The doors of the royal hall were opened with deliberate slowness.

  The king entered first, preceded by the First Royal Advisor with steady steps, followed by the judge. The moment their feet touched the hall's floor, all movement died. Those standing bowed immediately, and those seated straightened in unison, as if a single thread had pulled every spine upright at the same instant.

  The king sat, rested one hand on the arm of the throne, and cast a single sweeping glance across the hall—neither welcoming nor threatening.

  The judge stepped forward. He struck the gavel once. Only once.

  "The Royal Court is reconvened."

  He took a single breath, then said: "After full deliberation between His Majesty the King and the Court Council, and after reviewing the evidence, analyses, and testimonies, the recitation of the final judgments now begins."

  He paused briefly, then continued: "The case before us is neither an isolated incident nor a series of administrative errors. What has been revealed is a system of crises deliberately constructed and employed to reshape influence within the kingdom through economic and political pressure, compromising the state's stability and long-term security."

  He raised his head slightly: "Accordingly, the court begins by passing judgment on the principal head of the scheme."

  "Prince Darius."

  At the moment the name was spoken, the king clenched his fist so tightly that the joints of his hand locked, and he closed his eyes for a single second. One second that Ken saw. That Adrian saw. And that Darius himself saw as well…

  Yet Darius showed nothing. He remained standing, his gaze fixed forward, with a coldness bordering on indifference.

  The judge continued: "Prince Darius is hereby stripped of all titles. He is exiled to a remote monastery outside the sphere of political influence. He shall remain under supervision by units of the Royal Guard. And he is permanently deprived of inheritance and all royal record."

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  Silence filled the hall for a few moments.

  Then the judge moved on without pause: "The court now proceeds to the judgments concerning the implicated nobles, who are divided into three categories."

  He began with the first category: "The principal figures whose direct and prior cooperation has been proven : Judgment—execution, with full confiscation of all assets."

  He then recited the names with unmistakable clarity:

  Duke Fitzberg.

  Duke Havner.

  Duke Montevra.

  Baron Eldric San.

  Baron Haven Rex.

  Count Montfort.

  (and several other names)

  Not a single whisper rose.

  He moved to the second category: "The noble families who cooperated to varying degrees : Their noble rank shall be reduced, and their assets partially or fully confiscated, in proportion to the extent of their involvement."

  Then he listed the names:

  De Lorraine.

  Fernham.

  Harwood.

  De La Cour.

  (and several other names)

  Finally, he said: "All those whose connection was indirect or whose benefit was secondary : Judgment—five years' imprisonment, with military and administrative sanctions imposed upon their families to reestablish loyalty."

  The judge paused briefly.

  Then his tone shifted slightly—not softer, but more precise: "As for the three duchies of the Sixteen Families…"

  Many breaths were drawn in at once.

  "The court acknowledges their innocence of direct involvement. However, innocence does not mean the file is closed, nor does it negate the necessity of reaffirming loyalty."

  He then announced the ruling: "These duchies are hereby assigned special royal missions, to be determined at a later time, and shall operate under the direct supervision of His Majesty the King."

  It was not a threat. It was a test.

  The judge continued without delay: "Furthermore, all institutions, companies, licenses, and profits associated with the name of Prince Darius are to be confiscated. Banks and commercial dealings that benefited from this network shall be reviewed, and assets whose acquisition resulted from such dealings shall be seized."

  He then took one deep breath.

  "And finally…"

  All eyes turned toward Ken.

  "The court acknowledges that Prince Ken violated the protocols of the Royal Court during the session. Accordingly, he is required to undergo an intensive training course in court protocol and royal judicial law, and is ordered to issue an immediate apology before this assembly, as well as a direct apology to the three duchies of the Sixteen Families."

  The judge finished speaking.

  Silence returned… heavier than before.

  Ken did not move. He did not raise his head. But his fist tightened slowly, until the whiteness of his knuckles was clear for all to see.