"Yes, Father."
Sylus held Zani's hand tighter, trying to calm her down.
Martins, after looking at his son for a while, decided to speak.
"Is what your sister saying the truth?" he asked, his voice laced with authority.
Sylus frowned a bit. No matter what response he gave, it would still end with the same outcome.
Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to attack a member of the royal family.
"I'm sorry, Father. I'll be sure to caution her next time," he replied.
"Sylus, I expected better from you. Your Mystero not only injured your sister's servant but also attacked her herself. That is unacceptable."
Elizabeth could only stare from the back, pity etched on her face.
Sylus didn't care much; as long as the attention wasn't on Zani, he was fine with it.
His single hope came to an end in the blink of an eye.
"Why is she hiding behind you? I would like to see her face for myself."
Sylus's eyes widened.
"Father, she is still a child. She doesn't have control over Erica's powers. She compelled her, but I stopped it before it could get bad."
"That's a lie. I never did that. All I said was you could choose better, and she attacked me!"
Erica chimed in.
Sylus wanted nothing more than to rip her apart.
Unfortunately, his father was there, and he also lacked the strength to do that.
Sylus didn't need to hear his father's voice to know he wasn't doubting Erica.
Actually, it was more that he valued her more than a servant he had never met.
Once again, Martins uttered, "Let me see her."
Like he predicted, there was nothing he could say that would change the outcome.
Slowly, he dragged Zani out from behind him.
There wasn't a single hint of emotion on her face. She simply stared, looking the king right in the eye.
As soon as Martins made eye contact with her, he was speechless.
"She has a title," he blurted out.
Sylus was the only one who heard it, since he was close enough.
Only a small percentage of people are gifted titles from the world and then blessed with an aspect born from it.
It takes years of accomplishment to get it, some a lifetime.
A hero who saved a city from a dragon.
Or a knight who gained the trust of the people he had protected for years.
People like these were most likely to get titles.
That said, it had never been heard that a five-year-old would get a title.
Those who have titles can immediately sense another title holder; it's instinct. Martins had a title. As such, he knew Zani had the same title upon eye contact.
The only reason he didn't question when Sylus got a title was due to the fact that the power of the Star Catalyst was unknown. It was most likely born from its influence.
But for a girl like this to also acquire a star?
"This girl… she is your Mystero?" Martins turned his attention to Sylus.
Sylus nodded his head.
Martins sighed.
"Of course she is." He shook his head. "You, my son, are special. I knew this, and yet I was still surprised. You are the only reason she is what she is right now."
'What is he saying?'
Sylus didn't understand, and he didn't care either.
But deep down, he knew whatever had happened in this hallway was due to his bad luck as the Fated Prince.
His conclusion was confirmed by his father's next words.
"Alfred, take her down to the cell and lock her there. My son will be having a change of Mystero tomorrow."
For the first time since the whole thing started, Zani had a reaction.
She held on to Sylus's hand, shaking, afraid to let go.
"Father! Please don't do this. She's innocent!" Sylus pointed at Erica. "Why don't you use your command on Erica?"
Martins glared.
"Are you saying your sister is lying?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."
Martins once again sighed. "Perhaps I have been lenient with you. Follow me to my room."
Right after, Alfred, with a grip technique that was almost inhuman, released Sylus's hold on Zani and slowly began to drag her away.
"Hey!"
Sylus turned around, about to launch himself forward before they could drag Zani away completely.
"Sylus, don't!" Elizabeth spoke, her voice stopping him in his tracks.
"There is nothing you can do. Your father's words are final."
Of course, he knew that.
Still, having to watch as they dragged Zani away was painful enough as it is.
Although Zani didn't yell or fight back, the look on her face was enough to tell all the emotions there were.
'I'll get you back. I promise.'
Sylus turned around, his gaze locked on Erica.
He could already picture the multiple ways he could take his revenge on her. But Zani was more important.
…
Soon after, Sylus was seated on the bed in his father's room.
The room was multiple times bigger than his, with a bed wide enough to use as a farm in his former world.
There were pictures of the former kings hanging on the wall, with other artifacts and designs to follow.
In other words, it was the best room in the whole castle.
While Sylus was seated on the bed, Martins was near his wardrobe, picking a new top he wanted to wear.
"Are you upset with me?" asked Martins.
Sylus grew quiet for a while.
He knew his father well; as such, his actions were clear, even if he didn't agree with most of them.
"No, Father. I know why you did it. But I can assure you, Zani is not like that."
"Humans are not so easily understood, Sylus. The sooner you realize this, the better. You are only a child, so I don't expect much from you."
Martins turned around.
"But, if you give a tiger venom before taming it, be sure it doesn't bite you with it. The moment it does, it will understand the power it is, and strike again. An untamed tiger with no master is a beast waiting to be killed."