The queen consort saw it then.
The hesitation in her guards.
The way their formation faltered beneath Alaric's unyielding presence and Lucien's cold amusement.
The way the court—her court—no longer leaned toward her.
Something feral flashed across her face.
With a sharp movement, she tore a sword from the hands of a nearby guard and lunged forward—not at Alaric alone, but toward the witnesses, toward the nobles whose voices threatened to bury her.
Steel screamed through the air.
"Enough, Your Majesty."
The voice cut through the chaos like a blade through silk.
The queen froze mid-strike.
Alaric stilled.
Lucien's expression shifted—half amused, half wary.
Duke Valerius stood firm, arm raised.
In his hand gleamed the royal seal.
The true one.
For a heartbeat, the world stopped.
"H-how—?" the queen whispered, horror bleeding into her eyes. "Why do you have that?"
The noble's gaze was steady. "The king entrusted it to me," he said calmly. "The day before his death. He asked that it be passed to a fitting ruler—after he was gone."
A pause.
"Who would have thought," he continued quietly, "that he would passed away the very next day?"
The queen laughed weakly. "Of course," she said, bitterness coating every word. "I should have known. You were always His Majesty's closest friend."
Lucien exhaled softly, lips curving faintly. "Well. That explains a great deal."
The noble lowered the seal slightly and raised his voice.
"Seize the queen consort."
"No!" the queen screamed. "No—this is all lies! All of it!"
She turned desperately toward Lucien as guards closed in.
"Lucien!" she cried. "Help me! Help me—your aunt!"
Lucien stepped forward at last.
For a moment, hope flickered in her eyes.
He leaned down, close enough that only she could hear him.
"Dear aunt," he murmured, voice soft and razor-sharp, "isn't this exactly what I told you ten years ago?"
Her breath hitched.
"I begged you to clear my father's name," Lucien continued, eyes glinting coldly. "You said it was his fault—for marrying that wench. My mother."
His smile thinned.
"So allow me to return the favor. Everything that led you here… is your own doing."
The queen's scream broke as the guards dragged her away.
Her faction followed soon after—shouting, resisting, collapsing beneath the weight of judgment. The heavy doors of the court hall closed behind them, sealing their fate.
Silence fell.
Then—relief.
Duke Valerius stepped forward once more. "The queen consort will be executed tomorrow at noon. Until then, she will be confined."
He lifted the seal again.
"After her execution, I will pass the king's seal to the rightful ruler."
A collective breath escaped the court.
Alaric stepped forward.
The noble inclined his head. "Your Highness. You hold Prince Caelum, do you not? Where is he? He will be required for the formal proceedings."
Alaric's gaze softened—just slightly.
"He is," he replied. "And he will come."
_________________________________________
Caelum awoke to quiet.
His body felt… strange. Heavy, yet oddly calm. The sharp edge of pain had dulled into something manageable, almost distant.
Eiran was at his bedside instantly.
"You're awake!" he exclaimed. "I—I'll call—"
"Rin," Caelum said softly.
Eiran nodded and rushed out.
When Rin entered the room, his expression was weary but focused. He paused, then bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry," Rin said. "I wasn't able to cure reverse it."
Caelum smiled faintly. "I assumed as much."
Rin continued, voice steady but regretful. "Once a secondary gender is altered… there's no restoring it. I can only give you heat suppressants. Stabilizers. Nothing more."
"I see," Caelum said calmly.
"You should blame me," Rin added quietly. "I truly believed I can return it like how it was before"
Caelum shook his head. "Then stop looking like that. You did what no one else could."
Rin hesitated. "You're… remarkably calm."
Caelum chuckled softly. "I've spent my whole life being controlled. This is merely another form of it."
Rin met Caelum's eyes. "And thank you. For saving Riven."
Rin bowed again, deeply. "I owe you."
"Then we are even," Caelum said lightly. "Now go. Return to your sharp tongue. I prefer it."
Rin smiled faintly and turned to leave.
Once alone, Caelum stood.
He dressed carefully, movements precise, practiced—like a prince stepping back into armor.
"Eiran," he said, fastening his cloak. "We're returning to the capital."
Havel stared. "Now, Your Highness?"
"Yes."
"B-but ....…You're unbelievable."
Caelum smiled. "I know."
Outside, the storm had passed.
And the kingdom, at last, was ready to face the truth.