In a private discussion, Lord Varion faced Lord Zorven. The room was made for quiet planning, but tension filled the air.
"He's a fool," Varion growled, his frustration clear. "Just a common thug. And that old woman protects him from justice. They're making a mockery of themselves. The House of Armies can't even arrest a criminal. House Sylvon is a disgrace."
Zorven smiled, calm and collected. He poured Varion a glass of dark red wine. "True, Serion is quite the fool. The House of Armies can't even manage an arrest properly. I thought Serion would be better than his father, Lord Cedricus. Cedricus let his emotions get in the way of his duties. This is a big opportunity for us if we handle it right."
Varion grabbed the glass, his hand shaking slightly. "How is this an opportunity? The Queen has pardoned that tyrant."
Zorven leaned in. "As I said, this is our chance to deal with Prince Geralt for good. House Sylvon has failed to deliver justice, but House Valmorin won't." His gaze turned sharp. "Use your power as the Custodian of Fenroth's law and the Leader of the Torvetix Union. Charge him with treason."
Varion set the glass down hard. "Treason? On what grounds?"
Zorven pointed to a spot on the map, marking the border. "He was banished by royal decree from his father, the late King. Returning is defying the crown, which is treason. The duchess protecting a banished prince? That's also treason a conspiracy against the kingdom."
Varion's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "And what will that achieve? The duchess wont back down."
"The duchess authority is strong, but the Union's is stronger. As its leader, you'll make sure he can't find protection from her or the Queen. He'll be on your turf.
Varion studied the map, a cold satisfaction washing over him. The plan was flawless. The Torvetix Union was his to command. He would take down the boy and finally grasp the throne he had desired for so long.
***
Lord Mylis and his soldiers broke through the Palace gates. The guards tried to stop them, but Mylis ordered them to stand down. "We have orders from the Torvetix Union," he said, holding up the staff of Torvetix Union. The guards respected the authority behind that statement and stepped aside.
Mylis, with fifty soldiers behind him, marched in. His face showed satisfaction. He knelt before the Queen and said, "Your Majesty, by the order of the Tovertis Union. We have come to arrest Prince Geralt."
Silence filled the room. All eyes turned to Duchess Evanderia, who had just promised to protect the Prince. Geralt, standing with his grandmother, stepped forward, anger written all over his face. "For what?" he shouted.
Mylis stood up, a cruel smile creeping across his lips. "For treason and murder."
The usually calm Duchess was now furious. She stepped forward, her voice low and threatening. "What is this? Geralt is under my protection."
Mylis didn't flinch. "The Duchess poweris immense, but the Torvetix Union is involved. Even Kings respect the Union. I trust our gracious Queen will honor their decision like her father did." He replied mockingly.
The Duchess felt helpless as she watched Mylis's soldiers approach Geralt. As they took him away, Mylis looked back at her. "The trial is in four days."
***
The meeting took place in a small, fancy room away from the court's watchful gaze. Tension hung in the air like a thick fog. Duchess Evanderia, seething with anger, faced Lord Varion. He sat calmly across from her, his cool demeanor stark against her fury.
Varion broke the silence first. His voice was deep and steady, sounding serious. "Your Grace," he started, "I wish our families didn't have to meet like this. Even though House Eryndor and House Valmorin are one family, justice must come first. As the one in charge of justice in Fenroth, I can't let this disgrace go unpunished." He leaned in slightly, hands together like he was praying. "Your grandson has done something terrible. This crime brings shame on all of us."
The duchess listened intently, her anger now focused into a hard determination. She raised her hand, cutting him off. "Don't insult me with your empty words, Lord Varion," she replied, her voice low but powerful. "You talk about justice, but I see ambition. You're not here for fairness; you're here for your own gain." She leaned closer, her stare unwavering. " You think I don't know you eye the throne? You see the presence of Prince Geralt as a threat"
She stood up, her presence dominating the small room. "Don't get it twisted, Lord Varion." After a brief pause, she added a final warning. "You think you are the only one after the throne? Soon you will be betrayed by your trusted Lords. Let me make it clear Lord Varion, Lord Zorven and Lord Maelor also eye the throne. You think they stand with you or support you? They are using you as a pawn and will dump and squash you soon."
"Your Grace, thanks for the compliment and kind advice," Varion mocked back. But he kept thinking about what the duchess said.
Furious, the Duchess stormed out, leaving him behind.
***
It was trial day at the Tovertis Union Hall. Fourteen figures sat in a semicircle; seven Lords and seven Ladies. At the center was Lord Varion. The Queen, in a simple yet royal deep purple gown, watched quietly. Beside her sat the Duchess Evanderia, strong and silent.
