Loving a Thief

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Look in Sir Walter’s room! You’ll find the false drawer!” exclaimed Henry from his seat. He stood up so fast his chair flew back.

I was falsely accused. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to run. But I felt numb on the inside and out. I just stood there, my mouth gaping in shock.

“We are not here for a trial against Sir Walter, but a trial for Princess Arianna. Now, since Princess Arianna has been convicted of stealing, and murder, she is sentenced to a hanging in the town square tomorrow morning,” said the judge.

Henry protested more.

“If you do not get quiet I will be forced to remove you off the castle grounds,” said Sir Walter.

‘Say something! Tell them you’re innocent! Don’t just stand there like an idiot! Do something!’ a voice in my head told me. But what could I do? I looked over at Jasmine. She had the same look on her face that I had. Shocked and unbelieving. Her eyes met mine. She was about to cry. Jasmine stood up.

“No!” yelled Jasmine. The room fell silent. “I have not been a princess for long, nor have I known my sister long. But I know she is not capable of murder, especially killing her own father. I demand that I search Sir Walter’s room for any evidence. Then hold a trial for him. If Sir Walter is proven guilty, he will take Princess Arianna’s place, and she will become queen. If he is innocent, he can be king, and my sister will go to prison but not the gallows,” said Jasmine.

“Is that even allowed?” asked Sir Walter.

“A member of the royal court can object to any sentence given to a criminal, as long as he or she gives options,” replied Jasmine.

“Sir Walter, Princess Jasmine, a guard, and I will search the room. We’ll be back in a few minutes,” said the judge after a moment of silence.

I watched them as they left the room. Oh, what I would give to go with them. Instead, I stood still, trying to grasp reality. The numbness slowly started to fade. I realized I was most likely going to hang, and Sir Walter would tear my country apart. I cannot let that happen. I have to escape somehow. I have to get word to Henry. But how? I waited for people to return. I listened for footsteps and an opening door. Silence. Silence was all I heard. The kind of silence that was so loud I thought I was about to go mad. Then, the doors open. Jasmine, a guard, the judge, and Sir Walter walk into the room. Jasmine’s expression is not easily read. She looks disappointed and relieved at the same time. Sir Walter looks nervous.

“After searching Sir Walter’s bedchamber, we found the false bottom and opened it. A smell that could only be the Devil’s Trumpet came from it. I looked closer at the drawer, and found tiny pieces of dried leaves. We will now have a trial for Sir Walter. He is accused of killing the late King Phillip,” announced the judge.

I walked to a chair and sat down. I could hardly believe that they were giving Sir Walter a trial. I thought for certain that I was going to be hanged. But now I have some hope that I will live, and I will be able to bring my country back to it’s peak.

“Take Princess Arianna to her cell. She does not have to listen to the trial,” said the judge.

“Why can’t I stay?” I asked.

“The law states, ‘If a royal should object to a criminal’s sentence, and another is tried, then the first cannot be present for the trial of the later.’ I’m sure you would like to obey the law,” replied the judge.

I nodded. Three guards came towards me and I stood up. One guard took my shackles in his hands and lead my out the door. I wished I could have been in the courtroom. I wish I could have been in there so I could see my enemy finally get what he deserves.