The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

XI- Justice

1. Right from Wrong

Last night, Julian was taken away in chains and I was left alone in the chaos. I couldn't sleep a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face.
The way he looked at me before his proclamation of guilt... What was he thinking?
This morning, the palace is quiet, but buzzing with tension.
If Portia and I want to save him, we'll have to act quickly.
"I can't believe he had time to plan his big entrance, but not talk to us before!
Oh, that idiot brother of mine... I swear I'm gonna twist his ear the next time I see him!"
"We have to figure out what happened. What made him surrender. Something in this dungeon must have made him think he's guilty."
"I don't care what he thinks about his guilt! We've got to get him out of here, before... Before it's too late."
"I'll talk to Nadia."
"Good idea. If you can convince her he's innocent, I'm sure Milady would reconsider.
And I'm sure she'll know where Ilya's being kept.
Meanwhile, I'll work on a plan B. If something goes wrong, we need to get him out of the city, pronto."

When I find her, Nadia is sitting at a small table on the veranda, gazing thoughtfully over the garden.
Somehow I feel like she was waiting for me.
"Ah, Akiko. Take a seat. I have just started breakfast.
You look like you have something to tell me."
I draw a deep breath.
"Countess, I still have questions."
"I have questions, too.
You've raised up some interesting points in the chain of events that night after all.
But please, do eat something."
I can feel my stomach rumbling when I think about food, but I don't think I could eat something just now.
"In fact, I have something to tell you. I told you I planned to hang Dr. Devorak once we found him...
I have reconsidered. He will have a trial.
Of course, a trial does normally involve the praetor declaring the accused's guilt and asking questions.
But, as an reform for the city, I am planning to establish a Prakran custom.
A court of jury. This will be the first case to see a court of law in Vesuvia.
You will be able to present your case to the people. They will then decide over the question of guilt by popular vote.
I will be making the announcement soon. You have until today afternoon to prepare."
Convincing all of Vesuvia... This will be harder than convincing Nadia directly.
But at least, I'll have a chance to defend Julian.
"If you would like to question the doctor himself, he is being held in the dungeons underneath the coliseum.
This place has been abandoned for years... I hope it may find new purpose as a place of law and justice."

Outside of the palace, life is going on almost the same as usual. Many townspeople are already out and about.
But today, the chatter is a little different.
"Did ya hear? The Count's murderer got arrested!"
"Course I did. But I heard he turned himself in."
"What?! No! He charged through a dozen of guards and tried to kill the Countess!"
... Rumors spread quickly, though the story seems to have been distorted along the way.
The Coliseum looms over me.
The arena is empty... Except for a single guard at a doorway.
They salute nervously and step aside, letting me pass.
This looks like a different part from the Coliseum's underground than the Red Market.
It's a wide corridor, with cells on each side. Most of them are in disrepair, littered with debris.
But one of the cells has been fitted with a new door, and a barrelled window I can barely look through.
Nonetheless, I can make out a bedroll, a container with food...
...and Julian, manacled to a wall.
There is enough slack in the chains for him to move around, but not to reach the door.
He's pacing, keeping his head down, muttering to himself.
I draw a deep breath. When I push the door open, he lifts his head.
Worry, fear and affection flash over his face in rapid succession.
"You're alright!"
Then, as if remembering himself, he clears his throat, schooling his expression into neutrality.
"I-I mean. You, uh.
You have come to hear my confession before the trial, right?"
My expression turns ice cold.
"Drop the act."
I seem to have taken him off guard, as his villainous facade cracks for a moment.
"I. Er, that is.
I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know you, Julian."
"You think you know me? You don't know the first thing about me.
What I've done. What a monster I am.
This is long overdue. Isn't it time that I finally face justice for my crimes?"
His words cut chasms in my heart, but I'm careful not to show it.
There is a hum in the back of my mind... The cards. It seems like the Arcana got something to say.
"Oh then, why don't we ask the cards that?"
"Er, what, really? You're going to tell my fortune? Now?"
I scowl, pinning him with a glare.