Sitting with his arms folded neatly in his lap, Sorein watched as several people filed into the Courtroom.

He supposed he should be lucky they hadn't insisted on feeding him various tonics or cuffing him. Without his magic, that wouldn't be necessary.

Sorein had a hard enough time sitting up this morning, all of his strength funneling into finding out what happened to Iliya. Noah provided as many updates as he could, but without permission to enter the Infirmary, he wouldn't know the truth.

He took a deep breath and locked eyes with Ezre.

The King sat at the head of the table, across from him. Those golden irises locked onto him with the same interest. He raised a brow at him before turning to Levias, the stern expression locking back into place.

His cousin appeared just as skeptical about the situation, looking at Sorein with doubt but not disappointment.

Slowly glancing around the room, he marked each presence with a calm nod and waited.

Queen Elive of Solraidas.

Contrasting the King of Chiori in every way, she stepped into the room like a poised gazelle. Her clothing a soft cream color with flowing robes as opposed to Ezre's black suit. They eyed each other tenuously as she passed and sat in the chair beside him.

Then came Attlis Gothalis, current King of Nynoli. His golden-brown skin was a stark contrast to his father thanks to his mother, yet utterly human.

Sorein noted the squishy, rounder features. Taking particular interest in his thickly built frame and the glasses resting on the tip of his nose, it was fair to say the man was not the finest specimen.

Orla Dalaminai and Drysten Mochaini entered last, sharing a brief exchange that led to a subtle laugh between them.

As each individual took their seat, he noted the core representation without any Nerydian or Caster presence. In fact, there wasn't a Dynali presence either.

Sorein frowned internally, marking the six officials with distaste. He knew being in the hot seat meant it was best to keep his mouth shut, but he couldn't help but wonder where his father and Destry had gone off too.

Levias stood up. "Do you understand why you are here?"

"I do." His teeth clenched, rolling tides of anger stirring within him.

Sorein remained calm, his facial expression open. He took another breath before sitting up in his seat.

"During this meeting, we will be taking a formal statement from you, Sorein Chakrine, about the events that took place on Azuris four days past. At this time, I highly advise you to be clear and integral with your words," his cousin spoke, still shooting glares between Ezre and Elive. "We understand the convoluted nature of these circumstances and take care in reminding you that this is not a trial."

He caught the emphasis Levias left, only deepened by the eye contact now given to him.

He was warning him how this may become a trial.

Sorein waited for a representative from Azuris to step in the room and stand behind him or the aid of another investigator. He saw no third party, nothing short of bias.

His stomach turned, discomfort writhing inside.

Ezre straightened, clasping his hands on the table before them. "Andrin and Destry have been removed from the initial investigation for obvious reasons," he said, as if reading Sorein's mind.

Sorein nodded.

"Do you have any questions before we begin?" Elive asked, her tone a combination of stern and warm.

"No."

He knew he simply had to tell the truth. It would be his only saving grace.

"Then begin."

Sorein did.

He explained his chance encounters with Iliya throughout the festival, how he'd come to the decision to seal himself, and how that impacted his decision to follow her into Nioreir. Despite skirting around her reasoning, Sorein did reveal how they'd wound up checking the antechamber beneath Heithos Temple based on her gut feelings.

As much as he wished to protect Iliya, he believed the safest option for them both was to communicate.

Sorein avoided the discussion of her rings and the strange runes seared into her arm – the same runes now haunting his dreams at night – as questions began to roll in about why Iliya felt the need to shove her hand into the portal.

"I don't know," he answered.

The only truth he could offer.

The Queen of Solraidas nodded her head occasionally as he spoke, tossing subtle glances to Ezre and Levias from time to time.

He was certain this would turn into an investigation, especially at Destry's behest.

Sorein hated the idea that she may know what was wrong with Iliya and use him as a scapegoat. His father had equal motive in protecting his wife, his own mother.

He'd watched a million times as various court cases turned into episodes strewn together for political favor.

The commonwealth dealt with jury systems, leaving royalty to navigate their own prosecutions. Oftentimes before the High Council themselves albeit unnecessary.

This shouldn't be any different.

Yet the nagging feeling in Sorein's gut refused to leave him.

"We have several avenues to pursue before we continue," Levias closed. "For full transparency, we've sent a healer from the High Council to tend to your mother. She will be running a few tests to ensure the cause of her illness."

His head bobbed mechanically, fully expecting them to have Elsie watched as soon as possible. Medical care was by far the most useful consequence to his actions.

Finally, Ezre rose from his seat at the end of the table and leaned forward. "This was the first of three interviews. The second will consist of witnesses and the review of evidence and if those result in a trial, the third. You will be staying within the Estate, but you are under no circumstances a prisoner. For the time being, you will not be permitted to visit the Princess. Do you understand the terms?"

Sorein didn't know if he felt sick or vengeful, uneasy about the severity of this trial and angry for being punished. He'd protected Iliya and now he wasn't even allowed to look at her.

He didn't know who he had to blame for that reasoning.

Still, he was able to meet Ezre's gaze one last time. "Yes, I understand."

It took every single year of courtly training to muster his formalities now. The estate was hardly guarded at night and several corridors were often unused. Sorein had mapped out three different routes to the Infirmary before the High Council had time to stand.

Ezre stayed behind as the others filed out, staring into Sorein's soul as he spoke. "Now is not the time to become an idiot."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The King's eyes narrowed. "Yes. You do. Whatever you're planning, don't."

Sorein stood with a shrug.

"I've done nothing wrong, I have nothing to hide," he replied, his legs like lead as he stalked for the door. "I won't become their criminal."

Ezre hummed a response, the notes rumbling in his throat similar to those he'd heard Iliya using days ago. Their resemblance shown in nature alone.

He offered a curt wave and disappeared from the meeting hall.

Sorein sighed with relief alone, considering the weight of his next action. He just needed to see her one time. To hear her beating heart and watch as those calculating green eyes bore into him. The consequences would be worth it for one night of sleep.

Slowly maneuvering through the halls, he'd slipped into the Grand Archive and took a spiral staircase down to the first subfloor.

He'd nearly made it to the next hallway when he caught Rhydian leaning against the wall with a single crutch.

"You've the next century to ruin your life," the Captain mused, raising a brow at him. "Why not take the night off?"

The Prince chuckled, relaxing.

"Have you been saving that line all day?"

"I'm serious, Chakrine," Rhydian frowned. "Don't make this tougher than necessary."

The ease was sucked out of the room quickly, his chest tightening once more. Sorein didn't know how to gauge the Captain after all these years. He'd once been prideful and hot-headed, only to be tempered by the events of Mt. Agonii. Now he only seemed to care for his youngest cousin and the Nydarian girl.

"Any particular reason I should choose to turn around?"

Rhydian snorted, smirking. "Perhaps because I think you'd rather keep your organs oriented properly," he said. "Destry went in twenty minutes ago."

"Noted."

He was about to turn around then the nagging started in his brain again.

"Is she-I mean, how is she?"

Sorein watched the brother within Rhydian consume his features, his eyes softening as he glanced toward the hall. Saddened, he crossed his arms.

"I've been told she woke up moments before Destry arrived, but I still don't know her condition," he admitted. "I'll let you know when I do."

Thanking Rhydian quietly, Sorein left in time to find his room.

Silence greeted him, a sensation he soaked into his being before throwing himself onto the bed.

One more night of peace.

Then he would sort out the rest.