Beauty in the beast world

Lyra stood in the witness podium which meant being in the line of sight of Xavier who was sitting in the place of the accused. Well, he wasn’t accused anymore as he had confessed to his crime. He was now a criminal. He could be charged with who knows what and yet had the audacity to wink at her. She chose to ignore the madman and turned her attention to the council that looked at her like she was some kind of a nuisance. Kyrell’s warning had clearly worked on them because their displeasure didn’t seep out of their mouths.

Instead of asking any nonsensical questions that would trigger her mates, they asked one thing, "Please, explain everything that occurred in the Eagle tribe on the day of Alice’s death"

And answer she did. She told them everything that happened from her point of view while the elders made a note of it. Probably, comparing it with what Kyrell had said. After her, Nathan was called followed by Alice’s family. Her father, Elder Edgar made Lyra question everything about that man.

"She was no daughter of mine, I disowned her a long time ago. My mate and my family have nothing to do with that criminal"

He was talking about his late daughter like she meant nothing to him. He disowned her? So was this before or after she started committing crimes? And if she had succeeded in her plans? What would he have done then? Lyra felt Elder Edgar was a slimy opportunist.

"So you are not even going to pursue the proceeding against King Xavier?’’ One of the judges asked for which he received a quick answer.

"Alice had nothing to do with my family or me. I will not blame King Xavier or his majesty for what happened to a stranger"

He was not even blaming Kyrell. Lyra watched as he added, "I only beseech that his majesty takes in his heart and doesn’t punish us for the crimes that someone else committed."

"You are breaking all your familial bonds with your late daughter?’

"I’m breaking my relationship with the late criminal. Please don’t refer to her as my daughter anymore. My family does not wish to get associated with her"

Murmering amongst the crowd started to grow as his words ended. They couldn’t believe a father was abandoning his daughter even in her death.

Lyra didn’t know what to think. This man was ruthless. He cut off his daughter from his life without even blinking. Now, Xavier’s punishment will be lessened without the victim’s family’s involvement in the case.

"What will happen to their family now? Will the council punish them?’’ She asked Kyrell as he was sitting right beside her.

"They fall under my jurisdiction," Kyrell informed, "I must hold another trial with my own council in the Eagle tribe to charge everyone involved in the incident"

She looked at him feeling complicated, "Her family is innocent" Maybe, except her father. Lyra for once didn’t think that slimy old man didn’t know about Alice’s misdeeds but the rest of her family? She had not seen them once in this entire fiasco. Alice’s mates did support her and were currently being held in the dungeons. She felt that they becoming stray beasts was already enough punishment for them.

Kyrell turned to his mate, "I’m not some monster that kills innocent people. I’ll open an investigation and spare them if they are not involved in this matter" Only after terrorizing them enough so that it becomes a lesson to everyone in his tribe that might think about going against him, "Nate will handle it" He said, consoling his mate.

Lyra nodded, "Nate is a reasonable person"

Kyrell smiled at that. Yes, Nate was a sensible, reasonable but also a vengeful person when it came to it. He went against the late Eagle king for his own personal reasons that Kyrell didn’t dwell on much. However, he will handle this matter all right. Especially that rat Edgar.

The trial went back and forth for a long time. Long enough that Lyra started to feel both hungry and sleepy. The pregnancy was the one responsible.

"We should leave" Victor said at last, "You haven’t had your lunch yet" He gestured to Demir who was sitting beside his father. His cooking was the only thing Lyra could eat nowadays. His knowledge of herbology and various plants kept her morning sickness and nausea to a minimum.

Blake and Kyrell decided to remain in the trial for some more time while Victor and Demir escorted her out.

Xavier who saw this, turned to his aid, "When will this be over?"

Kyle glanced at the council members. They looked deep in discussion. And there were still many witnesses to be called, "It will take time, Your majesty"

Xavier was annoyed, "What’s taking them so long, tell them to hand out my sentence quickly. What is with all this back and forth"

Kyle noticed Lyra leaving and understood where his King’s frustration was coming from. However, they couldn’t just barge out of here when they were on the accused side. "Our councilors are working their best to lessen your punishment, Your majesty. Please be patient"

"My patience is what is making me sit here quietly in the first place" Xavier murmured, "Why am I getting all this shit for killing that vile female? I did them a favor. I did what others have no guts to do" Females this, females that. Excusing them even when they have committed a crime is what made them so entitled in the first place. Actions have consequences and it was the same with Alice. Doing wrong without even having someone powerful to support it was stupid. If Lyra had done the same wrong, then it would make more sense.

His pretty female had mates powerful enough to topple the Beast city and Xavier himself would have done anything she wished for. But Alice? She had nothing but herself and her cowardly father. It’s a pity. They could make all these councils, rules, and regulations. But at the end of the day, the powerful always won. Alice wasn’t powerful enough to do cross someone and survive.

Xavier looked at the judges who didn’t even dare meet his eyes. And they are the ones who are going to sentence him. The power they think they have is nothing but an illusion given to them by immortal beastmen like him.

And he was done giving them more of that illusion. Kyle’s eyes went wide when he saw Xavier stand up from his seat.

"Your majesty?’’

The council turned to him while Xavier smiled, "The Fox tribe will be exiled from the Beast city after the flood season gets over. That is the judgment, You can write it down if you want"

He and his entourage left after leaving chaos behind. The elders could do nothing but stay silent and accept Xavier’s judgment.