The next day.
Prince Stefan stood before his older brother, a sealed document in his hand. He had received it hours ago via a shadow-courier—Silvie's final move to secure the peace.
Crown Prince Leonidas sat at the Emperor's desk. The violet fog was gone from his eyes, replaced by a haunted, grieving clarity. He was staring at two reports: the autopsy of his twin brother, Cassian, and the death certificate of Duke Bastian.
"Read this," Stefan said, placing the document on the desk. "It explains everything."
Leonidas opened it. It wasn't a letter; it was a ledger of treason.
It detailed the [Mind-Weave] spell Cassian had used on him and Felicity. It outlined the plan to assassinate Emperor Solanus during the wedding vows. It revealed Duke Bastian's role as the High Priest of the Cult of the False Dawn.
"Cassian..." Leonidas whispered, his voice breaking. "He wasn't sick. He was... waiting."
