The Tipping Point

 "You look... healthier, Your Majesty." Arius commented with a hint of surprise as he noticed how Zeya's complexion appeared brighter. 

 "I'm flattered." She smiled half-heartedly as she got off the carriage while holding onto the minister's strong arms for support. "I guess I really needed to refuel myself after all."

 Arius was slightly confused until he finally understood what she had meant. '...Oh.'

 "You must've had a wonderful time then." He commented, slightly relieved to see that she did well despite being alone with Varen in that small, faraway village. Zeya only gave him a small and content smile as her answer and Arius was satisfied with just that gesture.

 She swiftly walked past the glaring gazes of the two Valors that were also there to welcome their emperor, still displeased by the Roseabelle's presence in their sacred home. She only greeted the royal advisor, Ezra with a small nod, who smiled back in return.

 "How are the others?" She whispered the question to Arius, expecting to hear some kind of good news.

 "Slightly angered, but they have been behaving." Arius replied with a reassuring nod. "They're waiting for you inside in your study... together with the human princess, Kaari."

 "And what business does she have with me, or any of us for that matter?" Zeya questioned, uninterested in speaking with the pestering human after such an exhausting journey. "Don't tell me she's regained her memories of what happened to her grandfather."

 "I doubt that is the case." Arius reasoned with a shake of his head. "Varen wiped her memories clean, causing her to be overly fatigued. According to Claire, she only ever sleeps unless Varen needs her presence in front of the human council."

 "She's practically become a living doll then." Zeya stated harshly despite her blank expression. "We should hurry back over there, or else she's going to end up as dinner meat without anyone to supervise the Roseabelles. And I don't want to be blamed for her foolish decisions."

 "It'll be alright, Amrit is making sure that everyone is on their best behavior." Arius reasoned calmly. "They wouldn't dare to prey on a princess, it's far too risky."

 "Let's head there immediately so we can get rid of her quicker." She motioned Arius to follow her as she immediately began to walk away. "I'm starting to get tired of having to deal with humans."

 "Where do you think you're going?" Varen called out to her, his expression souring as soon as he realized that she was together with Arius. 

 "And how is that any of your concern, Your Majesty?" She bit back without looking back, waving her hands at him dismissively. "I'm sure you have more important matters to handle right now, starting with that lowly traitor of yours."

 "A traitor?" Sukha repeated as all three of the Kaxarenes' head turned to Varen, who could only sigh in defeat as anger danced in his eyes, almost boring a hole onto Zeya's back because of how intense it was.

 "It appears that my suspicions were right." She finally glanced back to hold Varen's glare. "I suggest you handle your nation's matters first before demanding me to your liking."

 "... Follow me, all of you." He demanded as he opened up what seemed to be a portal before he stepped into it, with the rest following suit. 

=================

 The air in the room was tense as the Kaxarenes waited for Varen to say something. Anything. Something in his demeanor had completely switched after Varen watched Zeya left and something was telling Kango that was what worsened his mood more than it already was.

 'Something must be wrong.' He thought to himself, watching Varen's expression like an eagle. 'It's rare to see him this reactive.'

 "Y-Your Majesty." Ezra finally gathered enough courage to speak up first, much to Kango's surprise. "I-Is something the matter?"

 "... It seems like I've been made a fool." He finally answered with a laugh but there was no humor in his expression. Only malice.

 "Just like you've heard, we have a traitor lurking in our presence... and it's not just one individual." He let out a deep sigh before he continued. "It appears like they've been digging up corpses of Valors to harvest their gems before using them as enhancers for psychedelic flowers."

 "... What?" Sukha exclaimed with her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and utter shock. "That can't be true, who would possibly do such a thing-"

 "What is there to find so hard to believe when I'm claiming to have seen all the evidence myself, Sukha?" His tone dropped an octave, signifying how he was slightly annoyed by her baseless defenses. "Don't tell me you're one of them? Is that why you're trying so hard to shift the blame to someone else?"

 Sukha was too shocked by Varen's accusations to even defend herself and instead just allowed the silence to talk in her stead. Varen remained unapologetic as he sighed in frustration from everything that has been on his plate without his consent.

 Varen only ever had one major flaw and that was how difficult it was for him to keep his anger in check. This often resulted in sudden outbursts that would only end when he was truly satisfied with the damage he's done to whatever or whoever.

 "I already have my suspicions on who's behind all this, but it never hurts to have definite evidence just in case they try to slip away from any punishment." He said with a calm voice that unnerved Ezra and the Valors. Varen was not a merciful being when it came to betrayal and everyone, even his own citizens knew of this fact. 

 "The investigation will begin as soon as the sun rises." He concluded the meeting with the simple yet firm order. "For now, I want all of them detained, even if they claim to be innocent. Especially the humans, do not let them leave Exousia for any matter."

 "Understood, Your Majesty." Sukha replied, knowing that the order was directed at her despite Varen not mentioning her name.

 "Kango, I will entrust you with investigating the burial sites for any signs of disturbance." He looked over at the expressionless Valor, who only nodded as a response. "Gather as much evidence as you can and report back to me directly of anything you find."

 "I will interrogate every single one of them myself." He flashed a devilish smile as he said that. "I can't help but wonder how they'll defend themselves."