At the same time, at the castle, the doors of the council room opened with a crash.
- Father.
The voices died away one by one. King Astarion slowly looked up.
—Bryan. I'm in a meeting.
—It can't wait.
A murmur ran through the assembly.
—Is it that important? Astarion asked, frozen.
- Yes.
A heavy silence fell.
"Very well, speak," ordered the king.
—I would prefer it to be private—
— Oh? said a mocking voice.
— So you do stupid things and you want to hide them?
Bryan turned around.
Alastor.
Big. Elegant. His dark hair framed a hard face, his eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction.
—What are you talking about? Astarion asked.
- Because, Alastor replied calmly, your dear son here is having a relationship with a hybrid.
The blood drained from Bryan's face.
- What… ? whispered the king.
It's true ?
Bryan remained silent.
—I asked you a question! thundered Astarion.
- Yes.
Exclamations rang out.
— A hybrid?! — In the middle of a political conflict? — How imprudent!
— Get out of here! Astarion yelled.
— Father, I have vital information to—
— LEAVE! he shouted, hitting the table violently.
Bryan turned around, his heart in pieces. Alastor's smile followed him like a blade.
But just before the door... he stopped.
A burning anger coursed through him.
He turned around, came back, and slammed the council table.
"Whether you like it or not... you're going to hear me.
— You dare to challenge me?! Astarion roared.
—I don't care what you think. You will listen. NOW.
"Bryan," Alastor intervened, falsely conciliatory, "you're going too far—
— You shut up.
Bryan turned to him, his eyes burning.
— What if we talked about YOUR mistakes?
—I don't see—
— About your attempted attack on Miria.
A breath of horror ran through the room.
—What did he say?! —Miria?! —The heiress of the witches?
"In private," Alastor whispered, pale.
— In private?!
Bryan burst out.
— When you exposed my life in front of the council, you didn't want privacy! Why would yours be entitled to it?!
"Prince Bryan," asked an elder, "explain yourself.
—Prince Alastor has committed far greater crimes than I have.
He attacked Miria to satisfy Lady Morena's desires.
Miria, the true heir to the wizarding throne.
And member of the lineage of the Guardians of the Grimoire.
"Impossible…" someone whispered.
—If Miria takes the throne one day, what do you think will happen?
What will she do against the man who tried to kill her?
The whispers became muffled cries.
"And that's not all," Bryan continued.
Asher was present. He also designated by lineage. Another designated heir.
Attacking Asher was also attacking a future pillar of the throne.
— A provocation against wizards! whispered an advisor.
— A declaration of war! whispered another
—The wizards will declare war on us...
— Exactly.
And among them was Eiden, prince of hunters of the supernatural.
Seriously injured.
"By the Ancients…" someone whispered.
— I was able to intervene, yes.
But if their king learns the truth... what do you think will happen?
— The hunters won't let this happen!
Absolute silence.
Then Bryan smiled. A tough smile.
— Father... you judge me because I love a hybrid.
But Alastor loves Morena.
And frequents other species.
And if King Drakkar learns that he is touching his sister... what will be the fate of the kingdom?
Alastor lowered his head. Trap.
"Well done," Bryan applauded slowly.
Well done.
You expose us to a war against wizards, hunters... and werewolves.
Are you satisfied?
No one dared to speak.
"As for me," Bryan concluded, "loving someone of another species is not a crime.
And if someone touches the one I love...
He will regret it.
He turned around and slammed the door.
A crash that echoed for a long time in the council room.
And this time... no one found anything to say.