And that decision cost me ten years of sleep.

The inner court chamber grew heavy with silence once the weight of what they accomplished and what they were about to do settled over them.“We have three issues that need to be looked at… they overlap yet differ in nature.” Orseus opened the discussion, gesturing for Bernard to continue.“First is the case of the Sleighs, which was put on hold due to their involvement in the treasonous act.”“Second is the case of treason itself.”“Third is the war at the eastern border.”Bernard listed the matters in a flat, procedural tone.Cornelius immediately cut in.“Don’t lump them together. They are distinct matters. We only held back action to gather evidence… in order not to alert the snake in the grass.”He leaned forward slightly.“Start with the Sleighs’ case regarding Mira and Leander.”Thomas frowned. “Wasn’t their punishment already issued?”“Yes,” Cornelius replied, “but was it enforced?”“No,” Bernard admitted. “The last update I have is that they were still scrambling to meet the pe

When you all tricked and ditched me to go after that old man at the gypsy camp.

Bernard stepped forward and started to brief everyone on the results of the investigations that were carried out.“Alaistair, Cassian and Bruce are equal partners although Bruce wasn’t in on the original act.” He paused, “Bruce only joined their camp after he was banished, and his duchy revoked by his supreme royal sovereign and Viktor joined the cause after that.”“He still ended up in the ditch… didn’t he?” Alex asked regretfully when he heard Viktor’s name.“He was always meant to be there…” Baldwin spited before comforting, “he is responsible for his life, you cannot guard him for life.”“If it makes a difference…” Jerome spoke hesitantly as he looked at his big brother, “he didn’t know they were related to your murder and he regretted it.”“Not committing a treasonous act…” Jerome corrected with awkward disdain, “but joining your murderers.”Cornelius and Baldwin snorted.“If he regretted Uncle’s murder, he should have taken up uncle’s cause as his own.” Martin crossed his arms in

There is no debt or guilt between brothers… but if you insist…

“These will need to be documented chronologically by a scribe and submitted to the chamber for cataloging and public display.” Baldwin sighed as he took in the volume of information scattered before them. He shifted his gaze towards Alex, guilt outweighing every other emotion, “You have been busy… and we weren’t there to assist.”“There is no debt or guilt between brothers… but if you insist…” Alex shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “I have also been asleep for more than a decade while you sorted the mess and brought me and my family back…” Alex chuckled “We’re even…”“No… no…not even… we can never be even…” Cornelius shook his head, “I vote for the first notion, no debt between brothers…” He knew this word game. In Alex’s world, debts are for outsiders, once the tally is evened, there is no need for further contact.“I second it.” Baldwin jumped in; he raised his hand and punched Alex, forgetting that he had just been woken up and not yet fully back in for

That does have poetic justice.

“Here…” Annemarie stood up looking like a cat that had her head down the chimney.Martin snatched it first to look, his intention pure. He didn’t want his little sister making a fool of herself in front of everyone. But he was pleasantly surprised.“It’s him… that’s him…” He lifted the scroll, a soft whisper escaped his throat, “Not a strand of hair out of place.”Alex’s lips curled up in a knowing arc.The scroll was passed around and finally reached Alex. Alex stared at the image for a long moment.The resemblance was undeniable.Too undeniable.The face looked exactly like a younger version of Bruce, but it couldn’t be… not with his age. Those eyes… he had seen them… where… he couldn’t place them but definitely not on Bruce.Lost in thought, he blurted, something buried in his memory, something his father told him a long time ago, “If something defies logic, then there isn’t one… if there isn’t any logic, then it must be an illusion.” His whole being stilled for a minute before turn

What a brilliant move.

Alex hooked a brow towards Zelda, who had reappeared in the room.Zelda didn't bother with formalities either. "Blood Curse Illusion.""What the hell is that?" Cornelius frowned, turning to Alex."No idea." Alex shrugged."It is an ancient enchantment," Zelda began explaining without waiting to be asked. "One believed to have been lost to the passage of time.""It allows the faces and fates of two people to be exchanged.""Can it be reversed?" Thomas asked curiously."Very simple... call the person by his birth name.""That simple?" Humphrey wrinkled his face in disbelief. “Just anyone can call to break the curse?”"Yes, but it must be his birth name, not merely the name he is known by.""What's the difference?"“Birth name is the name whispered in your ear when your senses fully develop.” Zelda spoke matter-of-factly, as though it were common knowledge. Judging by the expressions around the table, nobody else shared that opinion."Bruce would know that, right?" Cornelius mused aloud.

Were they wrong... or not???

“Some might while others won’t, so I will let my commander brief you before we proceed.” Cornelius sat on the throne as he gestured towards Parker to speak.Parker stepped forward into the center of the chamber.Before him sat not only the crown, but the surviving Grand Dukes of the founding clans. Many eyes unconsciously drifted toward the elevated seats surrounding the throne.The seating arrangement within the Chamber of Justice differed greatly from that of ordinary court sessions held in the throne room. The Founding Dukes, also known as the Grand Dukes, sat facing the court alongside the crown. Their seats were elevated above the rest of the chamber, second only to the throne platform itself.Of the original founding clans, only the Ambertons and Worthingtons still occupied their positions in full legitimacy. The Haribeorts had been erased from history—or so they thought. The Asters had been banished, though their seat remained, a silent tribute to their founding ancestor. There