Delia of Eldorne sat at her bench on the right side of the room.
Roald sat at the front of the court, on his throne, Jon to his right and his queen to his left. Directly in front of him was the Lord Provost. A man dressed in solid red with gold embroidery acted as a bailiff in the trial.
"We are gathered here to see the trial of Delia of Eldorne, to be tried for attempted murder of Alanna of Trebond, slander, attempted murder against Princess Thayet of Sarain, and treason against the crown's future queen. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty." Her words slid out of her milky white throat.
Alanna repressed the urge to strangle her, as Delia threw a look at Jonathan that begged for mercy. She batted her long lashes slightly, letting her bright green eyes tear slightly.
"In this case the prosecution may make it's opening statements."
Gary stepped up from the bench, he had volunteered to help Alanna partially because she was a friend, and partially to prove to Cythera that he was over his old crush.
"My Lord Provost, today we are here..." Gary went on about the case, explaining the snarls of it and plotting out his route of how he could prove Delia was guilty.
He returned to his seat, letting a Delia's representation speak. Latis of Midredor was tall, and old. He had graying hair that was cut short, and a hint of a beard covering his chin. Alann had heard he was a staunch conservative and by the glare he gave her, she saw this was apparent.
"My Lord Provost, Lady Delia of Eldorne is innocent. She has no record in the criminal justice system, nor does she have an intent to kill Alanna of Trebond. Lady Delia was merely an innocent mystander who was thrust into the position by a prosecution who is grabbing for straws..."
" Objection, grounds of speculation."
The Lord Provost nodded, and Latis continued, making slight insults and annoying comments that made Alanna grit her teeth and scowl at him.
"We will take a brisk recess and then return, court is adjourned."
Even in chains, Delia had a way of sweeping about the court.
"Alanna, I'm not sure how this'll turn out." Gary said, pulling her aside.
"What do you mean?"
"Latis of Midredor? He's expensive and he's got a case. All he has to do is rile the conservatives on the party that you're a lady knight and Thayet just a simple foreigner. It takes 3 months after marriage for a foreigner to become a citizen of Tortall. Thayet would be considered Thom's maid in the court's eyes. Delia would only have to pay a fine and then she's off the hook." Gary sighed, running a hand through his chestnut hair.
"Gary, I'm sure you'll think of something..." Alanna sighed, looking at her big friend.
"For your sake Alanna, I hope I do."
Delia sat on the left side of the court thinking slightly. She watched her prince Jonathan and his emotionless face, after her several discrete pleas and flirts. She sighed mentally, thinking of how she could get out of this.
She had always found her way out of things, sometimes into things. She had found her way into court, into the queen's inner circles and for a time, into Jonathan's bed. However, Jonathan showed no distress that it was her on the stand. She had not snagged him after many tries, even Josephine hadn't and her legs were perfect. If Jonathan was that smitten with his lady knight maybe he should...no she definitely wouldn't make it easy for her, she's find some way to turn the tables.
The Lord Provost sat at his post, and tapped the iron ball to the granite post.
"Silence! This court is in session, both sidews have made their arguments, correct?"
Two nods were his response.
"Then we shall have some semblance of order, we have had two witnesses in this court, the prosecution had successfly linked the accused to the crime. The defense has of course showed that the victims are in one case unable to be represented in Tortall, and the other has a resentment against lady Delia, however I am told you have one more witness so you may go Latis of Midredor."
The man bowed and then slowly excorted Lady Delia to the stand.
"Lady Delia, how are you this morning?"
"I'm fine." She said throaty and quiet.
"Objection! This is not the time for pleasantries!" Gary yelled.
"True, true...fine then Lady Delia, what do you think of Lady Alanna?"
Delia's eyes widened, "Oh my lord...to be honest I think she's the greatest, I mean not many people would think of getting their shield at such an age, but she was courageous enough to do it. I admire her so much..."
"So you have no...hatred towards her."
Delia shook her head emphatically.
"So there's no reason at all that you would want to hurt her...much less kill her."
"Sir to be honest, I have trouble findinng my dresses sometimes in the morning, I'd never be able to think of something that complicated..."
"Stick to the question." The Lord Provost sighed.
"No sir, I don't want to hurt Lady Alanna."
"Did you?"
"No sir..."
"Well Sir Gary, your witness."
"Hm...oh..." He shuffled some papers noisily then stood up.
