Nero gathered all of the evidence Maximus had sent him with a sense of amazement. He had liked the fae boy from the beginning, but he had never anticipated this level of skill. The very evidence and proof he had been searching for had just been handed to him on a silver platter, and he had no intention of letting this opportunity go to waste. After all this time, Simon would face justice.

Sir Gerald Drake of the Pond, Nero’s pet duck and summon, let out a hearty cackle as he sensed Nero’s excitement. He smiled at his duck’s antics and gave him a light pat on the head.

“I need to meet the king,” he told him, “Behave while I am gone. No cackling, and no barking either.”

Gerald considered for a few moments before replying in quack. Well, at least it was a sound one would actually expect from a duck. Nero gave his summon one more careful pet before gathering all the evidence together and leaving the room. It was time to put everything he had worked so hard for on the line. His only hope was that King Dalton was not as traitorous as his right hand.

“Nero,” Dalton greeted familiarly with a smile, “You said you had a matter you needed to speak to me privately about.”

“I do,” Nero confirmed, “I truly wish this was merely a personal consultation.”

King Dalton frowned and his lion ears visibly drooped. “How unfortunate. This must be an important matter. Shall I call Simon?”

Nero quickly denied him. “No. Simon is the very reason I needed to speak to you privately. I have recently discovered irrefutable proof that Simon is a spy, a traitor, and an agent of Gaia.”

“What do you mean?” Dalton demanded coldly. It seemed he wasn’t going to believe him right away. That was fine. Nero had prepared for this.

“There was an incident in Dyment, the territory my apprentice is currently overseeing,” Nero began, “He uncovered an anti-fae plot against the people there and even got a confession from Carson, the steward of Dyment. It was this confession that led me to look into Simon.”

“Do you have this confession with you?” Dalton asked, looking to Nero’s loaded arms.

Nero presented him with both written and audible forms of Carson’s confession and waited. If the king dismissed him now, everything would be over. He watched the king’s face gradually grow darker as he listened and read.

“This confession is quite serious. Why have you failed to mention Osmond and his apprentice?” he asked once he finished.

“Alois was only acting to help Maximus,” Nero assured, “As for Osmond I was unable to find any proof against him. I think we are better off taking care of Simon while we can.”

Dalton grimaced. “Show me the rest of this evidence you have on my close friend.”

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Nero was relieved he seemed receptive now, if reluctantly so. He quickly presented the evidence he had spent his entire career as a prince of Tethia collecting. For the time and effort he put in, it felt meagre but it was enough.

The king carefully looked over the new evidence. About halfway through, he set it aside and fixed Nero with a powerful stare. “Nero, be honest with me. You didn’t gather this just recently. Since when have you suspected Simon?”

He had realized immediately after all. Not that Nero had expected to be able to hide the truth for long. If the truth was what Dalton wanted, he would give him all of it.

“It was never suspicion. I knew who he was from the very beginning,” Nero admitted, “But the voice of one child with no proof or power is worthless.”

“Were you not his apprentice?” Dalton questioned in confusion, “Why would you chose him as your mentor despite knowing everything?”

Nero struggled to find the right words to explain his reasoning without gaining anymore of the king’s ire. “I had no choice. It was the only way I could get close enough to find the proof I needed. He didn’t even recognize me, despite all he did.”

“And exactly what is it that he did? I imagine it goes beyond the proof you presented here,” King Dalton pressed.

Again he cut straight to the chase. That made things easier for Nero as well. This was his first and last chance to make his goal reality. His final stand.

“Do you remember about twelve years ago, the rebellion of Dyment?” Nero asked, “This was when it had first been added as one of the territories of Nobility for the learning and betterment of students.”

“I do. It was during the time when the students were there so Simon personally launched a rescue mission to quell the rebellion,” Dalton replied, “But if both Carson and Simon are traitors, something entirely different must have been going on.”

“There was a rebellion that day, just not against Tethia. Carson had been feeding and supporting the student’s hatred of fae, and at that time every single resident of Dyment was one.”

“The misreports go that far? I had been told that the rebels were all human elitists,” Dalton replied, looking quite a bit shaken by the news, “May I ask how you came to find out the truth.”

“Because I was one of them,” Nero replied, “Every man, woman, and child ruthlessly had their wings chopped off, and suffered constant humiliation and suffering. That was why they rebelled, and that was why the report claimed they were humans. Who ever heard of wingless fae? Much less a whole town of them.”

“Then your wings…”

“Yes,” Nero confirmed, “I can show you if you would like. I was young then, so I was able to grow a new pair but the broken stubs still remain.”

“I will need to verify this story later,” Dalton warned, “Right now, you should return. I will handle the rest.”

Nero obediently left the office to wait for the aftermath. All he could do now was hope for the best. He later heard news of Simon’s capture, along with Carson’s arrest and discussion for the open position of the steward of Gaia. Just as Dalton had told him, things were out of his hands now but justice had finally been served.

Just as he was certain everything had finally been settled, Nero received a summons to a meeting of the pillars of Tethia and all ten princes. Such an ominous invitation could only mean things had escalated far more than he imagined. Unfortunately, Osmond, a suspected traitor, would also be present at this incredibly important sounding meeting.

The only way he would get any answers was to go, so Nero prepared himself and entered the private hall as all eyes turned to his entrance. Even if he lost his position as prince, he would have no regrets.