I sat in the cell I was taken to and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what my next course of action should be. I slept on it, but all I could think of was leaving. I was on a ticking clock.
"Cady Hall," someone called, and I looked up. "It's time for your trial," he said.
Finally.
"Be sure to behave yourself in front of His Majesty," he added and opened the cell door. I stood up and walked out on my own.
I had a billion opportunities to leave, but I didn't. I walked into the large hall and couldn't help wondering when they'd had the time to prepare a place like this.
I bowed before the emperor and glanced around quickly. Some of the royal family members were present, Alvin included.
"Cady Hall," the emperor called, and I stared back at him.
Intimidation—that's the emotion I should be showing now, right? Well, I don't feel that, so… his bad!
"Cady Hall, do you know the reason why you've been summoned here?" an old man asked, stepping forward.
"No," I replied, trying hard to break eye contact with the emperor, but I didn't want to, so I didn't.
"You've been accused of treason," he stated. "Every piece of evidence states that you are an accomplice to the unknown individual that caused this plague," he continued. "Do you have a defense?"
I didn't respond.
"Your silence could be misread; I hope you know that."
"I have nothing to do with the 'unknown individual,'" I stated.
"That is what you might say, but there is enough evidence that states you are an accomplice," he replied.
A magic screen appeared, showing me killing the guards at the gate, but for some reason, Alvin was not in it.
Do they really think they can set me up?
What reason could they have for wanting to set me up? This is all a stupid waste of time.
Another scene showed me cutting down some knights. From my memory, they were attacking the emperor and the imperial family members. What is their game here? What do they really want? Is this why Alvin refused to leave? What do they want?
Not having an answer left me with one conclusion, even though I had hoped it wouldn't lead to that.
"Here, we can see that you attacked some knights. What do you have to say?" he asked. I didn't bother responding; it all felt too stupid and like a big waste of time.
"It seems like she doesn't have anything to say," one of the princes said.
"Don't you think this is all a misunderstanding? If she committed treason, there's no way I wouldn't know, since we've been together the whole time," Alvin spoke up, to everyone's surprise.
"A week after she comes to the imperial palace, this event happens. We have concrete evidence of her involvement, and you still defend her? It seems my brother has been brainwashed," he said.
"Wh…"
"We'll now pass a judgment," the emperor spoke up. "For…"
"From my core," I mumbled. "To the…"
"Pardon my interruption, Your Highness," Harold appeared in front of me with a few people whom I assumed were mages by how they were dressed. "I have something to say, if that isn't an issue," he said.
There was a long pause before he was given permission to speak.
"Cady here might not look trustworthy and doesn't do anything to make people believe in her, but she was the one who mobilized the knights and organized them. She connected with the magic tower and worked with them. For months, she's been trying to help as many people as possible as she searched for the source of our problems," Harold said.
What is he up to?
"Are you defending her with all the evidence before you?" the emperor asked.
"I'm only stating my observations," Harold replied.
"But…"
"We'll move this trial forward; better have more than observations for me by then," the emperor said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Harold replied, flashing me his usual smile.
"The trial will be postponed to two days from now. Don't think this is over," the prosecution said. I stared blankly at him, uninterested in his words.
What is going on? Why is Harold helping me? What's he planning? What does he want? Didn't he set me up?
The questions were countless, and I had no way of finding an answer. I never liked him, and I'm now sure why—I can't figure him out; I can't figure out what he wants. Is this some kind of game?
I scanned the room, and everyone was as displeased with this new development as I was.
What do they really want? Why am I really here? What is the real purpose of this setup?
Nothing made sense. There was no way it was a personal grudge, since I don't know the emperor, and I haven't done anything to annoy him.
Why didn't they just arrest me for leaving my post? That'd be easier to understand than this.
Are they trying to let me know that I'm being set up?
---
I sat by the corner, staring at Harold, waiting for an explanation. There had to be a reason why he tried helping me. Was that his way of stopping me from leaving? It'd be pointless either way.
"So what's the plan?" he asked, and I was stunned.
"Plan?"
"I just bought us some time…" he paused and stared at me. "Y… You're not really thinking of going for the trial, right?" he asked.
What's his deal? What's the catch? Why is he always helping me?
"And if I want to?" I asked, feeling irritated, though I wasn't sure why.
"We'll wait outside," he said, throwing a key at me. "Don't waste our time; we are committing treason here," he said and turned to leave.
"Hold on," I called, but he smiled and left.
I relaxed my head against the wall and stared at the door. I'm not one to get angry easily; I don't get stupid mood swings, so why am I angry? I should be glad that I don't have to go through all that stress of breaking out.
I should leave alone, right?