"Well, it is as he said before, we were betrothed to each other for a few months.", Violet answered. "And anything else?", Eric asked as Violet nodded.
"Attempting to get an apprenticeship.", Violet added. Eric inquired curiously, "May I ask of what you were looking for?".
Violet replied, "Formerly, I wanted to apprentice under one of the stained-glass glaziers, but unfortunately, Zaren's masters have plenty of apprentices. I always wanted to make stained glass from my imagination...Now, with Brad, I want to be a basketball teacher, though I am not looking to be a master for Brad is truly one on his own.", with a side smile directed at Brad.
Brad smiled and blushed a bit, having never known that Violet had an admiration for stained glass. Eric nodded, "And your relationship with Brad Fischer, Miss Violet?".
"Well, friends, at first at least.", Violet explained. "We ran into each other and started talking at first before we started to see each other more while he was here in the kingdom. But, well, certainly since last night, I think I would say I'm more fitting of being courted by him now. Any betrothment with Tony is done.".
Tony angrily snarled, "What?! I know my parents wouldn't have broken the contract with you Parrs!", and Eric gave a sharp nod at Jason, and Jason put the silencing charm back up.
Eric narrowed his eyes, "I warned you not to give an outburst like that, and you deserved to be silenced for that, Tony Rydinger. Now, back to you, Violet. The betrothal is broken officially, then?".
"Well, I don't know about officially, but I certainly don't want to be in the same room much less within the same town as him.", Violet answered. "I know whatever has to be done will be done though; I know my family will have wanted the contract broken.".
Eric looked at Violet's family, "You agree, Parr family?", and Bob nodded, "Yes, we have talked earlier when we reunited with our daughter this morning, and with your permission as king, the betrothal contract will be broken even without the Rydinger family. I don't see them anywhere for they must be ashamed of their only son.".
Tony blinked, and looked around the room, and realized that Bob Parr is correct...His parents aren't here at all, and suddenly, he started to feel something different he never knew before.
Eric nodded, "I can do that with King Edward's help for you live in his region of Andalasia. King Edward, do you agree to assist me in breaking the betrothal?".
King Edward, in the mirror of the throne room in his kingdom, nodded, "Even if I haven't heard the full case yet, I agree vehemently in breaking the betrothal. I, King Edward of Andalasia, do hereby break the betrothal of Tony Rydinger and Violet Parr.".
The crowd in his throne room nodded, cheering quietly in support of King Edward's declaration, and Eric nodded, and cleared his throat, "I, King Eric of Zaren, do hereby break the betrothal of Tony Rydinger and Violet Parr.".
Violet felt a small sense of relief but that still didn't change the fact that the damage had already been done over the few months of being with him. Brad kept himself still from where he was despite wanting to celebrate a bit upon that news.
The people on the benches did the quiet cheering for him, for Zaren has made Violet feel welcome over the past few months despite everything.
Eric nodded in appreciation, and held up a hand, and the people settled down, and then replied with a deep breath, "However, we must dig deep in the past unfortunately. I must ask of you, Violet, has Tony treated you well?".
Violet shook her head. "No, not in the slightest, especially behind closed doors.", she answered. Eric looked back to Haku, "Did you mention before about Violet suffering from other injuries prior to yesterday's incident?".
Haku stood up, nodding, "Yes, your majesty.", walking up to stand besides Violet in case if she gets a panic attack. Brad wishes he was up there at her side, but Eric hasn't called him up.
Haku then takes a deep breath after giving Violet a side apologetic look, "Miss Violet has suffered several wounds over the past few months, adorned with split lips, broken arms, broken legs, and was bruised everywhere in reach, and with a heavy heart, I must admit that as well, she was taken against her will, stripped away of her virtue on not one, but five times.".
That probably would seal the deal in terms of any sort of understanding that could come Tony's way. He just sat there and did nothing, not even looking like he was trying to argue or speak out.
The mirrors were filling the 'courtroom' with shouts, jeers, furious looks, and more, and Eric tried to calm them down with his hand signal, and looked at the United Talons, and with a silent look, the team gave a unison of dragon roars as one, silencing everyone.
Eric nodded, "Thank you, United Talons. Now, High Inquisitor Grimsby, how many counts is Tony Rydinger guilty of?".
Grimsby cleared his throat, "One count of disturbing the peace, one count of public abuse, three counts of attempted murder on Brad Fischer, and one count of attempted murder on Violet Parr, one count of abusing the betrothal contract, multiple counts of domestic abuse, and five counts of rape.".
Eric spoke, "Pippa Fox, you have collaborated with Grimsby. What have you found in the household of Tony Rydinger?".
"Your majesty, we found several wardstones that had been set up to keep things quiet... Clearly, it was a case of trying to make sure what happened behind closed doors do not get out to the public.", Pippa said with a disgusted yet weary look.
