"My lord."

Augustus smiled.

"Marcellus."

The adviser bowed.

"Where have you been?"

"Searching for my family."

Marcellus's expression changed.

"You found them?"

Augustus nodded.

"Yes."

He watched carefully.

Marcellus recovered quickly.

"That is wonderful."

"Is it?"

Silence.

Augustus stepped closer.

"Tell me about my brother."

Marcellus froze.

"Lucius was a traitor."

"No."

The Emperor's voice was calm.

"Lucius was framed."

Marcellus smiled.

"You have been listening to rumors."

"I have evidence."

Marcellus looked at him.

"What evidence?"

Augustus placed the old document on the table.

Marcellus's face changed.

Only for a second.

But Cassian saw it.

That was enough.

Marcellus turned toward the guards.

"Arrest them."

The guards didn't move.

Marcellus looked confused.

Then Cassian stepped forward.

"You are surrounded."

Marcellus laughed.

"You think I came alone?"

The doors opened.

Half the palace guards entered.

They stood behind Marcellus.

Augustus looked around.

For the first time, he understood the scale of the conspiracy.

Marcellus had spent years building loyalty.

The throne room became tense.

Leo entered behind Cassian.

The moment Marcellus saw him, his expression changed completely.

"There he is."

Leo stepped backward.

Aurelius growled.

Marcellus smiled.

"The little prince."

Leo stared at him.

"Did you kill my father?"

Marcellus said nothing.

That silence was an answer.

Augustus stepped forward.

"You will answer for everything."

Marcellus laughed.

"You still think this is your kingdom."

He raised his hand.

The guards moved.

Then a horn sounded outside.

Hundreds of citizens filled the palace courtyard.

They had learned the truth.

They were not there for Marcellus.

They were there for Leo.

The people had remembered Lucius.

They had remembered his kindness.

And now they wanted the truth.

Marcellus looked toward the windows.

His plan was collapsing.

But he had one final move.

He ordered his men to seize Leo.

Aurelius stepped forward.

Leo placed a hand on the lion.

"Don't."

The lion stopped.

Everyone froze.

Leo looked at Marcellus.

"You wanted me to be afraid."

Marcellus smiled.

"Yes."

Leo shook his head.

"I'm not."

The boy stepped forward.

And for the first time, Marcellus looked uncertain.

The palace gates opened.

Citizens flooded into the courtyard.

They had heard rumors for years.

Now the truth was being spoken publicly.

Augustus stood on the palace steps.

Beside him stood Elena.

And beside Elena stood Leo.

The Emperor raised his hand.

"Citizens of Valeria."

The crowd became silent.

"Twelve years ago, my brother Lucius was accused of treason."

People murmured.

"That accusation was false."

The crowd erupted.

Augustus continued.

"Evidence was fabricated."

Marcellus tried to interrupt.

"This is madness!"

Cassian seized him.

The palace guards loyal to Marcellus began surrendering.

Some dropped their weapons.

Others stepped away.

The conspiracy was collapsing.

But Marcellus looked toward Leo.

"You think the boy will save you?"

Leo said nothing.

Marcellus laughed.

"He is a child."

Leo looked at him.

"Yes."

The answer surprised everyone.

Then Leo continued.

"And you're afraid of one."

Marcellus's smile disappeared.

Augustus looked at his nephew with pride.

The investigation lasted weeks.

Documents were discovered.

Witnesses came forward.

Secret payments were uncovered.

The truth became undeniable.

Lucius had never betrayed his brother.

He had discovered the Circle of Ash and tried to stop them.

Marcellus had ordered his capture.

But Lucius escaped long enough to send Elena away with their unborn child.

Then he was killed.

Augustus struggled with the truth.

For years, he had carried guilt without knowing why.

Now he understood.

He had been manipulated.