Hello everyone! Sorry for the wait, I finished writing this just a few days ago. Thank you all for your kind reviews (or thoughts), and the follows and favourites. I was really excited to write this chapter, and while i love the content of it, I still think there are some parts that I could have written better. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Standing on the balcony in the early morning sun, Syaoran looked down at the new spring green grass that was beginning to come through. It was still cold, but with winter ending, the temperatures were beginning to warm up. Soft footsteps distracted him for a moment, and Syaoran looked up as Sakura approached and smiled softly.

"You're up early." He greeted.

Sakura wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. "I don't want to be."

"What's wrong?" he asked, worried that she might be feeling sick.

"I'm so tired."

He laughed warmly at the reminder that she was not a morning person. "You have a meeting after breakfast, don't you? I'm surprised Miss Mizuki has found something after just three days."

Sakura nodded. "I'm surprised too. And the trial is tomorrow, isn't it?"

His smile dropped and he looked down into the garden. "It is."

"Are you scared?"

Syaoran shook his head. "No."

She smiled. "I suppose that's a good thing."

"I'm not sure." He laughed. "Maybe."

There was quiet for a few short moments before he spoke again, changing the topic. "You've been a little distracted lately. What happened?"

Sakura hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should say. She wasn't sure why she was hesitating-there was no reason to-but something inside her felt uneasy. She shoved it to the side and chose to tell him.

"Akiho told me that Demetrius is her father."

Syaoran sighed softly. "Then I'm sure you know that if they were to find out she was alive..."

Sakura nodded. "It could cause a war."

"That's the worst-case scenario, yes."

But when he turned to Sakura, Syaoran noticed tears in her eyes. He reached out and cupped her cheek softly, wondering if the thought of war terrified her. He couldn't blame her-they were about to have a child, after all, and war was no place for children.

"If war does break out, I promise you will be safe." Syaoran spoke softly.

"I'm not afraid of war." She sniffed. "It's Akiho. She must be hurting so much-her parents are right in front of her and she can't tell them who she is."

Somehow, Syaoran wasn't surprised that Sakura was hurting for someone else. It was so like her to hurt for someone else. He smiled as he wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I think you underestimate Akiho." He said, "She's stronger than you think."

"I have no doubt that she is strong-she's still so kind after everything she's been through, but even strong people hurt." Sakura replied.

"You're right. But even so, her resolve is absolute and cannot be budged. She thinks the world of you, Sakura." Syaoran spoke softly.

She looked up at him with confusion. "How do you know this?"

He smiled. "Ask her yourself."

Sakura sighed softly. "I should have known you'd say that."

Syaoran laughed, "Ok, I was talking to her the other day when you had passed out." He confessed.

She blushed, "She's very sweet."

He nodded agreement. "She is. That's part of what makes her strong." Syaoran turned and headed back inside, "It's time for breakfast. What would you like?"

Sakura followed, taking his arm. "Hmm, how about those omelette's you make?"

He grinned, "Very well."

After having eaten her meal with Syaoran, Sakura walked with Akiho towards the medical wing; Akiho was humming a gentle tune, a soft melody that was pleasing on the ears. Sakura smiled, enjoying her knights singing and that Akiho felt comfortable enough to hum in front of her.

"It's a beautiful song, Akiho." Sakura said.

"Thank you, Lady Sakura." Akiho replied, "Actually... my mother taught me the song."

Sakura smiled again, "My brother told me when I was younger that my mother used to play the piano. Unfortunately, I don't have any memories of her playing it-she died when I was three."

"Yuna can play the piano really well." Akiho said, "It's been a while since I heard him play, though."

Sakura looked at Akiho, "Do you mean Yuna D Kaito?"

Akiho nodded, her cheeks pink as she fidgeted with her fingers. Sakura's eyes widened and her smile turned to a grin.

"You love him!"

Akiho jumped, startled. "Shh! Please don't say it so loudly!"

"Sorry," Sakura giggled, "Are you going to tell him?"

Akiho shook her head. "We could never be together."

