After working in Café Lutece as one of its cooks for a consecutive three months, Y/N is met with a once-in-a-lifetime offer that one can't simply refuse. The Iudex of Fontaine just so happened to visit their establishment, seeking out someone who ca...
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'No matter the circumstance of an individual, the justice the law provides shall prevail over that which is inharmonious.'
After a week of waiting and rescheduling, the trial was now commencing before your eyes.
In the vast expanse of the Opera Epiclese, there existed a corpus of legal cases spanning centuries, fading from memory only to resurface when the nation's judicial apparatus required historical precedent for present references. These cases, ranging from civil to criminal and appellate, bore witness to the evolution of jurisprudence, with errors in interpretation rectified through hierarchical judicial review under the authority of the Iudex.
Despite lacking much familiarity with Fontaine's legal annals, you chose not to delve into its intricacies, prioritizing the pressing matter at hand. Conversations with your dad about the trial-at-hand emphasized your unwavering commitment to his defense, even amid doubts about his present mental acuity. Loyalty and family, after all, was not contingent on competency. That wasn't in your definition, at least. No matter what, you were on your dad's and mom's side, through hell and back.
"Why?" your dad asked.
The question seemed superfluous to you. It even felt rhetorical since you didn't have to answer such a question but you reassured him nonetheless, urging him to trust you. The prospect of his public appearance, away from the battlefield and into the spotlight of the courtroom, likely stirred unfamiliar emotions within him and that was okay. Right now, you and him were under such pressure.
"This is all strange..." your dad muttered.
"Yeah, well, if you hadn't thrown punches, maybe we wouldn't be here," you replied with a wry smile, running a hand through your hair as he grunted in response.
"First time in court, Y/N?" Furina inquired, her demeanor reflecting a seasoned familiarity with the setting. "This certainly brings back a lot of memories... Good and bad."
"Yeah, but it's mostly bad right now," you responded dryly, casting a glance towards the opposing side of the stage where Henri de Montclair and his lawyer stood, exuding confidence and preparedness. Henri looked bandaged up too from the injuries.
With hopes that your dad wouldn't falter amidst the scrutiny of the trial's spectators, you prepared to navigate this new terrain, ready to shield your dad from judgment with the same dedication he had shown in safeguarding you through those years of admiring him. And loving him, even till now.
The Iudex of Fontaine stood at the precipice of the Opera Epiclese's stage. It was a grand spectacle. As the hushed anticipation enveloped the chamber, the weight of responsibility settled upon the Iudex's shoulders like a heavy cloak. In this kind of atmosphere, no longer was the man named Neuvilette visible to you where he humbly requested of your culinary services for Furina de Fontaine.
With measured steps, the Iudex approached the bench from above. The eyes of the assembled crowd, a sea of expectant faces, bore witness to this momentous occasion. Each whispered murmur echoed through the cavernous halls. You thought no way would there be a single noise that dared to disrupt the air Neuvilette commanded.
