Christopher followed his sister while blushing. The chatter from the surroundings was enough for him to understand what the midnight banquet was typically used for. He held a wry smile as he watched his sister nibble on the various snacks provided. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

Sol’s snacking was abruptly interrupted by heavy footsteps and steel strikes on marble. Though her gaze was unaffected, she had long since encompassed the area with her spiritual awareness. That ember of fury that scolded her gut ignited once more after Prince Elric entered her perception.

Prince Elric led the group of guards into the banquet and spread his arms out issuing commands. Trained as they were, the guards executed the order to the tee and sealed all exits of the room. The curious gazes of the guests gained a hint of anxiety. Due to their unsavory pastimes during the midnight banquet, none of the members present could be considered innocent.

Gazing around the venue, Prince Elric’s eyes eventually landed on a young girl tasting snacks at the bar. For a moment, Prince Elric doubted his own memory. Would a recently kidnapped and drugged girl be so brazen as to enter the banquet once more? Her actions astonished him and he grew a bit wary at her confidence.

The eyes of the guests tracked his movements as he closed in on Sol. His thoughts ran deep as he considered the situation in detail. There were too many suspicious points about the girl. 

The drug he used on her should have had her knocked out for nearly a day. Someone her age shouldn’t have had the capability to escape his room and guards. Someone her age shouldn’t have had the courage to return to the homeground of her assailant. 

His thoughts flashed to the maid often by her side, however dismissed it soon after. The maid had nothing to do with her escape. Prince Elric’s approach was tracked by Sol since he entered the venue and so after he neared her, the girl wiped her hands with a clean cloth, turned around to gaze at him, then performed a curtsy.

“Prince Elric. My, what a pleasant surprise. This Lady is honored.”

Sol’s impeccable demeanor was on display for the audience. Just as in the hall, there was nothing the Prince could complain about. However, unlike in the hall, Prince Elric’s mind was elsewhere. He certainly saw into the depths of Sol’s eyes during their momentary exchange of glances.

Hatred. He could sense it. As a Prince, he had long since grown accustomed to reading people’s emotions and Queen Blonsall would never allow her son to be defenseless. The social training he went through wasn’t something a typical socialite would be able to understand. That’s why he knew.

Beneath that smiling exterior and charming gestures was a raging hatred targeted at him. Prince Elric’s mouth tugged upwards into a smile. He really wanted to tame this girl. She stimulated an obsessive itch even Prince Elric didn’t know he had. Regardless of the twisted emotions tumbling through Prince Elric’s heart, his demeanor remained firm.

“At ease. Lady Reviarra, there was a murder a few hours ago. A witness has named your ladyship as the assailant. This Prince will vouch for you, however the law is equal and your Ladyship will have to be detained until we have finished investigating.” Prince Elric delivered a loaded statement before the crowd.

Anyone with social experience knew something was up. The men and women attending the night banquet have used similar methods in the past to obtain their desires. One only needed a pretext to make their move. 

Despite their recognition of the act though, many of the guests were astonished to find the Prince doing so in such a public venue. Moreover, they were surprised to hear the Prince could vouch for her. If the murder happened a few hours ago, wasn’t that near midnight? How could the Prince vouch for her at such a time?

Thoughts flew through the minds of those listening and without context, judgements on Sol’s character despite her age started forming. Although discussed under their breath, Sol was no longer a normal Human. She was an Assembler. Her body had long since started changing. Her ears were sensitive enough to pick up the whispers.

“She’s so young and already luring men… the poor Prince…”

“Poor Prince? He’s clearly setting the girl up! She must have done something to get on his bad side.”

“That girl’s reputation is gone.”

The comments were mixed and many understood the Prince’s intentions. Despite that, none of the guests would interfere. They were from upper society and invited by Queen Blonsall. The mere fact that her son was causing trouble at his Mother’s banquet was enough to suggest the Queen’s intent. Unsavory comments could be made in safety, however standing out at this time would be career suicide.

Christopher reacted as soon as he heard Prince Elric’s accusations. No one in the banquet would stand up for Sol due to their position, however Christopher was different. He was only at the banquet by coincidence of a colleague.

“Prince Elric. This Lord’s sister is pure, untainted, and innocent. The Prince’s word’s tarnish her reputation without evidence. This Lord asks the Prince to recant his words or this Lord will be forced to invoke a bipartite hearing.”

Christopher didn’t bother to lower his voice. Although he stood before a Prince and genuflected in deference, his words said otherwise. His meaning was clear. Take it back or we’ll take this higher. Prince Elric never expected the young Lord Reviarra to be present.

Queen Blonsall’s intent was to separate the girl from her support and entrap her in one go. Despite their efforts, it felt as if fate was constantly acting against them whenever it came to this girl. Prince Elric was frustrated internally, however he remained calm and poise.

“Lord Reviarra, this Prince can only uphold the law. This Prince was holding discussions with Lady Reviarra recently and so can vouch for the Lady’s innocence.”

Sol nearly laughed at the ironic statement. The man who wanted to sully her would vouch in public for her ‘innocence’ immediately after stating she was in discussions with him near midnight. Who was he trying to fool? Christopher clearly understood the sarasm laid within as well. 

His face turned red from anger. There was no longer a need to confirm the Prince’s intention or if the situation was coincidence. Even someone as young and naive as Christopher could understand what was happening. Just as he was about retort, his arm was tapped by Sol. Her smile remained genial, however that smile drove a chill through Christopher.

Such a smile reminded him of when Prince Roland attacked Arcgate. The smile was remarkably similar to moments before she wrecked his reputation. The realization reminded Christopher that this sister of his wasn’t a soft persimmon that just anyone could pluck and eat as they pleased.

“Prince Elric. Why is this Lady unaware of our ‘discussions’? This Lady remained within her room since departing Prince Roland’s entourage yesterday. The Prince must be mistaken.”

“Lady Reviarra, there’s no need to be embarrassed. This Prince will ensure the truth comes out, however the law is the law and this Prince is obliged to enforce it.”

“If the Prince is obliged to follow the law then the Prince must have evidence before detaining a suspect. This Lady understands witness testimony to be the weakest form of evidence and is inadequate to detain anyone.”

“The witness is one of this Prince’s people. Does the Lady believe the people under this Prince to be untrustworthy?”

“This Lady is merely holding the Prince to the law the Prince is so adamant at enforcing. This Lady understands that King Blonsall himself altered the law to reduce the weight of eyewitness testimony after false allegations implicated many innocent members of state.”

“Is the Lady suggesting that this Prince’s people are making false allegations towards the Lady?”

“This Lady would never suggest such a thing. This Lady is declaring the Prince’s people to be making false allegations. This Lady has not stepped outside her room. If the Prince is so insistent on this, then this Lady can only wonder what the Prince’s intentions are to publicly announce such a thing and enforce a one sided punishment without proper evidence in contradiction to our great King. Does the Prince not place the King in his eyes?”

Though he started calm, Prince Elric’s expression plummeted. He never expected such a vicious fight from Sol. As a Prince, few would dare to directly fight against him. Although he worked within the confines of the law, most of the law was under his control.

Between targeting the career, the family, or the person, most individuals would acquiesce to pressure and work to appease him. There was nothing to be gained from going against him, however there was everything to lose. The equation was so simple, and yet here, in front of his face, in a public venue, were two individuals who refused to back down.

What frustrated Prince Elric the most was Sol’s incitation. Prince Elric knew his father had men spying on his activities. Nothing was ever truly hidden from the King. His actions during the banquet were forceful and had everything gone smoothly, few would have cared.

Unfortunately, Sol just dragged in the King’s prestige in the midst of an active power struggle.