One day, a merchant ship approached their vessel. A dignitary from the Empire boarded and fixed Mero with a cold stare before engaging in long discussions with Master Antonin that stretched throughout the day.

The dignitary's impassive face seemed to hide heavy intentions, and his cold gaze sent a shiver down Mero's spine. Silent, he watched these exchanges, unsure of what to think. The dialogues between the visitor and Master Antonin were mysterious, punctuated by furtive glances and measured words, at times heavy with unsaid things and innuendos.

Mero wondered if these events were the direct consequence of what had happened at Ambrelune. Perhaps the Emperor had decided to take more drastic measures? Or had the dignitary come to discuss reparations, compensation, or even retaliation?

Master Antonin, however, seemed unperturbed, though Mero sensed an underlying tension in each of his movements, like the mark of a silent decision taking shape. He felt distant from the man he had once known, instead drawing closer to the mystery that this man so skillfully concealed.

As evening fell, the dignitary left as quietly as he had come. His master looked at him without saying a word, and after dinner, Mero was summoned to the captain’s quarters. Alone, facing the captain and his master, his heart pounded so loudly it seemed to shake the walls of the room. What were they going to announce?

The silence following the summons was oppressive. The atmosphere, dimly lit by a few flickering candles, seemed to weigh on Mero as he scanned the impassive faces of the captain and Master Antonin, hoping to glean some hint of what was to come.

The captain looked at Mero for a moment before turning to Master Antonin, who gestured for Mero to sit. The young man complied, his worried eyes betraying the anxiety he tried to hide.

After a long silence, the captain spoke in a deep voice:

"Mero, the situation is becoming more complicated by the day. The Empire will not let you leave just like that, and your role within the House of Sel is now more crucial than ever."

A shiver ran through Mero at these words. His master continued, coldly and calmly:

"You now have responsibilities far greater than you realize. The dignitary didn’t come just to discuss Ambrelune. He brought a message for your future. What you undertake is no longer only for you, but for the honor of our house."

These words echoed in Mero's mind, each sentence weighing heavier on the burden he already carried. They then explained that the Kingdom of Ambrelune had initiated legal proceedings against the Empire. The dignitary had come to gather their version of the facts for their legal defense, and Master Antonin had taken the initiative to give him the letter that Mandarine had sent, proving that his actions were a reaction in self-defense.

The impact of these revelations struck Mero to his core. The Kingdom of Ambrelune against the Empire? And him, at the center of this judicial storm. He searched for his master’s gaze, but Master Antonin remained impassive, patiently waiting for Mero to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

The captain, his voice even graver, added:

"We took a risk by sharing this letter, Mero. It could incriminate us, or on the contrary, serve as evidence in our defense. The dignitary understood it was a legitimate reaction to aggression. But know this: the courts of Ambrelune have no mercy, and even though our influence is certain, it may not be enough. The trial could drag on, and the Empire, no matter how powerful, will not stand idly by."

Suddenly, Mero felt more alone than ever. His future seemed to hang by a thread, the length of which was still unknown.

Master Antonin continued, his voice cold but imbued with calm authority:

"It is not only your life that is at stake, Mero. It is the life of our house, of our entire family. Every action you take impacts the future of Sel, of all of us."

Mero swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the urgency of the situation. What should he do? What could he still accomplish? Would his reaction to Mandarine, this act done in the shadow of a fateful night, ever be forgiven, or would it condemn him forever?

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He lifted his head, meeting his master’s determined gaze. It was now up to him to choose his path. But one question lingered: was he ready to bear this burden for his family, for the honor of his name?

He then remembered that his enemies had sought his death and that he had administered the justice of his country. If he had to pay the price, he would accept it. He would always defend his own, his family, and those dear to him, for that was the education he had been given.

The determination in his voice echoed in the room like a reverberation. Master Antonin nodded slowly, a pride veiled by the gravity of the moment in his eyes, while the captain stared at Mero’s face without flinching. The air grew heavier, almost solemn. It was a pivotal moment.

"You are right," the captain finally declared in a calm but firm voice. "If you are ready to bear this burden, you must fully understand it. This path will not be easy, but you must walk it with honor and without regret."

After a meaningful pause, he added with a piercing gaze:

"You will need to prepare for everything. The justice of Ambrelune has no mercy, and the arm of the Empire is long. You will not only have to defend your actions, but also face whatever may come."

Master Antonin leaned slightly forward, fixing Mero with a more intimate gaze:

"And it starts here, with us. We must remain united, ready to face what awaits us together. You are not alone in this fight, Mero. Remember that."

Mero then felt a weight settle on his shoulders, mixed with a strange relief. He had made his decision, chosen his path, and though the price to pay was high, he knew he was ready to face it.

The two men stood up simultaneously, marking the end of the conversation. The captain, this time in a softer voice, gave a final order:

"Prepare yourself, Mero. The serious matters begin now."

As he left the room, a mix of fear and pride filled Mero’s heart. The weight of the House of Sel’s legacy hung over him like a sword of Damocles, but he was determined to bear it, to face what awaited him, armed with his resolve and loyalty.

The days that followed were eaten away by a heavy conscience full of remorse. Mero kept telling himself that he should have asked for his master’s help instead of giving in to vengeance. One question gnawed at him relentlessly: what would Mandarine say?

Doubts swirled in his mind like a storm. The questions about his actions and their impact on his future gnawed at him. The idea that he had acted alone, without consulting his master, without considering another path than vengeance, weighed heavier and heavier on him.

Every time Mero thought of Mandarine, a new wave of uncertainty filled his heart. How would she react upon learning what he had done? Torn between his loyalty to his family and the promise he had made to Mandarine to stay in control of himself, to not fall into senseless violence, he wondered if he had betrayed either of these dear alliances.

Mandarine’s letters kept returning to his mind, her words full of tenderness, advice, and hope. She had asked him to never forget who he was and to act wisely. Now, he wondered if he had followed that path or if the storm of vengeance had carried him away.

Perhaps, somewhere deep inside, he knew that asking for help would have been not only wiser, but also a way to strengthen the bonds of trust. But as he reflected, he realized it was too late to change the course of events. All he could do now was turn the page, move forward, and learn the bitter lessons from this experience.

When he imagined Mandarine, an additional burden pressed down on his mind. He hadn’t just risked his life, he had also jeopardized the trust she had placed in him. The road ahead seemed winding, but he had to come out of it stronger.

He then wondered if he could repair what had been broken, or if he was now a prisoner of irreversible decisions. But one thing remained certain: he had to speak to Mandarine. It was time to face his emotions and tell her the truth, even at the risk of being judged. At least, honesty would be the first step toward redemption.