Augustine rose slowly, his heavy King's Robe dragging across the jewel-encrusted floor.
He walked to the window and gazed at the brilliant lights of the Imperial Capital. "The Minister of Finance, the Cardinal, the Eastern Governor..." His voice was so low it was almost inaudible. "Do you know what this means, Roland?"
Roland looked up, his gaze firm. "It means treason, Your Majesty. They not only participated in illegal human experiments, but they also conspired to overthrow the Empire."
A series of hurried footsteps approached. Cezel rushed into the council hall, his expression grave. "Your Majesty, we found this in the deepest part of the laboratory." He presented a sealed Crystal Box, inside which floated a single, eerie drop of purple liquid.
Augustine's pupils contracted sharply. "Is this... an extract of the Royal Family's bloodline?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cezel said in a low voice. "They were trying to replicate... you."
