Ok, I know, I know, it's taken time but... we're almost there, finally ! The much awaited trial is upcoming and with it, a lot of stress for Varian. How will this go ?...

I hope you're all doing well and able to stay safe, as much as can be. I'd also like to welcome new readers - I'm always amazed how people who just found the fic end up binge reading it. It amazes me as much as knowing that some of you are here since chapter 1, and still there, despite the length of the story ! (and despite how much time I take to explore Varian's feelings and trials and flaws... but that's why we're all here for, right ? XD). Anyway, thank you all for sharing this journey with me!

CHAPTER 96

As per King's orders, Varian's trial was to take place once Arianna would have fully recovered from her pneumonia, and Frederic announced it publicly himself the morning after the fountain incident. The palace gates would be open and everyone in the Kingdom would be allowed to attend if they wanted to.

Frederic decided for a three-day lapse, during which he retreated into his study. No one saw much of him, as he isolated himself behind closed doors, without an explanation. Then again, a King shouldn't have to justify his actions. Right ?

Arianna herself was fretting too much over Varian to pay attention to her husband. In the intimacy of Varian's new bedroom, she would gently take hold of the back of the boy's head every now and then and press her lips against his forehead to check the warmth of his skin, anxious that his temperature would spike again. After all, Varian went through his own pneumonia episode not so long ago, and the chances of a relapse after the impromptu bath could not be ignored. Varian would blush with slight embarrassment every time she did so, but he appreciated her concern and the tender touch more than he could say.

Then, there were the nights. The physician's potion came in very handy to make sure that Varian would get a decent amount of quality sleep on the first night, but Remyus strongly advised against using it on a regular basis. One of its side effects was that it could become an addiction that could really mess up with one's system, especially on Varian, who was basically a twig and not fully grown yet. It took all of Arianna's patience and determination to soothe the boy as bedtime approached and coax him to go to sleep. Unfortunately, no lullaby was powerful enough to keep the nightmares that were plaguing him at bay. And whenever he was able to get a few hours' rest, his eyes would snap open before sunrise, his mind already on overdrive with spirals of anxiety he could not control.

The days were hardly better, of course. Varian was constantly nervous, unnaturally quiet and withdrawn, stuck inside his own head most of the time. He did a lot of thinking, gazing into the void while his fingers picked at some piece of fabric such as the hem of his shirt or the bedsheets. He was distant towards everyone, and every time somebody spoke up, or if something fell on the floor with a clatter, he would jump out of his skin with a wild yelp.

That hypervigilance at day and the bad dreams at nights were exhausting him, but of that Varian was barely aware. Flashbacks of Hans attacking him were still vivid in his mind while he tried to prepare himself mentally for the trial that was to come. The only time when Varian was able to relax a little was when he would throw himself headlong into completing the Queen's gift. He had a pessimistic gut feeling that pushed him to keep himself busy with the task. He might not be able to finish it after the trial.

Somehow, those three days of reprieve went by too fast. On the last evening, Ethel and Elora surprised Varian with a hot bath that was waiting for him after his forcefully-encouraged-by-Her-Majesty-herself daily walk outside. Varian watched the old maid as she painfully stretched her back after emptying the last bucket.

"Someday… someday ladies…" Varian's forefinger waved in the air as he recollected memories of his long-lost project. That seemed to have happened ages ago now. "You'll see, I'll make sure that you don't have to carry those heavy buckets, ever. I know I can make my hot running water system work one day."

Ethel looked at the now bubbly teen with a slightly skeptical look, while Elora's eyes went as wide as saucers. It was like a switch had flipped and the boy couldn't stop talking. "See this wall over there ? Imagine pipes running behind it, and then we could make a hole about this high, with a faucet coming out, or two, one that would bring cold water, one hot. And – and we could mix the two flows, to get lukewarm water, as you wish."

Varian kept rambling, mentioning how it would be more challenging to bring the water here because the castle had so many floors, but he already had a few solutions in mind. Ethel and Elora definitely got confused when he elaborated on pressure and bars, but for a moment, he was back to his old self, and it was as much a delight for the maidens to watch as it was for him to frolic in his comfort zone.

Something at the back of Varian's mind was still telling him that he may never be able to build inventions or practice alchemy again, but now, he just needed to pretend that someday, he would achieve all those crazy projects of his. Finalize the hot water system. Create a collection of bath bombs to go with it. Build automatic harrows to work in the fields. Help his village, for real. Save his father, for good.

