(Opening Scene: Headmaster Theron focuses his attention on Astrid, his expression encouraging her to speak freely. Lady Elara and Prince Lysander watch with varying degrees of impatience and suspicion.)
Astrid took a deep breath, the cool night air feeling grounding after the chaotic events in her chambers. She met Headmaster Theron's steady gaze, finding a measure of reassurance in his implicit trust.
"Headmaster," she began, her voice clear and unwavering, "Prince Lysander came to my chambers. I did not invite him." She glanced pointedly at her betrothed. "He attempted to… persuade me of my duty, despite my clear disinterest in our arranged marriage. His words became… forceful."
She continued, her gaze shifting to Eclipse, who remained a silent guardian on Zane's shoulder. "Eclipse appeared, likely sensing my distress or perhaps at Zane's behest. He… made his displeasure at Lysander's presence known."
Astrid then recounted Eclipse's actions towards the prince, from the initial hiss to the swift bite and Lysander's subsequent collapse. She didn't shy away from the fact that Eclipse had incapacitated him.
"My aunt arrived shortly after," Astrid continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "She summoned practitioners to examine Eclipse, but they were… terrified. Then Master Elmsworth came, and he too warned her away from Eclipse, recounting an incident during Zane's entry test where Eclipse reacted violently to protect Zane."
She then described Lady Elara's order to contain Eclipse and the familiar's immediate, lethal response, resulting in the tragic death of the guard. "Eclipse was only defending himself, Headmaster. They were going to restrain him."
Finally, she explained Zane's arrival, his concern, and his subsequent action of void walking them outside the academy. "Zane only acted to prevent further conflict and to protect Eclipse." She looked at Zane, a silent acknowledgment of his intervention.
Throughout her account, Astrid remained composed, her words carrying the weight of truth. Lady Elara and Prince Lysander interjected occasionally with indignant protests, but Headmaster Theron held up a hand, silencing them, his attention fixed on Astrid's narrative. By the time she finished, the initial accusations against Zane seemed to hang less convincingly in the night air.