Again, the mirrors went noisy, disgusted and horrified looks all around, and Eric gave them a moment before standing up and giving them a sharp look, and the mirrors went quiet.
Eric sat back down, and looked at Pippa, "Lady Pippa, where has they come from?", and Pippa narrowed her eyes, "I do not know why he did it or how he found them, but the wardstones came from Maleficent's destroyed fortress. He must have found them during the spring or summer while we were busy finishing the war. The magic in the wardstones have implicated that they hated being forced to contain such horrible things. Apparently, they were hidden away in a devoid place, put by Maleficent for they belonged to the good three fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.".
"And their current location?", Eric asked. "In safe keeping amongst the vaults of your kingdom until they can properly be taken care of at a later time.", Pippa said.
Eric's attention went right back to Tony, "Tony Rydinger, where exactly did you come across these stones?", after glancing at Jason who lifted up the silencing charm.
Tony exhaled harshly, "Like the woman said, I found them in the ruins of Maleficent's fortress when I was simply minding my own business of exploring. Having been taught about runes, I learned about their uses, and decided to take them with me. They were stubborn, but I eventually convinced them to follow my rules. I did not know that they belonged to fairies nor that fairies used wardstones in the first place.", with a scoff.
Eric raised an eyebrow, and nodded sharply, and spoke, "One count of property infringement and one count of abuse in magic.", before looking at the time, and exhaled, "It is half past 10. I have heard enough. Do you agree, your majesties?", looking at the mirrors.
The kingdoms chorused as one, "Yes.", and Eric then nodded, "I now conclude this case with a sentence for Tony Rydinger. He will face death.". Nods of solemn agreement came, and Eric spoke, "I now ask the Parr family, the Fischer family, and the mirror of King Edward to talk with me in the side room.".
Several glances were sent towards Tony to see what his reaction was to the sentence, but it appeared that he, more or less, saw it coming after a bit; especially with the injuries that Violet had before the incident. Meanwhile, those that were ordered quickly followed Eric's orders and went into the side room: practically leaving Tony to his fate in a way.
With Emma carefully using magic to float King Edward's mirror into the side room, with King Edward's magician moving his mirror to one of his private rooms, she carefully put the mirror on a seat against a dresser, facing the others properly.
Brad and Violet held hands as their wheelchairs are side by side, with the Parr family on Violet's side, and the Fischer family on Brad's side, and Eric sighed heavily, "Pardoning the younger ones, the adults will say their wishes now.".
"Well, I think this would be better suited to the Parrs since Violet suffered more.", Red said. "In terms of us, we respect your decision, Eric, in terms of the punishment.".
Eric nodded, "Of course. Still, your voice needs to be heard for a vote is to be decided.", while he then looked at the Parr adults.
Helen is weary as she spoke, "I want Tony to suffer for what he had done to my daughter. He doesn't deserve a quick death.", and Bob nods sharply, "Yes. I want him to be hung after he suffers what you decide to punish him, your majesty. If I cannot strangle him, the rope will do.".
Eric nods, and exhales, and glances at King Edward, "Violet Parr had lived in your region for the past 17 years, meaning she is a citizen always.", and King Edward spoke, "Yes, and I sympathize with Violet. If that happened to my wife long ago before I got the chance to marry her, I'd be angry on her behalf...I want Tony to be served justice by your village for they were unknowingly helpless to save Violet and stop Tony.".
Eric seems to think thoughtfully, and then nods as he decides. "I now make my decision; Tony Rydinger is to be paraded in town, chained in a cart, helpless to stop the people from pelting him with fruit and such, and later in the palace courtyard, he shall be whipped, so he'd feel what Violet felt basically, and then hung. Do you vote yes or no? Lend your voices.".
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement as there was no arguments to it. "Sounds like a fitting punishment, not just for him, but for all those we fought in the war... the higher ups and all. Pity we more or less had to kill them quick rather than parade them around to deliver justice.", Emma said.
Eric reminded her, "True, but the higher ups had dark magic, Emma, while Tony doesn't, and with his griffin form removed, he won't escape the punishment.", and Emma nodded, "Very good point, your majesty.".
With the meeting adjourned and moving King Edward's mirror back into its former position, with Edward moving back to his throne room, the 'courtroom' was in gossip and all, and saw the group coming out, and they rose up in respect for Eric as he was the last one out of the side room, and walked up to his judge/throne chair, and sat.
The people sat along, and waited for Eric to announce, and Eric took a deep breath, "To all the kingdoms, especially Zaren, we have now decided the punishment of Tony Rydinger, leading to his death. By the orders of I, King Eric of Zaren, put Tony Rydinger to be chained to a cart, paraded down to the village where my people will lend their fruits and such to humiliate and pelt Tony, and later, in the palace courtyard, with chosen village leaders as witnesses, he will then suffer several whips, and then hanged. His body will be burned into ashes afterwards, no peaceful rest.".
