Jamie was being dragged through the cold stone corridors by two towering soldiers, each grasping his arms with iron grips. Ahead of him strode the captain of the guard, a man well into his years, his hair stark white—a rare sight, according to Jay's memories. The captain had removed his helm, running a weary hand over his head, his expression a mix of frustration and despair as he escorted the third son of his lord.

"Have you lost your mind, James?!" the captain exclaimed, his voice echoing sharply off the ancient walls. "What possessed you to act this way?! First, you choose the path of a Cleric, and now you cause trouble with another lord's son. Do you have any idea what Lord Maximus will do?!"

Old Tom was not a bad man. Jay remembered him fondly; he had been his combat instructor in younger days, perhaps one of the few who his stepmother's whispers hadn't poisoned. It was no wonder he was worried about what would happen to the boy, especially knowing that the second wife wished to see him dead.

"Don't worry, Tom. Nothing will happen," Jamie replied with unshakable confidence. "They won't punish me—in fact, I'll come out rewarded."

Tom halted mid-stride, turning to face the boy with incredulous eyes. "You're truly mad if you believe that! What has gotten into you, James?"

But Jamie merely smiled, offering no further explanation. The captain shook his head and resumed walking, leading them deeper into the heart of the castle toward the lord's council chamber—the very place where Jamie had first arrived in this world.

Beside them floated Jay, the ethereal cat swishing his tail nervously as he watched his former body being manhandled by the guards. His eyes darted around, taking in the familiar tapestries and stonework, a mix of nostalgia and anxiety gnawing at him.

At last, they reached the grand doors of the council chamber. The soldiers released Jamie, allowing him to stand on his own. He straightened his tunic, the dried smears of blood on his face stark against his skin, but he made no move to wipe them away.

The captain stepped forward and knocked firmly on the ornate wooden doors. "My lord, we have James," he announced.

"Send him in," came the lord's voice from within, resonant and commanding like a roll of thunder.

Before stepping forward, Jamie ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. The gesture was almost casual, belying the gravity of the situation. Jay hovered closer, his voice a hushed whisper. "Are you sure about this?"

“Absolutely," Jamie murmured, his eyes fixed ahead, a determined glint within them. "It's time for things to change."

With a resolute stride, he pushed open the heavy doors, stepping into the chamber beyond.

"Hello, Father," Jamie said as he entered the chamber.

As was customary, Lord Maximus sat behind his massive desk, his imposing sword resting against its side. Seated in one of the plush armchairs was Alexandra, delicately sipping an exotic tea. She looked every bit the picture of poised elegance, yet Jamie knew she was ever ready to drip venom into his father's ear, manipulating him with whispered words.

"James," Maximus intoned, his voice reverberating like thunder. "I have here, in my hands, all the accusations against you."

He unfurled a scroll, his eyes scanning the parchment. "You have abandoned the Oath of the Frostwatch. Your betrothal to Vivi Hellreich has been annulled. And to top it all off, you assaulted Leo Frosthaven, the son of one of our most powerful vassals." Maximus's voice grew harsher with each charge, rising to a near roar. "What is your defense? For what reason should I not have you executed?"

Jamie met his father's fierce gaze unflinchingly. Though he faced Maximus directly, he caught, from the corner of his eye, every subtle expression that flickered across Alexandra's face—the slight twitch of an eyebrow, the tightening of her lips. Each micro-expression betrayed her underlying emotions as she watched the exchange.

Instead of remaining standing, Jamie calmly walked over to one of the chairs and settled into it, relaxing as he faced the lord of the house with an air of composure that bordered on defiance.

"Let's begin," Jamie said evenly. "First and foremost, you've never wanted to hear the truth behind these matters. I didn't choose to become a Cleric out of personal desire—it was the only option among the cards. If you're dissatisfied with that, perhaps you should take it up with Aetheron. He's the only one who can provide answers on that front." He spoke without concern for the storm brewing in Maximus's eyes. "Do you really think I'm foolish enough to defy your orders deliberately?"

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Maximus's eyes narrowed. "No, but perhaps cowardly enough to flee from your destiny," he retorted.

Jamie offered a slight shrug. "Even so, what would I stand to gain? Your wrath? For the love of the gods." He made a dismissive gesture as if the answer should be obvious.

