This was the quietest the golden chamber of the Aurum Convergence had ever been.
Since Archmage Orivar made the unprecedented request to spare the heirs of Sureva, the room stood in a cacophony of silence, every faction calculating what their next move would be.
King Henry, who had been standing in front of his throne, turned to face everyone gathered. His voice was even, but it was obvious he had put his foot down.
"Let us vote."
A murmur of unwelcome spread among the nobles. Some were whispering to one another nervously, while others had fallen back with their heads tilted back cautiously. The fate of the whole kingdom now relied on a single question: Will the heirs of Sureva live or die?
The first to take their feet were all the vassals of House Sureva, led by Marquis Mellon, who had taken the lead and carried an expression that indicated he was resolute.
"I motion to spare the heirs," Mellon said. "And the reason that I am standing here today is because the bloodline of Sieha Qamarcus does not deserve to die like this."
A small group of other loyal banners joined him—lesser houses once bound to Sureva's rule. Yet it was clear that not all stood firm. Several former allies kept their seats, their eyes carefully avoiding Mellon's.
Next came the opportunists.
Nobles, merchants, and minor dukes who had already begun aligning themselves with Duke Siegfried stood one by one, loudly calling for no mercy.
"The bloodline is tainted," one baroness sneered."They'll only bring war again," added a merchant lord."End them now while you can," echoed another.
Siegfried sat motionless, watching his influence swell like a rising tide.
The votes stood nearly equal.
Then the hall turned to Remus and Ram.
The twin Grand Knights stood side by side, their towering forms casting long shadows across the chamber. All waited for their decision.
Remus put up a hand. "The Knights of the Northern Wall… abstain."
Collectively everyone held their breath.
King Henry sighed and rubbed the side of his head. "The Crown… abstains."
Once again there were gasps. The King's inability to choose had left the room hanging in the balance.
However, Orivar showed no frustration. He quietly turned to his left, toward Dolph standing quietly beside the King and asked,
"Your Majesty with all due respect, as a Grand Knight, Dolph is able to make a vote."
The room stirred again. Everyone's gaze cast back to the Grand Knight, who still had not moved since the Convergence began.
Siegfried leaned a little forward, his silky voice cutting through the air. "Sir Dolph, you have served the Crown with loyalty for decades. You know better than I the trouble with leaving children of bad lineage left alive. Make a wise choice."
A hush fell on the room.
But before Dolph could speak, Duke Verasus leaned back in his chair and gave one loud cough.
It presented like a gunshot across the assembly.
Siegfried froze, his eyes narrowed.
Dolph stood perfectly still and then stepped forward.
"I vote… to spare the heirs," Dolph said.
The chamber erupted into gasps.
He lifted his gaze slightly; his voice softening.
"I gave my oath to Hunter Gardan, Captain of House Sureva. I watched him fall as he purchased time for those children to escape. I watched him give everything for their future." Dolph's hands clenched ever so slightly. "I would not dishonor that sacrifice."
The shock rolled across the chamber like a wave.
Remus flinched at the name, his lips parting as if trying to form words that refused to come. Ram, beside him, visibly staggered. His hand trembled as he reached for his brother's arm.
"Hunter…" Ram whispered, tears filling his eyes.
He looked to the floor, voice cracking for the first time.
"I… I vote in favor… as well."
Murmurs broke across the chamber. The scales had tipped.
King Henry stood tall, looking across the assembly.
"The motion passes. The heirs of Sureva are to be spared execution," he declared firmly. "I hereby assign Marquis Mellon to oversee their recovery and protection."
Mellon bowed, visibly emotional but proud.
But even as some nobles sighed in relief, Siegfried rose.
He gave a slow, deliberate smile, his voice oozing confidence.
"While the death penalty is lifted… I submit, by the laws of the Duchy of Rayoda, that the heirs are still wanted criminals—charged with crimes of treason, theft of royal property, and endangerment of Rayoda's people."
Henry's jaw tightened, but Siegfried's declaration was technically legal. The law permitted duchies to mark criminals within their own jurisdictions, even if the Crown spared them from execution.
Siegfried looked directly at Orivar, smug satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
Orivar… simply nodded, unbothered.
"Let it be recorded," A mage behind Orivar snickered, "that Siegfried fears children."
Laughter rippled quietly among the Archmage's supporters.
Siegfried's smirk twitched but held firm.
Henry gave no reaction. His expression was unreadable as he motioned for the record-keepers to seal the results.
The room stirred once more—but deep beneath the formalities, the true war had only just begun.