The room remained quiet as Tony reacted with no change; he was practically already surrendered to his life being ended. He certainly knew there was nothing he could do to try and somehow change Eric's mind.
Eric then nodded, and grabbed a judge's hammer, and crashed it on the slider, "The case of Tony Rydinger vs Violet Parr is now completed. Court dismissed.".
Surprisingly to everyone, the entire people of Zaren ain't hungry for lunch for they wanted to start the punishment immediately.
Eric quickly cleared his throat, "I can tell the looks on many of your faces, but the punishment will be done a few days from now; considering that the convicted is not an Immedient threat as opposed to our old adversaries during the war. I will give him the time to at least make peace with himself before the day comes.".
The people on the benches were reluctant, but agreed to it, knowing that their king ordered it so. Grimsby announced, "The punishment will commence in four days from now, Monday, the 26th, after Thanksgiving, in the morning at 9.".
The people nodded, happy with that, for they would want to forget about Tony on Thanksgiving for the United Talons has introduced the holiday.
And so, with the 'courtroom' emptying out, and Eric giving nods of goodbye to the kingdom mirrors, Emma then spoke the code word, "Justice.", and the mirrors became sparkles of magic, vanishing into air.
And so, the day passed, with Tony being put back in his resident dungeon cell, only served meager meals for the few next days. Wanting to do a good thing after everything, Emma decided to ask Haku to come with her, to Sarip, to ask Phoebus and Helga if they want to receive their almost adopted daughter from Earth, figuring that it would be an early Thanksgiving surprise.
"Any reason why we're not just in town already? That we have to take a short trip through the mountains again?" Haku asked as the two of them rode on horses through the pass on the way to Sarip. Since there was no army, they could move a bit faster, as well as Emma opening the portal fairly close to it already though not in the town itself.
Emma smiled at him, "First, because I do not want to give the people of Sarip a heart attack after witnessing the trial through the mirror this morning. Second, I want to surprise Phoebus and Helga with a gift, a gift of them officially adopting Cassie. With your gift of modifying memories, the head of the orphanage would think that Cassie didn't ever exist or ran away, for documents of Phoebus and Helga doesn't exist on Earth.".
"I suppose that makes sense.", Haku shrugged. "I guess it's also a good chance to see the mountains now that much of this area was healed thanks to Eden. I'm still shocked about that; I never even heard whispers about her until it was over.".
Emma smiled warmly, "It sure is beautifully gorgeous now. Eden did a great job, and now she's resting for next spring/summer. The golden trees, the copper blue sky, the cool breeze, it's like a Hallmark card, except very real, with no pollution, no tall buildings, no comminated water.".
"And hopefully it'll stay that way for many generations. I still think that evil might rise again... it always seems to." Haku admitted his cynical thoughts.
"But as you just said there, many generations, and with us around for quite some time with our life cycles, at least any dark forces will never reach the strength that they once had while we're still around."
Haku gave a little chuckle, "Okay, when you're stubborn, I'll have to admit that you're right.", and Emma smirked, "I always am.", and grinned, "And look, we're almost there! Wow, in his letters, Phoebus talked about Notre Dame looking better, and now, look at it. That's almost even better than before, and the bells, oh, I can hear the music from here!", hearing the incredible tones of music among the bells, with big, small, skinny, and wide bells.
Haku grinned, "Smart of Phoebus to give Quasi sound-proof muffs for his ears. Quasi's doing a fabulous job...", and Emma smiled, "Yeah, Phoebus said that Quasi is happy to be home, and bring life to his village. Why, the children adore him, and every day, they get wooden toys and models from him.".
"Of course, I'm sure it would be much better if Esme was around.", Haku sighed as Emma agreed. "Esmeralda certainly would make things truly right, I would think.", she said in a low tone. What was done was done and for the sake of Sarip, things needed to move forward if the town was still to survive.
Haku spoke, "I don't doubt that, but her body was destroyed in that fire when Frollo attacked Notre Dame. You remember what Ryan said. A soul isn't complete without a body.".
Emma nodded, "Yeah." with a heavy sigh, before shaking her head, "But I am sure she'd want Phoebus and Helga to be happy with Cassie.".
Haku nodded, "Indeed.", as they got closer to Sarip, and the people on the outskirts waved to them as they passed under the gates, and smiles adorned people as they saw the two riders coming through the village as they headed to a rebuilt and refurbished Palace of Justice, all in bright, calm colors unlike before, with no imposing features at all, and even the dungeons are in better condition, with rules of treating criminals with polite respect until proven guilty or innocent.
"Place looks so different... hard to believe that it is the same place.", Haku admitted as they glanced around. Emma smiled, "The builders did a good job, and even the foundation is cleansed with good magic. This is definitely perfect for Phoebus's position, and luckily, there's a family wing in the back which is a total addition than before.".