The following day, an emergency court hearing was convened to clear the confusion surrounding the recent events.
Lyra, on her way to the hearing, was intercepted by a maid.
"His Majesty requests your presence urgently," the maid said, her voice firm.
Lyra, though puzzled, allowed herself to be led by the maid to a private seating area.
As she stepped inside, the truth became clear. The maid had lied. Before her sat Medea, with Wily and Karen at her side. Lyra's instinct kicked in, and she quickly turned to leave—only to find the door had been shut behind her, the sound of the latch echoing ominously.
She faced Medea, whose cold glare met hers. And without a moment's pause, Medea exploded.
"What on earth do you think you're doing, framing your dear cousin for all these crimes? Are you out of your mind?"
"Frame? I merely spoke the truth," Lyra countered, her voice unwavering. "I didn't say he was behind it, but your actions certainly suggest otherwise."
Medea's fury was palpable. "Shut your mouth! Who gave you the right to speak to me this way?"
The words barely left Medea's lips when she hurled her teacup at Lyra. But Lyra, with a swift movement, dodged the projectile, watching it crash into the door with a deafening shatter.
Yet, Lyra stood unfazed, her gaze as sharp as ever. Medea, Wily, and Karen looked at her as though she were prey—ready to pounce at any moment.
"Are you finished? I have a court session to attend," Lyra said, her tone indifferent.
She reached for the door, only to find it locked.
"The door won't open unless you agree to stay out of all this and support Wily," Karen said, her voice dripping with disdain.
"My support means nothing. Not a single noble supports me. Why should it matter if I claim Wily is innocent?" Lyra replied, her voice calm and collected.
"What—" Karen started but was cut off.
"You incite all this chaos with your ridiculous accusations!" she snapped, her frustration evident.
Lyra merely shrugged in response. "I was only trying to correct the mistake, so Aunt Medea wouldn't get caught up in this."
Medea's eyes flared with indignation. "Me? How the hell am I involved in this?"
"Oh, didn't Wily tell you?" Lyra quipped.
"Tell me what?" Medea demanded, her gaze turning sharply toward Wily, who swiftly averted his eyes.
"Aunt is in danger. Your maid Nova's name is implicated, and it could point back to you as the culprit."
"What nonsense is this? I have nothing to do with this!" Medea spat.
Lyra's voice softened, though her words carried weight. "I know you're innocent, Aunt. That's why I started looking through the papers to divert attention from you."
Her lie was smooth, and she allowed herself a silent smirk. If anything, her recent experiences could make her a renowned actress with the performance she was giving today.
"What good did that do? You ended up framing Wily!" Karen retorted, rolling her eyes.
"I don't think so," Lyra replied coolly. "Wily doesn't deserve the blame. He only signed the papers handed to him—he wasn't directly involved."
For the first time, the trio fell silent, clearly taken aback by her unexpected support.
Lyra pressed on, her tone calculated. "It doesn't help that the nobles are already suspicious of Wily."
"Because of this, our family name is being dragged through the mud. Do you understand the severity of this situation?!" Karen shot back, her voice trembling with the weight of their impending disgrace.
Lyra's expression hardened. "Who says it has to be this way? Look at the facts. There are three people involved: Nova, who's dead; Wily, who could easily be cleared of wrongdoing; and Hubris, whose name is also tied to this scandal. Right now, the suspicion is on Wily, but we can shift the focus elsewhere to protect him."
"Hubris is our brother!" Karen snapped, her voice filled with panic.
Lyra shrugged, her voice laced with logic. "I never suggested blaming him. I'm just saying that we can direct the suspicion somewhere else, or the entire family will be destroyed. Your assets will be seized, your name tarnished, and no one will want to associate with you anymore."
As the silence stretched on, Lyra sighed, her patience beginning to wane.
"Can I leave now?" she asked, her tone firm.
"...Fine," Medea finally relented, nodding at the maid to unlock the door.
Lyra smirked as she stepped out. Good. They took the bait.
Once outside, Karen turned to Medea, concern creeping into her voice.
"What do we do now, Mother?"
Medea, lost in thought, placed a hand on her forehead and muttered to herself, "Get Hubris here. Now."
In another meeting room, an informal court session was in progress, led by the acting head Duke Nabal, along with Duke Atlas, Duke Wren, Duke Axel, the five Counts, three Viscounts, seven Barons, and 13 councilmen. Lyra was present as well, though she had chosen not to bring Solon along this time. Despite being banned from attending, Duchess Medea and Karen still accompanied Wily.
After Duke Atlas had laid out the case, Wily was called to the front to explain why he had approved the documents in question.
"It is true that these are my signatures, but there is something I must confess."
