Guardian of the Miraculous (Sequel to Niece of the Guardian)

Court Ruling

Kennedy's POV:

   I sat outside the large courtroom with knots in my stomach. I was still unable to walk so I was in a wheelchair for two more days. Past the large dark oak doors were the courtroom, the judge, jury, and a crowd of my future subjects sat waiting for me. I had to sit through my father's hearing, witness, and then if my father is deemed to be unfit to rule, decide who should rule in my place until I am of age. Nervous couldn't even come close to describing what I was feeling.

   Dylan placed a loving hand on my shoulder and gave me a smile. I shot a shaky smile back. It's been a week since the incident happened...

~~Flashback A Week~~

   With a small groan, I peel my eyes open. Dylan looks at me and tears are pouring down his cheeks. "K-kennedy? You...you're alive?" He says in disbelief. Tears start to spring in my eyes and I say "If the shooting pain going through my body isn't evidence, I don't know what is." He chuckles and captures my lips in a kiss. My eyes flutter closed and for a moment I'm filled with pure bliss before the pain comes crashing back.

   I whimper and Dylan breaks away from the kiss, looking at me with concern. "A-alya, could you please press the red button by my door? It will call in a med team." I say while gritting my teeth in pain. She nods and presses the button. Dylan looks at me and says "Is there anything I can do?" Love fills my heart at the sight of my wonderful boyfriend. 

   I give him a small smile and say "I love you." I grab his face with my hands and kiss him, ignoring the searing pain from my body healing faster than normal. He softly wraps his arms around my back and I shiver slightly at his touch. The pain slightly eases as he slowly rubs my back. I mentally sigh and am overwhelmed with love.

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   "You ready?" He asks. I nod and he rolls me inside. I stop at a table in the front. My father is cuffed with a policeman standing at his side. He sends me a hateful glare and I shiver in fear. The judge calls to order and the royal prosecutor presents the case. After a couple of people including the nurse that attended to my wounds the night Alya got the footage. It's then my turn so I roll up to the hearing spot and do the pledge of truth.

   "So Princess Kennedy, What exactly happened last Monday night?" The prosecutor asks. I look him dead in the eye and say "I was whipped across the back by my father." A gasp resounds through the room and I fight the tears welling in my eyes. The prosecutor then faces the jury and explains something, I can't even focus. 

   "Princess, will you please describe what exactly happened the night of your whipping?" I nod and look at the jury. "My dad pulled me aside into his office and threw me to the ground. He then scolded me for not continuing the forced anorexic diet he had me on while I wasn't under his care. I didn't answer so he yelled at me saying 'Answer me, bitch'. I finally nodded yes because I didn't want to starve myself anymore. He then said he had to punish me and ripped the back of my nightshirt before whipping my back with a leather whip." 

   I get another cold glare from my father. The prosecutor shows the pictures of my scarred back to the jury. I am then questioned by my father's Lawyer. He asks me a few simple questions and then dismisses me. As I roll to my seat, I see my father's Lawyer give me a sympathetic look as he had to deal with a wheelchair before once too. 

   A bit more back and forth ensues and I can tell that my father's Lawyer wants to land my father in jail for all of the horrors he had done to me. We broke for lunch and the jury decision soon after. I was wheeled outside to a picnic table by Dylan for the lunch we had packed this morning. "Are you alright girl?" Alya asks me as she takes a seat next to Marinette. I nod and say "This is far from the worst thing I have endured. I'm honestly just glad my father will be paying for his crimes." 

   We chatted and ate for the next hour. Finally, the doors were opened and my group was let in first due to our importance to the case. After everyone filed inside, the large oak doors shut with a resounding thud through the room. The judge called order and was passed a manila envelope. He opened it and cleared his throat before saying in a booming voice "The jury unanimously voted guilty. The king will spend twenty years in prison for his crimes under heavy surveillance." 

   The court erupted into a bit of chaos. I take a deep breath and then in a commanding voice say "Everyone quiet." Dead silence abruptly replaces the chaos. I take a deep breath and roll up in front of the judge's seat. "I have an announcement for all of you my people. My eldest cousin Harper will be ruling over you in my absence." Whispers erupted throughout the courtroom. I held up my hand and everyone resumed their silence.

   "He will be reporting back to me periodically and I will be making annual visits to make sure it is under proper rule. I have both injuries that need to heal and schooling to finish before I can take over the throne. I also am required to be married or engaged when I take the throne and since I am only 15, it is unfit to marry at this time. My cousin has had the proper training and I trust him to be a great king for my years of absence. Thank you for your time, you are dismissed." 

   As everyone filed out of the courtroom and my father was led to prison, tears started to well up in my eyes. Soon enough everyone left except my friends, cousin, and boyfriend. The tears freely flowed down my cheeks then and relief flooded my being. But then dread hit as I realized I needed to tell Marinette and Adrien something.