A/N- Ack...I had to rewrite this chapter like a bumillion times and I still don't like it...

Chapter 14

"Mia, you're gonna have to get out of your room sooner or later," Lilly warned.

"No, I won't have to. You can just bring any work that you wish me to complete and I will do so in my room. I already instructed Melanie to make sure that all my meals end up here, so I don't have to eat in the dining room. And I have a telephone, so everything is set."

"Mia—" she began.

"Lilly, I don't want to hear it. My life is over, that's it."

"Mia, you don't seem to understand. After your faux fiancé was discovered in his plot with Parliament, the country is calling for reform. Which means," She ripped the covers off my curled body, "you need TO GET OUT OF BED."

I buried my head in my pillows. "Parliament is too powerful," I mumbled. "No matter how much they may want to change their government, they won't be able to. According to our constitution, I'm just a figurehead. Edward said it himself."

Lilly let out a scream of pure exasperation. "MIA! It was the people of Genovia that called for the change in constitution when your father was alive in the first place!" She held my face in her hands and looked me straight in the eye. "You can change the constitution back to the way it was. Before your father died. Genovia may not need Phantom Phoenix anymore."

That was what sold me. The promise that Phantom Phoenix might finally be put to rest.

I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Today was the first day of trials and it was fair to say that I was more than a little nervous. But I had faith in this trial. According to the Genovian constitution, when a grave political crime had been committed, I was to either serve as judge and jury or choose a judge at my discretion. For obvious reasons, I could not preside over the proceeding, so instead I chose Andrew Engleton, the most kindly and fair judge I had ever met.

"Order, order," he called as he pounded the gavel several times.

Time to get this monkey show started.

"Prosecution may call first witness." He gave a curt and nod to Michael, the new district attorney. The youngest ever in the history of our country, in fact, because the old one ran away, having been part of the huge conspiracy against the country. And though I pretended I didn't care, I was incredibly proud of him. He may never know though. This was the only time we had seen each other in a month.

"Thank you your honor," He returned the nod. I felt a strong pangs of pity and concern as I watched him limp to the front of the courtroom. Lilly said she fixed him up and took him to the hospital just in case. She assured me he would be fine, though he wouldn't be able to walk properly for a few weeks. "The prosecution calls Edward Hamilton, Duke of Burgundy, to the stand."

A bruised, yet extremely dignified Edward made his way to the stand. The bailiff swore him in and he took a seat. "Now, as I understand it, you were engaged to Queen Amelia. Am I correct?"

"Yes," Edward affirmed. He gave a flickering glance to me before turning his attention back to Michael.

"And is it true that you actually felt nothing for the young queen, you had just been interested in the conspiracy with Parliament?"

"No, I had strong feelings for Queen Amelia. In fact, I might have loved her."

A low murmur passed through the court.

"Order, order!" Judge Engleton called as he banged the gavel several more times. I felt like ripping the gavel out of his hands and pounding Edward on the head instead.

"You still haven't fully answered the question, Mr. Hamilton. Were you or were you not a part of the conspiracy with Parliament to overthrow Queen Amelia and take the country into your own hands?"

Edward lifted his chin defiantly. "I was not. And if I was, I certainly don't remember having agreed to it. I cared for Mia too much."

Michael raised his eyebrows. "Really?" He hobbled back over to his table where he picked up an envelope. "So you have no recollection of the series of letters you and the Parliament of Genovia had exchanged this past summer?"

"No, I do not."

"Then allow me to refresh your memory."

I swear I could almost see Edward physically flinching, as if steeling himself for what was to come next.

"July 16, 2004, correspondence from Prime Minister Lukas McLeady, and I quote: 'in light of the tragic accident that had taken the life of our former king, Philippe Gerard Grimaldi Renaldo (God rest his soul), his premature daughter has taken his place as monarch of Genovia. Unfortunately, Parliament does not feel confident in her ability to properly govern a country that is proving itself day by day to become a powerful European economic authority. So we formally ask that you take this beautiful young woman as your wife, and she in turn, will make you king of Genovia.'"