Wily gestured to one of the servants, who opened the door, revealing a confused Hubris, who appeared bewildered by his sudden summons.
"What is going on here?" Hubris asked, clearly puzzled, as Medea motioned for him to stand beside Wily.
Wily placed a hand on Hubris's shoulder and looked towards the gathered audience, pretending to be emotional.
"My dear brother, whom I love dearly. I should have stopped him sooner, but I allowed him to continue, hoping he might one day learn from his mistakes."
He began to wipe away nonexistent tears as he continued.
"The truth is, Hubris used Miss Nova's account to transfer funds illegally, spending it on night bars, smuggling drinks, and drugs."
Hubris, clearly enraged, slapped Wily's hand away and glared at him.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Brother?!"
"Hubris, please, for the sake of your future, stop these wrongdoings. You are better than this," Wily pleaded.
"Don't act innocent! You were in this with me! Mother, what the hell is going on here?" Hubris turned to Medea, who began sobbing dramatically.
"Oh Hubris, my poor son. I warned you, I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen," Medea cried, producing a handkerchief, while Karen comforted her.
"Father! They all knew! Mother, brother, and sister! They all knew and participated! I did everything my mother instructed me to do!"
Hubris's voice cracked with frustration as he turned to Duke Nabal, who, without warning, slapped Hubris across the face, silencing the room.
The sharp sound echoed in the room, followed by another slap to Hubris's head. Duke Nabal seized Hubris by the collar and yanked him closer.
"You...! What the hell have you done? Is this how you repay us for raising you? By extorting our own money? Are you mad? Do you want to die?!"
Shivering, Hubris mumbled a weak response.
"…No…"
"First, you embarrass the family with that bar fight, and now you shame us by stealing from us?" Duke Nabal growled.
"…No…"
Duke Nabal released him, turning to the assembled court.
"Honourable judge and respected nobility, I request that you overlook this incident. I will handle it personally and ensure this doesn't happen again. I also apologize for the trouble Hubris has caused."
Lyra, who had remained silent up to that point, spoke up.
"You don't need to apologize, Uncle. It doesn't matter."
Duke Nabal's face softened at her words, but it quickly turned serious when Duke Atlas interjected.
"By all means, the one who needs to apologize is the one who caused all of this."
"I see. I will make Hubris apologize to all of you. Right now. Go on, Hubris. Apologize. Kneel and apologize to everyone."
Duke Nabal shot a harsh look at Hubris, who was about to comply when Duke Wren spoke up.
"With all due respect, stealing millions of karaken, participating in illegal activities—it cannot be fixed with a simple apology. Judge Gabriel, please remind us of the laws regarding such crimes?"
Before Judge Gabriel could answer, Duke Nabal cut him off.
"There is no need to bring the law into this. He is my son, and I will handle it."
Duke Wren countered, his voice steady.
"I don't think you can do that."
"What do you mean? I am the regent, am I not?" Duke Nabal snapped.
"A king must follow the law, regardless of whether the criminal is his son or not. If you show favoritism, it will shake the very foundation of the monarchy. You cannot protect him just because he is your son. Am I right, Judge Gabriel?"
"You are correct, Duke Wren," Judge Gabriel confirmed.
Duke Wren raised his hand to continue the matter.
"All those in favor of the punishment?"
Out of 33 people present, including Lyra but excluding Duke Nabal's family, only 13 people raised their hands, which included the three Dukes, one Count, four Viscounts, two Barons, and three councilmen. Lyra did not raise her hand.
"All those not in favor?" Duke Nabal asked.
The remaining 20, including Lyra, and five councilmen raised their hands in opposition.
In Anemoi, voting mattered, but the status of the voter was even more important. Among those who voted in favor of punishment, the high-ranking members held more sway.
"I will deal with him myself," Duke Nabal said firmly, though Judge Gabriel quickly retorted.
"Duke, the people of Anemoi will not look kindly on this. Consider your reputation. Perhaps we should find a middle ground, a punishment that is fair but not excessive. I will consult the law books and return tomorrow with a solution."
"Fine. We will do that. Meanwhile, I'll discuss this further with my brother. Let us adjourn for now."
"Wait. I have a proposition," Duke Wren interjected. "Until the final decision is made, Hubris should be placed in jail."
"Why jail? He'll be punished later anyway," Duke Nabal argued.
"As a precaution," Duke Wren insisted.
Duke Nabal fumed.
"Are you implying that my son will run away before the decision is made?"
"I'm not saying that, but it's a possibility," Duke Wren replied calmly.
"That's nonsense. There will be no such thing," Duke Nabal snapped.
"It's hardly a harsh punishment. Just a solitary night in jail. This way, if we decide not to punish him, at least no one will accuse you of favoring him."
