smiled faintly as she approached.
For some reason, she looked strikingly beautiful in that moment.
"Well, it seems your trial wasn't so terrible after all, Your Majesty."
Alexa let out a slow breath.
"Are you mocking me, Athena?"
Athena blinked in surprise as she began unlocking the cuffs.
"Mocking you? What cruelty!
I'm happy for you, you fool."
Alexa couldn't help but smile faintly at her words.
After everything, she still had someone by her side.
Then, suddenly—Athena burst into laughter.
Loud, unrestrained laughter that echoed through the empty throne hall.
Alexa frowned in confusion, watching her friend laugh uncontrollably.
Moment by moment, Athena's laughter grew louder—until finally,
she calmed down, though amusement still glimmered in her tone.
"By the gods, Alexa!
You just spat in the face of every treaty we've ever signed with the Alliance!
You nearly triggered another war!
And your punishment is to live peacefully in some meadow cottage with your son?
Honestly, you should be thanking Seraph!"
Realizing why Athena was laughing,
Alexa couldn't help but laugh too.
The two of them stood there, laughing together for minutes,
their laughter filling the vast empty hall.
Perhaps… Alexa was lucky after all.
---
The next morning, Alexa was in her room packing her belongings.
She would be exiled today—to a location of her choosing,
so long as it lay on neutral ground between the Union and the Alliance.
As she folded her clothes into a small pack,
a gentle knock came at her door.
Before Alexa could respond, the door opened quietly.
It was Seraph.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
Her gaze softened as she looked at her sister.
"I'm sorry, Alexa.
You're being exiled because of me."
Alexa stood up from the floor, shaking her head.
"Sorry? That's not what you should say.
Because of you, Ethios and I get to live a few more years.
Thank you, Seraph."
Seraph lowered her gaze sadly.
"If it were up to me,
there wouldn't have been a trial for you at all."
The sisters rushed toward each other, embracing tightly.
Seraph's tears fell as she spoke through them.
"I'm sorry.
I wasn't there during the attack on the capital…
and I won't be there for the years to come.
I won't see Ethios grow up and become the warrior I know he'll be."
In her heart, Seraph knew—
had she been in Alexa's place during the attack,
she would have made the same choice: total annihilation of the invaders.
She would have taken the blame herself,
just to let her sister live peacefully.
The guilt weighed heavily on her.
But there was nothing more she could do.
The two slowly let go of each other.
Seraph left the room quietly,
allowing Alexa the space she needed to prepare for departure.
When Alexa finished packing and slung her bag over her shoulder,
her father entered the room.
Despite everything,
he was still her father—
and he loved her deeply, regardless of his feelings toward Ethios.
Valiar spoke first.
"I'm sorry, Alexa.
I never wanted things to end like this.
But you left me no other choice."
Alexa shook her head.
"No, Father.
It's I who should apologize.
I was selfish… toward you, even knowing how you felt.
But I know you would've been selfish for us, too—
for me, Seraph, and… Eilara."
The name Eilara struck them both heavily.
Neither spoke for several moments after.
Valiar left quietly soon after,
out of respect for her privacy.
One by one, Alexa's acquaintances came to bid her farewell.
Everyone—except Iris.
He didn't come.
Perhaps he hated her now…
or perhaps he was simply ashamed of what had become of them.
When the farewells were done,
Alexa finally left her room.
She wore a plain coat and a worn scarf that hid her face.
As a former ruler, she couldn't risk being recognized during travel.
Ethios stepped out of his room and took her hand.
He wore the same kind of modest clothing.
Together, they walked down the corridor,
heading toward the palace gates.
Minutes later, they reached the grand entrance.
The soldiers opened the gate for them.
Sunlight bathed their faces,
and a gentle breeze lifted the edges of their cloaks.
Far inside the palace,
Iris watched them from one of the high windows.
Regret lingered in his eyes.
Alexa took Ethios's hand firmly,
and together, they stepped through the gates.
Their journey—
alone in this vast world—
had begun.