Melora wore her new white and bck uniform with a rge purple cape adorned with the symbol of the dragon. On her hip was her new longsword, and by her side was Jacob, the new commander. Scales was left to do whatever she pleased but spent most of her time in her room eating magical crystals and meat.

  “Are they all in the hall?”

  “Yes, Your Highness. Sir Arthur and Stephen are also present.”

  “Good.”

  She walked with newfound confidence, her beauty bewitching. The soldiers posted outside bowed silently, then opened the rge doors. The nobles quickly opened a path for her. She slowly walked towards the throne where both Arthur and Stephen were waiting. She quietly sat down and stared down at the nobles.

  “We greet and congratute you, Grand Duchess. It is truly worrying that the previous Grand Duke colluded in such a manner. We should break the alliance this instant!”

  Marquis Jorge, the leader of a small coalition of nobles, was the first to speak. Melora remained quiet and simply stared at him. Jorge looked up at her and was immediately intoxicated by her beauty. He knew she would have to marry soon and produce an heir. Melora waved her hand, and Arthur stepped forward.

  “Among you, there are traitorous nobles who are actively colluding with the empire, mainly those who buy elves and orcs as sves or bck magic products. As I speak, your homes are being raided by knights. The Grand Duchess, though, is very kind and has offered a deal. Come forward now, and the punishment won’t be as severe.”

  The nobles started to talk among each other, with Jorge thrown into turmoil. Jorge had pnned to secure a strong retionship with the Grand Duchess, then slowly tip it in their favor. If they do find evidence, the nobles would have to swear loyalty to her and will be under great scrutiny.

  “Three minutes have passed, and no one has taken responsibility. I will be giving you an extra two minutes to make up your minds.”

  The nobles stared at each other as one of them stepped forward, then fell to his knees.

  “I am sorry, Your Majesty. Since the alliance was strong, I thought it could be an avenue to make some dealings.”

  “You wanted to make a profit over the death of your people and me? When the Grand Duke formuted this alliance, didn’t any of you oppose it? Maybe it seemed wrong to do such a thing. Tell me, has greed blinded you from your duties?”

  Melora’s cold voice filled the hall as the nobles slightly shivered.

  “Is there anyone else here who still has the decency to admit fault?”

  Her eyes surveyed each noble as they nded on Julius, the prime suspect. He tried to avoid her gaze. Arthur gave one more look as he announced,

  “Count Julius von Forgather, Viscount Norman Bethel, Baron Kimberin Vostha, and Baron Yulia Tomosko, step forward.”

  Upon the mention of their names, a cold sweat ran down their backs as they froze in position. Arthur's eyes were fierce, as if he would cut them all down at any moment. The crippling fear was enough to make them all colpse to the ground.

  “Imagine my surprise when I met a mercenary posing as an adventurer with a carriage full of elves heading for Joma. Do any of you care to guess where he was heading?”

  “Forgive us, Your Highness.”

  “I didn’t ask for an apology. Now answer my question.”

  “They were heading to my estate.”

  Julius finally answered with a cracking voice.

  “Care to share why you are kidnapping elves and employing the empire’s mercenaries?”

  “I was going to sell them at the bck market.”

  “Are you aware that it is a crime to do so?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Yet you did it, even formed a group for yourself.”

  “I should have known better.”

  “The time for regret has passed. Your status as nobles will be stripped, and your st names removed. You will also be jailed and interrogated, then wait for your final sentence. As for the noble who turned himself in, you will be interrogated, then whipped for ten days and nights, implosioned and your estate halved.”

  Jacob and the knights took away the criminals as the nobles remained silent. They all knew the final sentence would be a public hanging; she didn’t need to spell it out for them to understand.

  “No one is above the w, and that includes you. Take this as a warning. Remember your oath to the throne and your people. We cannot afford to waste our time on personal greed.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,”

  Jorge answered as she dismissed the group with a wave of her hand. The nobles exited the hall, leaving the knights and the trio behind.

  “Can you bring in the elves that were found?”

  Arthur bowed and exited the room, then returned with a group of elves who looked extremely nervous and still had visible wounds on their bodies, even after healing. Melora’s heart clenched as she saw their faces. She got up from her throne and made her way down to the group, with Stephen in tow.

  “I would like to apologize for your harsh treatment. I could send you back to the elven city, but it’s too dangerous.”

  The elves stared at each other as the oldest elf slowly stepped forward.

  “You want to send us back to our home?”

  “Yes, I have met with your Queen, Gena. She welcomed me in her city and helped me greatly, so for now, you will be under our care. In this castle, no one will hurt you. I have willed it so.”

  Tears started to fall as the elves broke out in a loud cry, and Melora tried to comfort them. This was very odd, to say the least, but no one questioned her. In fact, it moved the knights to see their leader being kind.

  “Stephen, I will leave them in your care. Maybe you could learn new things from them.”

  “There is a garden out back. I believe they will enjoy interacting with nature once more.”

  “That is a great idea!”

  Stephen smiled as he led the group of elves out of the hall, leaving Melora and Arthur. Arthur turned towards Melora, who slowly got up.

  “Your Highness, I would like to have a spar with you.”

  “When was the st time we sparred?”

  “When you got promoted as a commander, so about two years ago.”

  “I accept your request.”

  They silently moved to the outdoor training ground where different knights and guards were locked in battle. They quickly stopped and paid respect to the Grand Duchess and the general. They took their positions as a maid carefully unbuckled her cape. Her golden hair fluttered in the air as she unsheathed her longsword. He unsheathed his rapier and held it with one hand as he pointed it at Melora.

  “Let’s begin.”