Darius stared at her, disbelief tightening his jaw.
"What are you doing? Why did you let them off?" he demanded.
"She clearly tried to assassinate you, Aria. And you just let her go? Why?"
Aria didn't even flinch at his rising tone.
"I have my reasons," she replied calmly.
Darius stepped closer, anger and worry mixing in his eyes.
Aria lifted her chin.
"First—I'm not the Emperor. So this is not an assassination attempt. If I were, yes, you could call them traitors. But I'm not."
Darius's eyes narrowed.
"Second—did you find any proof against them? Evidence? Witnesses?"
Silence.
"Exactly," she continued.
"How do you intend to brand them criminals without a shred of proof? They're powerful nobles, Darius. If you start acting like a tyrant, they will not bow—they will rebel. And if the north rises, there will be no throne to protect. Only war."
His jaw clenched, but she wasn't done.
"If they harm you, then yes—punish them as you wish. But in my case?"
She shrugged lightly.
