He stared at her from across the courtroom and couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor soul. She had once been a beautiful duchess in the southern court and now she had been reduced to the pitiful mess that laid before him now. He knew that there had been good reason for her arrest and torture. Yet, a part of him still wanted to help her. He guessed that's how she had became such a good assassin by looking like something that was so meek and fragile.
"The Trial of Zara Lee will now commence" his fathers voice bellowed throughout the room casting an echo that made it sound as if someone was talking back. Kingston sighed wanting to roll his eyes at his fathers flare for the dramatics no matter where they were. It really had gotten old after Kingston was forced to come to court for thirty hours each week. With a new trial beginning every ten hours it seemed.
Kingston watched Zara intently. She laid against the cold white tile floor in a ragged dress that looked like it was tearing at the seems. She hadn't moved since the guards plumped her on the ground and chained her to the floor less than ten minutes ago. From his seat he could tell that her skin was covered in dried blood, bruises, and small scars littered her arms and hands. The only part of her body that remained intact was her face due to Riemal law.
Everyone knew the horrors she had done in the southern court. She had assassinated over twelve members of the government from dukes to minor officials. Most had been friends of his father, however, he had never met them himself. The murders had frightened the public and caused chaos and discord everywhere. Critics had tried to frame the government of corruption and controlling the people with fear. Kingston remembered what it had been like last year, it had seemed like a new murder was happening every week causing his father pressure from the public to find the assassin.
Zara looked up at him lazily through her curly blonde hair and smirked up at him. As if she was sharing a secret with him. Her whole demeanor had changed in less than a second before going back to play the poor helpless girl. Psychos were really frightening these days.
He looked towards his father who glared down from his seat at him. Kingston had forgotten to say the one line he was allowed to say during any of these trails. "May judgment treat you fairly" he said. His voice had come off more menacingly than he intended it to.
A gong rung signaling two lawyers to come before the emperor. Both wore traditional black clocks that trailed behind them. They knelt to the ground and recited the pledge of truth and loyalty before going to each of their respected stands.
His father nodded towards the lawyer on the right a small duke named Kofi Abara. He came forward smiling as he stood next to Zara. "This your majesty is a ruthless killer that murdered some of your closest friends in cold blood, she did it without remorse and also made them suffer". In Reimal you could get away with a murder if you could prove it was painless. "Zara Lee is a dangerous criminal and should be sentenced to death" Kofi grinned. Kingston felt a few shivers go up his back. He had never liked Kofi he could be quite creepy sometimes.
Zara stayed silent and stared at the floor in front of her. His father nodded towards the other lawyer who stepped up to the left side of Zara. "Your majesty Zara is an innocent girl who was wrongly accused by her enemies in the southern court, how could a girl as pitiful as this kill twelve government men in cold blood" the man asked with a relaxed posture.
Kingston had been interested in the case at first, but he was soon getting bored of what was happening. He could care less what happened to Zara as long as she stayed as far as she could from him. He zoned out for most of the following session until something caught his interest.
"We can not trust a foreigner to tell any truth of what happened during that night your majesty from all we know she could be a murderer herself" Kofi growled wrinkling his nose towards a young maid that appeared to be of Kraineri descent. She had long black pin straight hair and dark brown eyes. Kingston tried to control his anger at the blatant disrespect towards a person of Kraineri descent.
He turned towards his father and hoped he would speak. His father stayed silent. Kingston pressed his nails into his palm suppressing his feelings. He was the Crown Prince of Reimal he could not lash out.
A blob of blonde hair moved catching his eye. Zara stared at him as if she was searching for something. She noticed he was watching her and winked. Kingston moved his hand to cover his face before remembering it would look odd if the crown Prince was suddenly hiding himself.
"Zara Lee you are being charged with twelve accounts of first degree murder, arson, assault, robbery, trespassing, possession of a unregistered weapon, and treason. For these grave sins you have committed you will be sentenced to tortured death" the empower bellowed. Kingston watched for Zara's reaction. She started laughing before turning towards him and blowing him a kiss. She was dragged out by the guards.