Sakura frowned, "Why?"

"I'm a princess, not to mention your loyal and personal knight. I can't commit to a relationship." Akiho replied.

"I'm giving you permission."

"But, Lady Sakura-that would be..." Akiho trailed off.

Sakura looked at her out the corner of her eyes to see that Akiho had no response, making her smile wider.

"Akiho, you deserve to be happy. I trust you will protect my life, and I trust that you won't let anything get in the way of that. That's why Syaoran chose you, after all." Sakura added gently. "So, think about it for me."

Akiho simply nodded, but that was enough to satisfy Sakura for the moment.

Entering the medical ward, Sakura immediately spotted Kaho sitting with one of the soldiers, patching up a wound on his leg from training. She waited until they were finished before approaching; Kaho smiled as she stood.

"Good morning, your grace."

"Good morning." Sakura returned, "Have you been assisting here?"

Kaho nodded, "Chiharu had something she needed to tend to, so she asked me to look after things here."

Sakura nodded, "Thank you, that was very kind."

"It's a pleasure." Kaho smiled.

"You found out some information about the illness, correct?" Sakura then asked.

The medic nodded, "Yes. There is a definite magical signature at its core, it's safe to say."

Sakura frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Illnesses caused by magic always have a magical signature at the core-it's just a matter of finding out where, or who, it's from." Kaho explained.

"Can you trace it?" Sakura asked.

She smiled, "I'm already working on it, your grace. I think I will have the results by tonight."

Sakura nodded. "Good. Do you think you can get them before the trial begins?"

"I will do my best to get them by then, but it could take longer." Kaho replied.

Sakura had a feeling that would be a possibility. "Alright. I'm counting on you."

Kaho smiled gently before she turned and hurried off to get more work done.

"Sakura!"

Sakura turned at the sound of her best friends' voice, smiling at Tomoyo. "Tomoyo-wow, you look excited."

Tomoyo grinned, "I have some things I want to show you. I hope you'll like them!"

Sakura looked at her friend quizzically, but Tomoyo didn't answer. Instead she took Sakura's hand and dragged her from the ward, making Sakura laugh as she remembered her times back when she was a young teen, when Tomoyo made all sorts of clothes for her. And as she had suspected, Tomoyo pulled her into her suite and over to the bedroom, where there was a new gown waiting for her on the bed.

Sakura smiled, "You never change, do you?"

Tomoyo laughed, "Of course not. Now, let's get you changed!"

Sakura laughed and allowed Tomoyo to help her out of the dress she was wearing, and into her new one. It was ivory and gold, the material clinging to her bust before falling to the ground elegantly in several layers. Delicate gold embroidery adorned the skirt and the edges of the bolero she wore to keep her arms warm.

"You look stunning!" Tomoyo squealed, "Right, Akiho?"

Akiho nodded, "It really does look amazing."

"Your turn!" Tomoyo announced as she turned to the knight.

"What? Wait-"

"It's okay! Come on, let's get you changed." Tomoyo ushered her behind the dressing screen while Sakura felt her smile widen.

"I've missed this, Tomoyo." She said, "Thank you."

"I've missed it too." Tomoyo confessed as she helped Akiho out of her clothes. "I didn't think I'd ever get to make clothes for you again when you were taken."

Sakura smiled sadly at the bitter memory of when she was imprisoned.

"Anyway," Tomoyo continued, "Now I'm working with you to make this country a better place."

"I'm surprised you still find time to make me these gorgeous clothes." Sakura replied as she moved to sit herself down.

"Oh, here and there, yes." Tomoyo said, "How is His Majesty doing?"

Sakura sighed. "He's working into the late hours of night, as always." She muttered.

"He didn't use to work so late in the past." Akiho added, "I think he's working on something, but I can't be sure."

"He didn't?" Sakura asked.

"Normally he would have been in bed by eleven at latest." Akiho said.

Sakura groaned. "I knew it wasn't normal! I'll have to remind him that he can't cause me unnecessary worry." She muttered at the end.

