The hallway was silent save for the dampened sound of metal greaves on the plush carpets of the castle. The pace was quick, but not hasty. Clearly, the owner wished to arrive at her destination, but it was not urgent enough to risk being seen running down the halls.
Eventually, the grand doors to the royal quarters opened. The guards knew better than to question her by now. Once inside, the queen looked up from her desk. One look was all she needed. The bluenette stood from her desk.
"It worked."
"Yes, Mother. We finally have the ringleader. He's in the dungeon as we speak."
"Then begin the hearing at once. Justice has gone unserved long enough."
The younger woman nodded, "I agree." Then, in a softer tone, she added, "We got him, Mom."
"I know. Today we avenge those we lost. Wonderful work, Morgan."
The throne room was functional, but the long red carpet leading up to the single throne was striking. That was part of its function. However, what grabbed most people's attention was the figure atop the throne. Generally speaking, she was not very imposing on her own. She was not particularly tall or menacing, but with her gold plated armor, stern gaze, and reputation for swift justice, she carried a different kind of intimidation.
The stage was set. Now all they needed was the bad actor. With one raise of her hand, the prisoner was drug into the room, not afforded the dignity of walking himself in. The queen eyed him with disdain as the chancellor began to read the charges laid against him.
"The accused is hereby charged with the following crimes: regicide, conspiracy to commit regicide, conspiracy to usurp the throne, conspiracy to commit murder, eight counts of murder including two counts of infanticide, and finally treason. How do you plead?"
"Pah, like it matters to swine like you," He tried to stand up but the guards beat him back down. The Queen raised a hand.
"I understand that you did not like my father or his father before him, but your actions are reprehensible."
"Your line kept dragging us into war after war! My sons died senselessly."
Metal scraped as the Queen stood, "And the children? Did you have to butcher them too? It is hard to be more senseless than that. What did my sisters do to warrant being slain in cold blood? Or my husband who you so callously discarded."
"And I'd do it again!" He shouted making the Queen ball her fists as she approached him, "Your line is a curse! You all deserve to d-ngh!" The man recoiled from the gauntleted blow.
"Shut your mouth, or I will have your tongue removed."
"What does it matter? I'm a dead man anyway."
"Yes, you are. The question is how slow your death will be. My daughter is quite bright and has thought of some creative punishments for you. Ones I look forward to implementing. Now, send him away for the first of his punishments."
Once the prisoner was taken out, the Queen let herself sigh, "How many more like him are there?"
"Do not let him get to you, Mother," Morgan joined her, "Ylisse is much safer since you took over. You have protected the people from the fates that men like that might visit on them."
"You're right. I mustn't lose sight of why I'm doing this. Though I just know he isn't the last threat to be dealt with. I used to think of villains as those who would plunge the world to darkness. Now I know that not all villains are as plain to see. I plan to weed those out as well. We may have caught the man responsible for the butchering of our family, but we are not done."
"I know, and I'll help you, Mother. Together, we'll make a safer world. Just leave all the strategic stuff to me."
Lucina smiled for the first time in a while. It was tired, but she was proud of her daughter, "Yes. Let us usher in a new age for Ylisse. One in which Megan can grow up safely. One where such senseless murder need not be experienced."
"For our family. For Father."
"Yes, for Robin."
A/N: Consider this a potential teaser. For something after that larger project I mentioned though the plot isn't even really finished and is more of a premise idea.
