The Price of Survival

The hall held its breath, every eye locked on Kaelen. 

The silence was absolute, broken only by the crackling of the torches and the distant echo of the city beyond the walls. It was a moment poised on the precipice of chaos, as the carefully constructed order of the Conclave threatened to shatter.

Emperor Kaelith leaned forward on his throne, his expression unreadable. 

"Prince Kaelen," he said, his voice smooth but laced with an underlying steel. 

"Are you accusing the kingdom of Velarion of committing treason against the Dominion of Aurathos?"

Kaelen met the Emperor's gaze, unwavering. 

"No, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice carrying through the hall. "I am accusing a single, high-ranking member of that kingdom: Commander Lady Selene of Velarion. While she may be a crucial component in the security of the kingdom and close to its queen, that does not mean she is the kingdom."

Gasps shot through the hall, a collective intake of breath as the accusation struck home. Heads turned towards Queen Lysandra, her beautiful face now a mask of shock, anger, and an almost tangible fear.

The Emperor steepled his fingers, his gaze shifting to Kaelen, his eyes knowing more than what he allowed to show. 

This was something, that he seemed, was not expecting. 

"And do you have any proof of this… audacious claim, Prince Kaelen?"

Kaelen nodded, his gaze unwavering. "If we return to Lady Selene's temporary residency here in Valdrathar, we will find alchemical cores and weapons intended to be smuggled to the Zoryn Empire immediately after the conclusion of this Conclave." His voice rang with authority, each word a carefully calculated blow against the delicate balance of power within the hall.

The chaos had begun, the seeds had been planted and now he just needed to reap what it sows. 

But he could see it in her face, a mix of anger and confusion. A woman used to control had lost it entirely, a clear act that she was caught between what was the correct political moves, and her most pure emotions.

Selene, who had been standing near her Queen, had lowered her head, her hands clenching into tight fists. She had known this was likely going to happen, the seeds had been planted well. 

But it did not mean she was happy, and the subtle shift that happened in her entire body when her name was spoken did not go unnoticed by Kaelen. The veil of icy composure that usually covered her was slowly starting to crack.

While, above all the events, The Queen's carefully crafted mask faltered aswell. Kaelen had made himself a powerful enemy, in a game that he knew he must win, or risk utter devastation, and by targeting Velarion he has risked much of it all.

Kaelen paused, the impact of his words hanging heavy in the air, his gaze piercing and unforgiving, 

"I must emphasize, however, that our investigation has led us to believe that the kingdom of Velarion was entirely unaware of Lady Selene's treason." He deliberately made the caveat, knowing it wouldn't absolve Velarion completely, but it would buy the kingdom some time. 

This helped Kaelen build back favor with some that previously scorned and was just trying to exploit the fall of his kingdom. 

It was a calculated move, a desperate measure to preserve her power and his. After all, they, nor did she, had never seen someone take on power in the realm the way that this supposed-drunkard did.

The Emperor, in all his regality, then turned his gaze towards Selene, his voice dangerously soft. 

"Lady Selene Veyth, commander of the forces of Velarion…are Prince Kaelen's words true?"

Selene remained silent for a long moment, her head bowed, as she weighed her options, calculating every possible outcome. 

Kaelen could sense the turmoil raging within her, the struggle between self-preservation and loyalty. She could deny it, claiming the weapons and alchemical cores were intended for other purposes, she could say that these were all ploys from the desperate Prince of Ash. 

She could. 

She could lie and be done with all this trouble right here and now. 

However, that action would almost certainly trigger an investigation of Velarion, an inquest by the Imperial guard that would unearth far more than just her clandestine activities. 

The truth would be reveled, that the treason was committed by the entirety of the Velarion kingdom and it would force her lie open for everyone to see it. If that happened, the queen, the most important part of the kingdom, would be forced to stand on the altar of truth, and she would be unable to tell any lies. 

This would mean the entire Velarion kingdom ruling council including the queen will be slaughtered, and the kindom will be overthrown.

So, if she wanted to protect the queen, her sister in all but blood, she had only one option. 

What choice could she possibly have.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Selene raised her head, her gaze meeting the Emperor's unwavering stare. 

"It is the truth, Your Majesty," she said, her voice clear and steady despite the storm brewing within her. "For my own selfish gain, I have betrayed the kingdom of Velarion and the Dominion of Aurathos." The words were like a death knell, sealing her fate in the eyes of the court.

The Emperor then turned his gaze to Lysandra, his expression devoid of any warmth. 

"Queen Lysandra Veyth," he said, his voice echoing through the hall. "Were you unaware of Selene's treason? Do you have knowledge of this conspiracy?"