The Lady Justice

Chapter XX: I Prepare, I Prepare Not

Lady Therese De Beauharnais of Roche

16 October, Year 32 of King Frederick V of Monrique's reign

Court of the Lady Justice, Bordeux

Monrique

"You want me to examine you today?"

Her Honour Lady Helene stared down at me from her seat at the high table in the empty courtroom, incredulous, as she contemplated my rather unusual request.

Other Lady Justices in training under her mentorship were clamouring to postpone the examination date to allow them more time to revise for it, and here I was, begging her to push it forward to today.

She was finding it difficult to understand.

"This afternoon, to be more specific, Your Honour," I answered quietly, "if you have some time available on your hands, and are willing to grant my request, of course."

"The question of my time aside," she leaned forward, frowning, "are you even ready to take the exam today? I would like to remind you, again, that this is your finals, my dear – one that you have been working towards for two years now. If you take this exam without sufficient preparation, simply because you want to get it over with as soon as possible, all of that hard work might go to waste."

"As you said, I have been dreaming about, and working towards this exam for almost two years now, Your Honour," I answered softly, "and I do believe that I am ready for it."

She was still frowning, as she digested my words.

In the meanwhile, I continued. "If you are not free in the afternoon, I can come in the evening as well – "

"- and make us both miss Lord Testalt's engagement? Absolutely not," she cut me off, "why do you want to sit for your examinations today? What has happened that you cannot wait for two more weeks to sit for them on the stipulated date?" Her aged eyes studied me.

I met her gaze, and allowed the vague answer I had so carefully rehearsed roll off my tongue. "I am leaving Bordeux tonight due to other commitments, and may not be returning indefinitely."

"Other commitments?" she mused, almost to herself, her eyes still on my countenance.

I remained silent.

After what felt like a long time, she took a deep breath. "I should be free to examine you in the afternoon," she remarked quietly, "before that, however, I would like to know exactly why you want to push back your examination – "

I tried to answer again. "Aye, Your Honour, I told you – "

"Nay, my dear," she shook her head, her expression absolutely serious, "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, if you please."

A ghost of a smile unfolded on my lips. "I feel like I am under oath myself."

"You are avoiding the question," she reminded me.

"I received news that my father is even worse in health than before I left Roche, Your Honour," I gave up, "it would appear that my younger sister has not been entirely honest with me in her letters regarding his health."

Releasing a huge breath, I continued. "I know this is very sudden, Your Honour, but I must go to him at once. The worry is eating me from inside out," I trembled, "if anything happens to him – "

Her eyes softened, and began to fill with compassion. "Then go ahead and visit your Papa, child," she murmured, "and please do not worry about the examinations at this point. You can take them after your father is well again - "