One to Helena: Trial in three days. Need your lie detection testimony. Will expose your existence but Emperor promises protection. Your choice.
One to the beast knight delegation: Fourth Princess arrested. Trial is political attack. Stand ready to mobilize if conviction seems likely.
One to Elara's Port Crestfall staff: Maintain operations. Await further instructions. Do not panic.
Within hours, responses came back.
Helena: I'm coming. Father, I've hidden for forty years. Time to stop hiding. If my magic can save Elara, I'll use it.
Beast knight delegation: We're ready. Thousands standing by. Give the word and we move.
Port Crestfall staff: Operations continuing normally. Standing by for orders. We trust Your Grace.
Duke Romian compiled everything into a folder and went to visit Elara in detention.
The guards searched him, confiscated any weapons, then allowed him into the visiting room—a sparse space with a table and two chairs, guard watching from the corner.
