Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 24 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Late Afternoon - Grand Hall
The great doors swung open, the sound booming across stone.
THUD.
Conversations died.
The music faltered, then stilled.
Heads turned toward the door.
Favian stepped into the hall, guards flanking him from the sides.
In the front walked a girl.
Her maid uniform hung torn, fabric ripped at the shoulder and hem.
Bruises bloomed, red and purple against white skin. One arm crossed tight over her chest, trembling fingers clutching the cloth.
The hall froze.
No one dared to speak, but every eye was on her.
Favian moved close behind her, a steadying presence to anyone who watched.
His hand rested on her shoulder, firm, guiding her steps forward.
When he spoke, his voice was pitched just right to carry across the hall, but soft enough to feign care.
"It is all right. You are safe here. Tell them the truth. I will stand behind you."
He bent closer, lips near her ear. The smile that touched his face never reached his eyes.
His whisper cut.
"You know what happens if you don't."
Her body stiffened at once.
A shiver ran down her arm beneath his grip.
They reached the center of the floor.
The maid raised her head, eyes flicking across the hall.
For a heartbeat, her gaze caught Adonis.
Her lips trembled, hesitation breaking through.
Favian's fingers pressed harder into her shoulder.
She flinched, then forced the words out, her voice small but clear enough to carry through the silence.
"It was Young Master Adonis. He...forced me."
The silence that followed was absolute.
***
Late Afternoon - Grand Hall
Rowena's hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide, breath caught in her throat.
Her gaze snapped to Anton.
He did not move, and that was worse than any denial.
Theodora stepped forward.
Two guards were already there and caught her arms before she reached him.
She twisted and kicked, her voice tried to break through the palm that covered her mouth.
They dragged her back, out of sight, behind a column.
Lucien moved at once, striking one guard with his shoulder, but another stepped in, and a third followed.
They pulled him back and held him firm.
Selene's eyes fixed on the boy in blue.
He did not look like a monster.
And that made it even worse.
She remembered his hand at her waist, the awkward sincerity in his bow.
Her mouth thinned to a hard line.
Evan did not speak.
His silence was deliberate.
He watched, measuring Anton by how he carried himself in the storm.
Anton remained still at the high table.
His eyes were cold.
***
Late Afternoon - Grand Hall
The silence weighed on me, heavier than chains.
A hundred eyes pressed against my skin, nobles leaning forward, servants stiff with fear.
My heart raced.
I forced air into my lungs and let my voice break the stillness.
"This is a lie. I did nothing."
Favian was already moving.
He stepped in front of Sarah, posture sharp, bow angled perfectly toward the high table.
His head lifted, false pity shone in his eyes
"Father, forgive the intrusion. But—"
The phrase rang like something rehearsed.
"A true heir protects the weak."
Then his gaze turned, falling on me.
His lips curved with sorrow, and his hand rose to his chest, in a gesture of false pain.
"It breaks my heart, brother. But I could not overlook such cruelty."
I couldn't breathe.
Panic surged, and the headache came back, pounding until the world blurred.
My knees wavered under me, but a guard's hand clamped down on my arm, holding me in place.
My head snapped toward the high table, desperation tearing through me.
My voice shook as the words rushed out.
"No...Father. Let me speak!"
Anton didn't blink.
His hand pressed flat on the table. His voice came sharp.
"Enough. You will speak before the court."
The words shook me.
My eyes burned as I turned, desperate, toward Sarah.
"Sarah! Please tell them—"
The guard's fist cut my plea short.
Crack.
Pain carried across my jaw.
Blood filled my mouth as I dropped to one knee, spit painted the marble red.
When I lifted my head, Sarah had already collapsed.
Her arms held tight across her chest, and her sobs broke through, raw and jagged.
Her gaze found mine for a heartbeat.
Amber eyes filled with tears, pain, and sadness that cut sharper than her words.
Then she crumbled completely, and the sound of her sobs filled the hall.
Anton's cold voice cut through her misery.
"Take him."
Hands seized me, iron grips on both arms.
They pulled me upright.
Thud.
The great doors opened ahead.
I was dragged out, boots scraping against polished marble.
***
Late Afternoon - Side Aisle
THUD.
The great doors slammed behind Adonis, and with it, the grip on my arms loosened.
The guards stepped back as though nothing had happened.
Theodora came fast, skirt brushing over marble as she rushed forward.
She seized my sleeve, her voice breaking with panic.
"What is happening!? What did they do? Where is Adonis!?"
I couldn't answer her.
My eyes shifted first to Mother.
She stood frozen, pale, her lips trembling as she shook her head once.
'No…Mother would never let something so cruel happen.'
My gaze shifted to Father.
He set his cup down with practiced calm, his voice carrying smoothly as he turned back to the nobles.
As if nothing had happened.
The hall followed his lead.
Slowly, the room began to breathe again.
Music rose from behind the pillars. Conversations restarted, quiet at first, then louder. Laughter, shallow and forced, spilled back into the air.
I pulled free from Theodora's grip, my voice firm.
"I'm going."
Her fingers caught my arm again, desperate.
"Where?"
I met her eyes, red with tears, her voice broke as she whispered.
"Bring him back."
I set my hand gently over hers, pressing once before sliding my arm free.
"I'll try."