"…That seems reasonable. Fine. Take him away."
Duke Nabal motioned to the guards, who moved toward Hubris. As they restrained him, they gave Lyra a subtle nod. She had always had a strong relationship with the knights, who respected her greatly and secretly hoped she would one day take charge.
"Father! No! Let me go!" Hubris cried, his pleas ignored as he was dragged away.
As the court members began leaving and chatting amongst themselves, those who had voted for Hubris's punishment seemed eager to speak with Lyra. But feeling uncomfortable, Lyra quickly excused herself and left the room, flustered by the attention.
Lyra walked swiftly into her office, a space she had created in the uppermost part of her personal library building, which she had named "Haven." It was an open area with high walls, too expansive to be considered an attic, and too serene to remain unused. This was a place Lyra cherished, where she would often retreat to gaze at the stars or read a book when she needed solitude. The ambiance of the room was comforting, yet it held a certain air of mystery—one that invited deep thought and reflection.
The space was open, with a grand wall-length rack of books on one side. In front of that, Lyra had arranged a desk, though not for herself. The desk was set up for Solon, who stood near it now, awaiting her instructions. Lyra had never felt at ease working there, not when the window with its view of the world outside was blocked from her sight. The air always felt a bit stifled in that corner. So, she'd given it to Solon, knowing he wouldn't mind, and she could always be near the balcony when she needed a break.
Solon, noticing her troubled expression, broke the silence.
"So, what happened? What's going on?" he asked, his voice steady but concerned.
Lyra sighed deeply, recounting the events of the meeting. When she finished, she reached for a parchment and quill to compose a letter to Dylan. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should explain everything, but ultimately decided it was best to keep certain matters secret for now, at least until a decision was reached. She didn't want to make anyone feel the weight of her worries.
While Lyra focused on her writing, Solon prepared to leave to deliver the letter. Before he left, he paused, sensing her unease.
"How do you think Father will react to this?" Lyra muttered aloud, more to herself than to him.
Solon exhaled, a hint of weariness in his tone.
"I sincerely hope he will stand by your side," he said, his voice tinged with both hope and realism. "But knowing him, he'll want to support both you and your brother's family. The path you want may not align with what he's willing to give."
Lyra's lips curled into a small, wistful smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know... thanks for being real with me. I appreciate that about you. I wish he would stand by us."
Solon gave her a sympathetic look, his eyes softening with understanding.
"It is hoped that one day he'll realize. But for now... prepare yourself for whatever comes."
With a final nod, Solon turned to leave, and Lyra stood still, lost in her thoughts. Her gaze wandered to the window, but before she could lose herself in the contemplation, a familiar voice pierced the quiet.
"Lyra! Where are you? Just you wait! I will make you regret making me come out here. Did you forget we have to start deciding on what to pack since we'll be leaving for Helios?"
Lyra's sister, Astrid, huffed loudly, her voice echoing through the open space. She appeared in the doorway, looking flustered as she glanced around in search of her younger sister.
Lyra stood on the balcony, her gaze softening at the sight of Astrid, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Coming!" she called out, her voice light and warm.
Astrid stopped in her tracks, looking up in surprise. When she saw Lyra's smiling face peeking over the balcony, her expression softened, and she chuckled.
"You really do have a way of making me chase you around," Astrid teased, her annoyance melting into affection.
Lyra laughed, a sense of ease washing over her as she waved down to her sister, glad to feel a little lightness amidst the weight of everything. The world outside might be uncertain, but for this moment, she had her sister beside her, and that was enough.
The next day, Lyra learned that the court hearing had been unexpectedly canceled. It seemed that Medea and her allies were still scheming, trying to find a way to exploit some loophole in the proceedings. As the day unfolded, Lyra decided it was time to pay a visit to Hubris, who had been in confinement ever since the recent chaos. Although it was promised that he wouldn't spend more than a night in the grim holding cells, it appeared that Duke Nabal was taking longer than expected to make his move, meaning Hubris would likely remain trapped in the very place he loathed for at least a few more days.
A smirk tugged at the corners of Lyra's lips as she left her office. She walked briskly down the hall when she unexpectedly ran into Solon, who was carrying a stack of documents. He looked at her, his expression cautious yet curious.
"You seem to be in a pleasant mood, your Highness," he remarked with a raised brow.
"Of course I am," Lyra replied with a playful smile.
"Then please take a look at these documents. Since Sir Wily has stepped back, everyone is looking to you for guidance. Naturally, you're second in authority," Solon continued, handing her the papers.
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "No, they are not," she said with a firm shake of her head. "Listen, I only allow those who have earned their loyalty close to me. Those who flatter and beg for orders are only fooling themselves. If they wish to address their concerns, they should direct them to the person they've chosen as their head. I have no part in this. I simply do my job."
