American Royalty

Chapter 14

The day of the trial had finally come, anxiety grew in the pit of Rose's stomach with each step she took towards the courtroom. Cheers from villagers filled her ears as she passed by the crowds that came for the trial. As she entered the courtroom she was met with stares from the jurors that sat beside the judge. Destiny sat beside Evan, icy glares shooting towards her as she took her seat beside Elliot. Behind her were the twins, holding each other's hands in nervousness for the result of the trial.

"Your Majesty, Lords, and Ladies may we proceed with this trial. I have asked many questions and gotten many answers. As we gather in this hallowed hall, we are reminded that evil takes many forms, some harder to decipher than others. Lady Rose, the former Queen of America, is standing accused of acts so heinous that they may cause trauma and misery for those in attendance today. Lady Rose is accused of the unspeakable murder of her infant child with the King, and of treasonous conspiracy. As I close out my opening statement I ask that you take into close consideration not her acts of charity, but the acts that are laid out on the table before you today."

As Jude finished his opening statement and sat back down, he shot a smirk over to Elliot. Even if his opening statement was not entirely true, it painted a picture in the juror's heads that she was not as innocent as she seemed. Elliot rose as he looked into the eyes of each juror before taking a deep breath.

"Majesty, Lords, Ladies. I am a full believer of justice being blind, as I am that good will always triumph over evil. I represent Lady Rose, a woman who is being so blindly painted as an evil woman that is capable of horrendous acts such as murder and betrayal of the man she so dearly loves. In this very moment, we are asked- no told- to believe that the sanctity of marriage is something we can just ignore and discard and break for a seductress of the devil. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lady Rose is in fact unequivocally and irrevocably innocent of all the charges against her. These false charges slander and plague her innocent and good name, and I intend to serve justice to those that seek to destroy this good hearted and blessed woman."

Evan huffed as he looked at Destiny, anger in his belly at the harsh words to his new lover filled his mind. As he motioned for Jude to continue and call the first witness, Rose looked over towards him. Sadness filled the fallen queen's eyes as he quickly looked away, guilt overtaking the anger that was once there. Her attention was quickly taken towards the stand as Destiny took the vow and sat down in the witness chair.

"Mistress Destiny, do you know this woman?

Destiny looked at Rose as she nodded curtly and looked back to Jude.

"That is the former Queen Rose, I was her chief lady in waiting for many years. I helped her with many tasks, especially when she was pregnant. I would help her dress, get her meals prepared for the day, make sure she was safe, and be her closest confidant."

"So she would tell you secrets and thoughts she had quite frequently you would say?"

"Yes in some dynamic, though some were too upsetting that she wouldn't get through the rest of her sentence before sobbing. She would tell me of her past in Louisiana before the tragedy, of her relationship with the king, and of how she longed to rid herself of the king and rule alone. I would tell her that she was speaking of treasonous acts, which she would respond to saying it was a joke or that it was nonsense she was talking about. I never took her seriously, believing that she was just upset at not having the most loving relationship that all girls wish for. She told me on countless occasions how she never truly loved the king-"

"Liar!" Rose interjected as she stood in anger. Her blood boiled in frustration at the lies being told. Elliot touched her arm as he looked to the judge with an apologetic glance.