The court remained silent as a heavy pressure radiated from the Emperor.
On the high throne, Emperor Kaelen Aurelis sat perfectly still. His golden eyes held no warmth. His gazed over the assembled officials then briefly on his two sons, who were seated among their respective factions.
The Imperial Minister stepped forward and bowed.
"The formal royal inquiry is now in session," the Minister announced, his voice amplified by essence. "The matter at hand: the total disappearance and presumed deaths of four elite Royal Guards assigned to the temporary command of Prince Asher Aurelis."
He presented the documents to an attendant, who carried them toward the throne.
Emperor Kaelen glanced through the reports before looking at the assembled court.
"The records confirm that the four guards departed to investigate disturbances near the northern border," the Minister continued. "Their movements were documented and no evidence currently contradicts this account."
"Four elite guards," Edric said, rising from his seat. "Men that were entrusted with the safety of my brother."
He turned toward the throne and bowed. "I do not question the possibility of a beast tide. However, the circumstances surrounding their deaths deserve closer examination."
His words carried a reasonable concern, but the direction of his argument was clear.
Asher remained seated, and his expression was composed. "The guards were assigned to investigate the disturbances," he replied.
"They pursued the matter into the forest and entered a high risk area. The official reports support the conclusion that they encountered a beast tide. Their decision to proceed without sufficient caution was their own."
Edric’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Then you accept no responsibility?"
"I accept responsibility for my command but that does not mean I should be held accountable for every reckless decision made by those under it."
Asher’s voice remained calm. "If evidence establishes that I neglected my duties, then I will answer for it."
Most of the neutral officials aligned with Asher’s viewpoint, while others watched Edric, waiting to see how he would proceed.
Edric did not press the accusation further. Instead, he turned his attention to the documents before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, there is another matter that should be considered."
Kaelen’s gaze settled on him. "Speak."
"The disturbances occurred near the borders, and the reports were submitted by House Hayes on their own," Edric said. "I am not accusing House Hayes of wrongdoing. But, if the information provided is correct, then it is only reasonable that its accuracy be verified."
House Hayes had remained publicly neutral throughout the struggle between the two princes and drawing the house into an imperial inquiry would force them to answer questions before the court, and all their plans will be laid bare.
Across the hall, Edric returned to his seat.
Emperor Kaelen remained silent for a while, studying the reports. The weight of his presence pressed upon the assembly, leaving no one willing to speak without permission.
At last, he looked toward Asher. "You were responsible for the guards during their assignment. Do you deny that?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then their deaths will remain part of the assessment of your command."
Asher bowed his head. "As Your Majesty commands."
Kaelen’s gaze moved to Edric. "However, responsibility must be established through evidence, not assumption. The reports currently before this court do not demonstrate that Prince Asher deliberately endangered the guards or neglected his duties."
Edric lowered his head. "I agree, Your Majesty. That is why I have requested a thorough investigation."
Kaelen did not immediately respond.
He examined the documents once more before handing them back to Minister.
"Prince Asher’s failure to ensure the safe return of the guards will be treated as an unfortunate outcome of his trip, not as misconduct on his part. Unless other evidence emerges, no additional punishment will be imposed upon him for their deaths."
At the Asher’s side, several officials who had remained tense since the beginning of the hearing relaxed, though none dared to show their relief openly.
Edric’s expression remained respectful. The Emperor had declined to punish Asher, but the matter had not yet reached its conclusion.
Kaelen continued. "The disturbances along the border, cannot be ignored. The Empire must understand what occurred there and whether any further threat remains."
He turned toward the Imperial Minister. "Prepare an investigation to the border disturbances and the guards’ deaths. House Hayes will also be subject to-"
Kaelen’s gaze had shifted from the minister to a point beyond the assembled officials. For a brief moment, his eyes lost their focus, as though his attention had been drawn away from the hall itself.
The Imperial Minister stood with his head lowered, waiting for the Emperor to finish. Around him, the officials also remained still, uncertain why the Emperor had paused.
Edric kept his gaze lowered, but the faint satisfaction had appeared on his face. The Emperor had accepted the central part of his request.
An investigation would also place House Hayes under the radar, then he would have an opportunity to investigate what had Asher done when he was there.
Across the hall, Asher’s fingers tightened against the armrest of his seat. He had expected the Emperor to consider the request but hearing the Emperor also include Hayes under investigation made the danger more immediate.
Marcus had provided the reports in good faith. The house had done nothing to warrant suspicion, yet the political consequences could not be dismissed so easily.
Several seconds passed. Then Kaelen’s eyes returned to the documents before him. "-excluded from the scope of this inquiry."
The satisfaction on Edric’s face vanished.
The Emperor continued as though the sentence had proceeded without interruption.
"House Hayes has served the Empire for generations, and its reports have been consistent with the information available to this court and they have concluded the beast rampage is subsided. So, there is no reason to investigate them, and the beast forest."
The Imperial Minister bowed deeply. "As Your Majesty commands."
No one challenged the decision. Edric bowed and returned to his seat, concealing his disappointment.
Asher relaxed, his expression remaining calm. Though he remained a bit suspicious about the Emperor’s sudden change.
"The guard’s deaths will remain on record, and if any credible evidence emerge, the matter may be revisited. Until then, the speculation will not be treated as judgment," Kaelen declared as he rose from his seat and departed.
Both princes bowed with the court. Edric’s attempt to draw House Hayes into the inquiry had failed, while Asher remained uncertain about what had caused the Emperor to change his decision so abruptly.