Chapter 85: Desperate Bargain
The Emperor’s final words, "sentence to death," echoed in the vast council room, hanging heavy in the air. King Noor IV stood frozen on the accused’s platform.
He simply couldn’t believe what he had just heard. The Emperor, Sir David, was a ruler King Noor had always respected, even admired, for his strength and, usually, his fair judgment.
To hear such a harsh, such an absolute verdict coming from him, especially for Eric, his son, who he knew was not a bad person at heart, was a shock that went deep into his bones.
He felt as if the ground beneath his feet had suddenly given way. All his plans, all his hopes of explaining things, of finding some understanding, had turned to dust.
Emperor Sir David, having delivered his judgment, did not linger. He stood up from his throne. He looked around the room once, his face stern and showing no emotion. "This Imperial Council meeting," he announced, his voice firm and leaving no room for argument, "is now concluded." He clearly expected everyone to accept his decision without question.
As the Emperor spoke these words, something inside King Noor snapped. The shock turned into a hot, burning anger.
It was an anger born of love for his son. His eyes, which had been wide with disbelief, now flared with a fierce light. He stood up straighter, his body tensing.
"This will not happen!" King Noor declared. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with such strong feeling, that it cut through the quiet room. Everyone looked at him in surprise. "Not while I am alive, this will not happen to my son!"
Emperor David, who had risen from his chair and was just starting to turn to leave the council chamber, stopped. He slowly turned back to look at King Noor. His face, which had been calm, now showed a dangerous stillness.
His blue eyes narrowed slightly. In a very serious voice, a voice that was low but carried a clear threat, he asked, "King Noor of Estoria, are you challenging my authority? Are you questioning the judgment of this Imperial Council?"
The air in the room became even more tense. It felt like a string pulled so tight it was about to break. Hearing the Emperor’s direct question, King Noor clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.