Théadan could see now Kazim never had any intention of speaking to him, instead using his advisors to try and gather information, for this King Théadan supposed he was going to be made some sort of example of. Kazim was using his authority and power to suggest he was not worthy of speaking to him, though apparently he was still worthy enough to be judged the Khluri King. That he went further to call him one of the masterminds behind his country's ruin, made Théadan want to scoff. That had mostly been Argyle, Théadan knew how to fight a war, but at no point would he have considered himself a mastermind of it. More importantly however was how Kazim was completely disregarding what Théadan had said, looking for proof of his remorse yet having never given him a chance to show it. They assumed he wanted power, and Navia was a part of that.<br/><br/>His fingers clicked, and Théadan saw the executioner step forward. He had every intent of making himself not seem violent, but if he really was about to die, Théadan was going to fight against it and do anything to keep it from happening. There was far too much to live for now to simply accept death. But before Kazim could give the order, Navia was pushing forward having arrived just in time, giving Théadan some hope, though he was still wary of the guards either side of him, and that axe looming nearby. She put herself between Kazim and him, standing tall before her king and outright refusing to let him go through with this. The slap that came just a moment later caught them both by surprise. It had Navia stumbling back, bumping against him. Up until that moment Théadan could understand Kazim's reasons, but striking his cousin for refusing him had Théadan thinking back to his own family, and the harsh way they had treated him.<br/><br/>There was plenty of condemnation for Navia from Kazim, for defying him, for taking Théadan's side, he even leveled a threat towards her, stating for Yousef to remove her. This was such a bizarre sight for Théadan to see, there was so much turmoil, and all of it created by his being there. It was nothing like how he imagined Navia's return to go, but Navia stood strong in her defense of him, resilient and uncompromising, refusing to give in. When Navia did not balk, Kazim asked questions of him even drawing Yousef into this while he tried to remove Navia from his side, leaving Navia little option but to plead with her brother to listen and to help.<br/><br/>Théadan had asked for the opportunity to speak. He had been seeking any chance to prove that he was not the violent man his past suggested he was. That he did feel guilt, that he was remorseful, and he did above all love Navia and simply wished to be with her. He now had the King asking questions of him, and while he couldn't cover all the ground he wanted to cover, he at least had the opportunity now to raise some doubt. "My family would never have welcomed Navia, our relationship wasn't allowed, and I bear scars as proof of that." Théadan spoke up, loud enough for his voice to carry through the room. "Navia would have been treated by my family as little more than a pet, to be used and toyed with at their pleasure." That was the truth of his family, and what would have happened to Navia had they not fled. "You hate me and my people, for the crimes we committed against Khlurios, had the roles been reversed, I'm sure Mes'Mo'Tan would execute those who committed the crimes without a second thought." He agreed, in Mes'Mo'Tan they would not think twice about it, no matter who begged for their life.<br/><br/>"But you are not Mes'Mo'Tanian. You do not want to be anything like my people - savage, bloodthirsty." That was how he had been repeatedly described, and so it struck Théadan as odd that for a nation that hated his people so and everything they were, that they seemed so eager to enact 'justice' in the same manner as it would be in Mes'Mo'Tan. "So don't be like us, be better. Right now you're not acting like the Khluri Navia has so much pride in, you're acting like the Mes'Mo'Tanians I am so ashamed of." Théadan bared his open palms before Kazim, showing the scars and how little he had on him. "I have come unarmed, I have returned Navia to your home. I have not threatened or fought anyone since arriving in Mandira. I have offered to try and do what I can to make amends." He only asked for the opportunity to prove it, and allowing that opportunity had yet to be offered to him. "You question whether I have remorse asking for any evidence, yet you have had me locked in a cell these passed two days. How am I supposed to prove it to you all as I have Navia, without a chance?"<br/><br/>Marek stepped forward from where his position, moving to be just a couple steps away from the King as he let his voice fill the room even as his words were meant for the Kings ears. "To be given such a chance is far too great a risk for Khlurios." In his mind it was completely unnecessary, there was nothing to be gained from letting the Mes'Mo'Tanian Prince live. The matter was already threatening to create a family feud within the royal family itself. He was dangerous and needed to be swiftly removed before he could create any more problems for them. "My King, there can be only one outcome." His eyes briefly glanced over to the executioners axe before pointing a finger towards the Prince needing to discredit him and help back his King in front of all the gathered nobility. "The<i>avezana</i>knows his life is at an end, he will say anything to save himself."