MDCF

56

Siana wanted to bawl, and the tears kept streaming down her face no matter how hard she tried to stop them. "Sorry," she sniffled, "The tears just..."

"Sia."

Siana gave up trying to wipe the tears away and tried smiling with her hands by her side. Alan took her hands in his and pulled her into an embrace. "Sia, it's over."

Leaning onto his chest, she tried to calm herself down. "We won, Sia," said Alan.

"Yes," she said and hugged him back. "I was so scared," she sobbed, "I thought we would lose and we would have to break up..."

"I know," he said.

"I...."

"It's alright, Sia," said Alan, "Nothing can keep us apart."

Tears rolled down her face, but she felt a little relaxed as he stroked hear head. A little while later, she looked up at him.

"Are you okay now?" he asked.

"Yes, better," she said.

She pulled herself out of his arms. A little bit of powder stained Alan's black coat where she had cried. Siana, feeling embarrassed, wiped at the stain. But it wouldn't go away.

"I am sorry," she said, "It got stained."

"Don't worry," he said, taking her hands in his. "I can just wash it."

She looked around the courtroom which was almost empty. Even Yulia and Hugh were gone. "Where is Yulia and Hugh?" asked Siana.

"I think they left when you were crying."

"Really?" she said.

"Yeah. I think they wanted to give us some time alone."

Siana blushed. She wondered if everyone in the courtroom had seen her cry as they left. She felt embarrassed. Alan took her hand. "Shall we go?" he asked. "I think we should head home."

"Yeah," said Siana as she followed him, hand-in-hand. High and Yulia were waiting for them outside, beside the carriage.

"Oh, here they are," chirped Yulia, "We were wondering if you would take longer. We were just about to grab some coffee."

"Are you feeling okay, Lady Legarde?" asked Hugh.

"Yes, I am absolutely alright," said Siana. "Thank you so much for your help, Hugh."

"My pleasure," said Hugh, "It was my duty and my job. If it weren't for you both cooperating, it would have been more difficult to win the case. Lord Legarde being able to bring in the viscount's butler and your statement made all the difference."

Siana frowned and turned to Alan. "Alan, why didn't you tell me about it?" she asked.

"About what?" said Alan.

"About Anthony, Viscount North's previous butler."

"Oh... right."

"You should have told me!" said Siana, "Do you know how worried I was that you might have been injured? That Viscount North might have done something to you..."

"I know," he said, "But I wasn't sure if I could convince him to come with me or not."

"You should have still told me!"

"I am sorry," said Alan, "I wasn't feeling like myself in the morning and everything happened so quickly. It must have slipped my mind."

Alan looked sincere but Siana's annoyance was still apparent. She turned to Hugh and scowled. "And you too!" she said, "That was really overboard."