Somehow, the night passed and then dawn came. Varian knew it would be a day like no other. In fact, he'd been lying awake for a good while now, gazing at the ceiling, and while his body was very still on the bed, his mind was restless. His stomach was so clenched he knew he wouldn't be able to take a bite, let alone keep anything down. It was Trial Day.

A knock on the door jarred him from his dark thoughts, and he was relieved to see the familiar faces of Alden and Phil.

"Good morning, Varian, glad you're awake," the first one greeted. He didn't dare ask the boy about the night, though, the bags under his eyes were proof that his hours of actual sleep had been scarce.

"The Captain will be here soon to take you to the court room, Varian," Phil added while laying a hand on the teen's shoulder, "but he agreed to let us stay by your side during the whole process."

Varian tensed as the Captain was mentioned, but then seemed to slightly relax at the good news. He already had wrapped his head around the idea that Arianna, as Queen of Corona, would have to sit on her throne during the trial, and not by him. It had been a struggle within himself, and there was so much he would give to be able to feel her hand in his while the King wound enunciate the long list of his crimes, but he knew it couldn't happen. He managed a smile that of course didn't quite reach his eyes, even though his gratitude was genuine.

"Thank you, guys. It means a lot."

"We'll give you a few minutes to get ready, son," Alden said softly. He couldn't help but feel sorry for what the little guy was going to have to face. "We'll be waiting outside."

"Okay," Varian replied, blankly, too busy pushing his fears at the back of his mind to look at the guards in the eyes.

"And buddy ?" Varian looked up at Phil's voice. "I'll stick by you, no matter what. You know that, right ?"

Varian nodded. Ironically, all that kindness was almost too much for him to take at the moment. He felt that if he'd open his mouth again, he would burst into tears. He blinked rapidly a couple of times to chase the moisture in his eyes that had formed without a warning. Thankfully, the two men swiftly left his room and closed the door behind them.

When Phil and Alden stepped out, the Captain had already made it to Varian's apartments and was standing by the cold and empty fireplace. He turned around and strode over to his two subordinates.

"At rest, soldiers," he said when they saluted him. "I would like you to remember that you are on duty, which means that you must keep sharp eyes and a cool head at all times."

Phil repressed a bitter reply. He felt that the little lecture was directed specifically at him, but what was annoying him even more was that the Captain was in full "soldier mode", and he certainly didn't like where this was going.

But the young guard was not prepared for what came next.

The Captain moved his hands to his waist and took off a pair of shackles from his belt.

The two guards' hearts sank in unison, but while Alden hung his head in silent obedience, Phil's blood boiled instantly.

"You can't possibly mean– " Phil started, all marks of respect gone. But the Captain cut in with a firm voice.

"Today's prisoner is what he is, a prisoner. You know the protocol, it is very strict, and he is to wear them before and during the trial." He paused, letting out a sigh. When he spoke again, his voice was softer. "Listen, I know how it makes you feel, lad. And you may not believe me when I say that I would rather not use them on this child."

Phil looked at the Captain with bewildered eyes. The Captain looked away, for once, and went on.

"Look, it's a small castle, and I've gotten to know him a little better, although not as much as you. But now…" (he locked eyes with Phil again) "Now all I want to make you understand is that we can only help the boy by giving him every chance he deserves, and that means that we must make sure that His Majesty's rules are followed to a T. The last thing we need is an upset King."

"He's right, Phil,", Alden encouraged. Older and wiser, the man knew it would take at least the two of them to convince the impulsive young man. "Captain, we thank you for informing us prior to taking the prisoner. We can make things easier for him and for everyone else if we are all on the same page."

Phil didn't say anything. He barely stifled a groan of frustration as he gritted his teeth, pondering over the words. He wanted desperately to find a way out of this, but he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. But how could he let the Captain close the unforgiving cuffs on the boy's tiny wrists again, after all that happened ? Varian would be scared out of his wits, for sure.

"It's settled, then," the Captain said, and he made his way towards the back room.

"Captain !" Phil's voice broke as he called out.

The man turned around and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Whatever you have to say, say it now, Phil. But you know there is no other choice."

"No, I don't… I mean…I understand, but…" Phil fumbled for words, as his own promise to Varian rang in his head.

I'll stick by you, no matter what.

"I… I can't let you put the shackles on him."

He raised his chin, a weird combination in his now confident gaze : behind his eyes that had somehow started to water, there was a fire burning from deep within.

"I will."