THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Under his breath, Apolloes muttered with grudging admiration: "Damn monster. She's become even more terrifying."

****

The massive Sun Doors recognized the Empress's approach and swung wide, revealing the throne chamber transformed into a court of imperial justice. The vast space hummed with tension as nobles, military commanders, and court officials filled the galleries, all eager to witness the fall of one of their own.

Duke Ephesians knelt in the center of the chamber, bound in blessed silver chains that suppressed all traces of enchantment and restrained the flow of his magic, ensuring no foreign will could seize his mind again. Gone were the elegant robes of his office, replaced by rough prison garb that emphasized his complete fall from grace. Without the demon's supernatural charisma enhancing his features, he appeared utterly transformed, hollow-cheeked and trembling, like a man awakening from a nightmare to find it was real.

The Sun Empress took her throne with military precision, her recent divine transformation lending an almost otherworldly weight to the proceedings. When she spoke, her voice carried to every corner of the vast chamber.

"Duke Ephesians Lorvantis," she began, each word measured and final. "You stand accused of high treason, conspiracy against the crown, abuse of imperial authority, corruption of noble office, and complicity in demonic infiltration of the empire. How do you answer these charges?"

A murmur rippled through the assembled crowd. These were not mere political crimes, they were offenses that struck at the very foundation of the empire's stability.

The Duke raised his head, and his eyes held the terrible clarity of someone who remembered every moment of his corruption. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. "I answer... guilty to all charges."

The admission sent shockwaves through the court. Nobles who had expected political maneuvering and legal challenges found themselves witnessing something far more devastating, complete confession.

"But I beg your indulgence," he continued, tears streaming down his face. "Let me explain what I experienced, not as excuse, but as warning to others who might face similar corruption."

The Empress gestured for him to continue, recognizing the intelligence value of his testimony.

"The demon's influence was not what I expected," the Duke said, his voice growing stronger as he found purpose in his confession. "It did not cloud my mind or steal my thoughts. Instead, it was like being a puppet, Your Majesty. I could see what I was doing, could hear the words coming from my mouth, could feel my hands signing documents that I knew would harm innocent people. But I could not stop myself."

His shoulders shook as the weight of his actions crashed over him anew. "Every betrayal, every cruelty, every moment when I used my office to serve darkness instead of the crown, I was aware of it all. The demon forced me to watch as my hands destroyed everything I had once valued, everything I had sworn to protect."

Lord Commander Valerius, standing at the Empress's right hand, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we have confirmation of the Duke's claims. Our investigation revealed extensive evidence of supernatural compulsion. Witnesses describe personality changes so dramatic they suspected sorcery even before we discovered the demon's presence."

Princess Elyssira, seated in a place of honor among the royal family, spoke for the first time. "Your Majesty, if I may?" At the Empress's nod, she continued. "My abilities confirm the truth of his words. The Duke's anguish is genuine, as is his horror at what he was forced to do. The demonic influence left... scars... on his spirit that will take years to heal."

The revelation that the prophetic princess was publicly using her abilities sent another wave of whispers through the court. Her presence here, her obvious recovery, and her willingness to involve herself in imperial justice all spoke to changes in the political landscape that many were still processing.

"Furthermore," Princess Elyssira continued, her blind gaze somehow managing to encompass the entire court, "I sense that others here bear similar scars, though perhaps less severe. The demonic influence extended beyond the Duke alone."

A chill settled over the assembly as nobles began examining their own recent actions, wondering if they too had been compromised without their knowledge.

The Empress allowed the silence to stretch, letting the implications sink in before rendering judgment. "Duke Ephesians Lorvantis, while your confession demonstrates both courage and service to the empire, the crimes committed through your office cannot be ignored. You are hereby stripped of all titles, lands, and authority."

Gasps arose from the assembled nobles. The complete dissolution of a ducal house was a sentence not seen in generations.

"However," the Empress continued, her voice cutting through the noise, "the court recognizes that you were victim as well as perpetrator. Your sentence shall be one year under house arrest, during which time you will provide full cooperation in our investigation of the demonic conspiracy. Your knowledge of the demon's network may yet serve the empire you once betrayed."

The mercy in the sentence was as shocking as its severity had initially seemed. Several nobles who had been preparing to distance themselves from the fallen Duke now reconsidered their positions.

"Additionally," the Empress said, her gaze sweeping the court with dangerous authority, "let this serve as warning to all present. The demonic corruption that claimed Duke Ephesians was subtle, insidious, and targeted those in positions of power. Anyone who has experienced unusual compulsions, made decisions that seem foreign to their nature, or found themselves acting against their principles is commanded to present themselves for examination."

The command sent a ripple of fear through the assembly. How many others might have been touched by the same corruption? How deep did the conspiracy run?

"This empire faces threats that operate beyond the normal scope of political intrigue," the Empress declared, rising from her throne. "The time for factional games and personal ambition has passed. We are at war with forces that would corrupt the very souls of our nobility. United, we can resist them. Divided, we will fall as surely as Duke Ephesians fell."