The prosecutor, a thin man in Union robes, began. "Prince Geralt, you are being charged with serious crimes. First, treason for breaking the royal decree of banishment, issued by your own father the late King which explicit forbade you or your mother to ever step foot on Fenroth. Second, multiple murders in Avalor."
"Prince Geralt, how do you plead?" Lady Annesse asked, a judge of the Union, her expression stern.
"I am innocent of all charges," Geralt replied. He wasn't chained, given his noble status.
"That's for this Union to decide," said Lord Tavros, another judge.
"Do you have a defense?" Lord Varion asked Geralt his voice filled with authority.
Just then, the Duchess stood. Her voice broke the murmurs. "Defense? Yes, I'm here for that."
"Your Grace, why defend him?" Lady Isoldea questioned, another judge, her eyes sharp. "You deserve better Your Grace."
"I don't owe you any explanation, noble lady," the Duchess replied firmly.
"Then please state your cause, Your Grace" Lord Rhydan said, another judge.
The Duchess turned to the Queen. "Your Majesty, didn't you grant your brother a royal pardon regarding his exile?"
All eyes shifted to Calyss. This was a clever trap, but she understood. With steady breath, she met her grandmother's gaze and then faced the judges. "I did."
"The royal pardon is granted. The Prince's exile is over. The charge for treason is null and void." Lady Ophira spoke with bitterness, another judge.
Shock rippled through the hall. Lord Varion, usually calm, showed pure fury. Just like that, the first charge vanished with a single response.
The Duchess faced the second charge with a sharp tone. "I ask for the murder charge to be dismissed. The Tovertis Union isn't meant for cases like this. The law says this Union only handle crimes against the throne, crimes like treason. And only in rare cases, large-scale murders involving at least fifty victims count as treason against Fenroth. Local magistrates and governors deal with murder cases, and, the Queen has bestowed upon the poor Prince immunity from these charges."
Everyone was taken aback. The Duchess was powerful. She backed her claims with legal references, her reasoning solid. The Lords and Ladies, despite their ambitions, couldn't ignore this.
After a heavy silence, Lord Baleron, another judge, stated, "The murder charge against Prince Geralt is null and void."
Lord Varion was visibly angry. All eyes were on him. As leader of the Tovertis Union, he had to wrap things up. "Prince Geralt is free of all charges," he announced coldly. "But let's not ignore this, the border guards have shown that they can't do their job. How did Prince Geralt get into Fenroth without a pass? This is a serious security issue. I'm not trying to blame the Prince for breaking into Fenroth. I only want to highlight the guards' failures. The soldiers incharge for granting entry into Fenroth must be arrested, replaced, stripped of their ranks, and sent to work in the mines for six years as slaves, with only one meal per day."
The other Lords and Ladies agreed, raising their hands in support.
****
The royal chambers were quiet, filled with soft light. The trial had ended, and the victory was celebrated, yet the space between Queen Calyss and Duchess Evanderia felt heavy with unspoken words.
"Why the hesitation?" the Duchess asked, her tone gentle yet firm. "I saw it in your eyes during the trial. Why do you still resent your brother? He's the last of your father's lineage, just like you."
"My mother died because of him. He gave her the poisoned apple, knowing it would kill her," Calyss replied, bitterness clear in her voice.
"That's behind you now. I believe Geralt wants the best for you. You should give him a chance," the Duchess suggested.
Calyss burst out laughing. "Geralt wants the best for me? He's just a snake hiding in the grass," she scoffed.
The Duchess fell silent, her face now showing deep sadness. The victory of the Tovertis Union felt empty. Then, she straightened herself, her sorrow replaced by a determined look.
"The past is a lesson, but the future is a fight. Today, you saw the power of the Tovertis Union. It can turn against you. You need to dissolve it now; it's not too late."
Calyss shook her head, exhausted. "I can't. The people would think I'm greedy. They'd see me tearing down a sacred institution just to hold onto power. Don't forget, the Tovertis Union also bows to my crown too."
"It does bow to you," the Duchess replied, her voice edged with urgency. "You are the queen, the highest authority in Fenroth. But your father struggled against the Union's influence, even as king."
"Everyone knew my father was a puppet, and I believe he was for a reason. Lord Varion won't accept my dissolving the Tovertis Union without a fight. He'll rally the people against me," Calyss said, her tone cold with reality.
"Of course he will. But as queen, you need to fight back. You can't rule if laws can easily be used against you. And the leader of that Union is your sworn enemy, and he'll do anything to take you down. I can help you end this Union once and for all, if you are not brave enough to do it yourself. Tomorrow, it might be too late, and I won't be there to assist you," the Duchess concluded before leaving the Queen alone.