The watchful Regent stayed seated.

    With an anxious, juvenile lean, Dauphin Demetrius asked, “Edouard?  What brings you in such haste?”

    A proper distance away, the Contra’Vagus and Elite dragoons’ boot  heels clicked to a military halt.  The foul, bloody bag was extended.  At once, a prim servant came forward with a silver tray to take the bag to the Dauphin and Regent.

    Again, Montmercy glanced sideways at both sides of the Court.  From the periphery of view, no one was making any unexpected movements.  While the left hand rested on the saber’s scabbard in readiness to steady it for a swift sword-draw, the right hand raised over the heart in fealty.

    The Contra’Vagus’ voice projected clearly for all to hear, “Your Royal Highness.  Excellency. The traitorous head of the Free-magic creature, formerly Baron Ancel Kilhaven.  Velmendois is reclaimed.”

    Demetrius sat taller, Konstantine leaned forward, and the Court exploded in GASPS!  Even the poker-faced Ministers seemed uniformly shocked out of a stupor.  Everyone consulted their neighbors at once in busy choruses of, “Ancel’s dead?” and, “The coup is over?” or, “Are we truly free of fear?”

    Amidst this hubbub, the Regent looked into the offered bag grimly, then began to signal the servant to close and take it away.  But then the Dauphin raised his hand.

    With an authoritative air, Demetrius declared, “I must see too.  If I embody the law, I must know the weight of my words.”

    Regent Konstantine thoughtfully appraised the regal boy, then gave a soft, “...Yes, your Majesty.”

    Montmercy felt the Regent’s reticence too.  After all the boy had suffered, there was a strong desire to shield him from adult horrors.  The din of excited exclamations began to subside, the noble throng more subdued for this somber moment.  The Dauphin was curious. While the servant gingerly presented the silver tray, Demetrius’ white-gloved hands pulled at the sacking.  He stopped, staring at the hint of a hideous thing hardly more than a skull.

    Dauphin Demetrius queried, growing more uncertain and a little scared, “Is it him?  This object is absolutely unrecognizable! Although... I see some reminiscence in its leering expression...  We’re absolutely sure this is the traitor?”

    Montmercy’s eyes locked with his.  “Yes.  I executed him in the name of my true King.”

    Like spring sunlight thawing a frozen waterfall, fear melted from Demetrius’ face.  Touched, he said softly, “Thank you, Edouard...”  Then he gathered himself up more resolutely, his voice strong, sure, and regal, “On behalf of all of Duna’Liet, thank you!”

    Montmercy’s throat tightened painfully.

    The Dauphin dismissed the proof of victory, the servant taking the silver tray away as the boy picked off his sullied gloves with a shudder.  Montmercy darkly eyed the platter going by.  Suddenly reaching out, grabbing the head by one of the horns to hold it aloft, the Contra’Vagus turned to the aghast Court.   It clearly was and wasn’t the well-known face of Baron Kilhaven, stretched thin over a ram-like skull, monstrously grinning at them all in a lipless leer.  The Regent and Dauphin were as shocked by the behavior as the courtiers were repulsed by the sight, most hiding behind fans and handkerchiefs.

    Montmercy’s eyes narrowed angrily at the crowd, “Look!  LOOK.  Don’t avert your eyes, Lords and Ladies!  This is the fate in store for any who seek to bring down Regent Konstantine or Dauphin Demetrius!  To all the plotters in this palace...”

    A pointed stare was given to the Ministers, like pursed-lipped Voland and corpulent Gouvier. “...You magic dabblers!”

    Montmercy continued, the reproachful gaze moving across frivolous fops like Bethune, Guillaume, and Augustin, to the pretty dolls of the ABC Club, “...And those who flirt with breaking the law, I will hunt you down like the Free-magic beasts you aspire to be.  If mighty Kilhaven couldn’t escape my wrath behind an army of Witches, you better believe that none of you will either!”

    The Contra’Vagus slammed the head down on the platter and stormed out, Corps d’Noir following sternly.  The Regent and Dauphin looked after in amazement, Gouvier brooding darkly, and Alicia stepped out of the crowd with concern.

    Bethune gave a sarcastic sneer, “Splendid.  The Bonny Prince is gone.”