A wave of whispers, murmurs, and heated discussions spread through the courtroom like wildfire.Some nobles nodded in agreement with Helena Drake, their voices rising in support."She is right! The law is clear—Royal Alchemists cannot serve as witnesses!""This entire request is nonsense. Calen is stalling!"Others, however, remained uncertain."But if Astra was truly drugged, shouldn’t we find out the truth?" a noblewoman in a sapphire gown whispered to her companion."Even if a Royal Alchemist cannot testify, surely there is another way?"A lower-ranking noble, a stout man with a bejeweled cane, scoffed. "And risk angering the Grand Magus? Ha! I say, let the trial proceed as is!"Another voice cut through the noise."If there’s no test, then there’s no proof!" a younger noble argued. "Why are we so eager to dismiss this?"The murmurs grew louder, swelling into a cacophony of debates, accusations, and uncertainty.Evan stood smugly at the center of it all, arms crossed. His mother ha

Calen and Astra were led away, their hands bound as the guards escorted them back to their respective cells.But before he disappeared through the chamber doors, Calen turned.His piercing golden eyes locked onto Evan.For a moment, the air between them crackled with silent hostility.I know what you did.That was the message in Calen’s gaze. Cold. Unforgiving. Certain.Evan stiffened.A chill ran down his spine, but he kept his expression carefully blank.He knew that if the Grand Magus arrived tomorrow, everything would unravel. The truth about the aphrodisiac—the trap he had set for Calen—would be exposed.His fingers curled into fists.No. He couldn’t let that happen.A soft voice broke through his spiraling thoughts.“Don’t worry.”Helena’s words were calm, but there was a quiet firmness in them.She placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip just tight enough to ground him.“Come. We’re going home.”Evan exhaled slowly, schooling his features into neutrality.Without another word,

A heavy silence descended upon the courtroom. No one dared to speak. No one dared to move.The figure standing in the doorway radiated an aura so intense that the very air seemed to hum with energy. The torches flickered violently, their flames bending toward him as if drawn by an unseen force. The cold marble floor beneath him shimmered faintly, as though reality itself warped in his presence.The Grand Magus had arrived.He took a step forward, and with it, the oppressive weight of his magic pressed against everyone in the room. His robes, a deep and endless violet embroidered with golden arcane symbols, seemed to shift and ripple, even though no wind stirred within the chamber. The intricate patterns on the fabric glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat in time with his own.His face was partially hidden beneath the hood of his cloak, but the sharpness of his features was unmistakable. High cheekbones, eyes that burned like molten gold, and an ageless presence that spoke of centur

Astra let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her entire body trembled—not just from fear, but from sheer relief.But before that relief could settle, the Grand Magus’s golden eyes flicked toward her, catching her in their piercing glow.His smirk widened, and when he spoke again, his voice dripped with something far more dangerous than mere amusement."But be warned, Lieutenant Storm," he said, this time using Calen’s full title with deliberate weight."If I find nothing… If this is all for naught…"The words hung in the air like a blade suspended above their heads. The spectators leaned forward, breathless, frozen in anticipation.Then, the Grand Magus let out a low chuckle and took a step forward, his robes whispering against the stone floor. His golden eyes gleamed like molten fire."Then do not blame me when you both…" He let the words dangle, savoring the suspense. His smirk deepened. "Well, you know."A pause.Then, in a voice rich with certainty, he delivered the

The grand estate of the Drake family loomed against the darkened sky, its towering spires cutting into the night like jagged blades. Inside, the lavish halls were silent, save for the sharp click of Evan Drake’s boots against the polished marble floors.His movements were tense, urgent, relentless—he didn’t spare a single glance at the servants who bowed their heads as he stormed past. His mother, Helena Drake, followed at a measured pace, her heels barely making a sound.The moment they stepped into his private study, Evan pushed the heavy doors shut behind them. The resounding thud of the lock sliding into place sealed them in, isolating them from the rest of the world.Evan turned sharply, his eyes burning with impatience. “Did you take care of it?” His voice was low, strained, nearly shaking with suppressed emotion.Helena remained unfazed, her posture as regal as ever as she glided toward one of the high-backed leather chairs. With deliberate grace, she lowered herself onto the s