The silence hung in the air, no one dared to speak nor to argue
Syrion looked at her in suprise,his eyebrows furrowed in controlled rage
"..Do you have any evidence to support your.. statement?" The Emperor asks
"I have, Your majesty." Reillana stepped up, standing in the center of the Hall. "While I was out in the wilderness, I didn't just sit there and wait for someone to rescue me, I investigated the incident on my own, and companions, perhaps."
She clasps her hands in front of her, a formal gesture with her back straight
"I had a conclusion, a theory to say. The Duke was last seen meeting up with Syrion's mother in the slums, some might say it because he has needs he can't find in the others other than his lover. But I speak the truth as I say, Syrion isn't my father's son."
Syrion clench his fists, staring daggers at me and ready to push his sword through my heart
"Syrion is Sir Pierson's son, one of the loyal knights of my father who died protecting him once. He has the same color hair as the Knight and same eyes as his mother" I spoke, slowly laying my intentions
"My father took the initiative to take care of Sir Pierson's only son. And the only way for him to live in peace is by his side, as his son."
The emperor looked at me in uncertainty then he sat up properly, "Prove it. Words won't win."
I lifted my gaze as Sir Ren dragged Marcie, Syrion's assistant beside me
"I know very much the consequences of my actions for dragging a witness rather than asking for permission, I'll deal with the consequences later on. Sir Marcie here, has been my father's assistant for almost all his life."
"I had forced him to speak the truth in exchange for his life. He snuck back at the Estate yesterday night to take one of the Duke's letter." I said, handing the letter in one of the knights to hand it to the Emperor
"The letter contains Duke Millaber saying that he shall took in Syrion Pierson and give him the name of Millaber." I said, I had said it. The plan I had made with the second prince.
I had a talk with him in the carriage the other day, I had asked him for help, as much as it hurts my pride, it was worth it.
"Then what about you?" Syrion's words cut through the silence and everyone turned to look
"He named me heir. Not directly but he did, as his son." He said seriously, letting out a dry chuckle
"Why don't we ask the mighty Emperor? Did the Duke beg you to change the lady's hair?" He spoke, Reillana looked at him in confused and the Emperor's eyebrow twitched
"Did he beg you to make sure Reillana lives?" He asks, "You are my witness, Your majesty. He took me in to carry on his legacy, and you know that."
"What're you talking ab-"
"He dyed your hair knowing the Dukedom won't accept you as they did to me!" Syrion snaps "He might have use me, yes. But he did it knowing you're weak, you're a girl."
"Silence!"
The emperor said, "There's only one person to blame in this."
He had made his decision.
He stands up, gesturing for the knights to open the door of the throne room
Syrion's eyes widen as a body was carried, dropped in Reillana's feet, The body was covered but the hair and hand was visible
"If only she had refused the Duke, she would've gotten away, but no. She uses her son to rise to power, a commoner. Off with her son's head."
Reillana's eyes widen, stepping up
"Your majesty! I beg your pardon, but this is just a sibling rivalry, he's a child, yes. And that's no excuse, but having a child executed by his mother's mistake is wrong!"
Before anyone can react, her statement cut through the dead silence
"Fine. Have the child escorted to the Estate, and let the lady of Millaber do what she will with it."