The council's judgment

The doors slid open with a soft metallic hiss, and Princess Elaina stepped inside.

The Council Chamber was massive—built in a perfect circle, its walls covered in shimmering holographic murals that shifted like living paintings. Arcane engines hummed beneath the obsidian floor, sending thin streams of blue energy through transparent panels. Floating platforms held tablets, scrolls, and glowing data screens.

Twelve councilors sat around a circular table made of pulsating crystal, each wearing their ceremonial high-tech robes lined with gold circuitry. Their faces were stern, sharp, carved by years of war and politics.

All eyes snapped toward Elaina.

And the atmosphere thickened instantly.

“Princess Elaina,” Councilor Revian said, stroking his grey beard. “You took long.”

“My apologies,” she said, bowing slightly. “I was… dealing with the aftermath of the attack.”

A few councilors exchanged glances.

“Dealing with it,” Councilor Varia repeated, her voice smooth but cold. “We have reports that you exited the battlefield alive… but with no mech remains recovered.”

Elaina kept her face neutral.
Inside, her heart thumped like a drum.

They know the mech exploded… but not why.
Do not mention Elliot. Do NOT mention Elliot.

Another councilor leaned forward, his mechanical eye whirring and adjusting as it scanned her face.

“Princess… eyewitnesses say a second figure exited the mech with you.”
His voice sharpened.
“A young man.”

Elaina’s stomach twisted.

“Yes,” Councilor Drevan added. “A man we do NOT recognize from this kingdom. And no one seems to know where he came from.”

The room fell silent.

Elaina’s fingers curled into her palm.

Damn it. They noticed him.

“Princess,” Varia said, voice turning razor-sharp, “Who was the male who accompanied you after the explosion?”

Elaina lifted her chin slightly—poised, calm, royal.

“He was a civilian caught near the battlefield,” she lied smoothly. “I brought him to safety.”

Murmurs rippled around the room.

“A civilian?” Revian repeated. “From WHERE? We scanned the area. No citizen records match his appearance.”

“He is not from our kingdom,” Elaina answered carefully.

Silence struck again—heavier this time.

Then Councilor Varia narrowed her eyes.

“Princess… your father was ‘not from our kingdom,’ too.”

Every hair on Elaina’s body stood on end.

“Are you suggesting history is repeating itself?” Varia continued. “That another outsider conveniently appears, just as our technology malfunctions—just as the monsters evolve?”

A cold spike of fear shot down Elaina’s spine.

They’re suspicious. Too suspicious.

Councilor Drevan slammed his palm on the table, making the entire crystal surface ripple.

“We DEMAND access to this outsider. He could be a threat. Or a spy. Or worse—another weapon that might turn against us.”

Elaina’s jaw tightened.

She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

She imagined Elliot… clueless, grinning, probably exploring the kingdom right now…
having no idea the Council wanted to lock him up.

“No,” she said—not loudly, but firmly.
The kind of firm that freezes a room.

A few councilors blinked in shock.

“No?” Revian echoed. “Princess… this is not a request. It is an order from the ruling Council.”

Elaina stepped forward, her voice cold as steel.

“This kingdom still belongs to my bloodline. And while my father vanished, his authority has not. Until I am crowned, I still hold royal jurisdiction.”

She placed her palm on the crystal table.
Blue circuits lit beneath her hand, glowing brighter and brighter.

“I choose what happens to the outsider. Not you.”

Gasps filled the chamber.

Councilor Varia stood up, robes swirling.

“You dare oppose the entire Council?”

Elaina’s eyes narrowed slightly—just like her father’s once did.

“I dare protect my people,” she answered. “And he is currently a citizen under my protection.”

A heavy silence dropped over the room.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

The Council stared at her like she had just declared war on them.

Then Revian slowly leaned back in his chair, exhaling.

“Very well… Princess.”
His voice was dangerously calm.
“But if this outsider brings danger…”

He paused, letting the words slice the air.

“His fate—and yours—will fall into our hands.”

Elaina didn’t flinch.

“I understand,” she said.

She turned sharply and walked out, the doors sliding shut behind her.

But as soon as she stepped into the empty corridor…

Her breath shook.

Her hands trembled.

“That… was too close,” she whispered to herself.

And then, another thought hit her—

Where is Elliot?

If the Council was already searching…

He wasn’t safe.

Not at all.