The brief intermission concluded as servants cleared the last of the refreshments and the assembled nobility returned to their seats. The atmosphere had shifted dramatically from the somber execution—anticipation now filled the chamber as witnesses prepared to see heroes honored rather than criminals punished.

The announcer stepped forward once more, his magically enhanced voice carrying clearly to every corner of the throne room.

"We now commence the rewarding ceremony, wherein His Majesty King Harold Westia shall recognize those individuals whose courage and dedication exposed corruption that threatened our kingdom's very foundation."

King Harold rose from his throne, his presence commanding immediate silence from the assembled crowd. He descended the platform steps with measured dignity, positioning himself where he could address both the honored guests and the broader audience.

"What was revealed through last night's broadcast represents years of patient investigation conducted by individuals who risked everything to serve truth," the king began. "They faced threats, violence, and overwhelming opposition from forces that believed themselves untouchable. Yet they persevered, driven by conviction that justice must prevail regardless of personal cost."

He gestured toward where Raze's group sat in their honored positions.

"I call forward Lady Anastasia Venn, whose courage in documenting her own husband's crimes over five years provided the foundation upon which all subsequent investigation was built."

Anastasia rose gracefully despite the emotional toll the trial had taken, moving to stand before the king with dignity befitting her noble birth. The crowd applauded, recognition of sacrifice that transcended simple civic duty.

"For your service to Westia and its people, I grant you full pardon for any perceived complicity in your husband's crimes," King Harold declared. "Furthermore, I restore to you all properties and assets held in your name prior to Lord Venn's corruption, ensuring you and your son Thomas shall want for nothing."

He produced a scroll sealed with the royal crest, handing it to her formally.

"Additionally, you are granted residence here in Castle Town should you choose to remain near the seat of governance. Your testimony has earned you a place among those who truly serve this kingdom."

Anastasia accepted the scroll with a bow, tears glistening in her eyes as she returned to her seat amid continued applause.

"I call forward Helena Graves," the king continued, though his tone carried familial warmth beneath the formality. "My niece, whose journalistic integrity transformed raw testimony into comprehensive exposition that reached every citizen of this kingdom."

Helena approached with professional composure despite the personal relationship, standing before her uncle with respect that transcended family connection.

"Your work with The Truth Ledger has consistently served truth over political convenience," King Harold said. "This broadcast represents the culmination of that dedication. For your service, I grant you formal recognition as Royal Chronicler, with authority to investigate and report on matters of public interest without fear of censorship or political interference."

He presented her with a badge of office, intricate metalwork that would identify her as operating under direct crown protection.

"May your future work continue illuminating shadows where corruption attempts to hide."

Helena accepted the honor with visible emotion, her uncle's public recognition of her professional achievements clearly meaningful beyond the political implications.

"I call forward Sir Oziel Radcliffe," the king declared, his voice carrying particular respect. "The swordsman known as the Failed Knight, whose true character was revealed through protection of those who pursued justice regardless of personal cost to his own reputation."

Oziel stood and approached, his bearing military despite no longer serving in official capacity. The Master Peak cultivator showed no discomfort at being called by the nickname that had haunted him for years.

"Your epithet was unearned and unjust," King Harold said firmly. "Tonight I formally rescind any association between your name and failure. You are hereby recognized as Oziel Radcliffe, Master Swordsman in service to Westia's people, with all honors and recognition that title conveys."

He produced a sword, the blade clearly crafted by master smiths and enhanced with enchantments that made it glow faintly.

"This weapon is forged from materials reserved for the kingdom's greatest warriors. May it serve you as faithfully as you have served justice."

Oziel accepted the blade with a bow that couldn't quite hide his emotion, the restoration of his honor after years of disgrace clearly overwhelming despite his composure.

The ceremony continued, each member of the group called forward and honored appropriately.

Kael received recognition as Royal Alchemist, granted access to resources and materials that would allow him to pursue his craft without financial limitation. Aslan was pardoned for his Mercurian nature and granted protected status, ensuring his modifications would be treated as asset rather than aberration.

Even Sister Elizabeth, who watched from a separate section reserved for Temple officials, received acknowledgment for her courage in testifying against the Pope despite obvious personal cost.

Finally, after all others had been recognized, the announcer's voice rang out one last time.

"His Majesty calls forward Raze Dragonheart, architect of the investigation whose strategic planning and personal sacrifice made this victory possible."

The applause that erupted was thunderous, acknowledgment from nobility who understood that without this young man's vision and determination, none of what they'd witnessed would have occurred. Raze stood and walked forward, his white hair distinctive even in the crowd of elaborately dressed nobles.

He reached the platform and knelt before King Harold, head bowed in respect for the authority the crown represented.

"Raze Dragonheart," the king's voice carried weight that made the entire chamber fall silent. "At barely eighteen years of age and only months into your cultivation journey, you accomplished what seasoned investigators and powerful officials could not. You identified corruption at its highest levels, assembled a team capable of exposing it, and orchestrated a campaign that brought truth to every citizen of this kingdom."

King Harold produced a scroll far more elaborate than those presented to others, the royal seal prominent on parchment that seemed to shimmer with enchantment.

