An unannounced trial date is called, and I have never been so scared, besides the note incident. I sit, my fingernails biting into the wooden bench. I silently pray to a God that would reject me that no one notices my behaviour. In all fairness, Dimitri seems just as nervous, as well as the rest of Rosemarie's friends. And why wouldn't they? New evidence has been found. This could very, very badly for me.
Iris stands, turning to face the jury and the gallery. For a moment, her eyes catch mine, and she smiles discreetly. I'm done. This is it.
"Your Honour, ladies and gentlemen, I apologize about the unscheduled meeting. But some new evidence has been brought to my attention that I feel is important for you all to hear, and it needs to be addressed before the next trial date in September."
The judge clears her throat. "Please continue, Miss Kane."
She nods and turns back towards the jury. "I'd like to call to the stand Miss. Mia Rinaldi." A gasp arises from the crowd. I bite my lip to keep from smiling when relief sweeps through me, crashing down and pulling the weight from my body.
Mia Rinaldi steps nervously up to the witness stand. Her blond hair is in ringlets and she seems to have dressed up. As she sits on the thick wooden chair, I can't help but think of a porcelain doll; petite, beautiful, tiny.
"Miss Rinaldi," Miss Kane starts. "How do you know Miss Hathaway?" The poor girl gulps nervously and glances quickly at Rosemarie.
"Since school. I knew her a few years ago, but reallly only started to get to know her this past year," she clears her throat and scoots forward in her chair, clasping her hands in her laps.
"And were you close with Miss Hathaway during this time?" Mia gulps again.
"Well, no actually. We, uh, we kind of fought. A lot."
Iris nods. "And I heard that Miss Hathaway broke your nose in one of your 'fights.' Is that true, Miss Rinaldi?" Mia looks down.
"Well, yeah. But, she was just trying to protect-"
"I'm sure, Miss Rinaldi," Iris finishes. "So you and Miss Hathaway 'fought' quite a bit, yes? Why was that?"
Mia shakes her head. "Stupid high school stuff. I mean boys, friends, popularity. But she was really just protecting Lissa. I was just mad at her."
Iris half turns so everyone can see her face. "Princess Vasilisa? So you were really fighting with the Princess?" Mia nods.
"Yeah, I used to be friends with her brother. But, he told me that I couldn't hang out with him and his friends anymore. Again, stupid high school stuff. But I took it out on her."
Iris looks as if she is pondering something. "Really? Do you know why that was, Miss Rinaldi? Do you know why Andrè Dragomir told you this?"
Mia turns extremely defensive. "Him and his dad. He didn't want his son hanging out with someone 'like me.'" She bites her lip and falls silent.
"And do you know why that was, Miss Rinaldi?" Before she can even answer, Abe shoots up his hands.
"Excuse me? Why are we discussing high school gossip?" He calls out.
The judge warns Abe. "Does this have a point, Miss Kane?"
She glares at Abe momentarily. "I assure you, Your Honour, it does." He nods and waves for to continue.
"So, Miss Rinaldi, you do not know why the Princess's father disapproved of your relationship?" Mia shakes her head.
"No." Iris spins to face the jury holding a folder in front of her. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, let me present to you a file that contain evidence that Miss Mia Rinaldi, the witness at question, is the illigitimate child of Eric Dragomir, Princess Vasilisa's father."
Cries of shock echo through the courtroom. I turn to Vasilisa, whose jaw has fallen open. Dimitri's eyes have grown wide in surprise, and Christian is shifting his gaze between Mia and Vasilisa, trying to find a resemblance.
The judge recovers and slams his gavel down onto the wood, trying to call order. When the crowd settles down, Mia is the first to speak.
"I- What?" She searches Iris's smug face. "How is this even possible?"
And Iris explained. The bank accounts, record books, journels, and reciepts, all which indicated, and proved, her case. It was as if this incredible, impossible idea was slowly being solved, all of the pieces of the puzzles falling into place.
"So," Iris says, in a tone that indicates she is coming to the end of her argument. "Rosemarie knew about this relationship. She must have, due to the papers that were found when her cell was searched. And it has been proven time and time again that she cared very deeply about Vasilisa. So what happens when your one and only best friend gets a sister? A real sister? What happens when the Queen knows, and will spill the information, ruining the relationship between you and that friend?"
Iris gives a dangerous half smile. "You get rid of her."
...
When Abe steps towards the stand, everyone can see he has nothing. He's screwed. Rose is screwed. I'm free.
"So, Miss Rinaldi, when did your bad relationship with Miss Hathaway change?"
The poor girl is still shaking, looking directly at Vasilisa. "At Spokane. She saved our lives. She saved my life. She sacrificed herself. And our friend Mason died. After that, stupid fights just didn't seem important."
Abe nods. "So she risked her life to save you? And you later grew to be friends?"
"Yeah," Mia replied. "I guess you could say that. I moved to the Court with..." she pauses, tears in her eyes. "With, uh, my...dad...and I didn't see her until a couple of months ago when she came to Victor Dashkov's trial."
He looks helpless. With shaking hands, he runs his fingers through his dark, slightly graying hair.
"And did you notice any unusual behaviour from Miss Hathaway after she moved to Court?"
Mia shook her head. "No."
"And did her attitude change towards you after she moved to Court? At any time?" I refrain from grinning. He's shooting blanks.
"No."
"Thank you, Miss Rinaldi."
...
I turn to Vasilisa, placing my palm on her arm. "Are you okay?" I ask.
She looks up at me, shock written all over her face. "My dad had an affair. He cheated on my mom!" She was shaking.
I try to comfort her. "It was a long time ago, Lissa. Maybe he-"
She stands up quickly. "It doesn't matter! He cheated on her! That son of a-"
"Vasilisa!" I cry. Fire is blazing in her eyes.
"I hate him. He was a horrible man. An even worse husband." And she stormed off before Christian can reach for her.
The boys both sigh and get up to follow her, leaving Dimitri and I alone.
"I can't believe it," I whisper, trying to sound as convincing as I possibly can. Dimitri nods, and shakes his head.
"Men can do some pretty horrible things," he murmers. Without letting me deny his deeds, he rises and departs, shoving his hands into his pockets.
I sigh and rise, too. With one glance back at the doors where Rosemarie has just disappeared, I leave the courtroom with an overwhelming feeling of success.