Tomoyo smiled, "Good idea. He can't keep doing that, or his health will start to fail."

"Oh, don't make me think about that." Sakura moaned.

Akiho and Tomoyo stepped out, distracting Sakura from the topic, and she smiled.

"Oh Akiho, you look beautiful!"

Akiho was dressed in similar attire that she wore as a knight, only now she wore ivory and gold. The clothes were basically the same design, only the gold embroidery and chains added a more regal aspect.

Akiho blushed. "Thank you, Lady Sakura."

"Now you match! The queen and her female knight-you both look exquisite."

"Thank you," Akiho replied bashfully. "No one has ever made me clothes out of kindness before."

Tomoyo returned her smile, "It makes me happy to know you like them."

"How long have you been working on these for?" Sakura asked curiously.

Tomoyo hummed in thought. "Hmm...a few weeks maybe?"

Sakura raised her brow, "Maybe?"

Tomoyo laughed, "A while." She said as she walked past, knocking something off of the bedside table. Tomoyo looked down to see it was a large bundle of paper.

"Oh, what's this?"

She picked it up and handed it back to Sakura.

"I'm reading something for Syaoran. He wants my input." She took the thick wad of paper and placed it back on her bedside table.

"Ah, I see. That sound like him." Tomoyo smiled.

Sakura nodded, smiling. She felt happy that Syaoran was asking for her input-it made her feel like she was equal-that she was not a prisoner.

"Well," she murmured, "I might go and seek warmth by the fire before the trial this evening. Would you care to join me?"

"It would be my pleasure." Tomoyo beamed.

...

Standing in the courtyard, Syaoran watched as soldiers sparred with one another as part of their morning training exercises. Watching them reminded him of the days he once spent training as they did. Lately, he often spent them training with Takashi Yamazaki in the early morning, before any of his meetings started.

"You seem distracted."

Syaoran glanced out the corner of his eyes to see Demetrius.

"I'm not distracted." Syaoran answered. "Have you thought about what we discussed?"

Demetrius nodded. "I will be one of the judges for this evenings trial."

"Thank you. As customary, I will be leading it, but I need someone who is unbiased. Someone who is able to look at it objectively." Syaoran murmured.

"You're a fair King." Demetrius said, "Fair kings are rare."

"Thank you." Syaoran grimaced.

"You don't seem too pleased." Demetrius said, raising his brow.

"Forgive me. I did not intend to offend you." Syaoran apologised.

"No offence has been taken." The man spoke. "What will you do if the old woman is found guilty?"

Syaoran did not hesitate. "Treason is not tolerated here. They do not hesitate to have a magician murdered if they deem them unworthy of marrying into this family. And yet, they seek to have the king and his wife murdered. I believe it is self-explanatory."

"The Li kingdom is famous for their policy on treason." Demetrius smiled.

"And it will stay that way." Syaoran finalised.

Heading back inside, Syaoran's thoughts wandered to Sakura, and he pin pointed her aura, wishing to see her. He knew he was feeling anxious about the trial-he didn't deny it; he was scared, scared to confirm that his own blood had wanted him dead, and had wanted Sakura dead, too.
His trail led him to the lounge where he could hear Sakura's laughter. He felt his nerves disappear, and instead he felt calm. It was one of Sakura's natural abilities that he loved her for. She could always make his anxiety disappear, allowing him to think clearly.

"Lady Sakura, please, you're embarrassing me!" Akiho begged.

Syaoran raised his brow. Sakura was teasing Akiho?

"Akiho," Sakura spoke, "You're getting that day off so you can go on that date!"

"B-b-But that would be improper! And his highness would not approve!"

Syaoran decided it was his time to step in. "What's this about a date I hear?" he asked.

"Syaoran!" Sakura beamed at her husband as he walked over. "You should know more than anyone that Kaito and Akiho are close."

"Yes, they are." Syaoran looked at the knight seeing she was covering her face to hide her embarrassment.

"Akiho is in love with him," Sakura added, "So I suggested they go on a date."

