Before long, Glandon arrived at the council hall. However, he had not come alone. Ovan, Fulu, and a group of attendants dressed as knights and guards accompanied him. Led by Glandon, more than a dozen people strode in with imposing momentum and went straight to the foot of the throne's steps.
Everyone below the steps dropped to one knee to greet Shanamia. Only Glandon merely placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
Seated upon the throne, Shanamia did not possess much of a monarch's majesty. She had only the noble bearing of royalty and her own frailty. After everyone had paid their respects, she gently raised a hand. "Chief Representative Glandon, you have come. There is no need for such formality. Rise."
The others stood, while Glandon glanced at Shanamia before looking around. He asked in a deep voice, "Your Highness the Princess, where are your guards? They actually abandoned their posts. They must be severely punished."
"Chief Representative Glandon, please do not make things difficult for them." Shanamia shook her head and looked at Glandon with complicated eyes. "I summoned you because I have some questions. Has Lord Aiseldar already died? Did you conceal from me the construction of a new machine?"
Glandon narrowed his eyes and glanced at Ovan beside him. With an expressionless face, Ovan stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and calmly said, "Your Highness the Princess, Aiseldar is dead. I killed him because he stole important Frie assets and intended to betray the Frie."
Shanamia parted her lips. She knew Aiseldar was dead, but she had not expected Ovan to have killed him. Looking at him, Shanamia revealed a sorrowful expression. "Ovan, you... how did you become like this?"
Ovan lowered his head without changing expression, as though something within him had already died,