"What have you done to me?" Arletta looked at Luna with fear and shock.

"I gave you a lesson about what happens when an arrogant Goddess tries to influence a sufficiently powerful Kitsune," Luna replied with contempt but widely smiled which wasn't a friendly gesture in the slightest. "Thank you for your help in breaking, arguably, the hardest barrier through my ladder of advancement."

"It's impossible..." Arletta slowly slumped to the floor, taking deep breaths.

"So now it's up to me to decide your punishment..." Theon sighed as the two Noble Slimes appeared right next to the exhausted Goddess.

One of them lifted her as the second one placed a chair under her, on which she slumped. Theon and Luna returned to their chairs and everyone fell silent. Now, the previously tall and prideful goddess was a shadow of herself. The long, pink hair was clumped together and still wet from the potion. Her long, Elven-like ears were pointing to the sides, reflecting her miserable state. Cuffs made of mithril, gold, and orichalcum appeared on her wrists and ankles, preventing her from using her magic. Powerful spells and runes were grafted on those binds, holding the prisoner bound to Avalon until released by Theon.

"Ask the Ebrusian delegation to join us." Theon finally ordered as it became clear that Arletta was not going to faint.

"As you wish, my Lord." One of the Slimes bowed and walked out of the room.

"They knew nothing..." The Ebrusian deity weakly protested, her face full of tears. "Please, don't hurt them..."

No one replied to her. Guad and Theresa were chatting with hushed voices, as did the Empresses. Only Theon was looking at Arletta with his arms crossed on his chest and inscrutable face. After half an hour, the doors opened, letting in the bulk of the Ebrusian delegation. They were tailed by a small detachment of the Praetorians. The Prince and his oldest advisor glanced nervously at the sitting women and everyone could see their confusion quickly turned into anger.

"What's the meaning of this?! Why is our esteemed Goddess apprehended by your... butler?!" Islur Tawal Ebrus glanced at Theon Avalon.

"It's my fault! I admit everything!" Arletta desperately cried. "Don't blame them!"

"They have the right to know." Theon slowly moved his gaze from the goddess to the Prince and his advisor. "I called you to join us for the trial of Arletta, who attempted to commit the crime of charming Queen Theresa Iceleon and Empress Luna va'Theon. She desired to force them to fall in love with Prince Islur Tawal Ebrus. Using such spells, divine or not, is illegal in the entirety of countries allied under the Treaty of Northern Aderon. The severity of that crime is one step below slavery, which is guaranteed a death sentence."

"She did... WHAT?!" Islur looked at his Goddess in utter shock. "That stupid hag was really conveying your words, my Goddess?! But... Oh, Heavens..." The Prince was visibly shaken but took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Theon. "She didn't know the laws of your country, Emperor Theon! You have to forgive her!"

"I have to?" Theon sighed, disappointed and his gaze hardened. "Ignorantia legis neminem excusat."

"Forgive my ignorance, but I'm afraid that I don't know that language, Emperor Theon." Prince Islur carefully said.

"It means that ignorance of the law excuses no one." Theon shook his head. "We are not discussing tax evasion caused by the lack of specialised knowledge which might be understandable. She attempted to forcefully bend the free will of two people who happened to be my wife and my ally. A disgusting and evil practice."

"But-"

"Do you imply that in your country slavery is legal? Or is it legal to alter someone's feelings and even memories as you see fit?" Theon cut short whatever the Prince wanted to say. "Because it's certainly illegal in Arcadia except for confining the most dangerous criminals."

"It's complicated..." The Prince lowered his head. "Slavery is not widely spread in Ebrus, however, it is possible to become a slave for various crimes or when you can't pay your debts. But I have never considered the case of altering someone's feelings... It's deeply disturbing..."

"As you can see, I don't take it lightly either."

"But she is a Goddess!"

"So?" Theon leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.

"I'm not sure how you managed to restrain a Goddess in the first place but you can't expect to force her to serve any punishment! Or are you arrogant enough to believe that you could execute her?!" Prince Islur looked at Theon with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Look at my titles before you speak, boy." Theon's voice was almost a whisper but the entire Ebrusian delegation tensed.

"By the Gods..." Prince Islur made a fearful step back.

"As I told your goddess already, I have killed a god before. Don't measure me with your limits. I have also sentenced another for millennia of forced labour." Theon calmly put his hands on the table. "I have not sought your counsel or alliance. It was you who came to my home and, as I honestly welcomed you as friends, your goddess plotted against my family and my allies. Do you know why we are even speaking?"

