As scheduled, a week had passed and everyone was gathering at the courthouse for the trail; Maxwell Family vs Madhur Maxwell. Family against Family. Leia, Arianna, The Servants and the Sharilton House were all coming to give their support to Milla, Jude, Alvin, Ludger, Rowen, Elize, Muzet, Gaius and Dominus as well. After the trial with Madhur, they'd move onto Ivar and Jude with Milla would be testifying against the albino. Ivar had already given his testimony and Elize would give her's during the real trial.
Dominus got out of the limo, followed by Milla, Gaius, Muzet, Rowen and Elize, before he closed the door. Behind their car was Alvin, Ludger and Jude getting out of their own car and they walked toward the others, ignoring the flashing camera's and reports. "Senator Dominus, how does it feel to know you have to fight your own brother?" A reporter questioned. "No comment." Dominus responded, ignoring them as best he could. "Milla Maxwell, how do you feel about all of this?" Another reporter asked the youngest Maxwell, who held a hand to her chest. "No comment." Jude said as he came up beside her, holding her free hand, their rings glinting in the sunlight. "How close are the Mathis family to the Maxwell family?" A reporter asked Alvin, who glared at them. "We keep saying no comment, understand?" He wanted to snap out, before they all got inside, where the Maxwell Lawyer was waiting.
"Been some time Dominus." The female said as she tilted her head with a smile. "Martel, been some time." Dominus said with a smile to her in return, glad to see her. "Likewise." She said, before looking at Milla and the others. "Ready to finish this?" She asked, her green hair was a much lighter shade of her green eyes; she even wore a green, black and gold trimmed outfit. They nodded and they walked in, seeing Madhur was there with Chronos as his Lawyer. "Crap, Chronos." Martel hissed out, glaring at white haired, gold eyed older male, who smirked at her. "Martel." He greeted with a smug grin, even as Martel snarled at him. "Chronos." She said with a frown, not happy to see him. "I can't believe you all would accuse your own family of doing this." He said yet Martel glared at him. "Trying to rile things up before trial, how predictable." She commented and he glared at her.
"Don't start you two." A blonde hair and red eyed male stated as he sat down, giving the two a firm look and the two lawyers sat down, trying to ignore the other. Origin sighed as he rubbed his head, not liking how Martel and Chronos were in the same room together, they hated each other; Chronos had to have agreed to be Madhur's lawyer because he knew it'd bring him across Martel. Origin himself looked young with short blonde hair, stopping at his jaw with straight bangs that split at the middle of his forehead. Chronos had long white hair to his waist, wearing a formal black and white suit with a gray tie, opposite of Martel's more colorful outfit. 'This isn't going to be pretty.' Origin thought, rubbing his temples; let the trial begin.
Halfway through, they had to take a break as Elize broke down after her testimony of what she remembered; so they all took lunch. "So far, so good." Martel said as she sat down with them, they were in a small room of their own; so far they were winning. "Meaning?" Dominus questioned as he rose a brow, Milla and Jude had yet to testify. "So far the Jury is on our side, especially after hearing what a child said." Martel said as she sat down, looking over who still needed to testify. "They might call on Jude next." Martel said as she looked at the black haired boy, who was trying to calm Elize down with Milla. "Why Jude?" Dominus asked her.
"He's the first one who found out about her wounds, aside from Gaius and Muzet, though that was because they are family." Martel said as she sat back. "Chronos might try to use Jude's attraction to Milla as a fault in his senses. Claim Jude can't make an accurate justification because of his and Milla's engagement." Martel commented with a frown and Dominus groaned. "Of course he would." He snarled out, glaring at the table. "Calm down Dominus," Martel began, making him look at her. "we'll get him, don't worry." She said, patting his arm and he sighed. "Manah was right, you two really are twins in every aspect." He commented and Martel giggled; being the twin on Manah was something she guessed.
