Barak had asked that the musicians, servants and guards be sent out for the matters he was going to table before them was a rather private one. But Gerald had refused.
Since they had all been present when the princess ran in with tears, pointing at the prince as her assaulter, he wanted them to remain even as prince Barak would say his cut. He didn't want any later reasons for rumors going around that he had passed an unfair judgment. Everyone's ears would hear, and everyone's eyes would behold what was about to happen.
Barak at that point could care less if they remained or not. He only suggested it not for his sake, but for hers and in general to save the face of the royal family of Avelah. He knew and was certain that after he had finished with everything he had to say, the one who would be feeling shamed wouldn't be him nor his father and his people. But the beautiful starlet of the day and her family.