Ebrusians looked at Theon Avalon in fear but not even their prince dared to speak. He opened and closed his mouth but it was apparent that the situation overwhelmed him. The oldest diplomat put his hand on Prince's shoulder and stepped forward.

"My name is Tyklas Ross, I am the Minister of His Majesty, King Sawal Talos Ebrus. I was tasked with the mission of aiding the Prince in his important mission but this situation is unexpected. We are beyond the young Prince and he won't be able to handle it. Allow me to fulfil my diplomatic duty, Emperor Theon Avalon."

"Go on." Theon patiently nodded.

"No matter what we say, we are on your mercy. We came here as friends and, while we were aware that Goddess Arletta's Oracle foretold that Prince Islur would find his wife as we reached our destiny, we were not aware of how questionably ethical our Goddess's plan was." Tyklas said with a calm voice. "We walked blindly and were unprepared for nearly everything that has happened. However, to answer your question, we don't know."

"Because there was no malice or evil in your actions." Theon sighed. "Even she, despite her arrogance and ignorance, wasn't malicious. I won't shift the blame and try to involve you in the intrigue concocted by your goddess."

The Ebrusian delegation released a collective sigh of relief which would have been hilarious if the situation wasn't so serious.

"You think that Gods are above the laws of Arcadia?" Hestia asked Tyklas.

"They are Gods, after all, Your Highness. They are above any laws made by us, mortal races of Nilmerthis..." The older diplomat answered with a careful smile.

Hestia sighed and once again dropped some of her disguise. The Ebrusians were forced to their knees and they watched in shock the concerned expression on Hestia's face.

"Goddess Hestia!" Prince Islur stuttered as he bowed as deeply as he could.

"Yes. It is I." Hestia waved her hand impatiently, allowing them to stand. "I'm Hestia va'Theon, the fourth Empress of Arcadia."

Everyone looked in shock at Theon who gave them a hard gaze in return. He tapped loudly a few times on the table with his finger gathering everyone's attention.

"Arletta, you told us that you desired to find a suitable queen for Ebrus and you wanted to save your people from something. Have you ever considered simply asking for help?" Empress Amber asked as everyone from the Ebrusian delegation was allowed to sit; only a few did.

She raised her head and genuinely looked surprised as if she couldn't wrap her head around the idea that she could just ask. Finally, she shortly shook her head and answered. "No."

"If you expect to have any future, I suggest you start by asking for help next time," Hestia almost hissed at Arletta. "If there is going to be a next time at all…"

"Indeed. That would have spared us this trial." Theon nodded at her as he switched his gaze over the Ebrusian delegation. "She's as awkward as you are..."

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"She is our Goddess, after all." Tyklas smiled warmly.

"Fair enough." Theon nodded with a soft smile that quickly faded as he tapped rhythmically on the table surface. "What should I do with you?"

"You could always fine her and appoint a custodian. Or a curator?" The air swirled, and Zephyr manifested, casually sitting on the conference table.

The shocked murmur of the kneeling Ebrusians was briefly interrupted by the clasp of hands as Theon casually welcomed the God of Winds. Arletta was staring at Zephyr as if she couldn't comprehend what he was doing here.

"You want to vouch for her?" Theon asked with an astonished voice.

"What has she done this time?" Zephyr shrugged and asked instead. He jumped on the floor and walked towards the chained Eternal with his hands in his pockets.

"She tried to make Theresa Iceleon and my Luna fell in love with Islur Tawal Ebrus." Theon coldly answered, making Zephyr sourly cringe.

"God damn it, girl..." Zephyr facepalmed with his right hand and dropped on the chair that appeared out of his storage ring next to the accused woman.

"And, basically, she was caught red-handed, Grandfather," Aoi added, which provoked even more hushed discussions between Ebrusians. "Even Eriar Smote her."

"Seriously?" Zephyr looked at his granddaughter through his fingers.

"Yes." Aoi smiled as she nodded in confirmation.

"Arletta... You pitiful fool." Zephyr shook his head in disbelief and looked at the resigned woman. "Of all mistakes you could make, of course, you had to make one that pissed Theon almost the most..."

"It's very like her..." Hera appeared right behind Arletta and tapped the chained goddess with the side of her hand on the top of Arletta's head. "How many times have I told you not to do anything stupid, risky, and immoral?!"

