Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Seven: The Day of the Trial

The morning of the trial dawned gray and overcast, a somber backdrop that seemed fitting for the occasion. Wriothesley stood in the main hall of the Fortress of Meropide, watching as the guards secured the criminal for transport. The prisoner, bound and flanked by two heavily armed guards, was tense but resigned, his fate now in the hands of Fontaine's justice system.

Wriothesley had decided to personally oversee the transport, a decision that surprised some of his subordinates but one he felt was necessary. The criminal had proven to be resourceful and dangerous, and Wriothesley was determined to ensure that nothing went wrong on the way to the courthouse. The thought of what could happen if the criminal managed to escape in the middle of a busy street crossed his mind more than once. If the prisoner got free in such a public setting, it would be disastrous. The streets would be filled with defenseless citizens—people who would have no way of protecting themselves from someone as dangerous as this criminal. Wriothesley knew that the risk was too great to leave in the hands of others.

As they made their way through the fortress, the sound of their footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls. Wriothesley kept a watchful eye on the prisoner, his expression calm but vigilant. He knew that the journey, though short, was not without risk.

Once they reached the surface, Chevreuse, the head of Fontaine law enforcement, was waiting for them with a small contingent of officers. She greeted Wriothesley with a nod, her eyes briefly scanning the group before settling on the Duke.

"It's rare to see you in person," Chevreuse remarked, her tone neutral but tinged with curiosity.

"I felt it was the safest way to transport him," Wriothesley replied, his voice steady. "But don't misunderstand—I've always had full confidence in your competence. Given the nature of this criminal, I thought it best to take extra precautions."

Chevreuse nodded, accepting his reasoning without further question. "I appreciate the support. We'll make sure he's secured for the trial."

The group began their walk toward the courthouse, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of what was to come. The streets were unusually quiet, the usual bustle of Fontaine subdued, as if the city itself was holding its breath.

As they approached the courthouse, Wriothesley observed the imposing structure, its marble façade stark against the gray sky. The building had seen countless trials, each one a testament to Fontaine's commitment to justice. Today would be no different.

The criminal remained silent, his eyes darting around as they neared the entrance. Wriothesley remained close, his presence a silent warning that any attempt to escape would be futile.

Chevreuse led the way inside, where the officers took custody of the prisoner, guiding him through the corridors to the holding area. Wriothesley followed, ensuring that the handover went smoothly. He had no intention of leaving until he was certain the criminal was securely in place.

Once the prisoner was locked away, Chevreuse turned to Wriothesley. "Thank you for bringing him in personally. It sends a strong message."

Wriothesley simply nodded. "It was necessary. Now, we'll let the law do its work."

With that, Wriothesley made his way to the observation area, where he would watch the trial unfold. As he entered the room, his eyes immediately caught sight of Neuvillette, who was already seated, a calm and composed presence amidst the tension in the air. Seeing Neuvillette there was a massive reassurance to Wriothesley. Neuvillette was known as a strong and fair leader, someone who commanded respect and ensured that justice was served impartially. His presence alone was enough to assure everyone in the room that the trial would be handled with the utmost integrity.