I could hear Edward gulp.

"July 24, 2004, you reply, 'I have been, for quite sometime, very interested in the political infrastructure of your budding country. If I also may add, the young queen herself is a rare and unique beauty. But I have much grander ideas for your country. I feel that you are thinking much too small.'"

"Objection!" The defense attorney, Matthew Black interjected. "How do you know that those letters weren't forged?"

Michael rolled his eyes and faced Black. "Well for instance, these letters were found in the desk of Prime Minister Lukas McLeady."

"They could have been planted," Black shot.

"And, these letters are handwritten, matching every single detail of the respective writer's signature penmanship," Michael said as he shoved the letters in Black's face.

"Overruled," Engleton announced clearly. "Please continue."

"So do you mean to tell me that you have no recollection of reading or writing these letters?" Michael queried.

Edward began scratching his ear. "I don't, um, remember at all."

Michael raised his eyebrows skeptically. "So am I to assume that you contracted a temporary bout of amnesia during the summer?"

A low chuckle rumbled through the court.

Michael went to sit down and smirked at Black. "Your witness."

Black, slightly flustered, got up and strolled to the witness stand. "So, Mr. Hamilton, can you state for the record, how you feel about Her Highness, the Queen of Genovia?"

Edward turned to gaze at me, a sincere expression on his face that hadn't quite reached his eyes. "I sincerely love you."

"Objection, relevance?"

"The relevancy is that why would Edward plot against Queen Amelia if he loved her?" Black said in a patronizing tone, as if he were explaining to a temperamental five-year-old that one plus one equals two.

"Why would Edward say he loved her if he knew her for barely a month?" Michael shot back. I carefully examined Michael's reaction; the anger was blazing in his eyes and he was clutching his pencil so hard, I was afraid it might break.

Judge Engleton considered it carefully, then replied, "I'll allow it."

Black, glowing in triumph, returned to Edward. "So you loved her, correct?"

"Yes. I just wish she could return the passions that I have so ardently harbored for her." He replied, with a downcast and rejected expression on his face.

I started to grind my teeth. His act was so fake.

Black gave one more smirk and sat down. "No further questions."

"Mr. Hamilton, you may step down from the stand. Prosecution, you may call your next witness."

Michael stood up with his fingertips pressed against the table in front of him. "I call Prime Minister Lukas McLeady to the stand." He got up from his place behind the defense table and made his way to the witness stand. As the bailiff swore him in, Michael walked towards him. "Hopefully, you remember these letters?"

"No. I don't remember having written those letters."

As if expecting this, he approached me and gave me the letters. "Your Highness, you are familiar with Prime Minister Lukas' handwriting, correct?"

"Objection, Her Majesty is not on the witness stand," Black interjected.

"Oh shut your conniving trap," Michael shouted back.

"Overruled," Engleton stated clearly. I sensed that he was eager not to let Michael loose his temper too quickly.

"I'll ask the question again. You are familiar with Prime Minister Lukas' handwriting, correct?"

"Yes."

"So for the record, do you believe that these letters are genuine?"

I studied the letters carefully and snorted. "If I didn't recognize the handwriting, then I'd recognize the stationary I had given to him for his inauguration."

Michael smirked. "Nothing further."

Black got up and made his way to the witness stand. "Prime Minister Lukas, you have been Prime Minister for the past ten years, correct?"

"Yes. I was Prime Minister when His Majesty King Philippe was still alive."

"Therefore your political experience greatly exceeds that of the young Queen?"

"Objection, relevance?" Michael shot.

"I am showing for the record that Prime Minister Lukas has greater political experience than Your Highness, with all due respect." Black said calmly.

I ground my teeth as Engleton gazed sternly at the portly man in front of him. "I think that question would help the prosecution more than the defense."

