⊹ 《5TH FEB》
It wasn't just the council that Kiaravell had to face today.
The gathering room was filled with members of all four Ancestral Houses; House Rancor, House Vaunt, House Asvor and House Exalt. Chatter (some of it inane) echoed throughout the large space as everyone waited for the council Elders to arrive. Kiaravell could feel a hundred eyes boring into her but she paid no mind to them. The woman merely stared blankly ahead. Kiaravell already knew what she would see in their sharp gazes. Anger. Relief. Confusion. Worry. Disappointment. Oh, the disappointment.
Kiaravell turned to her right, where her Household members stood. Larc and Lance were bickering, as usual, but stopped to smile sheepishly when they caught her disapproving look. Above them, Bane and Arian seemed to be discussing the current situation, both looking quite uneasy. And then there was Xorren. For so long, they had been apart. It truly shocked her to know that the man bore no ill will towards her for having left him behind. He gave her a bracing smile then, one that she willingly returned. He was about to say something when the doors opened to reveal the six council Elders. The room fell silent.
As soon as the Elders were settled, it was announced, "Today's Gathering shall now commence."
It all happened the way she imagined it would. First, they inquired on her whereabouts for the past few centuries. Then, they asked her to reveal all that she'd been doing in that time. More (trivial) questions and debate followed before, finally, they solidified the decision of having Kiaravell remain as the Imperium. By that time, a whole hour had passed. And then, it was time to discuss her punishment. The penalty for having neglected her duties as the Imperium (however forced the title may have been on her).
Of course, it was House Rancor that spoke up on the matter.
"Permission to speak." Said a low, sultry voice that nearly caused Kiaravell to hiss.
"The council recognises Risseia, Lady of Rancor."
Raising up, Risseia cleared her throat once before speaking. "We have already agreed several times throughout this Gathering that Kiaravell Exalt's crimes are comparable to that of a kingdom traitor's." Murmurs of assent sounded. "However, as we cannot kill the Imperium, I suggest another equivalent; Public shame."
The noise within the room doubled then. Some were for Risseia's idea, some were highly against it. That included Kiaravell's Household members, who the Elders ordered to be escorted out. Fear trickled down Kiaravell's body like ice-cold water, temporarily numbing her. A public shaming. As the Imperium. She would much rather die than have them tarnish her honour. It wasn't until the Elder spoke again that Kiaravell was snapped out of thoughts."The council recognises Cassio, first heir to Rancor."
Kiaravell mentally prepared herself to hear whatever other reason the man had to support his mother's suggestion. What he said instead took her by surprise.
"I believe that destroying the Imperium's image so soon after she's returned would be a false move." Said Cassio. "The Imperium is a symbol of power. Of unity. Our travelling King. How can we expect for the people to follow one whose vulnerability has been displayed so openly to them?" Voices of agreement echoed through the room then as Risseia stared at her son in disbelief. It was clear that Cassio would be getting into trouble with his family for having done this.
Kiaravell wished she could thank him right then and there.
Eventually, it was decided that her punishment would be forty times by the whip. She'd expected seventy. It wasn't too long after that that the Elders announced the end of the Gathering. The Asvors were the first to leave. Kiaravell saw her mother exit the room without so much as a glance towards her. Tried to ignore the pain blooming in her chest when it happened. Kiaravell waited for the Exalts to leave, not wanting to see her House's disappointed stares. She even managed a small smile to Cassio as he passed. Though, the look she gave the rest of his family was far from kind.
All she could do now was wait.
