Calm before the storm, or storm before the calm?

I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Rafael."

His breathing grew heavier.

"Rafael," I said again.

His shoulders started shaking.

I heard footsteps from outside. I needed to stop this before it got worse. I shook his shoulders.

"RAFAEL!"

That seemed to snap him out of it. He looked at me wide-eyed, "Wha?"

Right at that moment, the door flung open.

"ETHAN!" yelled Lionel.

"Oh there you are," I said. Thank goodness. Now that he was here, things were safer.

Lionel was out of breath and sweating profusely. "Are you alright?"

I looked left and right, "You're asking me?"

"Of course I'm asking you!" he yelled.

"Yeah... I guess?" It was so strange to hear him asking about my well being. "Is..." I looked hesitantly at Rafael, then continued. "Is the King alright?"

Lionel said, "Yes, thankfully he is alright. No thanks to him!" Rafael glared at Lionel.

Rafael looked hurt, "Your Highness, I still am unaware as to—"

"DON'T PLAY DUMB!"

Rafael drew back instantly. Clearly this rejection stung. I turned to Lionel and said, "I know you're upset but like, chill for a second."

Lionel looked at me incredulously, "You want me to chill? Chill what?"

Oh right. Weird old place. "I mean to let me explain."

Lionel crossed his arms and leaned back on the door. "Very well. Explain."

I took a deep breath and said, "Whatever happened, Rafael isn't the main guy at fault."

Rafael made a squeaking sound, "I still don't know what happ—"

I cut him off and said, "I think you shouldn't be hasty to do whatever you're going to do. There's something worse at play here."

Lionel stared at me for a moment, then raised his arm and pointed at me, "I will only listen to you because your timely actions saved the King. However, GUARDS!"

Five guards swarmed the room. I knew immediately they were mob characters because they looked exactly the same. They quickly handcuffed Rafael.

Rafael's eyes widened but he said nothing.

Lionel's voice turned commanding, "We are to go to the throne room now. Rafael will undergo a private trial in front of the King at once."

Rafael looked completely lost, but just hung his head in shame. I felt a pang of guilt. I knew how it felt to be blamed for something you didn't do. It wasn't a good feeling.

I followed Lionel and the guards to the throne room. This time, it was weird. It was almost as if I was being... trusted. It was a nice feeling, but the fact it came at the cost of someone else's dignity was distressing.

A thought came into my mind, but it was immediately dashed.

That thought was, "Haha! Take that for being such so annoying and suspicious of me!"

But after that, all I felt was shame. How could I think something so selfish? But... if I really thought about it, that sort of thought process was always normal when playing a game.

However this time, it was real. I saw the sad droop to his eyes, the regret in his face. And I couldn't bring myself to feel happy.

Finally we arrived at the throne room. This time, I was so used to the fresh smell I barely felt it. The King sat on his throne just as he did before. However, now he was visibly unwell. His skin was pale and his eyes looked tired.

"Finally the traitor arrives." said the King.

I was stunned. His tone carried none of the gentle kindness it did before. His voice was cold and steely, full of scorn. Completely different to what I'd heard before.

"Let us begin the trial," said the King. The room fell completely silent.