"Dom." Alvin said from the doorway, making everyone look over at him. "Jury's back, we're starting up again." He said and they all nodded, getting up and heading into the Courtroom. "The defense calls for Jude Mathis to the stand." The Jury said and Jude got up, nodding to Milla before making his way to the podium and standing their. After vowing to speak nothing but the truth, he sat down as Chronos stood up, walking over. "So Jude, how long have you known Milla?" Chronos asked as Jude looked at him. "I've known her since we began middle school together." He said and Chronos nodded. "And when did you two start talking?" He asked, confusing Martel; what was Chronos trying to get?
"We had some encounters throughout High School, but we really got to know each other this year, our Senior year." He explained, also slightly confused yet didn't let it show. "So, you two know each other well, yet you didn't know of these wounds she had?" He questioned and Jude hardened his gaze. "Like I said, we really got to know each other this year, beginning of Senior year." He stated with a firm tone, wondering what Chronos was up to. "I see. So, for all you know Milla could've hurt herself for sympathy." He said and Martel stood. "Objection! The question does not relate to Jude's and Milla's connection to each other." Martel stated quickly, seeing Chronos was trying to turn Jude against Milla. "Withdrawn." Chronos said as he backed up a little, yet he had a heavy smirk and Jude growled.
"I don't think you know Milla, she'd never hurt herself." Jude muttered under his breath, glaring at Chronos who heard, yet Chronos simply smirked. He continued to question Jude at Milla's wound and how he treated them, before asking why the cops weren't notified and then he sat down as Martel had to question him. The process continued with Dominus and even Madhur, before Milla was called to the stand and she took a deep breath. "We're here for you Milla." Leia said and she nodded. "You can do it Milla." Jude said as he rubbed her shoulder and she nodded, standing up and heading to the podium, where the evidence was brought out as well as the voice recordings and video evidence. Once she swore to speak nothing but the truth, Milla sat down and mentally prepared herself for what was to happen. "Before we begin," Martel said as she was the first to question Milla. "let's play this video." She said and pressed the play button and Milla stiffened.
-Video- Milla was walking around the library in the estate, looking through the shelves in the fiction section, before Madhur entered. "Uncle?" Milla questioned in the video, she looked no older than twelve in the video. "Is everything okay?" She asked as she tilted her head a little. "Why are you here?" He stated and Milla rose a brow. "Because I have a class project to work on. We're doing a project on our favorite-!" Milla didn't get to finish her sentence as Madhur had punched her in the stomach and she gasped, feeling her abused ribs take more damage.
"I thought the deal was for YOU to work where I can see YOU!" He snapped out as Milla gasped and dropped to her knees, trying to get air back into. "W-what d-deal?" Milla gasped out before Madhur kicked her back, his foot connecting with her head and she hit the bookshelves. "Madhur, stop!" Undine shouted as she came around the corner and tried to pull him off Milla. "Shut up!" Madhur shouted as he threw Undine back and she hit the ground, before Madhur grabbed Milla by her throat. "God, why do you have to look so much like Manah." He spat out as Milla struggled against his grip. -Video End-
Martel paused the video, leaving a clear view of Madhur choking Milla, one that had Chronos cursing as it was obvious who it was. "Milla, that is your Uncle, correct?" Martel asked and Milla nodded. "Yes, that is my Uncle Madhur." She said as she rubbed her throat a little, the flashbacks of Madhur choking her came back to her. "Men and women of the Jury, do you know of a family member who would WILLINGLY hurt their own kin? Especially one who looked like a loved one?" Martel asked and Madhur growled as Dominus clenched his hands into fists. "What I see here, is a young woman, not even out of high school, or in this video middle school, being harassed by her Uncle." Martel commented, before turning to the screen. "Let's look at some pictures shall we?" She questioned as she turned the remote to the TV.