Ah, now it made sense. He smiled, "It would be improper for her to leave you unguarded." He spoke, and Akiho sighed with relief. "So, I'm going to take the day and clear my schedule, and spend it with my lovely wife."

Akiho stared wide eyed at the king, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Syaoran smiled kindly, "Even you deserve to be happy, Lady Knight."

Akiho lowered her eyes to the ground. "But... I am Queen Sakura's personal knight. She is my top priority. My feelings are irrelevant."

"That's not true. Minister Kaito knows more than anyone else how important your job is. But that doesn't mean you can't make a relationship work." Syaoran replied. "But you need to give yourself a chance."

When Akiho said nothing, Syaoran just smiled. "It's all in your hands now."

"Do you not have anything on today?" Sakura suddenly switched topic.

Syaoran smiled, "Just the trial."

"I didn't know..."

"I didn't exactly tell you." He laughed. He then looked at Akiho with a straight face. "You're dismissed for today. Go see him."

Akiho looked stunned, unable to speak for several moments. She looked at Sakura who smiled, and she sighed in resignation.

"Please call for me should you need me." Akiho bowed, and then she left.

"Wait, I'll join you for a short while!" Tomoyo jumped to her feet and smiled at the royal couple as she headed out the door.

Sakura smiled with amusement, "She's quite hard on herself."

"Lady Akiho?" Syaoran asked.

Sakura nodded, "You don't call her princess?"

Syaoran shook his head. "It's for her safety, more than anything. No one but the family knows she is the princess of Lumis."

Sakura rested her head against his shoulder and sighed softly. "I have no doubts that she is happy to serve me. But sometimes I do notice she seems a little lonely."

Syaoran squeezed her waist gently. "I know."

It still felt so surreal that Akiho's own family sentenced her to death because she had no magical abilities. Somehow, she found it hard to believe her father would do such a thing.

"Syaoran?"

"Mm?"

"I think-"

A sudden knock cut her off and Syaoran looked up to see Elder Mai walk in. She wore her usual sweet smile as she approached.

"That dress is beautiful, my dear." Mai smiled.

Sakura returned her smile, "Thank you, that's very kind."

"It's nice to see Syaoran spending his time with his wife as well. You work far too hard for your own good." Elder Mai spoke lightly. "I heard you had Maiko detained in the dungeons."

"I did as I would have done for any other criminal awaiting trial." Syaoran replied.

"I'm glad to see you have some spine. Our country needs that." Mai nodded approvingly.

"Do you think she's guilty?" Syaoran asked.

Mai was quiet for a moment, thinking. "It's possible, but I can't be certain. All of the evidence points to her, and yet I'm hoping I am wrong."

Syaoran nodded. He hoped so too.

...

As the sun started to set, court gathered in the throne room as Syaoran took a seat on the throne. To his right sat Sakura, who would also be a judge, while on his left sat Demetrius.
The door opened to let four soldiers enter, and in the middle of them was Elder Maiko. They came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs where Maiko was seated with seal-stone chains attached to her wrists and chair to prevent escape. Syaoran looked down at the woman to meet her gaze; he saw hatred in her eyes and the need for absolute power-power that she could not have. For a split second, he smiled bitterly at the Elder before speaking.

"You stand trial before us today for attempting to have your king and queen assassinated; for trying to kill a soldier on duty; and for the murder of an important information source." Syaoran's voice rang loud and clearly throughout the hall. "Witnesses will be called forward one by one to give their testimony, and based on the evidence provided, we will come to a final verdict. How do you plead?"

She scoffed. "Not guilty, obviously."

"Where were you on Monday morning between the hours of twelve a.m. and four a.m.?"

"I was in bed, sleeping." Maiko answered coldly.

"And do you have witnesses to confirm this?" Syaoran asked. Maiko was silent for a long moment and Demetrius lifted one eyebrow.

"I'm sure my maid can confirm my whereabouts."

Syaoran nodded to Eriol, who beckoned for someone to step forward. A woman of about thirty stepped forward looking a bit frazzled.

"State your name." Syaoran ordered.

