*** 3rd Chapter ***
The Jury had taken place inside the hallway of Robert's Palace. Seated in a row, they all were discussing something when Cedric and Ayra arrived at the place. Their presence interrupted their conversation as some of them looked up at them in curiousity. As much as they looked at curiousity, most of them made eye contact with Ayra to see through her powers and soul.
Ayra became uneasy after having so much attention on her but she soon relaxed when Cedric grabbed one of her hand, rubbing it slowly. She calmed down slowly and glanced around to find all the man in white hairs. Except white hairs, she noticed something else on them. Their skin was extremely white like Ice and bore a cold aura vividly. Not only their presence but their facial features were so different than others that anyone could detect them amidst crowd.
Upon Cedric's arrival, all of them stood up together to show respect. Though they didn't fall under Basarisk's kingdom, Cedric was a king and deserved the high respect. A man from Jury spoke with a deep smirk,
" It is our honour to meet you, Your Highness and Lady."
Cedric gave him back a nonchalant look. Looking around to find a place to seat, he replied with an indifferent shrug,
" Not for us, Mr.Levon. Long time no see!"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMr.Levon let out a dark chuckle that sounded horrifying. Undoubtedly he was enjoying this trial which was set up for the queen of Basarisk. They were tempted to announce punishment against this powerful couple for breaking the laws of Mystic Grove. He replied with mockery,
" Likewise! Who would have thought that our first meeting will be held in a trial? Looks like fate is playing cruel with us."
He ended his words with another dark chuckle and glanced up at Ayra meaningfully. His eyes crawled back to fell on Angelica as they both shared a mysterious smirk. Cedric on the other hand didn't rebuke back immediately.
Finding an empty chair, he helped Ayra to seat down first like a gentleman and replied after taking his own position,
" Exactly! Who would have thought that! Hmm! By the way, how is your second wife doing? It has been a long time since I met her."
The entire table had fell in dead silence after Cedric's words as Levon had been married twice wasn't known by anyone. Though it was his own personal matter, he felt ashamed in front of his colleagues and gave Cedric a cold glare. Cedric smiled back gleefully. His expression only defined that he shouldn't have picked on his wife first.
Mr.Lincon, the oldest man of jury initiated to end this cold aura. His powerful voice brust around the room clearly,
" Mr.Levon, please pay attention to your behavior. We are here for trial."
Then he glanced up at Cedric who was smiling and staring at Levon to continue speaking,
" And King Cedric, please cooperate with us. We have wasted enough time in this palace. We would like to question your wife since she was present during the incident."
After his words, everyone took their own positions and remained quite to avoid any argument. Mr.Lincon continued speaking and looking around the table slowly,
" Mystic Grove had been the sole responsibility of us. Recently we have figured out that one of our magical beast was injured during that time when Lady Ayra, Lady Angelica and Princess Sienna made a visit inside the Grove. Hence, we ask explaination from them because they are the sole suspect in this case. Today, the jury has come to ask for the first trial. Lady Ayra, can we proceed with our first question?"
Ayra who was seated beside Cedric moved on her spot nervously. She would be lying if she told them that she didn't harm any of those beast. Her powers were so busted out that she invoulantarily harmed those innocent life. Thus she kept looking down without any word and mentally battled to provide any explanation.
Cedric clutched her palm and replied on her behalf to the jury,
" Go ahead, Mr.Lincon."
The old man looked bit dissapointed with his response since he was expecting words from Ayra but Cedric came between them. Mr. Lincon hummed looking down and stared up to question directly,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm" Did you hurt that beast?"
" She didn't! ", came the sharp response from Cedric who continued narrowing his eyes at them deeply. He really wanted to know how this words reached to this jury. Robert wouldn't dare to report to the jury if he really wished to live longer.
Ayra snapped her head aside to glance at Cedric blankly. She wasn't expecting this answer because sooner or later, this truth would come in front light. Then, she will have no choice but to admit fast.
Mr.Levon furrowed hard at his response. Cedric acted natural and waited for any of them to attack with questions again. Mr.Levon blurted glancing up at Ayra scornfully,
" How do we believe that, your highness? Is there anyone to prove that she didn't harm the beast? As per our report, your wife was the one who hurt our creature."
Cedric continued smiling widely. Looking around the room, he questioned back casually,
" You guys have witness to justify? Oh please go ahead! Call him or her here to say that my wife was the person who attacked the beast."
Mr. Levon quickly agreed tilting his head back to glance at the doorway,
" Sure! There were also Lady Angelica and Princess Sienna present at that time. I think, Princess Sienna would be the best choice to interrogate first. Lady Angelica is a kind hearted woman. She might pity her daughter-in-law in any case. Princess Sienna, Please come over here."
Sienna swallowed hard after she was called and felt Cedric's eyes darkening at her. After a light push from her mother, she stepped forward to seat beside the jury nervously.
Mr.Lincon spoke first after taking a look of Cedric's expression that seemed still natural,
" Without any fear, tell us, Princess Sienna. Have you seen Lady Ayra attacking the beast?"