The crowd on the lower tiers pulled back in awe as Caleb climbed the wide stone steps with the giant white beast at his flank. King Aurelius backed away from the balcony railing, motioning frantically to his personal guards, but none raised their weapons.
King Aurelius: Seize him! That is an order!
Guard Captain: My lord, we swore an oath to the wearer of the Sun Crest. The lion proves his bloodline.
Caleb: The estate, the crown, and the realm belonged to my father, Lord Alexander. You took his life and claimed his inheritance.
King Aurelius: You have no proof! A simple trinket proves nothing in a court of law!
Caleb: The lion-head pendant only glows when held by the rightful heir of the founder. You tested it yourself twenty years ago and failed.
King Aurelius: It was an old fairy tale! A superstition!
Caleb: Then why did you lock the lion in the arena and banish my mother to the outer provinces?
Elder Senator: Is this true, Aurelius? Did you forge the royal decree of succession?
King Aurelius: Out of my way, old man! I built this empire with my own hands!
Caleb: You built it on stolen wealth, fake tax decrees, and forced labor!
The elder senator stepped forward, pulling a heavy scroll from his robe and inspecting the glowing crest on Caleb's chest with trembling hands.
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