"I'm sorry..." Arletta sagged even more.

"So you both know her?" Theon friendly waved at Hera who beamed a wide smile towards him and politely curtsied.

Now, the Ebrusian delegation was in complete shock since it was obvious that Emperor Theon Avalon was not just favoured by the Gods, but also he was their friend. Most of them sagged miserably on their chairs, resigned to observe the situation unfold.

"I didn't know that Zephyr knew her..." Hera looked at the other Eternal.

"We meet a few times, so you can say we are acquainted." Zephyr shrugged.

"I... I'm sorry, but you are Gods? I could hardly believe my eyes when we saw the Merciful Arletta and then Divine Hestia..." Minister Tyklas asked, having returned to kneeling on the floor with a lowered head and trembling. "What's the meaning of this? Why have so many Gods arrived here? Are you here to save Goddess Arletta?"

"Surely not me and Eriar..." Hestia huffed and crossed her arms.

"Save is a good word, albeit too strong to describe why we are here. I'm afraid it is not what you hope, as well. If you think we would order Emperor Theon to just let her go, you are woefully wrong. We can only petition and hope that her sentence won't end in execution." Zephyr answered, ignoring Hestia's flat stare, and adjusting himself on his chair. He shook his head as he glanced at Ebrusians who mostly had their hands clasped in prayers. "Also, you lot, don't pray too much because you might gain the attention of a wrong deity..." A young woman's giggle echoed in the conference room causing Zephyr to sigh and open his arms powerlessly. "Aaand it's too late..."

"Who was so stupid to piss off one of the most vengeful beings in existence?" An amused, incorporeal voice asked with a chuckle.

Verka suddenly appeared right behind Theon with a wide and mischievous grin. With her were her parents who took a seat without even asking permission. No one needed to introduce them to anyone; even if their powers dwindled and they were no longer Gods, they were still incredibly powerful and every living being knew the names of Vali and Tisiphone. Theon looked at the newcomers and his lips rose in a smirk.

"Oh? And I thought you always had Akh'ila in tow." Theon slightly moved his head to take a glance at the Goddesses of Vengeance but quickly focused back on Arletta.

"I gave her a few days off. She and Ertu made some plans together and I'm not heartless." She rested her elbows on Theon's shoulder and put together her hands on top of his head. As she finished, she put her chin on her hands and chuckled. "Nothing is better than your cold fury, Theon. This alone would feed me for ages..."

"Oh, I'm glad you are having fun." The Arcadian Emperor shrugged effortlessly, making Verka chuckle, but she remained propped on him. The fact that his wives, even Hestia, ignored Verka's antics, just added dread to the scared Ebrusians and their Goddess. "So we lack only Zeus, Kaal'nai, and Tuul'kara. Are they coming as well?"

"I don't think so, Lord Theon. Kaal'nai and Tuul'kara don't like to leave their domain and Zeus is helping your forces against Vestargo. Sebastian's spies found an ancient city with a crude Zeus' temple that was defiled. That gave him an excuse to directly intervene." Vali smiled and returned to the whispered conversation with Freya.

"Oh, right. Galahad mentioned it." Theon nodded, which caused Verka to bob up and down with a chuckle. "Anyway a trial..."

He lifted his hand and touched Verka's forehead with a single finger, making her giggle as she blinked and appeared sitting on a chair right next to Tisiphone.

"Let's skip the needless babbling and proceed with the decision of what punishment will be fitting for you, Arletta," Theon announced with an emotionless voice. "Is there anyone who would be interested in vouching for her?"

Hera raised her hand with Zephyr, reluctantly, raising his hand soon after. Predictably, Verka and her parents were not interested in the fate of the Ebrusian Goddess, however, they were going to watch this spectacle. The entire Ebrusian delegation raised their hands as well, making Theon look at them in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"While we can't control Divine Arletta's actions, we want to vouch for her. If you are willing to show your mercy, we will also try to cover any fines. However, we would like to make it clear that we don't agree with our Goddess's recent actions." Minister Tyklas said with a respectful bow.

"Mhm." Theon briefly nodded and looked at Hera and Zephyr. "Can you two make sure that she will behave from now on?"

"Yes," Hera answered shortly and looked at Arletta who observed her with hope in her eyes.

"In that case, I don't think we have to resort to execution." Theon fell silent for a moment as he drew a deep breath. He closed his eyes and considered something. "I sentence you to five hundred years in prison, suspended."

