The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

Cordonia's most gullible man

"Oh, man. Drake had the right idea. I mean, I'd walk out too if I wasn't worried for you, brother. I've never heard such a load of tripe in my entire life. And I can always hear myself speak."

The two of them were sitting quietly just outside the courtroom after the lunch adjournment. Jen had gone to try and find Rick, worried as to what he thought of everything that had been said.

"C'mon, Bertrand. You gotta say something."

Bertrand had his head in his hands. "Maxwell, I just need a moment."

"You're in shock. That's what you are. And I am too. And if I were in your position, I'm not sure how I would feel either. But we have to stay strong and fight this. You've got to make that jury realise that they're listening to the rantings of a certifiable madman." He looked down the corridor, relieved to see Jen sashaying back towards them. "Everything okay, Jen?"

"I can't find him," she sighed, sitting down in-between him and Bertrand, and placing her hand on his knee. "Drake's gone back to the palace. I think Rick must be with Rashad. Oh, Bertrand. Rick knows better than to believe a word of this nonsense."

Bertrand still had his head in his hands. "Trouble is, it sounds feasible, Jen."

"It does," she said, taking Bertrand's arm and guiding one of his hands away from his face. "And Anton's had two weeks to come up with a good story. But it is just that."

"Yeah. It's just a story," Maxwell chipped in, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Believable or not, it's still a work of fiction. Probably worthy of the Booker Prize. And we all know that. And Evil Justin knows that too."

"Court to resume," came a call from within the courtroom. Bertrand stood up and made his way towards the door of the courtroom, gloomily.

Jen stood up next, but Maxwell put his arm on hers, holding her back for a moment. "Hey."

"Hey." Her expression was tense, but she looked as if she appreciated the attention.

"You doing okay?"

She let herself smile, and sunk into him. "Yeah. This is tough. But we'll all get through it."

"Now you're singing off my hymn sheet," he said, winking at her. "Come on then. Hey, Hana!" Hana was approaching them, her face pale.

Jen stood up again. "What is it, Hana?"

"Oh, I'm just concerned about Drake," she sighed. "Going off like that earlier.."

"Hey," said Jen, putting her arm around Hana. "He'll be fine. He'll go off and drink some whisky, and sulk that he's missing out. I'm sure he'll come back tomorrow."

"I have to say, I'm a little bit in awe of my buddy Drake," Maxwell said, as the three of them walked back into the courtroom. "Telling it like it is right there. I'd love to have done the same, but I think my brother needs me right now."

Jen and Hana both nodded, nervously.

"I mean, all this crap that Evil Justin's coming out with..."

A silence settled around the room, as Rick walked in, his expression fierce. Maxwell had only seen that look on his friend's face a handful of times, and he didn't like it.

They all found their way back to their seats in the royal gallery, and the judge re-entered the court. "All be seated. The defence will now call its second witness."