"Kira, your grace."

"And you are Elder Maiko's maid, correct?" Syaoran asked.

"Yes, your grace."

"Tell me-are you able to confirm Elder Maiko's whereabouts between the hours of twelve a.m. and four a.m. on Monday morning?"

Kira shifted uncomfortably, which Syaoran immediately noticed.

He spoke softly, "You will not be harmed. Your family will not be harmed."

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Kira seemed to relax a little. "I was not awake between the hours of twelve and three," she said, "but I got up between three and four to take some medicine...I saw Elder Maiko on her way back to her quarters on the way to the medical wing."

"And did you notice anything...strange about her behaviour?" Demetrius added.

"Nothing in particular. She did seem to be in a hurry."

"What medicine did you require?" Sakura asked.

"G-golden leaf, your grace." Kira answered.

Syaoran nodded, "Thank you. You are dismissed for the moment."

Elder Maiko snorted. "She was seeing things! She was obviously in pain and the drug made her delirious."

"Golden leaf cures nausea." Sakura replied.

Maiko's face went red with rage. Syaoran doubted the elder had ever been humiliated in front of court, before.

"Please call forth the victim." He announced.

Eriol looked to Yamazaki and nodded. Yamazaki beckoned to open the doors, and in walked the soldier who had nearly been killed. Maiko did not look pleased to see him at all.

"State your name." Syaoran ordered.

"Pip, your grace." The soldier replied.

"Do you swear to tell no lies to the crown and uphold your vows?"

"Yes, your grace."

"Please tell us exactly what happened the night our prisoner was killed."

Pip swallowed, forcing himself to remember that his king had gone to many lengths to keep his family safe and protected.

"Not long after the assassin was placed in his cell, Elder Maiko came to the dungeons to see him. We told her that our orders were to not let anyone through to see them." He explained.

"And Elder Maiko did not like the answer?" Demetrius asked.

"No. When we told her she could not pass on the kings' orders, she attacked us. She killed my partner, Miki, and left me for dead."

"Did she use magic, or did she use some other means?" Demetrius questioned.

"She used piercing magic, your grace." Pip answered.

"Do you have anyone to support your word?" Syaoran asked.

Pip shook his head. "No, your grace."

Syaoran sighed heavily before nodding. "You are dismissed."

Sakura leant over to Syaoran, "Are you sure you don't want me to use that spell?"

He shook his head, "I promised it would be a last resort. We still have members of the castle who can speak."

Sakura nodded.

"Kira, please step forward." Syaoran requested, and the woman obeyed. "How many others served Elder Maiko?"

"Three others, your grace."

"I would like for them to step forward." Syaoran ordered.

Three more women stepped forward from the crowd, each looking just as frazzled as each other.

"You all serve Elder Maiko?" he questioned.

"Yes, your grace." They all answered.

"Have any of you heard or seen anything of Elder Maiko's intent to harm the crown?"

Maiko glared at the women testifying, daring them to speak, but it was not much use. In fact, they seemed rather relieved, knowing that Maiko could not harm them.

"She often spoke about how... how the kingdom would be better off without you on the throne." One of the maids spoke timidly.

"We heard her say that you had gone soft after meeting her majesty." Another girl added, "That you were just doing as she said because she hated the crown."

Syaoran raised his brow, while Sakura remained calm and showed no sign of being upset by the words-if she was.

"And..." Kira stopped, unsure if she should continue, but it was too late.

"And?" Demetrius prompted.

Kira swallowed. "She and Elder Jiang were planning to get you off of the throne."

Syaoran turned his head to Yamazaki, "Where is Elder Jiang?"

"We haven't seen him for a few days, your grace." Yamazaki answered.

Syaoran's gaze grew cold as he turned his head back to Maiko.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Everything I do, I do for the good of the kingdom." She spat.

"So, you admit it?"

"Of course not!"

Syaoran turned his head to Demetrius, "What are your thoughts?"

"So far, everything I have heard goes against what she claims." Demetrius answered.

"Sakura?"