The video went to a different screen where it showed the several wounds Milla sustained over the years, especially her burn which still hadn't healed completely on her. "Milla, would you mind showing the Jury your burn?" She asked and Milla tensed, yet took off her jacket and rolled up her sleeve as best she could. Starting from just below her wrist and going to just above her elbow was the burn mark that was on the screen and the Jury winced, some talking amongst themselves as they noticed the damage. "Thank you Milla." Martel said when Chronos scoffed. "She could've gotten that from cooking!" He exclaimed when Origin looked at Martel. "Do we have video evidence of this?" He asked and Martel pointed the remote at the screen. "No audio but...here we go." She said and found the video, before pressing play.
On the screen was Milla in the kitchen, which made Chronos smirk...until it showed Madhur come in. The two yelled at one another it seemed, before Madhur grabbed the pot she was cooking it and threw it at her. Milla threw her arm up to protect herself, only for the burning hot liquid to hit her arm, burning it badly before Rowen rushed in and detained him, even as Muzet rushed over and looked around, before ushering Milla out of the kitchen. "That answer your question?" Martel questioned, before she went over and sat down. Even as Chronos stood, he had to find some way to win! As Chronos and Milla spoke, Madhur stared and glared at Milla, trying to distract her and make her mess-up. Whenever he did the intense staring, Milla would get uncomfortable and stop talking and it began to work as their eyes connected, yet Milla froze with wide eyes as she noticed the look.
"Miss Milla?" Chronos commented, before looking over at Madhur as did the others. "Milla?" Jude commented, yet Milla didn't hear as she stared fearfully at Madhur; he only had that look when he was planning something. "Miss Milla, answer the question." Origin said, before noticing Madhur was making Milla uncomfortable. "Chronos, talk to your client." Origin said as Chronos walked over to Madhur, yet when he did Madhur stood up and threw something, making Milla gasp and the others scream in shock. The object flew past Milla's face, cutting her cheek and slamming into the wall behind her, making her turn around to see it was a pocket knife. 'How did he-?' Milla wondered, looking back over to see two police officers detain him while Chronos and everyone stared in shock and surprise.
"You bitch! Doing this to your own Uncle, your own family! How dare you!" Madhur shouted as he struggled against the two police officers. "Order! Order!" Origin shouted, banging the hammer. "You'll pay for this, you'll pay!" Madhur shouted as he was cuffed, before Jude made his way to Milla with some others, all crowding around her. Madhur was dragged out, yelling infidelities at the family and everyone else before the door closed and they only heard the distant, muffled voice before silence fell over the room. "Martel, Chronos, talk with the Jury and get everything figured out. We'll go in the conference room." Origin said and Martel nodded with Chronos. "Take the family outside, make sure Madhur is gone." Martel said to Dominus and the others, who nodded and went out into the main hall.
[~~~~~*~~~~~]
It was an hour until Martel came out into the main hall to see the others, a small smile on her face as she neared them. "What's the verdict?" Ludger asked as he saw her, concern in his voice. "You all won." She said and they cheered and sighed in relief, even as Milla cried tears of joy, glad it was all over. "We won." Dominus said, rubbing his head, glad to know the nightmare was over. "Madhur is getting life with no chance of parole and no bail. He'll be there till he rots." Martel said with a happy smile, glad the family would finally have peace. "What of Ivar?" Jude asked worried, would he still try anything, when Martel held up a file.
"You already won against him. We spoke it over and looked at it, as well as listened to the recordings again, seemed he acted of his own will as well." She stated and Jude sighed in relief, before Milla hugged him. "We did it Jude, we won. Against them both." She said and Jude nodded with a smile, hugging Milla closer in return. "We did win." He said, before kissing her and she blushed, yet was happy. Elize hugged Milla, breaking the kiss before Leia hugged her as well. "The nightmare is over!" The two exclaimed and Milla laughed as she tried to hug the two in turn. Jude smiled, before Alvin wrapped an arm around his shoulder, even as Ludger folded his arms with a smile. "All's well that ends well." Alvin said with a smile and the siblings nodded.