"Well I'm stating for the record that according the constitution, he technically has more power than Her Majesty does. The Prime Minister wouldn't need to overthrow her to gain the political territory that he already has."

"You already stated that for the record so I suggest that you move on to the next question."

Slightly flustered, Mr. Black returned to the Prime Minister. "You have close ties to the young queen, correct?"

"I've always thought of her like a second daughter," he said with a smile.

I wanted to scream. Politicians could be so two-faced.

Mr. Black nodded and sat down. "Nothing further."

"Your witness, Mr. Moscovitz."

I watched as he stood up, and with his deep, peat bog gaze scan the courtroom superiorly as he said the words that made my stomach somersault.

"I call Queen Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo to the witness stand," he announced as if he were stating what he had for breakfast this morning.

Mr. Black jumped up and slammed his open palm on the table in outrage. "Objection!" He cried. "She is the queen of Genovia! She cannot testify!"

"Seeing as how she was the victim of the whole charade, I fail to see why I cannot," Michael replied calmly.

Judge Engleton cut in smoothly. "It is perfectly within the law for Mr. Moscovitz to call Queen Amelia to the stand. In fact, I am rather at a loss to why you think the move objectionable, counsel," he remarked as he gazed at Mr. Black over his bifocals.

Instead of replying, Mr. Black only grumbled and sat down.

Shakily, I stood up and (with as much dignity as I could muster) made my way to the witness stand.

"Your Highness," Michael said coldly with a slight bow. My insides churned in despair at his unconcerned tone.

"Yes, counsel?" I replied, my mask of utter cool still in place. In my profession, appearance was everything, and I wasn't going to let everything go because the love of my life was treating me like a two-timing prostitute he found on the street.

"So, would you please explain for the court, your betrothal arrangement with Edward?" He asked. It could have just been my imagination, but I swear I saw his jaw twitch.

"I was engaged to Edward," I said dully. "There's not much to explain."

To my bemusement, Michael sighed and rephrased his question. "How did you two become engaged?"

"Parliament made the arrangements. According to the constitution, the closest male relative is supposed to arrange the marriage for the princess. If not, Parliament decides. Parliament chose Edward."

"Your Highness, we have heard Edward's feelings for you. What is your side?"

I glared directly at Edward, taking his form in and feeling the hate burn a crater in the pit of my stomach like acid. "I liked you as a friend, and as a friend only. I could never love you after what you did to me."

I felt Michael watching me carefully. "For the record, what did he do to you?"

That's when I lost it. The pent-up emotions I had buried for the past several weeks suddenly blew up. Before I knew it, tears were flowing down my face and I was screaming words that I hardly heard. "He trapped me!" I screamed. "He knew I was drowning, but he didn't bother pulling me out of the water. He broke my bones and my spirit. He took away the last of my dignity and tried to kill me!"

Michael raised his eyebrows. "Isn't that a little melodramatic?"

The words GO TO HELL sprang up in my mind, but I decided against it. "Call it whatever you like," I shot back, wiping the tears away. "That's how I feel and that's what he did to me."

He nodded. "Will you state for the court what he did to you?"

"He tried to kill me," I replied.

"How?"

And I explained it to the court then how he took me into his laboratory and chained me to a chair, taunting me with death using a set of digger size screws.

"That sounds more like some sci-fi techno thriller," Michael said, though he knew very well that was exactly what happened.

"I still have the cuts and bruises from the chains," I said. I pulled the sleeves of my arms and showed the purple bruises and red cuts.

"Objection, false evidence," Black interjected.

Engleton's eyebrows furrowed as a frown formed on his face. "Are you suggesting, counsel, that Her Majesty, the queen of Genovia, mutilated herself before coming to court today?"

Black blushed, but stood his ground. "It's possible, your honor."

"Tell me how that's possible," Michael demanded with crossed arms.