"I agree with Demetrius," she said.

"You have no solid proof, just what these dolts say." Maiko hissed.

"Is there anyone who would like to defend the accused?" Syaoran asked.

Someone stepped forward, one of the leaders of the great houses. "I don't feel that this is a fair trial when there is no solid evidence. People lie, after all, so how can we trust someone else's words?"

Murmurs of agreement sounded and Syaoran frowned, about to speak, but stopped as Sakura stood.

"Sakura, no." He whispered.

"We have no choice now, Syaoran." She replied. He knew she was right, and as much as it pained him to admit it, he sat back and allowed her to continue.

"The stars know everything," she began, "From the days long before this kingdom was built and to the days long into the future. This spell I intend to use will show us the truth that has been recorded in the stars' memories."

"And how can we trust that? For all we know, you can manipulate it to your taste." Elder Jiang spat as he appeared from within the crowd. Eriol went to move, but Syaoran stopped him. They would deal with Jiang's sudden appearance later.

Demetrius laughed. "The magic of the stars is rare, I know, but I am quite familiar with it as is my wife Sylvia. We're not users of it, but we knew someone who was."

"And?"

"It is as your queen says-the stars don't lie." Demetrius replied.

Sakura nodded her thanks. As everyone fell silent, a circle of light spread beneath her feet and her body started glowing. Small spheres of light rose in the air, shining brighter and brighter, until the light was blinding.

The scene around them changed, showing the dungeons with the two soldiers Pip and Mika standing guard outside. Looking to the left, Elder Maiko walked towards them with her head held high. As she moved to enter the dungeons, the soldiers crossed their spears barring her entry.

"You dare refuse me?" she snarled.

"Kings orders." Mika spoke.

"Pardon?"

"We have been given explicit instructions not to let anyone through."

Elder Maiko narrowed her eyes. "You leave me no other choice. If you refuse to let me in, I'll have to kill you."

Even with their lives threatened, neither of the soldiers budged an inch. Elder Maiko lifted her hand in the air and made a slashing motion. Both guards looked confused until Mika looked down to find a deep gash in his chest. As his lungs filled with blood, he coughed and spluttered as he fell to the floor with Pip following.

Satisfied, Elder Maiko opened the dungeon door and walked in. Sitting in the corner of the cell was the assassin who looked up-he smiled bitterly.

"Well hello there, elder." He greeted.

"You failed to do your job." Maiko hissed. "And now you've gotten yourself caught!"

"Are you here to get me out? How kind of you." He spoke sarcastically.

"There's no chance of that happening. I'm afraid you'll have to die. I don't want that boy finding out." Maiko growled.

"You're really underestimating the king. I wouldn't recommend taking my life-it could be your own death sentence."

But Maiko didn't listen. Before the assassin could say anything more, slashed his throat. Despite his lungs filling with blood, or the fact that he was dying, he looked up at Elder Maiko, laughing at her, mocking her.

The scene faded away, revealing the throne room, and Sakura was breathing heavily and about to collapse. She saved herself from falling to the floor and sat in her chair as a heavy wave of tiredness washed over her.

"Sakura, are you alright?" Syaoran asked softly.

Sakura nodded, "I just need a moment,"

"You fools." Maiko laughed harshly, "You damned fools."

Syaoran frowned.

"And you, king if Lumis. I bet you didn't even know your daughter was under your nose."

Demetrius furrowed his brow while Syaoran stood slowly.

"Yes," Maiko cackled, "Your daughter-alive! And you didn't know! Haha, hahaha!"

"What is this?" Demetrius growled, fury glowing in his eyes.

"Let's lure her out," she laughed.

There was a sudden flash of movement, followed by a loud CLASH of metal and cries of horror. Sakura and Syaoran's heads shot up to see Akiho had blocked an attack from Elder Jiang, and in the process, the wig she'd been wearing had come flying off, landing on the ground, and her silver hair fell down to frame her face.

Hopefully the next chapter won't be too long of a wait, since I'm really into it right now. So what are your thoughts?