"Secondly, the issue with Leo," Jamie continued. "It's been known for quite some time—both to you and to my dear stepmother—that your vassal's son has been harassing and assaulting me for months. Yet there's been no move on your part, nor from our guards, to intervene." His voice grew softer, almost a whisper as if revealing a secret. "Sometimes I wonder if someone might be giving orders to withhold protection from me, though perhaps that's just my imagination."

Alexandra's serene facade cracked ever so slightly, a flash of anger crossing her features at Jamie's insinuation and the composure with which he addressed the situation.

"Therefore, I decided to take matters into my own hands," Jamie explained. "If no adult will involve themselves when I'm the target, then none should involve themselves when Leo becomes the target. It's only fair, wouldn't you agree?"

"And finally, the issue of the broken engagement," Jamie paused, momentarily sifting through hazy memories. Unfortunately, Jay hadn't paid much attention to that matter. "There's little I can do about that—it's her decision, after all."

Maximus slammed his hand onto the desk so violently that the heavy wood groaned under the impact. "None of these are excuses for your failures, James!" he thundered.

A tense silence settled over the room. Jamie remained unfazed, his gaze steady upon his father's. "Perhaps not excuses, Father, but they are reasons," he replied calmly. "And ones that merit your consideration."

Maximus's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and frustration. "Do you not grasp the gravity of your actions? The dishonor you've brought upon this house?"

"Then I will make our lives much simpler for the three of us," Jamie declared, his gaze fixed intently on Alexandra.

"You desire honor," he said, pointing to his father, Lord Maximus. "You desire to see me dead," he continued, gesturing toward his stepmother. "And I desire to be free of this wretched family."

Alexandra's reaction was almost convincing, her expression feigning shock as if he had uttered blatant falsehoods.

"Let's make a simple arrangement," Jamie proposed. "I have three letters prepared: one to the Frosthavens, another to the Frostreichs, and a third to the Hellreichs. In them, I reveal that my actions and punishments result from my stepmother's schemes."

"This is absurd!" Alexandra exclaimed, speaking up for the first time as she rose from her armchair.

"They're enchanted letters," Jamie continued weaving his web of lies. "Sealed with magic and set to be sent whenever I wish." He hadn't had time to prepare any such letters, but that was irrelevant for his purposes.

"None of them will believe such nonsense," Maximus retorted.

"Perhaps not, but it would still tarnish your honor," Jamie shrugged. "And if any of them are ambitious enough, they might question the integrity of the Frostwatch name." He paused before adding, "I can send them, but there's an easier solution—you can expel me from the house."

Alexandra's eyes widened; it was precisely what she had desired all along.

"But why would you want to be expelled?" she asked, a note of suspicion in her voice.

"I have no wish to remain in this city, not when everyone here wants to put a dagger in my back," Jamie replied, offering her a sly smile. "Besides, it will cost you—a mere hundred gold coins. Just enough for me to build a new life far from here. A small price for your peace of mind."

Maximus's face flushed with anger at his son's suggestion. Expelling Jamie might partially restore the family's honor, but it would also sever his obligations as a member of the Frostwatch lineage.

"Expelling you would only address the issues with the Frosthavens and his broken oath," Alexandra interjected smoothly. "But it wouldn't resolve the problem with the Hellreichs." She pushed a sealed letter across the table toward Jamie. "She delivered this personally after you received your Class."

"Excellent," Jamie replied briskly. "That means she's likely still in the castle. I will seek her forgiveness. You can then forge alliances with any other sons born to the two of you."

Maximus's expression hardened; he was clearly reluctant to accept such terms. Yet, it was evident he was not the one commanding the room—it was Alexandra.

She moved behind the grand desk and retrieved a small pouch from a hidden drawer. After weighing it thoughtfully, she tossed it onto the table before Jamie. "You ask for a hundred gold pieces, but you'll have twenty-five. Take it and be gone from our sight, boy."

Jamie glanced at the pouch and then back at his stepmother, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Agreed," he said simply, pocketing the gold without bothering to count it.

"Remember," Maximus warned, his voice tinged with a mix of anger and regret, "once you leave, there is no return."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Jamie replied calmly. He turned on his heel and headed toward the door, Jay floating silently behind him.

As he reached the threshold, Alexandra called out, "And Jamie—should any unfortunate rumors about this family begin to spread, rest assured, we will find you."

Jamie paused only for a moment. "Of course," he said over his shoulder. "But let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Without another word, he exited the chamber, the heavy doors closing behind him with a resonant thud.