At an edict reading Mr. Hill declares anyone who defies the law will be killed. Ms. Willow urgently begs him to take her to court and use a royal pardon her father once received to save her brother. Mr. Hill refuses, stating the pardon cannot absolve traitors and that the Sable family's traitors must be punished. Others point out that only His Majesty's mercy spared the family from total slaughter. Her plea is denied; the brother remains condemned and the family is left trapped under the execution edict.