"Your majesty" one Duke began "Your half breed of a son is clearly commiting treason"
"It is not" Ryan blurted, clearly regretting his actions now.The Duke shot him a glare as a warning. Ryan couldn't bring himself to look at the rage in their eyes. But he has to summon courage to defend himself. He was doing the right thing by protecting the humans, that he knew. Humans have done nothing to them, but why were they so bent on wiping them off the face of the earth? Their blood were not suppose to be drunk by them each passing day. The thought and it disgusts him and he was willing to put an end to all.
"We've tried so much by keeping him in our world," another spoke, pulling him away from his thoughts "....only to be repaid by what? Treason"
"He shouldn't be here, your majesty. Send him away " another said.
"Keeping him here would only ruin the kingdom, your majesty. He should be banished" one Duke, Kang Jimyeong spoke.
"She should be killed" another yelled.
The throne room was in chaos. Everyone throwing opinions here and there of how he should be dealt with. He didn't find that courage in him to defend himself. He even forgot how to speak.
They hate him. No. They despise him.
"Enough!" The king's thundering voice sent the hall quite. So quite that if a pin should drop, everyone would hear it and it will make that resounding sound over and over again.
"No one tells me how to deal with my son" Leon said. His voice so thunderous and frightening. It could make your heart race to death.
"My son commited a crime...." Leon paused "....but I'll be the one to decide his fate."
"Your majesty, this could cause a war" Choi Su Jin spoke.
"We can't let him rule over us...." One minister said
"I have no interest for the throne" Ryan cut him off.
"Do you think we would ever trust your moves?" He asked him. " You're half human, and humans are our enemies."
"The humans have done nothing wrong " Ryan said with all courage in him. "Earth belongs to them and you can never take that away."
"I love your guts, boy" Kang Jimyeong said with a smirk "And I'll love to taste your blood."
"Enough, I said" Leon spoke and everyone went quiet. The decision he was about to make he knew the outcome very well. But he'll say it anyways.
"My son cannot be killed, neither can he be banished." He said and the hall broke into murmurs from every corner.
Ryan could feel eyes on him, repeatedly shooting daggers.
"This is a royal decree" Leon said
"Then, be ready for a war, your majesty." Kang Jimyeong said, determined. Leon expected that from him. He had known Kang Jimyeong to long for the throne, since he was the next in line if anything should happen to the Han family. If he waged a war, it clearly isn't because of Ryan, but the throne.
" No one can change my decision" came Leon's voice in a challenging tone.
"But I can." That voice....it resounded and was replaced by footsteps. Everyone's eyes were glued to the entrance. The owner of that voice is someone whose presence was intimidating to Leon. Her decisions hold more water than the King himself. She was feared and respected. No one cold defy her orders except having a death wish.
The Queen dowager. Her place holds higher position in the kingdoms. Everyone in the hall bowed their heads in respect as she walked through the hall. Stopping by Ryan's side, she went around him in circles, with a disdain look on her face. Then back to her throne.
Why now of all times?
Ryan felt something in him. Fear. Fear had taken hold of him. Whatever Axelle decides would definitely mar him, and no one would do a thing. Not even the King himself.
Axelle sat down . Her eyes scanned through the faces of the people in the court. This was clearly the end of Ryan.
"The half breed have been against us from the beginning" she paused. The hall was quite, no one dared to speak.
"Helping the humans only showed that part of him because he has their blood. But, what punishment would be best for treason?" She asked
"Execution, your majesty" Kang Jimyeong spoke
"If he was your son, Kang Jimyeong.... Would you rather have him killed?"
Kang Jimyeong lifted his eyes from the floor " With all due respect, your royal Highness, I would" he replied "Even if I have to take him to the underworld myself, I'll do it. So as to protect others."
"Hmm" Axelle tilted her head to the side. She wasn't surprised. This bloodthirsty Duke was one of a kind.
"I'll make my decision now. Since the King is too weak to"
The hall grew quiet as they waited for the the Queen dowager's decision. Ryan was scared to the peak. He was drenched in sweat, he could feel it drop on the floor. His heart raced several miles, he could even hear its beats. Somehow, he felt weak and his head spinning.
"The half breed is hereby banished from the demon world...." Ryan's heart sank. His eyes turned red slowly and his tear glands were ready to produce tears.
"Mother please...." Leon tried begging on his behalf. Axelle held her hand out, stopping him from saying anything.
She continued her speech "He would protect every human and be at their service whenever they pronounce the words 'help me'. Coupled to that, his heart would ache at every call and he'll feel every bit of the pain. Until...he finds his bride who would be a human. And the moment she confesses love to him, that moment would be the end of his pain and he can finally return as a full demon. And that's if he still wants it" she cursed. As someone who practices witchcraft in her youthful days, this curse would surely stand. Ryan's doomed.
Axelle stood up "This is my decision, and that's final" she said.
The people were at ease. At least the Queen dowager wasn't as forgiving as the King. If a war should break out, lots of lives would be lost.
"Mother...." Leon tried begging, but he was too late. Axelle was already walking out of the court and everyone following suit, shooting daggers at Ryan who stood there helpless, shaking to the core.
Ryan was on his knees. He didn't even know when he fell. He kept gasping repeatedly. Eyes filled with tears, his heart ached. For some moment, he couldn't find air. He was suffocating. This punishment is clearly worse than death. He heard footsteps towards him and the person crouched to his level. It was Leon.
"Forgive me, son" Leon said while patting his back. "I couldn't defend you. But it's better you leave or else they'll kill you and I can't stand that. I made a promise to your mother that I'll protect you..." Ryan lifted his eyes and looked at him "....so if this the way I can then I will".
He really wanted to hug him and let him find comfort, but he couldn't. He felt guilty.
"Father..." Ryan's voice broke, his lips trembling. "Father..." he cried. Tears brewed in Leon's eyes. He hugged Ryan tightly as his hand went up and down his back.
"I'll have Zariel and Leonel go with you, so you wouldn't be alone"
"Father...." Ryan still cried. His father had shown him all the love he could ever ask for. He had never met his mother, but have heard tales from him and Zariel. And now he was going to leave. He cried even more and Leon comforted him telling him it would be okay.