"Well…uh, women are more prone to self-mutilation than men are—"

"That's a load of bullshit and will not be tolerated in this courtroom, Mr. Black," Engleton roared. I had, on rare occasion, seen Andrew Engleton loose his temper and it was never a good thing. "So I suggest you sit your ass down before I hold you in contempt!"

Mr. Black sat down immediately without another word.

"So you sustained injuries from Edward's brutality?" Michael asked as if nothing had happened.

I nodded.

Michael turned to Engleton. "Nothing further."

Returning the nod, Engleton took of his glasses and rubbed the spot between his eyes. "Mr. Black, I may regret this later, but she's your witness."

Black nodded. "These so-called 'injuries' were sustained from a battle you said to have taken place in a laboratory in Edward's possession," He stated, his tone dripping with incredulity.

Defensively, I crossed my arms and replied, "Yes."

"Rather far-fetched, even for you, don't you think Your Highness?"

Angrily, I glared at him. "What are you implying, counsel?"

He shrugged. "I'm merely suggesting that perhaps this whole trial is…well it's rather unnecessary."

"I fail to see your reasoning behind this conclusion, Mr. Black," I said coldly.

"Well perhaps you are suffering from a lack of national attention, therefore you make up a huge story to bring the attention back to you."

WHAT? My head screamed.

"Objection!" Michael shouted. "These claims are ridiculous!"

"So are hers!" Black shot back.

"OBJECTION!" Michael screamed.

Engleton glared at Black. "Sir, I did not think it possible, but you managed not only to insult Her Majesty's dignity and pride, but you also managed to make a mockery of this entire proceeding."

Black stared at Judge Engleton, his mouth agape. "Your Honor, surely you don't believe her ridiculous story!"

"You have failed to convince me otherwise."

"She has no proof!" Black cried.

"She has bruises. She has scars. She has motive."

"Yes, and her motive was the lack of national attention!"

"So let me get this straight," Michael growled. "You're trying to say is that Queen Amelia thought of this story and went so far to plant evidence of correspondence between Edward and the Prime Minister Lukas, which by the way, were handwritten, and mutilated herself all for more national attention?"

The blood drained from Black's face, but he stood his ground. "Yes."

"And she didn't have enough attention because her wedding was only six days away," Michael emphasized the last three words with extreme sarcasm.

"Objection sustained. Mr. Black, I suggest that if you cannot come up with another crackpot theory that can insult our intelligence further, sit down and shut up so I may make my decision."

Chastised like an angry mastiff with a grudge, Mr. Black sat down and ground his teeth.

Shooting one last glare at Mr. Black, Michael announced, "nothing further."

Engleton nodded. "A short recess until I look over the evidence and come to a conclusion. Court adjourned."

As he left, everyone in the courtroom stood as well and turned to their neighbors, immediately discussing the events of the case that had unfolded before them moments before.

I watched as Michael snapped his briefcase shut, gathered his coat and stalked out quickly, as if in total disgust. I fought back tears at the deliberate way he refused to look me in the eyes. It was then that I finally accepted my fate: Michael Moscovitz hated me and refused to talk to me, quite possibly for the rest of his life.

Sighing resignedly, I stepped out of the courtroom in the brisk Genovian autumn weather.

A/N- Okay, let's get a few things straight:

1) This story is NOT finished. I finished WRITING IT. I didn't finish UPDATING IT. There's one more chapter left.

2) The ending isn't written poorly. It's just...less than emotionally satisfying. If that gives you an idea.

3) It looks so far that there's gonna be a sequel. I'm really looking forward to it, and based on what I've written so far, I like it.

Now, a couple of things about the sequel:

1) It will take place about a month after this story ends. Right now, it's October. When the sequel starts, it will be in December.

2) I'm not quite sure when exactly I'll start posting the sequel, but rest assured, it won't be more than a month after this one is finished.

3) The sequel will be told from Michael's POV. I hope some of you are looking forward to that. :-)

If you have any questions, please review and I will try my best to answer them.