chapter 4

Three days later, the grand main hall of the Ravenhert estate was packed with people. The air was thick with tension as nobles, royal guards, and court officials filled the space. The court members had arrived to investigate the sudden and brutal death of Greyrat.

Though the Greyrat family lacked noble lineage, they wielded power through immense wealth and strong ties with several influential noble houses. Their close connection to the royal family only amplified the weight of this investigation. At the center of it all sat Greyrat's father—a rotund man draped in excessive gold jewelry. His fingers, each adorned with rings, clenched the armrests of his chair in frustration. His expression twisted between sorrow and rage as he waited for an explanation for his son's untimely demise.

Suddenly, the massive doors of the hall creaked open.

All noise ceased.

The room turned its attention toward the entrance as Zed stepped inside. He wore a sleek black and royal blue noble coat, embroidered with silver linings resembling ancient sigils. Beneath it, a fitted vest clung to his frame, showing a more refined look than before. His once-messy long hair was now trimmed and styled neatly, parted slightly to the side, revealing his sharp eyes. He radiated an aura of authority, making it hard for anyone to believe he was just a nine-year-old boy.

Beside him, Aurora walked with graceful poise, draped in an elegant midnight-blue gown adorned with silver embroidery resembling a starry night. Her once-soft, expressive features had hardened, replaced by an unreadable calm. The way she carried herself exuded confidence—gone was the flustered girl from before. Her long golden hair was now styled into a sophisticated braided crown, with a few loose strands framing her face, accentuating her piercing blue eyes.

Trailing behind them was Sir Jaeger, the head swordmaster of the Ravenhert family. His every step sent a ripple of invisible pressure through the room. His sheer presence was enough to make even the court officials stiffen in their seats.

The hall remained silent.

Some of the nobles couldn't help but admire Aurora's breathtaking beauty, while others felt their throats tighten under Jaeger's overwhelming aura.

Zed approached the grand seat at the head of the room—the place meant for the lord of the estate. Without hesitation, he sat down, crossing his legs with the composed arrogance of a ruler. Aurora took her seat beside him, her expression unshaken, as though she had already accepted the weight of what was to come.

Jaeger took a step forward, his deep voice echoing across the grand hall.

"Let the meeting begin."

At his command, the gathered nobles, guards, and officials straightened in their seats. A few exchanged uncertain glances, their initial assumptions now shaken. They had believed the court's presence was due to Greyrat's family seeking justice—but now, a chilling realization settled over them.

This meeting had been called by the Ravenhert family.

A murmur spread through the crowd, but it quickly died down as Habil, Greyrat's father, stepped forward. His large frame, adorned in extravagant gold jewellery, shimmered under the chandelier's glow. Though his plump face held a forced smile, the rage in his bloodshot eyes betrayed him.

With a dramatic bow, he introduced himself.

"I am Habil, father of Greyrat." His voice, thick with barely contained fury, rang through the hall. Straightening his back, he met Zed's cold gaze and asked,

"Why was my son killed?"

He paused, looking around the room, gauging the expressions of the court members. Then, tilting his head slightly, he continued,

"And more importantly… why was the court summoned by you, Lord Zed, rather than by us?"

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

The nobles and officials had come under the assumption that Habil had demanded an inquiry into his son's murder. But instead, it was Zed himself who had summoned them.

The room grew tense.

Zed sat comfortably on the grand chair, one leg crossed over the other, fingers lightly tapping the armrest. His cold golden eyes regarded Habil with an unsettling calm, as if he were nothing more than a merchant haggling over a lost coin.

The hall fell silent as a court official, an older man in a finely tailored robe with the royal insignia, stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he opened a thick leather-bound book and turned to a specific page. His voice rang with authority as he read aloud:

"According to the Code of Aristocracy, Section 3, Clause 17—'If a commoner commits an act of sexual harassment or assault upon a noble, they are to be sentenced to death, either by official decree or immediate enforcement in cases of self-defense.'"

The gathered nobles whispered amongst themselves, some nodding at the legitimacy of the law, while others exchanged uneasy glances.

Habil's smug expression faltered, but only for a second before he scoffed and regained his composure.

"So what if my son made an advance? He was supposed to be sentenced by the court or the royal family! Not slaughtered like a pig by a mere noble!"

His gold-covered rings clinked as he clenched his fists. Then, with a dramatic sweep of his hand, he pointed directly at Jaeger, his voice dripping with accusation.

"That man! That butcher—he's the one who murdered my son!"

Jaeger remained motionless; his expression unreadable. His presence alone was a wall of silent authority.

The court official did not flinch. Instead, he closed the book and looked Habil directly in the eye.

"Mister Habil, my statement is not yet finished."

The murmurs in the hall ceased immediately.

The official continued, his tone now colder, more deliberate.

"Your son was not an innocent victim. On the night of his death, while heavily intoxicated, he murdered two Ravenhert estate guards and a maid before forcibly entering Lady Aurora's chambers. He attempted to violate her, but Lady Aurora resisted and pushed him away. Enraged, he drew his dagger and attempted to stab her—an act that would have resulted in her death. Fortunately, Sir Jaeger arrived just in time to prevent this crime.

