Angel & Hero

23. Justice

Léni's Point of View

The feeling of injustice was coursing through my veins, making me as angry as ever. I had never been on the receiving end of the justice that was pronounced by King Rédi and even if the trial was far from being over, it already didn't seem to go well for us.

They had listened simplified versions of the facts as the story was too long to be told at once and it was to Emée's disadvantage. Lack of details made a story less believable and it was easier to tell lies when the person after you didn't have the time to explain why you weren't telling the truth.

Furthermore, the witnesses that were going to be heard were people who had no idea about what was going on on were more inclined to naturally take Alexandre's defense. On our side, my had no witnesses, just accomplices. I wasn't allowed to tell anything that Bali's advisors had said but they had basically seen Emée a few times, not speaking. She had once asked to speak to the Queen after a meeting or something, which the Queen granted but nobody knew more. And since Bali wasn't here, we couldn't ask.

Emée had done very well despite all of this and had managed to point out inconsistencies in Alexandre's story. It also made me realize I knew so little about his whole plan. Both of them were to be questioned tomorrow and I was as much afraid as I was curious to discover what had happened in the castle.

Hand in hand, we were walking on the path to the cabin with Emée. I realized I hadn't said a word because of my previous anger and she must have been worried about it.

"Are you okay?" I asked, it was pretty stupid but I needed to say something.

"Yes, are you?" She asked with genuine concern in her eyes.

"I just... I want this to go the best way possible." I stopped and took her in my arms. "You know nothing's going to happen to you as long as I'm here, right?" I didn't know if I wanted to reassure myself or her but it felt good to say that.

"I know, Léni. Tomorrow is another day, isn't it? They are going to let me speak more and Marie, Sébastien, Ariane, Jasmine, they will all get to talk as well."

"You're right. Let's go home, my sweet."

~~~~¤~~~~

The next day, we found ourselves in the same room, at the same spots as the day before. I was tired, the night hadn't been so kind on us and we had spent too many hours in the living room with Emée, enjoying tea and the warmth of the fireplace. We had spoken about anything and everything, except the trial, and even if I had spent one of the best evening of my life, my eyes were now begging to be closed.

I was looking at her, sitting down on her chair, she really was the sweetest angel I had ever seen. Ever since I met her, I lived for her protection.

King Rédi came in and started to resume the trial from where we left it yesterday.

"Good morning, after many discussions with the judges we have decided to prosecute Alexandre for the facts happening when Emée first arrived at the castle, as it is a common point in both stories." It wasn't so bad, it would still allow us to give the most important details without missing too much of the story.

"The questioning will start now with Alexandre, please stand up."

The demon stood up, I wondered what kind of defense he had prepared. Generally, people who built up complete fake stories in hopes of getting away fell apart when they were questioned from lack of credibility. I had no doubt Alexandre was smarter than that but two days seemed to be a very short notice to me.

He bowed to the King, indicating him to start.

"So Alexandre, you mentioned saving Emée from Prince Léni. How did that happen?" The King was very good and never failed to ask just the right questions.