"Lady Delia, you were involved with Roger of Conte yes?"
"Must I answer this?"
"I'm afraid you must..."
"Yes, I used to be involved with Roger."
"Hm...just friends or more..."
"More."
"How much more?" Gary rubbed his chin slightly.
"We were..." She looked at her lawyer who nodded, "Lovers."
The court gasped.
"You were also involved with the prince yes?"
"Yes, at a time, but that was long ago."
"Really? So you have no feelings towards him?"
"No sir."
Gary paused for a moment, turning away from her, then suddenly spun around to point at her, "Lady Delia you are involved in court are you not?"
"Objection...what is the relevance." Latis stood up so suddenly that the chair flew from underneath him and clattered as it tipped over.
"My Lord, I have relevance, give me some time." Gary turned his head to look at the judge.
"Please stop beating around the bush Sir, you have your time."
"Now Lady Delia, You are involved in the courts."
"I am."
"You would know the gossip then?"
"I would."
"Then you have heard the rumors about the prince yes?"
"Which one?" She asked innocently, getting a laugh from the court.
"About his relationship, surely you've heard that he is courting the lioness!"
Delia's hand gripped the chair suddenly, the knuckles turning white, however she smiled, "I have heard of that."
"Jonathan confides many things in me Lady Delia, and I think that he and the Lioness are quite serious..."
Delia's smile faltered for a second, but many caught it.
"In fact I've seen many of her things being moved into his room."
A frown now flitted across her face.
"Would his highness come here please?" Gary asked rather innocently.
Jon rose, and moved forward.
"No not only you your highness, Lady Alanna should come to the front of the court as well."
Murmurs swirled around the courtroom as the pair walked to the front. Alanna's face was beet red from the comments that GAry had made, and she made a mental note to kick him hard for that.
"All right Lady Delia, how does it make you feel when you see your prince and the Lioness together?"
"I feel nothing." Her voice was slightly shrill.
"Alrright then, Jon kiss Alanna."
"What?" Delia's eyes were bulging and her voice was practically inaudible.
Jon hid a smile and leant in to get Alanna, for a firm kiss.
"Not like that Jon, like you mean it..." Gary grinned.
"Stop it...STOP IT!" Delia screamed as Jon deepened the kiss.
"Why Lady Delia?" Gary turned towards her, "Why?"
"It's wrong, I should be..."
"Objection, this is madness, he brought up the prince and it's...indecent!" Jon reluctantly pulled away from Alanna as Latis of Midredor got slightly red and his eyes bulged like Delia's.
"Latis of Midredor, I have no right to stop the prince from...engaging in this manner, however Sir Gary has a point that he wishes to prove and I am not going to deny him of this."
"Now Lady Delia, how does it feel to see the prince kiss Lady Alanna like that? Do you realize taht he loves her, that he wants more than you, that you were just a passing fancy?"
"Shut up! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Delia covered her ears and screamed, her pale face filling with colours.
"That's why you tried to kill her isn't it? Isn't it lady Delia?"
"Yes...yes!"
"Objection!"
"Latis of Midredor it is too late, your client has confessed. According to Rule 3.6 of the law she had confessed and must be convicted."
"Shut up you old bag," Delia spat, "You want to know what I think sir Gary? She's a slut and the prince could've done so much better, she deserved everything that I gave to her and more, I wish that the knife had found her heart, but the magic that I learned from Roger wasn't strong enough. I had to pay a lot of money to find those knives since I had no gift of my own, that what you wanted to hear? Slut, WHORE! I hope you DIE!" She hissed, her eyes slits as she spewed venom at Alanna.
Alanna felt anger rise, and then she turned to Jon, took his hand and kissed him firmly.
"Goodbye Delia!" She said softly as Jon led her out of the courtroom, Delia yelling after them.
"Delia's going to go away for a while." Jon remarked as she got into bed beside Alanna.
"I know." Alanna didn't look up from her book.
"Are you happy?"
She sighed, "I supposed I should be, but I'm not. Delia's had a hard time in her life and she just trying to get through it. I just feel sorry for that nephew of hers...Lerant I think, he's going to go through a lot for her mistakes."
Jon smiled slightly and kissed the top of her head, "You're a good person,"
Alanna laughed, "Tell that to Delia!" With that she kissed Jon and rolled over to blow out the camera.
For the first time in weeks she slept without being disturbed and it felt wonderful.