Gate of Memoirs/One to Rule

At the feet of the Elysian throne, the true test of the heir's will begins.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Justice"	Music: "Justice"
 	
*All of Elysia's eyes have now turned upon the gatecrashers.
*The people largely believed their crown prince to have perished beneath the waves these years.
*To see him rising from a watery grave to ride at full speed toward the castle was nothing short of surreal.
*At his side was a distinctive aura of crackling arcane energy—the mixed-blood commander who was presumed lost with her lord.
*Trailing behind them were a dozen armed men—ordinary Elysian soldiers who had turned against their prince.
*Yet, not even the royal castle guards could stop the riders storming into court.
Portrait 	Dialogue
 	
*Gortius throws the doors open, a dark scowl on his face.
 	
*A mix of surprise, indignation, and horror chase each other across the courtiers' faces as the identity of the intruder registers.
 	
*Standing next to an empty throne was a shell-shocked Estia.
*Estia: Gortius...?!
*Estia: You're...You're alive...
 	
*Duke Huster: This must be some kind of joke. The crown prince has been certified dead!
*Duke Huster: Guards! Throw this imposter into the jails!
 	
*Gortius: Do not listen to him! Your loyalty is to the crown, not these fools!
 	
*The guards shift uneasily on their feet and glance at each other.
 	
*Gortius: I left of my own accord shortly after the defeat of the pirate lord.
*Gortius: I led all of Elysia to believe that the sea had claimed my life...when in truth I had only yearned to be free of my responsibilities.
*Gortius: I don't imagine any of you have recovered my "corpse." Have you?
 	
*Estia: That's right...We had to make do with an empty coffin.
*Estia: We believed the sea had taken your body away...
 	
*Gortius: I wanted to live life according to my own terms. Not as a high-ranking piece in a political chess board.
 	
*Advisor Giehl: And this woman...Can she be?
 	
*Gortius: Commander Miriam Reuve. My wife.
 	
*The court goes silent for a few moments as the courtiers' eyes pass over the pair.
 	
*Gortius: But that is to be addressed another day. I've returned to see my ailing father...
*Gortius: ...And to find out why my sister, Princess Estia, is not currently helming Elysia in my father's stead.
*Gortius: Why is the Council assuming control? And why are there assassins after me?
 	
*Estia: Assassins?!
 	
*Estia: You knew!
 	
*Advisor Giehl: My lady—
*Duke Huster: Tch, those idiots are useless!
*Duke Huster: And to think they thought it best to leave him well enough alone!
 	
*Gortius: So you admit to treason.
 	
*Earl Marlow: What the Duke means to say is that they've likely greatly exaggerated the situation here.
*Earl Marlow: Yes, the Council has decided that it is in Elysia's best decision to take the reins.
*Earl Marlow: The good princess has regrettably shown little interest or competence in leading the empire...
*Earl Marlow: ...And I'm sure we can agree that King Radmuhl is in no state to rule at all.
 	
*Gortius: I'm standing right here.
 	
*Earl Marlow: Of course, of course. Where are my manners?
*Earl Marlow: But ah, my prince, you realize you have relinquished your right as heir the moment you turned your back on Elysia?
*Earl Marlow: And the negligent son dares to claim the throne through sheer birthright! Is Elysia such a backward nation?
*Earl Marlow: Not to mention bringing an outsider home as *wife*.
 	
*Gortius: How dare you!
Music: "Roaring Soul"	Music: "Roaring Soul"
 	
*Duke Huster: House Valen's time has come to an end. The Council will lead Elysia from this point on.
*Duke Huster: Knight-General Learyl!
 	
*Gortius: ...No...
 	
*The old swordmaster steps out from the shadows, his silver brows furrowed in regret.
 	
*At his side, Xenon only gives Estia the most fleeting of glances before looking away.
 	
*Estia: (... ...)
 	
*Gortius: Master Learyl. You can't possibly support these fiends!
*Gortius: You were more than a friend to our house. You were the sword of Elysia when she was but a new nation!
*Gortius: Must we come to this?
 	
*Knight-General Learyl: The will of the Council is the will of the nation.
 	
*Miriam: The Council is *hardly* the nation!
*Miriam: They're a rabble of self-serving hyenas!
 	
*Duke Huster: Speak for yourself, Alethi witch!
*Duke Huster: Kill them!
*Knight-General Learyl: Forgive me, my prince.
 	
*Gortius: I hope you forgive me as well, Master Learyl.