The courtroom was almost as cold as it had been when the Disciples had been present. No one said anything for a while. Aeric continued to glance between Ilyon and his mother, trying to look guilty.
Mother Guinevere had a sharp and stern gaze locked onto him, making him dart his eyes away from her nervously.
Finally, she broke the silence with a mention of his name; "Aeric," she said coolly. "Do you have any idea at all why you're here?"
Aeric swallowed hard, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. "Mhm… I might have a feeling."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her piercing gaze scanning her son deep in his eyes as though she could extract the truth from there. "Is it true?" she asked. "Is there a Daughter of Moonlight currently residing in my castle?"
Aeric opened his mouth, then closed it again, searching for the right words. None came.
"Aericccc?" Guinevere called his name with a silent warning.