Cassandra stood in front of the mirror to check her outfit. The trial was about to start, but she didn't think she would be able to make it. Coincidentally, on the day of Rain's trial, she had been swarmed with official business of the state. She knew what the elders were trying to do. Even though the elders weren't involved in framing Rain, they weren't going to pass the opportunity to rid the country 'filth'.
She considered ignoring the documents but decided against it. Ignoring the documents meant ignoring the state, and she couldn't let the important matters of the state me mishandled just because she cared about Rain. She sighed. She would just have to do her best to finish as fast as she can to attend the trail.
She turned to her bed which was in the centre of the large room. A golden chandelier hanged from the illuminating the room which was painted light blue. There was only one other person she trusted to intervene in the trial.
. . . .
Rain sat on the ground in his ragged clothes. He could barely stand. His body was writhing with pain. The gaurds who were assigned to him had beaten him throught out the night. Anytime the shifts changed, Rain had a glimmer of hope that the new guards would treat him as a person, but it never changed.
He had a couple of fractured rips with a broken arm. His hair hang over his face which covered his ugly and badly bruised faced. He didn't know it was possible to get this level of injury in just one night. He could've easily killed all the guards, but that would've caused problems for Princess Cassandra.
Rain lifted his head. He could hear footsteps descending towards the dungeon.
Clank! Clank!
Rain placed a hand over his right ear as the guard hit the bars of the cell with his sheath.
"Get up. It's time for your judgement"
The guard opened the cell and stood aside. Rain strained to get up. He desperately needed help, but he wasn't ready to ask for help from scum.
. . . .
King Alphonse sat on his throne. The fourteen elders stood at both his sides. Seven on his right, and seven on his left. The large gates to the throne room opened, and Rain entered with a troop of guards behind him. The king narrowed his eyes as Rain entered. Rain was battered and badly beaten. Although he didn't like Rain, he had his own code and morals. The gate shut behind Rain.
"Who did this to him?"
One guard moved forward.
"Your majesty, during his time in prison, he was always trying to attack the guards and hurling insults at the guard. We had to subdue him, but due to his violent personality, we had to take drastic measures"
The king looked at the guard and smirked. He flicked his index finger.
SPLASH!
Blood sprayed everywhere as the head of the guard who spoke rolled on the ground.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
The king's voice boomed through the throne room. He knew this was the doing of the elders, but decided not to confront them. The elders were important in maintaining the power of the country. The most he could do for Rain was make an elder he trusted to head the proceedings.
"Elder Ramsey, begin the trial"
Elder Ramsey stepped forward.
"As we are well aware, we have gathered here to decide the fate of Rain Azaro D'Rudolf. He has been charged with the attempted murder of Duke Flaus"
He turned to Rain.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Rain raised his head to stare at the Elder.
"I have nothing to say"
"Do you not want to plead your case?"
"Everyone here knows that I didn't do it, but since the locals aren't ready to testify for me, why bother"
"You aren't accused without evidence. All the guards who survived said they were knocked out by you. But, the locals also didn't testify that you were at the tournament"
Rain remained silent. He assumed this was a simple plot by the elders, but it seems to be more than that. There is no way the royal guards or the personal guards of the Duke would lie to the king or Elder Ramsey. The king and the elder were legends on the battle field. They headed the alliance between the nations against the vampires.
"Do you still have nothing to say?"
Rain remained silent.
Elder Ramsey glanced at the king and turned back to Rain.
"If that is the case, then I have no choice but to sentence you to-"
BANG!
The gates opened up. Princess Cassandra walked in, followed by her sister and a white haired girl. Rain remembered seeing the white haired girl somewhere.
Elder Felix fumed.
"How dare you interrupt a trial held by the elders"
"Hello to you too, Elder Felix. Thank you for the work load you left me with. It almost feels like you didn't want me to attend"
Elder Felix scowled.
"What business does the princess have with a trial conducted by the elders?"
"Oh? Please, do not forget. Not only I'm I the princess, I am the sole bloodlord". Cassandra said, intently.
Elder Felix shivered and looked away.
Princess Cassandra turned back towards Elder Ramsey.
"I have brought Princess Keziah and Lady Sonia as eye witnesses who can prove that Rain was at the tournament grounds during the attack"
Elder Ramsey turned to the king. The king nodded.
"You may speak"
Princess Keziah and Lady Sonia testified on what they knew. Most of the people present looked sceptical but remained silent. After their testimony, Lady Sonia and the princess stepped back. The elders murmured amongst themselves.
The king contemplated for a while.
"Due to the conflicting testimonies, I can't come to a conclusion now. Therefore I declare that this case will be further investigated, and during this period, Rain Azaro D'Rudolf will be held in custody. Do you agree?"
Cassandra's eyes flared.
"What do you mean 'held in custody'?. Do you want him to be further abused?"
When she first saw Rain, she contemplated annihilating the royal guards. How dare they? And now her father wanted to keep him in the same place which had made him like this.
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Let him stay with me"
"I can't grant your request"
Cassandra gritted her teeth.
"I wasn't asking"
Cassandra released her aura. The killing intent caused the elders to fall to the ground. The king tightened his grip on the throne to prevent him from collapsing.
"You dare release your aura in the presence of the king, your father?!!"
And with that, the king also released his aura. The clash of auras caused some of the elders to pass out. Princess Keziah struggled to stand. One knee was already one the ground. The pressure was too much. If something wasn't done, people could die.
"STOP!STOP THIS!". Princess Keziah said, with a loud shout.
Princess Cassandra snapped out of her rage and reigned in her aura. The king did the same. Princess Keziah staggered to the front.
"I have a better solution that will satisfy us all"
The king and Cassandra stared at each other. He turned to Keziah.
"Speak then"
"I know every year, two of the most exceptional knights are chosen to be a part of the first unit of the special ops. Let them, including Lady Sonia and I join the first unit with Rain. In this way, we can watch him and immediately take action if something seems off"
The king looked at Keziah, then glanced at Cassandra.
"Fine. We will do as you have suggested."
Princess Keziah bowed.
"Thank you, your majesty"
"Enough of this. The trial is over. Take him and leave"
The king turned to Elder Ramsey who was sprawled on the ground.
"Bring the royal medic to treat the elders and guards who are unconscious"
Elder Ramsey struggled to get up.
"Yes, your majesty"
Princess Cassandra and Lady Sonia grabbed Rain and walked out.