Muzet was clapping happily before she hugged Gaius, who staggered a little at the sudden tackle-hug she did before he regained his footing, wrapping his arms around her in a hug as well. Dominus laughed with Driselle and Cline, happy to see everyone was finally happy, before Martel handed him a file. "Hm? What's this?" Dominus questioned as he looked that large envelope over. "Not sure," His sister-in-law responded, "but it was addressed to you for this specific day, so I brought it with me just-in-case." Martel responded. "It was from Manah, last time she was at the hospital." She said and Dominus looked at her in shock. "From when Manah was alive?" He asked, why wait this long.
"Yes, she told me, before she passed, to hand this envelope to you on this day when Milla entered her senior year." She said and Dominus looked it over. "Open it." Manah said, not sure what was inside it. When Dominus opened it, everyone watching; they noticed it was medical records of Milla and Muzet when they were young, as well as a letter with a packet explaining what her illness was. "What in the world?" Dominus commented, not sure what to make of all of this. "What's the letter say?" Muzet asked as she came over with Milla and Dominus looked it over. "It's addressed to Milla." He said, before handing the letter to Milla, who opened it and in the folded letter, was a necklace with a blue gem. "That necklace!" Dominus said in shock, he gave Manah that necklace when the began dating! Milla looked it over, it was a beautiful blue color and the necklace holder fit it nicely; then she looked at the note.
"Let's see, it says: Dear Milla, I know I won't be there for much of your's and Muzet's life; I am also saddened I have to leave your father so early. I hadn't expected to get this sick, nor did I suspect that Madhur would be behind my sickness…" Milla stopped as her, Muzet and Dominus all looked at one another shocked. "I want to be there to protect you and guide you, both of you and to help Dominus out and, possibly, prevent Madhur from poisoning you like he did me. Thankfully, my sickness did not spread to you or Muzet; I'm glad you two will live without the pain of what I bore. Though I shouldn't be talking about this. I wanted you to read this letter, during your senior year, because I have this feeling you'll finally have found someone to spend your life with. The necklace in the letter is for that closest to you and inside the envelope in also letter to your father about where my dress is for you for the wedding I KNOW you'll have." Milla continued, before looking at Dominus, who reached in hand in an pulled a letter out, eyes wide at it was true.
"I know, at this point, Muzet is happy with Gaius already and, hopefully, you are happy with whomever you are with. I hope Madhur is found out and put away for what he has done and that you won't have to bare any pain from him. I never said anything, as I didn't want to be wrong so I kept quiet. Enough about sad topics though, I hope you all live and happy and prosperous life. Be with who you wanna be and love yourself, don't let anyone change you." Milla finished with a smile and Dominus sighed, rubbing his head. "So, Madhur was behind Manah's sickness, should've known." He growled out, before Milla noticed some notes at the bottom. "Oh! PS-Dom, don't beat yourself over what happened with Madhur, I stayed quiet because I couldn't believe it either. Also, you better not forget me!" Milla commented and Dominus seemed shocked, before laughing. "She always seemed to predict the future!" He commented and they all chuckled, before Milla looked at the necklace again.
Her father gave Manah the necklace when they were young, so it was her turn to give the necklace to someone she loved. She turned toward Jude and got his attention as she leaned forward. "Milla?" He questioned, before he felt the necklace clasp behind his neck and Milla pulled away and smiled. "It looks nice on you." She said softly and he looked down at the necklace and smiled, it glinted softly in the light of the building. "Hey, you know what we should do?" Leia said, grabbing everyone's attention. "What?" Elize asked and Leia smiled. "We should celebrate, go out and eat! Have a party! This nightmare is over, we've won!" She said and Muzet brightened up. "I agree, let's go celebrate!" She cheered and they all agreed. "Martel, wanna join us?" Dominus asked his sister-in-law, who shook her head. "No thanks, I have another case I gotta take care of. You all go enjoy yourselves." She said and waved, before she walked off, even as the others rushed outside, into a new day and a new life.