Greyrat, in his drunken madness, did not recognize the man he was attacking. He foolishly attempted to stab a sword master. In return, his hand was severed. And when he continued his assault… he was executed."

A heavy silence descended upon the room.

Habil's face twisted in fury and disbelief. His chest heaved as he struggled to come up with a rebuttal. His mind raced.

"This is bullshit!" he finally roared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "We all know this is a cooked-up story!"

He took a deep breath, his mind grasping for an opening. Then, narrowing his eyes, he smirked and said,

"Even if what you said is true… where is the proof? Where is the evidence that this was self-AA

The court officer adjusted his robe, his voice measured and firm.

"I'm glad you asked, Mister Habil. We do have proof. And you know him very well. Guards, bring him in."

The heavy doors creaked open, and two royal guards entered, flanking a familiar figure.

Larry.

At first, Habil's face lit up with hope upon seeing his surviving son, but that hope quickly twisted into confusion and unease.

Larry walked with sluggish steps, his face pale, his shoulders slumped. He looked like a man who had aged decades in a matter of days. His eyes were hollow, sunken, as if haunted by something unspeakable.

The court officer gestured toward him.

"Larry Greyrat, tell us what you saw that night."

Larry kept his head down. His gaze never lifted from the floor; his voice flat, emotionless.

"My brother… he got drunk. He killed the guards. He killed the maid of the esteemed Ravenhert family. He entered Lady Aurora's chambers…"

A shudder ran through his body, but he forced himself to continue.

"…and he paid the price for it. His head was taken by sir jaeger as an act of self-defense."

The hall fell into complete silence.

Habil's face contorted in fury and disbelief. He stormed toward Larry, gripping his shoulders with shaking hands.

"Do you know what you're saying?! Your brother is dead, and you're siding with his murderers?! Come on! Tell them it's all a lie! Tell them!"

Larry didn't flinch. He didn't resist. He just stood there, motionless, as if he were nothing more than an empty husk.

And then, in a low, trembling whisper, he leaned close to his father's ear.

"Dad… I want to go home. I'm scared, Dad. I'm scared of that boy. Please… just end it. I don't want to suffer anymore."

Habil froze.

His hands, once gripping Larry tightly, went slack.

He saw it now.

Larry wasn't just scared.

He was broken.

Something had happened that night—something beyond what the words 'self-defense' could explain.

And the cause of it was standing in this very room.

The moment Habil's gaze shifted toward Zed, he felt a chill creep down his spine.

Zed had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, but as he sat on the head chair, legs crossed, his presence felt suffocating. His sharp, emotionless gaze locked onto them, unbothered, unreadable—as if he were an untouchable being.

This wasn't the weak, sickly boy from before.

And Aurora…

Habil looked at her and felt an unfamiliar sense of dread.

The once timid, fragile girl who used to cling to her father's reputation was gone.

In her place sat a woman cold as ice, yet regal in her demeanor. She carried herself like a queen, her very presence commanding respect.

When…?

When did the Ravenhert family become so… majestic?

Habil's mind raced, but he had no time to process it before Zed finally moved.

The boy uncrossed his legs, standing up from his seat.

"So, we're done here then?" His voice was calm, indifferent.

He turned on his heel and walked toward the grand doors, his steps slow, deliberate.

"My sister will take care of the rest."

Jeager followed immediately behind him, along with four armored guards.

As Zed's figure disappeared beyond the doorway, the hall remained eerily silent.

Then, Aurora spoke.

"Now then, Habil…"

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a weight that made the air feel heavy.

Habil flinched.

"…Let's get to the real reason we called the court members here today."

A shiver ran down his spine.

He could feel it. Something was wrong.

He had come expecting vengeance—to demand retribution for his son's death.

But now…

Now he was the one on trial.

Aurora's icy gaze met his.

"Your firstborn son not only damaged our property, insulted the honor of the Ravenhert family, and attempted to take advantage of me…" She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

"…But for such a crime, there must be consequences."

She turned her head slightly, looking toward the court officer.

He nodded, retrieving a rolled parchment from his satchel.

Unrolling it, he began to read.

"For the destruction of Ravenhert family property, the murder of their guards and maid, and the attempted assault on Lady Aurora, the Greyrat family is hereby fined an amount of one hundred thousand gold coins to be paid in full to House Ravenhert."

The court officer lowered the parchment, rolling it up again before stepping toward Habil, holding it out to him.

All eyes fell on Habil.

His face was ghostly pale.

His fingers twitched slightly as he took the bill from the court officer's hands.

His gaze lingered on the fine.

One hundred thousand gold coins.

It was a crippling amount.

And yet…

He said nothing.

He couldn't.

His mind was still replaying the last words his son had whispered to him.

"…I'm scared of that boy."

Habil clenched his jaw, his fingernails digging into his palm.

He had no choice.

Swallowing the bitter taste of defeat, he bowed his head slightly.

"…I understand."

And with that, the verdict was sealed.