Solon paused, considering her words, before speaking again. "While that may be true, don't you think this could be their way of showing loyalty?"
Lyra chuckled softly and shook her head. "No. It's all just an act. Shun them. I need to visit Hubris."
Solon blinked in surprise. "Why?"
"Sowing a seed," Lyra muttered cryptically.
Solon scrunched his nose in confusion. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," she responded with a shrug. "I'm simply bored. Handle those people for me. I'm leaving."
With a wave of her hand, Lyra left quickly, leaving Solon to deal with the matters at hand. She walked toward the guard station, where the guards looked up in surprise at the sight of her. They had been instructed to prevent any visitors from meeting with Hubris, including his own family, but they knew well enough to respect Lyra's wishes.
"Your Highness!" they all greeted, bowing deeply.
"What brings you here?" one of them asked.
"I'm here to see my cousin," Lyra replied, her voice calm yet assertive.
There was a brief moment of hesitation. The rule had always been that no one was allowed to visit Hubris, not even family, under Duke Axel's strict command. But Lyra had earned the respect of the knights through her care and attention to them over the years, and without a second thought, they led her straight to his cell.
Hubris sat slumped on the floor, his appearance disheveled and miserable. His hair was tangled, his eyes red-rimmed from either exhaustion or anger, and his entire demeanor seemed to scream of frustration. When he saw Lyra, his eyes widened, and he scrambled to his feet, rushing to the bars of the cell.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded in a hoarse, grating voice, glaring at her with a mixture of disbelief and hostility.
Lyra remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on him, studying his disheveled state without offering any immediate reply. When Hubris pressed closer to the bars, his eyes suddenly gleaming with desperate hope, he asked with urgency, "Did Mother send you here? She did, right? She won't abandon me, will she?"
Lyra's expression remained unreadable. She said nothing, which only seemed to intensify Hubris's frustration.
"Why the hell aren't you saying anything?" he spat, his voice trembling with anger.
Lyra finally spoke, her words cold and cutting. "Have you not realized it yet?"
"What?" Hubris asked, confusion and anger flickering across his face.
"They've all abandoned you," she said simply, her voice devoid of empathy.
"No..." Hubris shook his head, as if denying her words could somehow make them untrue.
"Open your eyes. You were never a part of their family. You still aren't. They used you as bait, putting all the blame on you to protect themselves. And you were never included in their plan," Lyra continued, her tone unwavering.
"Shut up! That's a lie!" Hubris screamed, his face contorting with fury.
Lyra's gaze remained steady, and she almost felt a twinge of pity for him. "I guess I shouldn't have said anything. Why am I even helping you? Maybe it's just that I felt sorry for you, seeing how hard you worked to gain their approval, only to have them abandon you in the end. It's tragic."
"I said shut up!" Hubris yelled again, his voice breaking with emotion.
"Think about it," Lyra pressed, "have they ever really considered you family?"
Hubris fell silent, his expression clouded with doubt. The memories flooded back. He remembered overhearing his mother speaking to her maid when he was nine, learning that he had been adopted. Despite the shock, he had remained loyal to his family, convinced by their affection. But as he grew older, he began to notice the subtle ways in which he was treated differently from Wily and Karen. They were loved, they were favored, while he was left out in the cold. The loneliness gnawed at him, driving him to drink and indulge in reckless behavior to fill the emptiness.
Lyra's words lingered in his mind as she turned to leave. "Don't worry. You'll be out of here soon. To the world, you're still their son. They'll let you out soon."
Before she could make her exit, Mika, the youngest of the knights, who had accompanied her during her previous visit to Viscount Vile's house, stepped forward, a troubled expression on his face.
"Your Highness," Mika called softly, "why did you do that?"
Lyra paused, glancing at him with a curious expression. "What do you mean?"
Mika gritted his teeth, clearly upset. "Why were you so considerate to him? You helped him face the truth, even though he's the one who spread those rumors about you. He doesn't deserve your mercy."
Lyra smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Don't worry, Mika. I'm not as good as you think. I didn't relieve him."
Mika shook his head, his expression softening. "No, your Highness. You are a good person. Please, believe in yourself."
Lyra regarded Mika fondly, her heart warmed by his words. She had always thought of him like a younger brother, and in turn, he looked up to her.
"Bless you for your kind words," she said with a gentle smile, her voice quiet but sincere.
As Lyra left the prison, the weight of her actions hung heavy in her mind. She knew that pushing Hubris toward rebellion might serve her own purposes, but she couldn't quite shake the nagging feeling that what she had done was not entirely without consequence.