"For your service to Westia, I grant you the title of Count Dragonheart, with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities that title conveys. You shall receive land holdings in the western territories—specifically those previously administered by Lord Venn, which require new stewardship under someone whose integrity is beyond question."

The king handed him the scroll, then produced keys that gleamed with magical enhancement.

"Furthermore, you are granted a residence here in Castle Town, positioning you among the kingdom's highest nobility. Your home shall reflect the honor you've earned and provide appropriate setting for the responsibilities you'll assume."

Raze accepted both scroll and keys, the weight of what was being granted settling over him like a physical presence. He'd become a Count, elevated to nobility that typically required generations of service to achieve.

King Harold's expression shifted, becoming slightly less formal as he addressed what came next.

"It is customary in ceremonies of this nature for the crown to offer one additional boon to those who have served with such distinction. Within reason, you may request something of me, and if it lies within my power to grant, I shall do so willingly."

The entire chamber leaned forward slightly, curiosity evident as they waited to hear what the young Count would request. Attendance at Elmbridge Academy seemed obvious given his age and capabilities, perhaps additional resources or political connections to cement his new position.

Raze remained kneeling, his blue eyes meeting the king's directly despite the difference in their positions. His voice was clear and steady when he spoke, carrying to every corner of the chamber through a combination of cultivation technique and the room's acoustic design.

"Your Majesty, I request the hand of Princess Fedora in marriage."

The words seemed to physically impact the assembly.

The entire hall sank into shocked silence so complete that individual heartbeats were briefly audible. Nobles who'd been leaning forward with curiosity now sat frozen, expressions ranging from disbelief to scandalous delight.

Even King Harold stuttered, his composure breaking for the first time during the entire proceedings.

"You—what? You request—" He stopped, seeming to require a moment to process what he'd just heard. "You wish to marry my Fedora?"

His voice carried genuine shock, the request so far beyond what he'd anticipated that his usual political acumen had temporarily abandoned him.

Behind him, Queen Eleanor raised a stylish fan decorated with intricate patterns, holding it before her face in a gesture that appeared demure but couldn't quite hide the wry smile curving her lips. Fedora had told her mother already, prepared her for exactly this moment while leaving her husband completely unprepared.

The Queen's amusement at her husband's shock was evident to anyone who knew her well enough to read such subtle signs.

In their honored seats, Raze's companions reacted with varying degrees of surprise.

Oziel let out a low whistle, his enhanced hearing ensuring it carried just far enough to reach Aslan beside him. The silver-eyed young man echoed the sound, both of them recognizing the audacity of the request while simultaneously appreciating its strategic brilliance.

Kael's face had gone pale, his analytical mind immediately calculating political ramifications and potential complications. His expression suggested he was genuinely fearing for Raze's life, certain that requesting a princess's hand in marriage might be the one step too far that turned royal gratitude into royal offense.

Mariabel's golden eyes had widened, and something complicated flashed across her features. Jealousy mixed with hurt, quickly suppressed beneath professional composure but visible for the heartbeat before she caught herself. Her hands clenched slightly in her lap, the only outward sign of emotional turmoil.

Anastasia simply smiled, a happy expression that suggested she found something appropriate or even romantic in the bold request. Her perspective as mother and noble lady perhaps gave her insight into implications the younger members missed.

King Harold was still processing, his stuttering having given way to silence as he looked between Raze kneeling before him and his daughter sitting behind the throne. His mind was clearly working frantically through the implications, political considerations warring with paternal instincts.

"This is—" he began, then stopped again. "You understand what you're requesting? Marriage to the crown princess is not a simple matter, it carries implications beyond personal relationship."

"I understand completely, Your Majesty," Raze replied, his voice steady despite the weight of every eye in the chamber focused on him. "I request this knowing full well the responsibilities it would entail."

The king's mouth opened, presumably to explain why such a request required careful consideration or perhaps outright denial despite his promise to grant reasonable boons.

But before he could speak, a voice cut through the tension.

"I would like that."

Princess Fedora had risen from her seat, stepping forward to stand beside her father. Her face had turned so red that her complexion practically glowed, the blush so pronounced it left no doubt whatsoever about her feelings regarding the proposal.

Her blue eyes met Raze's, and despite the embarrassment coloring her cheeks, her voice was clear and certain.

"I accept his proposal. If Father permits it, I would be honored to marry Count Dragonheart."

The hall exploded.

Gasps erupted from a thousand throats simultaneously, the second wave of shock somehow more profound than the first. That the young Count would dare request such a thing was surprising enough, but that the Princess would immediately and publicly accept?

Nobles began speaking over each other, conversations erupting as political implications crashed through their awareness. This wasn't just a marriage, this was the crown prince position being filled, succession being determined, the kingdom's future being reshaped in a single moment.

King Harold stood frozen, his expression cycling through shock, confusion, realization, and something that might have been resignation as he looked between his daughter's determined face and his wife's knowing smile.

He'd been completely outmaneuvered by the women in his life, and his stunned silence suggested he was only just beginning to understand how thoroughly they'd planned this without his knowledge.

The chamber descended into barely controlled chaos, a thousand conversations happening simultaneously as the kingdom's nobility processed what they'd just witnessed.

The rewarding ceremony had concluded, but its final moment would be discussed and analyzed for years to come.

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