Alistair:
[What family do you come from?]
His tone was demanding, icy, as he glared at Rou.
Rou:
[I don't belong to any family.]
Rou's words were calm, yet carried a quiet confidence.
The room fell into stunned silence as Alistair processed the answer. His voice cut through the tension.
Alistair:
[You can't just become a knight out of nowhere. No matter your race or origins, there are rules.]
His voice was laced with authority.
Rou stood his ground, eyes unwavering, his posture stiff with resolve.
Rou:
[I am her knight.]
He repeated, each word more resolute than the last.
Murmurs spread throughout the hall as the nobles exchanged confused glances, unable to comprehend what was happening. A demi-dragon—someone with no known family, no title—had suddenly stepped in front of Elise and declared himself her knight.
The tension was palpable, thick with uncertainty. And then, with a sudden burst of laughter, Alistair broke the silence.
Alistair:
[So, you're just going to claim the title of knight without any standing?]
He snapped his fingers, and his knights began to move.
Alistair:
[Seize him!]
The knights closed in on Rou, their movements swift, but as they drew closer, a dark, almost tangible aura suddenly pulsed from Rou. It swept through the hall like a wave, dense and suffocating. The temperature seemed to drop, and the very air became thick with pressure.
The knights faltered, their knees trembling as they felt the weight of the overwhelming power that radiated from Rou. They hesitated, backing away instinctively. Alistair's eyes widened as he, too, felt the crushing force of Rou's aura. He remained silent for a moment, assessing the situation.
With a slow breath, Alistair raised his hand and commanded his men to retreat. The knights stepped back, confused, wary, but powerless against Rou's strength. Alistair's eyes lingered on Rou, a new level of wariness creeping into his expression.
Alistair:
[... Tell me, who are you?]
He spoke with caution.
Rou met his gaze evenly, smirking slightly.
Rou:
[I already told you. I'm her knight.]
The room erupted into frustrated shouting, the nobles incredulous at Rou's response.
Noble 1:
[What nonsense! He's so brazen, and yet claims such a position with such a weak reason?]
Noble 2:
[He should be punished for this disrespect! What kind of knight can he be without any real standing?]
Noble 3:
[To use such power without any noble title, to just act as though he belongs—how dare he?!]
Amidst the chaos, Alistair raised his hand sharply, silencing the room instantly. The nobles quieted, but their eyes burned with a mixture of confusion and disdain. Alistair's gaze remained fixed on Rou, a flicker of both curiosity and animosity in his eyes.
Alistair:
[Silence!]
Alistair stood in front of the hall, visibly irritated. The room was thick with tension as his eyes glared at Rou. His voice was cold and dripping with disdain as he spoke.
Alistair:
[This act of disrespect is intolerable. He dares to interfere in our affairs, with no lineage, no noble blood, no rights to stand here as a knight. And yet, he has the audacity to challenge our authority. A commoner, who dares to undermine the very foundation of our noble society, should face the consequences.]
His gaze flickered across the nobles, their frustration mounting. It seemed as though the decision was final—Rou's punishment was inevitable. But as murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, a soft, almost inaudible voice broke through.
Rou:
[Try it.]
The room quieted, and the nobles looked at one another in confusion. Just as the tension reached its peak, Elise stepped forward, arms outstretched, her body blocking any further confrontation.
Elise:
[Father...] (Her voice was controlled, but her words held an undeniable force.)
[Yes, Rou's actions were disrespectful. But it is not grounds for death, not under our kingdom's laws. To kill him would be an unjust and politically disastrous move, not just for the Vandorea family, but for all noble houses.]
The crowd looked on in stunned silence as Elise continued, her tone authoritative and clear, her gaze unwavering.
Elise:
[The King himself signed a royal decree that any harm done to rare species—such as demi-dragons—would constitute a grave violation of the law. It is a law meant to protect these rare and powerful beings from exploitation, harm, or unnecessary punishment. Rou, being a demi-dragon, falls under this very protection. To harm him, or to act against him in any way, is a direct violation of the King's agreement.]
Elise's words were calculated, precise. The nobles' expressions shifted from frustration to confusion as they slowly processed the weight of her argument. They had never considered Rou's true identity—nor the consequences of harming such a rare species.
Elise:
[The punishment for violating this law is severe: it would not only result in disgrace, but it would bring dishonor to the entire family involved. I know that you understand the gravity of that, Father.]