Sapphrine's grey eyes locked on Lance.
Without love, there was no mercy. Only logic.
Lance bore Clandareth's mark.
Lance had framed an innocent prince.
Lance had tried to flee.
The evidence was absolute.
"Bring him to the cross," Sapphrine commanded.
Lance struggled. Screamed. Begged.
"My Queen, I can explain! The mark—it was forced on me! I'm a victim too!"
But Sapphrine felt nothing. No sympathy. No doubt.
"You possessed my son. Forced him to murder innocents. Tried to have him executed for your crimes."
"That is not the behavior of a victim."
The staff came down.
Lance's screams cut short.
The crowd stood silent. Shocked by the sudden reversal.
Darth, freed from the cross, watched his mother execute the man who had betrayed him.
He wanted to feel relief. Gratitude.
But when he looked at his mother's grey, emotionless eyes...
She had saved him with logic, not love.
Sapphrine turned to her son.
"You are cleared of all charges," she stated. "Return to your duties."
No embrace. No tears. No mother's comfort.
Darth realized: She hadn't saved him because he was her son.
She saved him because the evidence supported his innocence.
"Thank you, Mother," he whispered.
But she was already walking away.
CONSEQUENCE: JUSTICE WITHOUT LOVE
Darth lives. Innocent and free. But his mother's rescue was born of logic, not maternal devotion. Lance is dead. The threat is ended.
But can a son truly be saved by a mother who no longer loves him?