Selene held both Maltherion and Thalvorian's hands closely, refusing to let them go.
She hadn't said anything since Maltherion unfroze her heart.
Xandria stood at the sides watching. Her heart beating loudly in her chest. The lanterns that illuminated the room flickered gently, giving the room an ominous vibe.
Maltherion and Thalvorian still haven't said a word to each other.
The room was tense and silent, but the silence was broken the moment the king and two guards barged into the room.
Both Maltherion and Thalvorian stood in place, their eyes widened from shock and fear.
Selene's hand instinctively left Maltherion's and she quickly held Thalvorian close to her.
"Maltherion, how dare you leave the courtroom in the middle of an important decision." Reginald barked loudly, the anger in his eyes burned.
"I'm sorry I had to leave Father, but I needed to see Thalvorian and Aunt Selene." Maltherion didn't sound sorry at all.
"You left the court to visit this outcasts?" Reginald questioned coldly, the disgust clearly seen in his eyes.
"They aren't outcasts father. Thalvorian is my brother and Aunt Selene is also my mother's sister."
"I see," Reginald nodded slightly as he signaled the guards to step forward.
"Seize the both of them and take them to dungeon. Summon the court, a trial is being held tomorrow."
The guards quickly rushed and grabbed both Selene and Thalvorian, gripping them tightly.
" They have done nothing wrong Father, I was the one who flaunted your orders. Punish me instead." Maltherion cried out as he quickly rushed, trying to stop the guards from taking them away but they pushed him to the ground.
" They will be the downfall of this kingdom, Two forces can't rule one kingdom, one of them will have to go." Reginald Stated coldly as he turned around and left the room, leaving Maltherion, who was till on the ground, alone.
Maltherion stayed on the floor, the tears he had held all through finally falling out.
Xandria looked at him as he stayed like that for only God knows how long, before he stood up and walked out of the room.
She followed him through the quiet hallway, the flames on the wall moving in the same direction as the wind. Her eyes kept staring at the familiar walls that she now lived in.
She watched Maltherion enter into a room, she quickly entered with him before the door was shut closed.
The room was lavishly furnished. A stark difference to Selene's room. The walls were adorned with beautiful intricate paintings. Everything felt like royalty and befitting for a Queen.
Xandria watched as Maltherion approached the woman who stood by the window, her long dark hair neatly styled. Her dress seemed to be made of the finest silk that was made in the kingdom, but Xandria could sense something was not right. The woman seemed sad, lost in thought.
"Mother," Maltherion called out as he stepped closer to the woman.
The woman turned around, her red eyes the exact replica of Maltherion's own.
"What happened, Maltherion?" She asked quietly. Her eyes seem to hold more than she could speak.
"They took them away mother," Maltherion sobbed quietly.
"I know," she said, her hands patting his back. "Your father won't put them to death. I won't allow it."
"But mother, what is going to happen to Thalvorian and Aunt Selene?"
"I'm not sure Maltherion. But I'll make sure they will survive. Nothing will happen to my sister and her son."
Maltherion nodded quietly. His eyes filled with hope. He trusted his mother, and that was what he was going to hold on to.
Xandria stared at them from where she was standing, she could feel the pain that came from this mother and son.The pain of losing a sibling. She really wished there was something she could do.
She did not have enough time to dwell on her feelings before the surrounding began to fade again, and she found herself in the courtroom, surrounded by ministers.
The king sat on his throne and Amara sat beside the King, deep in thoughts.
Xandria scanned the courtroom and found Maltherion sitting at the back, away from the court's eyes. He had to look strong or else the court will think he is weak.
"Bring forth the Prisoners." The king said in the quiet courtroom. Everyone's eyes turned towards the door as it swung open, two guards dragging Thalvorian and his mother in.
Xandria's heart tightened as the guards pushed them to the ground, forcing them to bow to the king.
"I have summon this court session to discuss the fate of Thalvorian and his mother Selene." The king said, standing up from his throne. "Maltherion, my son and Thalvorian might be brothers, but there can only be one heir. I have chosen the heir to the throne of Alderyn, but it seems like Selene and Thalvorian aren't comfortable with the King's decision."
The court roared in astonishment, the ministers throwing degrading words at Selene and her son.
Selene stared at The king, Reginald in shock. Her eyes brimming with tears. Thalvorian sat beside his mother on the floor, his hands tightening into a fist.
Not once had Selene ever protested against Maltherion being King. She had kept quiet all along. And now, she is being punished for being jealous and greedy.
"I want the court to take a decision, should we put them to death for treason against the king or we should pardon them?" Reginald asked. His tone filled with mockery.
"Kill them."
"Behead them."
"Treason is a punishable offense and it should not be forgiven."
The ministers shouted. Their voice echoing through the courtroom.
"My decision has been made..,"
"Pardon me for the intrusion my king," Amara finally spoke up, her voice loud and strong.
"Go on, my Queen." Reginald stared at her with interest, wanting to hear what she was going to say.
"The rule of the kingdom states that, we cannot kill a royal blood as it will bring calamity upon our lands. I advise we send them away. "
The court erupted in an uproar, disagreeing with what the Queen had said.
"What do you mean, my Queen?" One of the ministers spoke up.
"Not only is Thalvorian the son of our King, but Selene is the daughter of the dragon king, making her a royal blood too."
Selene stared at Amara in astonishment, she hadn't expected her to stand up for her in such a way.
But that wasn't what Thalvorian thought. He thought every one had turned their backs on them, including Maltherion and Amara.
The court finally agreed with what Amara had said, afraid to invite the wrath of the dragon king by killing his daughter.
"Where do we send them to?" One of the ministers asked.
"To the North. Far away from here, they will never be able to return to the south."
Amara stated, when eyes glancing at her sister who smiled faintly at her.
She always knew that Selene loved the North, but that was a secret both of them kept to themselves. She loved being in the cold and being free to use her powers whenever she wanted. Amara knew the court will agree with her, because everyone feared the North, it was a dangerous place for anyone to get in.
But that was the best place to send them to, she knew they were going to survive, one way or another. And she was going to make sure of it.
When Reginald heard the court's agreement with Amara's sentence, he nodded his head, satisfied at the punishment his wife had given to them.
"Then the decision is final. I, King Reginald Duskthrone, sentence Selene Vladimir and Thalvorian Duskthrone to the North kingdom, never to return to the south again. If sighted, they are to be sent back by any means necessary."
The court roared in agreement as the guards quickly rushed to them and dragged them out.
As they dragged them out of the court, Thalvorian's eyes met with Maltherion's and he smiled sinisterly, his eyes reflecting his anger and hatred.
He was going to have his revenge, one way or another. For all they had done to his mother and him, he was going to return it back.
Maltherion stared at Thalvorian in shock, he seemed confused as to why Thalvorian looked at him that way.
Xandria who stood at Maltherion's side and watched all that happened stared at Thalvorian as they dragged him out.
She could feel the anger and hatred coming from the little boy. The anger that was built over the favouritism of his brother over him. Hatred that was built over the ill treatment both him and his mother received.
That was why he couldn't appreciate what Amara had just done, because to him, they chose Maltherion over him.
Xandria gasped as she felt the surrounding change once again, but this time she found herself on her bed, with her heart beating extremely fast.