Theon loudly snapped his fingers and the chain of the handcuffs dropped to the floor while the cuffs turned into two silvery, thin bracelets with two big diamonds. The Ebrusians were murmuring amongst themselves but it wasn't loud enough to be disturbing or disrespectful. Arletta stared in shock at the Arcadian Emperor, repeating her sentence under her breath. Meanwhile, Theon pointed at her hands.

"Your new jewellery will inform me, my wives, Hera, and Zephyr if you ever again use your magic like that. As you can feel, they are similar to a slave collar but don't even consider trying to break them. As I have killed a god before, I have also enslaved one to ensure he would serve his sentence for his crimes against Arcadia. Those will always inform me, all my wives, and your legal guardians about your location and will force you to tell us the truth. You will be educated by Hera and Zephyr. I shouldn't have to mention that if you commit another crime against Arcadia and my people, your sentence will be much more harsh and absolute, including imprisonment for a few hundred, if not a thousand years, or straight-up execution?"

"I understand." She nodded, still pale.

"Good." Theon sighed. "As for compensation, you owe a personal favour to Luna va'Theon and Theresa Iceleon. You will always respond whenever any of them calls you and you will help them or grant their wishes. Those bracelets have two stones. One clear symbolises your debt to Luna and one yellow diamond symbolises a debt to Theresa. Once your debt to them is paid, the stone will shatter. As for the fine... I detest the idea of taking money from your people. The fact that they wanted to pay for you and they were prepared to fight a desperate and doomed fight for your life also works in your favour. Their loyalty is admirable, Arletta. It also is a testament that you have managed to earn it. That's why, you will need to earn the money yourself to pay for your bail. However, the means of your employment and terms of your service will be decided later, once we learn more about you. Is this a satisfactory judgment and punishment, Lady Theresa? Luna?"

"Yes." Luna briefly nodded with a very happy smile. That could only mean she knew what to ask.

"Indeed." Theresa smiled, slightly overwhelmed.

"In that case, this court session is over." Theon nodded and smirked. "I forgot to bring my judge's gavel from home. So imagine that I'm using it now."

In relief, Arletta started sobbing nervously but Theon cleared his throat, not giving anyone time.

"Now, we can move, hopefully, forward, do you mind telling us what kind of help you wanted to obtain from Theresa or Luna?" He asked, causing everyone to focus solely on Arletta.

"Ebrus is slowly dying." She said quietly, staring at the floor. "The crops are failing, the drinking water is running out, the monsters grow more vicious with each year... Besides that, little things grow into unmanageable tasks and the people are restless. I tried to guide my people but there was little I could do... I know nothing about agriculture. I know even less about economy. Prince Islur is young and brave but... unfortunately, he doesn't have the qualities required to save the country. Neither do I. So I figured that I could find him a wise wife and bless them with eternal happiness and love..."

Theon rubbed his eyelids more or less since the middle of her explanation and sighed heavily once she finished.

"Your idea was doomed to fail from its beginning..." Luna said and shook her head. "You should have just reserved an appointment and asked for help. Most of the things you described happened because the Leylines of the World were attacked and nearly destroyed."

"I won't lie to you, Prince Islur... Before this whole ordeal, I would have gladly extended the offer of alliance to your country. However, circumstances changed and things got complicated." Theon said while Emperor Guad and Queen Theresa slowly nodded. "It's not the Northern Aderon Treaty Organisation that needs your help but it's Ebrus that needs us. While we won't reject you, we remain neutral. I have to discuss the future accession rules for any applying country with the remaining members. As for Arcadia... I will be ruthlessly honest with you. The difference in power between our countries is so vast that there is no comparison of the two. As such, I could be as arrogant as you pictured me earlier but I don't have time for pettiness. Once I discuss everything with my allies, you will be invited to an official meeting. There, we will negotiate the final terms of your access to our alliance. I do not close those doors before you but all actions have their consequences. What your goddess did could easily be grounds for war and there would be nothing you could do to explain yourself before it was too late. Be glad that other Eternals vouched for her."

A dead silence spread across the room as the Ebrusians realised how close they were to tragedy. Arletta was still staring with abject horror at Theon, too afraid to take a deeper breath.

Theon slowly nodded and flatly smiled. "You may use the mansion that was offered to you to rest. It might take us a few days to establish the accession rules. Don't worry, the Dungeon won't attack you unless you prove to be hostile. This meeting is over."

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