"Edmund," the emperor's voice boomed through the room with a cold and unforgiving tone. "Do you have any idea what your actions have done? The damage you've caused to our royal reputation?"
Edmund took a deep breath. "Father, I was following the rules of the test—"
"Silence!" The emperor's voice cut through the air like a blade. "You protected a human, a spy! An enemy of our kingdom! Do you think our enemies will hesitate to use this against us? To paint us as weak, as fools? A prince of Darkblorne showing mercy to our enemies is a disgrace!"
Edmund gritted his teeth but held his ground. "She was going to die anyway. I wasn't trying to save her; I just wanted to finish the task I was given—"
