None looked happy.
None wanted this.
Yet they obeyed.
One produced a pair of restraint cuffs.
The metallic click echoed through the room.
Kai stepped forward.
"Hold on."
Every soldier immediately tensed.
Andre cracked his knuckles.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Akshay raised a hand.
"Don't."
Kai looked at him.
"What?"
"Don't."
The king's voice remained calm.
Steady.
"I won't have blood spilled over this."
Andre looked disappointed.
"Even a little?"
"No."
"Damn."
Akshay ignored him.
The king extended his hands.
The cuffs locked into place.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Not even the soldiers.
The sight felt wrong.
A king in chains.
Inside his own palace.
Surrounded by his own people.
Jack looked away.
Almost as if he couldn't bear to watch.
Almost.
Then one of the council members entered.
Kai immediately recognized him.
The same man who had suggested giving more authority to military leadership.
The man smiled.
A small smile.
But Kai saw it.
And suddenly understood.
Someone wanted this.
Maybe not Jack.
But someone.
The councilman pointed toward Kai and Andre.
"What about them?"
The room became quiet again.
The man continued.
"They assisted the accused king."
Andre immediately frowned.