The mortal woman stayed silent, probably the smartest decision she had made since slipping through the portal to this realm, Elara supposed, watching the woman's face and internally wondering why in any universe would someone risk their entire people for one foolish move. She shook her head slowly as she pondered the enigma that was Sybil, resting a fingertip against her temple and her thumb along her lower jaw, blue eyes taking in the woman and wondering what on earth would she have to do with such a defenseless creature in a dungeon that stifled her magics. The vampire queen tuned out Cyne's words to Sybil for awhile as the Prince explained the Council's decision to trap both himself and herself in this realm that rankled both of their senses so.<br/><br/>It took Elara a few seconds to come out of her studious reverie to realize Cyne had addressed her by name, rather than by title or rank. She turned, dark hair shifting and spilling over the shoulder of her top as she shot him a warning look. If anyone other than her own trusted servants and soldiers thought that she and Cyne had a connection other than victorious queen and trophy plaything,  be it friendship or even just a mutual tolerance and understanding of one another's race, both her reign and Cyne's life would be endangered. Well, endangered more than it already was. "Prince Cyne, as noble as your intentions are to spare your ignorant associate punishment... that is not a fitting request." She turned to give her back to the mage woman fully and addressed Cyne himself in a low voice. "Cyne, if I am to keep this peace, I have to keep you alive. For you to take her punishment is honorable indeed, but... what do you suppose the punishment is for premeditated murder of my kind who did not attack first?"<br/><br/>She lifted her eyebrows meaningfully at him, and tried to look apologetic. "I cannot be seen to be granting favoritism this early, I'm sure you understand. Anything other than impeccable conduct and unquestioning judgement at this stage will get me de-throned and you dead. Political turmoil can take just as many lives as a bloody unrelenting war can, and I will not have it in my realm." Elara stated, trying to get the prince to understand her position. "I don't want to kill her, but if I just whip her, or just whip you as reprimand for my soldier's lives... it will look to even my most faithful guards that I value you... that I value her..." She pointed at Sybil to make her point clear. "More than them."