"Your Majesty, you cannot exile the Prince," Aestra said, unable to hold herself back any longer. "If you punish the Prince, then no man in the Hundred Sky Mountains would take a stand for the honor of their loved ones."

"Queen Aestra speaks wisely, Your Majesty," Lunaria spoke from the second floor. "Rather than being punished, Prince Taranis should be rewarded—not only for protecting the honor of his promised bride, but also that of every lady who was reduced to an object by Ignis."

"I also request Your Majesty to withdraw the Prince's punishment," Sylvaris said, joining in. Being the most beautiful woman, Sylvaris had always been subjected to the lecherous gazes of men. Rather than her personality, men looked at her otherworldly beauty, objectifying her and reducing her to a mere trophy to be claimed.

However, Taranis' words and the way he stood for his promised wife stirred something inside Sylvaris. She did not want Taranis to be punished—someone who, at such a young age, already understood how a woman should be treated.

When all three ladies had said their part, Voltrex parted his lips and spoke, his voice firm.

"You have misunderstood my reason behind Taranis' punishment, my Queen, Lady Lunaria, and Lady Sylvaris. I did not punish him for protecting Lady Nymeria's honor. He was punished for defying the sacred courtroom and disobeying my order. My order is firm and will not be taken back."

Turning to Taranis, Voltrex continued, "You have one day to leave the Hundred Sky Mountains. Whether you wish to spend the next three years on the frontlines or somewhere else is up to you."

Unshaken by Voltrex's punishment, Taranis gave a deep bow and said, "I accept my punishment, Your Majesty."

The words pierced Voltrex's heart like a sharp thorn. Never before had Taranis addressed Voltrex as Your Majesty. His decision to address Voltrex as Your Majesty instead of Father was deliberate.

"Since you have decided to place the King's duty above that of a father, I shall also treat you as a Prince should—rather than as your son."

Saying his part, Taranis took calm steps outside the courtroom. Nymeria, noticing the sadness hidden behind his otherwise composed face, quickly followed him out.

Once Taranis and Nymeria left, Voltrex released a sigh of exhaustion and announced,

"The courtroom is dismissed."

The Banes rose from their seats and, one by one, began leaving the courtroom after offering a bow of farewell to the King. Lunaria and Aurelion also departed, leaving Voltrex and Aestra alone in the vast hall.

Turning to Aestra, in an exhausted tone he had been concealing until now, Voltrex murmured, "Let's go—"

"Are you satisfied now?" Aestra snapped, cutting Voltrex off mid-sentence. "Whom did you truly target by exiling Taranis from the Hundred Sky Mountains?"

"A-Aestra… I—" Voltrex tried to speak, but was struck by another question before he could finish.

"How many years has it been since you left the mountains and went to the frontlines? Did you ever think about how alone I felt within the massive, suffocating walls of the royal chambers? Still… not once did I complain. I always welcomed you back with a warm smile and an open heart whenever you returned. Each time you left again, there was always a fear lurking in the corner of my heart—that it might be the last time we would meet. Yet, I never allowed my emotions to obstruct your duty."

Tears of sadness and disappointment slid down Aestra's serene face for the first time before Voltrex as she continued,

"And what did you give me in return?

Three years of separation from my precious Taranis—my only happiness in these lonely mountains."

She moved closer to Voltrex, grabbed him by the collar, and demanded, her voice breaking as her breaths came in short, heavy gasps,

"What… what did I do to deserve this, Voltrex? Tell me…"

Voltrex moved his arms and gently drew Aestra into an embrace, resting her head against his chest.

"Forgive me, Aestra… I failed as both a father and a husband today," Voltrex murmured, his voice low. "I promise you will meet Taranis once every month or two for the next three years. I also swear that within these three years, I will put an end to this war. After that, you will never be lonely again."

Aestra did not speak. She continued to cry, burying her face in Voltrex's chest as she wrapped her arms tightly around his broad back.

---

At the rear of the castle, in a small open garden perched at the peak of the mountain, Taranis danced with his sword beneath the twin moons' glow—his usual method of calming his troubled mind.

Nymeria soon arrived at the garden, but instead of calling out to him, she took a seat on the wooden bench placed at the corner and silently observed him.

After half an hour of elegant swordplay, Taranis finally came to a stop. His half-open golden eyes shimmered as they turned toward Nymeria.

He walked over to her and sat down on the ground beside her, resting his head in Nymeria's lap.

"Nymeria… I'm sorry," Taranis said, his voice low and heavy with sadness. "I won't be able to return for the next three years."

Nymeria shook her head and replied, "I do not blame you, Taranis."

She gently brushed her fingers over the pale, flawless skin of his face as she continued, "It's fine if you can't return to the Hundred Sky Mountains. I'll simply come to meet you at the frontlines."

"It will be dangerous there," Taranis countered. Yet his voice remained calm, as though he did not truly object to her decision.

"It's fine," Nymeria replied, a warm smile tugging at her lips. She bent down, moving her lips close to Taranis' ear as her snow-white hair cascaded over his face.

"I have a strong husband who will protect me from any harm there… just like he did today," Nymeria whispered.

Her soft breath and melodious words sent a shiver down the young Prince's spine. His heart skipped a beat, and his breath hitched.

"W-we aren't married yet," Taranis mumbled, his cheeks flushing red as his face heated up.

"But I already consider you my husband," Nymeria replied, leaning back. "Do you not consider me your wife?"

"I… I do," Taranis murmured, gently wrapping his arms around Nymeria's legs.

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