"It does not matter that you are my nephew, you are charged with adultery Kongpob" the king said, voice laced with disappointment before turning to Arthit . "General Rojanapt, you are under arrest for seducing and defiling my nephew"
As soon as the decree fell out of King's mouth, the guards closed in on Arthit with shackles lined with silver to prevent him from shifting. Kongpob was already cuffed — wrists and ankles like a seasoned criminal.
" Do not dare take another step " Arthit warned " and take those cuffs off Kongpob immediately "
When the guard did not even buzz , Arthit roared " right now ...."
" You dare order my people around, grizzly ? Chain him and throw him in dungeon" The king’s gaze was icy as he looked down upon Arthit and Kongpob, his face a mask of disdain. Arthit’s grip on his composure tightened as he took a steadying breath, his words cutting through the silence like a blade.
"I am sure the King of Rasina will be elated to know that Panthara has his nephew captive," Arthit said, his voice a low but powerful murmur.
The King’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as his fists clenched at his sides. "The king of Rasina has no say here. You crossed into Panthara without permission, and I—out of courtesy—chose to overlook it. But to seduce my nephew, and lead him down this path of shame?" His words dripped with scorn. "I am within every right to punish you."
Arthit did not flinch, his eyes blazing with defiance. "To answer your first accusation; I entered Panthara under the authority of one of its rightful heirs. "
The king’s face twisted in outrage. "None of my children would betray their kingdom in such a manner."
Arthit’s voice was steady, his gaze unwavering. "I’m speaking of the one with a sound mind and big heart, the rightful heir, the one with the courage to stand for what is just.”
The words struck like a blow, and the king’s eyes flashed, a dangerous glint overtaking his expression. "Were you the one who invited this enemy to our Kingdom, Kobgpob ? "
Even with all the chaos around, Bright Wad still in jolly mood. " So the King does accept that none of his own children have sound minds? " he mindlinked the grizzlies. The bear soldiers smirked.
Kong glanced at the guards behind his attendants, who were shaking like a leaf still urging him over mindlink to deny the allegations. The King too mindlinked him " deny and I will make their heads roll right now..."
" Y..yes " Kong whispered, eyes downcast. " He already anticipated the slap that came like thunder strike, pushing him to ground by the sheer force of it. The Bears growled at the Kong collectively but he did not heed it.
" Then Kongpob is guilty not only of adultery but of treason against his own blood, his kingdom. For this grave sin, he does not deserve a trial. He will be executed at the first ray of the sun. "
" The hell you will execute him..." Arthit roared, elbowing the guard and marching to Kongpob's side, helping him stand back up. His grizzlies surrounded their commander promptly .
" Get the traitor " King yelled.
The panthara guards advanced towards the circle of grizzly shifters, trying closing in on Kongpob, but a new voice interrupted, strong and commanding.
"If I may, Your Majesty," Arthit's lieutenant, Knot, stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword in a subtle but unmistakable gesture of defiance. "While Prince Kongpob may be your subject, he also may carry within him the heir to the Rasina throne. In accordance with interspecies shifter law, he cannot be punished until we make sure he does not carry our heir within him...."
