**CASTLE THRONE ROOM**
The throne room doors swing open, and Mark is dragged inside:
The room falls silent, all eyes fixed on him:
Mark scans the room, his heart racing:
* The King sits on his throne, expression stern and unyielding
* Kai and Ryan stand to the King's right, smirking at him
* Chris stands beside them, his face twisted in disgust
* Akira stands behind Chris, his eyes narrowed in anger
* Lady Nao stands beside Akira, her eyes wide with shock and horror
The King's voice booms through the throne room:
"Mark, son of none, you stand accused of heinous crimes...
Molesting and attempting to rape our castle maid attendants.
How do you plead?"
Mark's eyes widen in utter shock and confusion:
"I... WHAT?! I don't even know what you're talking about! This is madness!"
The throne room falls silent again, awaiting his next words:
The King leans forward, his voice firm:
"Do not play dumb, Mark. We have witnesses."
He gestures to a side door, which opens to reveal several trembling maid attendants:
They step forward, eyes cast down, voices barely audible:
One maid speaks up, tears streaming down her face:
"H-he would come to his room for food... and then..."
She gulps, continuing:
"He would grab me, touch me... I managed to escape."
Another maid adds, voice shaking:
"And I... he dragged me to his bed... almost..."
Her voice trails off, overcome with emotion:
The room erupts into gasps and outraged murmurs:
The King's face turns purple with rage:
"Enough. Mark, your guilt seems clear.
How do you explain these testimonies?"
Mark's mind reels – this is a nightmare – he's innocent!
The room remains tense after the maids' testimonies:
Just then, a male attendant steps forward, looking pale:
"My King, I have information... I witnessed something disturbing."
He glances nervously at Mark:
"I was passing by Mark's room one night... I heard punching, kicking sounds... and laughter."
The room gasps again, horrified murmurs spreading:
The attendant continues, voice shaking:
"I didn't think much of it, assuming a intense training session... but then I headed to the kitchen."
He swallows hard, eyes widening:
"I saw one of our maid attendants... covered in blood, barely clothed... she was naked except for a torn servant uniform thrown over her."
The attendant's voice cracks:
"She saw me and ran crying... I didn't know what to do."
The throne room erupts into absolute horror:
Chris takes a step forward, eyes blazing with conviction:
"I believe the testimonies. Mark's evil nature is clear."
He turns to the King:
"My King, for the safety of our people, I suggest immediate restraint... before he harms anyone else."
Akira and Lady Nao look stunned, nodding slowly in agreement:
The King's face turns white with rage and shock:
Kai steps forward, a smirk still plastered on his face:
"My King, we have personal knowledge of Mark's twisted nature."
Ryan nods in agreement beside him:
"We've had dealings with him during... nocturnal hours," Kai says.
"He would often talk about his 'frustrations' with the maid attendants, claiming they 'teased' him."
Ryan adds, voice filled with fake concern:
"One night, he even confided in us about his darkest fantasies... involving force and control over them."
Kai's smirk grows wider:
"We thought him just boastful at first, but now... it seems his words were sinister promises."
Ryan concludes:
"We fear for the safety of every female servant in this castle, my King."
The throne room gasps again, horrified murmurs reaching a fever pitch:
Lady Nao looks like she might faint, Chris and Akira exchange grim glances:
The King's face purples with rage:
Mark's eyes widen in absolute shock and outrage:
"YOU'RE LYING!" Mark thunders, voice echoing off the throne room walls.
"They're the ones who beat me every night! This is their twisted revenge!"
The King's expression remains unyielding:
"Enough of your wild accusations, Mark.
No one here believes your tales of Kai and Ryan's wrongdoing."
He pauses, considering Mark's fate:
"However, I am a just ruler... willing to give you a rare second chance."
The King gestures to his advisors:
"For the good of our people's peace of mind, Mark will be exiled...
to the remote village of Brindlemark, on the outskirts of our kingdom."
He eyes Mark sternly:
"If you prove yourself innocent of these crimes, it will be evident:
Help the villagers, protect them, and commit no wrongdoing."
The King's voice turns firm:
"A messenger will be sent annually to Brindlemark.
If reports of your good deeds and lawful behavior reach me...
Your exile will be lifted, and you shall return, redeemed."
Kai and Ryan exchange relieved glances, while Chris and Akira nod thoughtfully:
Lady Nao looks uncertain, her eyes lingering on Mark:
Mark bows his head, accepting exile:
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will go to Brindlemark and prove my innocence."
As he rises, he senses the room's underlying tension:
The guards, attendants, and maids exchange uneasy glances, seeming to think the King's mercy is too lenient.
Mark's eyes then meet:
* Kai and Ryan's smirking faces, filled with triumphant gleams – as if they orchestrated this outcome from the beginning.
* Akira's disgusted expression, his eyes filled with revulsion towards Mark.
* Lady Nao's sorrowful gaze, mixed with fear – pitying Mark's situation yet terrified of his alleged crimes.
* Chris's stern face, his eyes narrowing as if Mark's exile doesn't erase his supposed guilt – forgiveness withheld.
The King's voice breaks the silence:
"Captain Valtor, escort Mark to the castle gates. Ensure his... solitary departure."
Captain Valtor steps forward, his eyes fixed on Mark with interest.
Kai and Ryan's smirks grow wider as Mark turns to leave.
Mark walks beside Captain Valtor, hearing:
* Kai and Ryan's faint, victorious laughter echoing behind him
* The murmurs of the guards, attendants, and maids, still seeming shocked by the King's mercy
He glances back, hoping to see a glimmer of doubt in Lady Nao's eyes about his guilt:
Her expression remains sorrowful, yet fearful – but for a brief moment, Mark thinks he sees a flicker of uncertainty.
Just as he's dragged further away, Mark notices Captain Valtor's gaze drifting back towards the throne room...
Specifically, towards Lady Nao –
His eyes linger on her with an intensity that makes Mark's skin crawl:
A hint of obsession, possession – something disturbing – flashes in Captain Valtor's gaze before he quickly looks away, gripping Mark's arm tighter:
"Move. We have a long walk to the castle gates."
Mark sits in the horse carriage outside the castle gates, ready to depart for Brindlemark village:
Captain Valtor hands the reins to the driver:
"Ensure he reaches Brindlemark safely... and alone."
As Captain Valtor turns to leave, Mark calls out:
"Wait!"
He scans the castle gates and surrounding area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lady Hana -
the only person in the castle who had shown him kindness.
But Hana is nowhere to be seen - the gates are empty except for guards.
Disappointment settles in as the driver cracks the reins and the horses start moving.
Mark watches the castle fade into distance, feeling utterly alone.