so then, Miss Zarathoz… what is the explanation for this disaster?
( Said Amon, serious and visibly annoyed )
Silence fell like a slab of stone. No one dared to breathe normally under the pressure of that voice.
of course, Your Majesty… you see, my assistant was escorting the newly admitted young man to his classroom, as this is his first day at the academy. At that moment, Miss Ursa appeared alongside her student, Miss Kalista, solely to intimidate and insult the young man. And I must clarify that… this would not be the first time something like this has happened.
( Said Zarathoz with a tense, measured politeness )
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!
Ursa's voice exploded in fury.
that beast was the one who meddled in my protégé's affairs! Did you really think things would just stay like that, as if nothing had happened?
( Ursa shouted, beside herself, fangs clenched and fists trembling )
do not let her deceive you, Your Majesty, listen to me… I will explain ever—
Ursa's words were cut off brutally.
Not by a shout.
Not by an order.
But by a gaze.
The threatening stare of Princess Amon fell upon her like a sentence. Ursa fell silent instantly, swallowing with difficulty, lowering her head by pure instinct for survival.
Then, with a cold, sharp tone, laden with unquestionable authority, Princess Amon spoke.
is that true, Miss Ursa?
Is it true that you and your protégé have been harassing a new member of this glorious institution?
Ursa tried to avert her gaze, looking around at everyone, searching for support… but she found none. Her lips began to tremble.
y… y you see, Your Majesty… I… I… but he is to blame. He humiliated my protégé…
( Said Ursa, nervous, almost pleading )
Then Princess Amon exhaled slowly.
A long, dry sigh.
The sound echoed against the metal of her helmet like an omen of restrained violence.
Amon turned around… and walked toward Ursa.
Each step was heavy.
Each step pushed the air itself back.
Ursa began to tremble. She could not hold her gaze. She lowered her head while her body screamed at her to flee, even though she knew she could not.
Princess Amon grabbed Ursa by the shoulder… and began to squeeze.
Too much force.
I asked whether what Zarathoz said is true.
I did not ask why.
I did not ask who is to blame.
I asked you a single question.
( Said Amon, leaning toward her )
so answer…
is it true or not?
Ursa could not speak.
Fear sealed her throat.
She only trembled… in silence.
I see…
so that's how it is.
( Said Amon, disappointed )
The strike was sudden.
A knee slammed directly into her stomach.
Ursa lost her breath instantly, a choked sound escaping her mouth as her body folded, falling to her knees before the princess like a marionette with its strings cut.
Amon seized her by the neck without effort.
you know, Miss Ursa… the academy has rules.
Rules that, in the eyes of the world, have made us the finest institution of learning for the new generations.
( Said the princess, tightening her grip )
you know what would happen if those outside found out that one of our sacred guides broke those rules… over a simple personal dispute.
The grip tightened even more.
do you know what they would say about me?
about the institution?
about His Majesty… my father?
( Said Amon, choking her harder )
Ursa tried to speak… but she could not. Her hands clawed uselessly at the princess's arm as the world began to darken.
Then, a desperate voice shattered the scene.
wait, Your Majesty! Please, wait!
It was Kalista.
Still somewhat dazed from the blow she had received earlier, she crawled toward Amon and fell to her knees, pressing her forehead to the ground.
I beg you, Your Majesty… have mercy on my teacher.
It was I who allowed myself to be guided by my anger.
My teacher was only trying to support me.
( Said Kalista, pleading )
YOU DARE INTERRUPT ME?!
( Amon roared with fury )
yes… and I beg you to forgive my disrespect.
Kalista barely lifted her face, tears held back.
although my teacher and I committed a grave offense against the honor of this institution… you must know, Your Majesty, that we did not start this fight.
It is true that we intimidated and insulted that boy…
but it was he who attacked us in a discriminatory manner, even though the resolution of the conflict had already been agreed upon for tomorrow.
Amon had manifested a black sword.
A dark, living blade, covered in faces frozen in eternal lament.
Its tip was aimed at Kalista.
But it stopped.
The sword's wails seemed to fade for a single second.
The princess slowly turned her face toward Zarathoz.
Miss Zarathoz…
( She said firmly )
is what this girl says true?
Is it true that it was he who attacked… even though the conflict had already been agreed to be resolved tomorrow?
Zarathoz remained silent.
Her gaze stayed serious.
Unwavering.
That was enough.
Amon released Ursa's neck, letting her fall to the ground, and lowered her sword. The black blade vanished from everyone's sight in a blink.
And in that same blink…
Amon disappeared.
The air tore apart.
And she appeared in front of Morgan.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Morgan felt danger like never before.
It was not fear.
It was certainty.
The absolute certainty that, if he moved a single finger… he would die.
so it's you.
( Said Princess Amon, staring directly at him )
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: Punishment.