The judges excused me from the witness seat and conferred in a private room for a few minutes. While they conferred, I had to face Anassia and Remdon's questions. Both of them were upset, wondering that after going to so much trouble to ensure that Mistress Ildasan was caught, I would then release her from her rightful punishment.
I tried to explain my reasoning, but the judges' return interrupted my words. The audience quieted down and watched as one of the judges stood to deliver their verdict.
"We find Mistress Jenkava Holioke Ildasan guilty of the attempted murder of Mistress Jenallia Hildegar Renvalda. For punishment, she will be banished from Solnaran until the advent of her marriage or the marriage of Mistress Renvalda."
His words sent Mistress Ildasan and the older couple by Del into tears. I felt my own eyes well up and I smiled, grateful that the judges had listened.
The rest of the day was a blur. Remdon escorted me home and told Mother and Father about the trial. I was subjected to lectures by everyone in the family about my decision to show mercy to the woman who had tried to kill me, but I hardly listened. My mind was lingering on the look of disgust - that was the only way I could describe it - that Del had given me as I passed him on my way out of the judgment house.
What had gone wrong between us? Had I made any major missteps in the past week? I had been confined to the house for most of the week, and had hardly left except for a few small parties.
Over the course of the week following the trial, Del's cold behavior ate at me. He did not reach out to me in person or through writing. He attended no events. I only knew that he was still around because he still kept his nightly vigil at the park.
At the end of a full week without contact from him, I knew that I had to act. I could not remain in ignorance, wondering how I had offended him. Since he clearly had no intention of reaching out to me, I took matters into my own hands. I knew of only one place and time that I was guaranteed to find him, and so I decided to use that.
A week from the trial, I attended a ball with Mother and Fernillia. I hoped to change into a simpler gown before going to visit Del, but he was already on his bench when I reached my bedroom and I did not want to miss him.
I dismissed Mirella, telling her that I could change and prepare myself for bed. I often did this, so she did not find it odd.
Once I was alone, I grabbed a long, dark cloak and covered myself. The servants would be up for an hour or two yet, so I could not sneak out through the main halls. Eyeing my window, I considered whether it was a feasible escape. I was on the second floor, but there was a sturdy trellis next to the window that would provide a means to climb down.
With no other options available, I figured I could at least make an attempt. I opened the window and reached carefully for the trellis. Testing it, I found it as sturdy as I had hoped.
The climb down was easier than I had expected. I was soon on the ground, wrapping my cloak around me as I crept through the backyard, out the fence, and towards the park. The moon was only a tiny sliver of silver in the sky, giving me enough light to make my way but hopefully keeping me well-concealed from wandering eyes.
When I reached the park, my eyes immediately flew to Del, who was lounging on his usual bench at the edge of the park. I found him watching me and walked briskly over, taking a seat on the bench as far from him as possible.
"What are you doing?" he finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
"I came to talk with you."
"Who told you I come to the park at night, Mistress Renvalda?"
Mistress Renvalda. So was he revoking the friendship he had extended?
"I have known you come to the park every night for months. I have always enjoyed watching the park at night. It is quite peaceful."
"So you watch me every night?"
I shrugged. "You are the one intruding on my view."
He smiled reluctantly. "I suppose I cannot dispute that. What have you come to talk with me about?"
"Why are you upset with me?"
"And who says I am upset with you?"
I waved my hand in his direction. "Your entire manner is that of offense. The look of disgust you left me with after the trial was also a strong hint."
"Disgust," he said thoughtfully. "I suppose that would be accurate."
"What have I done to disgust you? We have not even spoken since your visit. You seemed to hate me at the trial, but I did as you asked, as my conscience bid me do. Did you hope for a more merciful punishment?"
"No, you were certainly more merciful than I could have hoped."
I borrowed a page from his book and raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.
"You used me. I talked with Jenkava again, asked her what had pushed her to do something so cruel and she told me that she was driven crazy with jealousy when she discovered that you were growing closer to me because of her."
"I certainly implied that we were closer than was accurate, but I never lied to her."
"You told her you had seen me and that I was doing well."
"I had seen you. Just because you did not see me in return does not invalidate the statement. And you did appear to be doing well."
Another half-smile made an appearance before he managed to resume his sober expression. "You have an answer for everything. Can you truly excuse your behavior in using me to incriminate my friend?"
I sighed. "I did not incriminate her. She incriminated herself. Were you planning on marrying her?"
"What?" He seemed taken aback by the unexpected question.
"Were you planning to marry Mistress Ildasan?"
"No. We were friends, but nothing more."
"Then you did not expect your relationship to become romantic?"
"Of course not. I have never thought of her that way."
"The jealousy she felt for me was understandable, but not acceptable. If she had not lashed out at me and been caught, she would have turned her vitriol and jealousy on whatever woman you eventually did choose to marry. Would you prefer that I had left her alone and she had instead injured or possibly killed a different woman who was receiving your attention?"
"You claim that you have done this for me, then?"
"No. I am not so altruistic. It was an act of revenge for her first attack. That does not mean it does not benefit you."
He shook his head. "I thought we could be friends, but I cannot trust you. I will not be friends with someone who would do something so deceitful."