The Crown of Wilted Gold.

25.

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"It is time, Your Excellency," The People's official bowed. Irisa placed her on Nancy's arm. Irisa smiled nervously, she was not happy about how everything was going but at least she had leverage over the Court Ministers.

"Your Excellency," he bowed, and forwarded his hands, "please," he pointed at the door to the grand hall.

Irisa would have never believed that she would go on trial, she wondered if she would come out of this door a winner, but she did not think so. There was only one way to stop a trial like this, if Samuel did not testify, and she did not think that was possible, he was hellbent on ruining her.

The guards bowed and opened the door for her and Nancy. She made her way slowly into the grand hall, where she saw some representatives of major cities and states of Kaley. Everyone was there, including her father and her brothers. They sat at the end of the room, worry could be seen on their face.

To fail this trial meant humiliation, the humiliation for failing to be a proper ruler, for failing to rule over Kaley well. Irisa was alone, she was a widow to everyone, and she had no support system, she made allies but they were not enough to protect her from what was coming.

"Her Excellency, Queen Irisa of Kaley, Monarch of the Empire, Presence ruler." A guard yelled while people rose to their feet.

The Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister sat on their mini throne, Irisa's eyes narrowed. She knew what they were trying to do was establish their supremacy over her. She scoffed, and clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowed.

She nodded at Nancy, Nancy who had seen everything that the duo had done, and walked toward them, her eyes narrowed.

"Stand and pay respect to the Empress," Nancy commanded.

The Dowager Empress's eyes narrowed, what did the little maid think she was doing by commanding her? The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed. The bastard daughter he had, was standing in front of him looking down on him.

"This is a trial, Lady Nancy, and we heading it, do we still need to say any further?" Prime Minister asked.

Nancy's eyes shun with determination, she stared at the Empress Dowager and The Prime Minister, she did not look like she would give up, she would make them humble themselves if it would be the last thing that she did as the Empress's right-hand lady.

"It is proper etiquette, to greet the Empress by Kaley laws, you were exiled by the Empress and you are here, you have not officially greeted her or pleaded for mercy, but you sit here in defiance? What are we do we you?"

The Dowager Empress's eyes narrowed, she was going to have much fun beating and selling the slave that dared raise her voice at her and disrespect her in that way but at that moment she noticed that every representative was watching, if she made the wrong move, it would sway them in Irisa's favor.

The Empress slowly lifted herself from the chair provided by the court. The Prime Minister stared at her with at her with a frown. Was she going those roaches trample on them? They were about to get rid of them anyway.

"Prime Minister, please," Nancy stated. Knowing he had no choice, the Prime Minister stood.

"I would like to be greeted formally," Irisa demanded.

The Empress Dowager scoffed, Irisa was delusional, she was about to go down and she was still acting so arrogant. She was just glad that power would be restored to the rightful heir soon enough. The Empress Dowager stretched out hands and bowed, the Prime Minister followed suit.

Irisa walked forward towards a special destination prepared for her, Nancy helped unto it. Irisa frowned, glancing at Nancy, Viron had not arrived yet, he disappeared a few days ago with no explanation, the last time they met, he promised to find whatever he could on the court Minister. Nancy had assured her that he was working on it and he was going to be back in time for the trial, but at the moment, he was nowhere in sight.