Travis reached Selene's chambers just in time to see her storming out furiously.
She wore a blood-red gown that clung to her figure like armor. The color made her emerald eyes gleam with unholy fury, and for a brief second, Travis felt like he was staring into the eyes of a goddess of vengeance.
"My Queen!" he called, jogging to keep up with her fast, purposeful strides. "Where are you off to at this fine hour looking, might I say, ravishingly dangerous?"
Selene didn't slow. Lila walked silently beside her, followed by two grim-faced guards and a trembling maid—the maid who was assaulted.
Travis took one look at the queen's expression and decided jokes probably weren't going to work today.
"Have you arranged for everyone to meet me in the grand hall?" Selene asked coldly, barely sparing him a glance.
"It's still quite early, Your Majesty. How about you just tell me what this is about, and I'll see to it personally? We don't need to cause a—"
She stopped so abruptly that he almost collided with her. When she turned to face him, the temperature dropped.
"Travis?"
He straightened. "Yes, my Queen?"
"If every soul in this castle is not assembled in the grand hall within minutes, I will have your head personally removed from your shoulders. Understood?"
He blinked. Twice.
Then—smirked. "Respectfully—and with the deepest admiration—you do know I'm the King's best friend, right?"
"Not for long," Selene hissed and turned on her heel, continuing down the corridor.
Travis jogged to catch up. "My Queen! Look, everyone's gathering, alright? You've made your point. But please—just tell me what this is about so I can advise you on how it should be handled."
"I don't need your advice, Travis."
"Well, I promised the King I'd protect you," he said, exasperated. "Even if it's from yourself. Especially from yourself!"
She didn't reply. Just kept walking.
They turned sharply down the corridor, arriving at a set of tall, carved doors.
Selene gave a simple nod to the guards. "Kick it open."
Without hesitation, the guards smashed the doors wide open with a thundering crack that echoed down the corridor.
Lord Percival bolted upright in bed, startled and bleary-eyed, his silk robe falling loose. His wife, Lady Martha—who also happened to be one of Selene's ladies-in-waiting—let out a sharp scream.
Selene entered the chamber like judgment itself.
"Did I wake you?" she asked, her smile dripping venom.
Lord Percival blinked at her in disbelief. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Seize him," she commanded.
The guards moved with swift efficiency, dragging Lord Percival out of bed like a sack of shame. He fought back instinctively, but the guards were stronger and far more motivated.
Martha scrambled out of bed, her nightgown trailing behind her. "Your Majesty! What is happening?! Where are you taking my husband?!"
Selene didn't look at her. Didn't say a word. She simply turned and walked back the way she came, the guards dragging Percival in tow.
Travis followed, practically tripping over his own panic.
"My Queen," he hissed in disbelief. "This—this is insane! He's a councilman. You're going to offend every noble in the kingdom. Why are you doing this?!"
Selene kept walking, her pace never faltering.
At his wit's end, Travis turned to Lila, who walked calmly behind them as if this were a morning stroll through the gardens.
He leaned toward her and whispered loudly, "Why is she doing this?!"
Lila met his gaze, there eyes locking briefly, her expression unreadable. "You'll find out soon enough," she said softly.
Travis groaned and ran his hands through his hair, his brain short-circuiting between panic and worry. His feet dragged as he followed behind, mumbling under his breath.
"Where in the Diviner's cursed name is Ronan?! He leaves for five minutes and suddenly we're publicly executing councilmen before breakfast!
What if something had happened to him?
Travis glanced sideways at Selene, who walked purposely, her face cold and unshaken.
He prayed not.
----
Lord Percival was dragged into the grand hall like a sack of grain and thrown to the floor without ceremony.
A sharp, collective gasp echoed across the grand hall—Lords and ladies rising in alarm, servants shrinking in fear, and the council?
Well they were furious.
"What is the meaning of this?!" one council man barked.
"How dare you disgrace an esteemed member of the Council!" another cried, voice trembling with fury.
Cries of outrage followed. The entire room growing increasingly noisy.
But Selene didn't flinch. She walked forward with the slow grace of a predator, her red dress rippling behind her like flame. With every step toward the throne, the murmurs grew louder, more unhinged.
Then she sat.
The room fell into a tense, waiting silence.
She looked out at them—not just the nobles and councilmen, but the maids, the guards, the cooks and scribes who had gathered in confusion and fear. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding.
"I am Queen of everyone in this castle. Not just the robed men who sit high and drunk on power. Not just the noble wives who hide behind dresses and pearls." Her emerald eyes swept the room. "I am Queen of the maid who scrubs your chamber pots. Of the servant who fetches your wine. Of every soul in these walls—rich or poor, honored or forgotten. And I will not—will not—allow power to become permission for cruelty."
Gasps, again. A few lowered their heads. Others exchanged uneasy glances.
"Bring her forward," Selene ordered.
The guards stepped aside as the trembling maid was led forward. Her face was pale, but she stood tall.
"Tell them," Selene said gently. "Tell all of them what he did to you."
With tear-filled eyes and a breaking voice, the maid spoke. She told them how Lord Percival had cornered her in his room. How he tore her dress... Assaulted her and threatened to Kill her family if she didn't comply.
By the time she finished, the room was dead silent. Except for the council.
"A maid's word against a councilman?! How convenient!" one snapped.
"These accusations are clearly false!"
"Did you even ask Lord Percival before dragging him in like a criminal?!"
"He's a man of honor! You shame us all, Your Majesty!"
More voices joined in, their fury boiling over in venomous disbelief:
"She's lying to gain favor!"
"She probably seduced him!"
"She's not even worthy of speaking in this Hall!"
"SILENCE!"
Selene's voice struck like thunder. The air went still.
She stood again, descending the steps until she stood before Lord Percival still slumped on the floor.
"Lord Percival." Her voice was soft but dangerous. "Do you deny these claims?"
"Of course I do!" he spat. "Why would I touch a filthy maid when I have a gorgeous wife?"
The crowd murmured in uncomfortable agreement, many heads turning toward Lady Martha—who stood frozen in shock, her hand over her mouth.
Selene's gaze didn't move.
"Speak the truth, Lord Percival… or I'll make you."
He sneered. "That is the truth, wench."
A wave of murmurs rippled again.
"He's told the truth!" another councilman shouted. "Enough of this spectacle! Release him!"
Selene turned her head and signaled.
Three guards stepped forward.
Two held Lord Percival down. The third reached forward and yanked his robe open, exposing him.
Gasps of horror. Several women sharply turned away.
Travis, meanwhile, had gone pale and was now whispering frantic prayers under his breath.
Selene's voice rang like a bell. "Since you've chosen to lie, you've left me no choice. Chop it off."
There was a moment of stunned confusion—then realization. One guard unsheathed his blades. While the other two held Lord Percival.
Lord Percival screamed. Martha screamed louder. Even the councilmen began to shout in panic.
"WAIT! WAIT—FINE! YES!!" he cried out, shaking. "Yes—I—I raped her! I did it!"
The room fell into a breathless, horrified silence.
Travis stepped closer to Selene, eyes wide. "Okay. My Queen. You've made your point. He confessed. The council will handle it now, alright? Please. Let's not—let's not traumatize the entire kingdom."
Selene didn't blink.
"Cut it off."
And in one swift motion, the blade fell.
A scream of agony. A spray of blood. A room turned to stone.
Everyone stared. No one moved.
Except Selene.
Selene smiled.