After collecting our things together me and Ben then went downstairs to find the others waiting for us in the main hall; I smiled at them as me and Ben walked through the main hall and outside to our limousine that was waiting for us. Me and Ben quickly climbed into the limousine but it wasn't before I noticed that large crowd of reporters that was already standing at the gates taking photos of us leaving. As I watched as Adam, Belle, Evie, Jay and Carlos all climbed into the limousine after us I couldn't help but sigh - it had already begun!
When our limousine pulled away and started to leave the castle grounds I couldn't stop myself looking out the window and gave myself one last look of the place before we all fell into the despair and turmoil that was going to come with the trial.
My mind then spitefully started to show me breaking up with Ben for the first time; and I started to mentally kick myself - I still felt like I was to blame for all of this. If I had only sat down with Ben and told him what was worrying me so much then maybe all of this sorry mess wouldn't have happened.
Halfway through my train of thought Ben must have picked up on my dismay as he pulled me close and he held me for the rest of the journey. I knew that this trial was going to be hard on Ben as he was scared of how the Kingdom was going to take to it. Yes he knew that he was a respected King; but he felt that backlash might ensue the accused families - something he told me that he was going to try and prevent from happening. At this point the Kingdom was watching everyone involved to try and find out what and why Ben's kidnap happened; Ben was aware that the Kingdom wanted to know but he was only prepared to tell them so much for now. The evidence was so case sensitive that we couldn't afford for it to get out now; but I knew for a fine fact that when pieces of information were mentioned in the trial me and Ben weren't going to be watching the TV for the next coming weeks.
I did ask why the press were allowed in the public gallery and Ben told me that as it is public domain he can't tell them not to be there; he could however restrict the amount of reporters that were allowed in the public gallery. He then told me that the courthouse had put a scheme in place where only one reporter per news company was allowed in the courtroom - even though I didn't like this it did seem fair.
What I wasn't looking forward to was when the video of me and Bobby was going to be introduced into evidence; it was so damaging to me, my reputation but worst of all our case! I hated the fact that the defence was probably going to use it against us! I just hoped that the jury saw that my actions were manipulated; I didn't want Bobby! I only wanted Ben! And I just hoped and prayed that the backlash from seeing this video wasn't going to cause any problems for me and Ben - especially with certain council members. Ben had tried to reassure me against this; but I knew that deep down I wasn't going to be able to settle properly until the trial was over - no matter what I tried.
When we arrived at the courthouse we all quickly climbed out of the limousine and the press were there quickly talking photographs of our arrival. Ben then slid his right hand into my left and I just looked forward as he led me into the courthouse - with the press shouting, calling out and continuing to take photos of us all.
As we were just about to walk into the courthouse I heard a series of vans drive up the street. When I looked over I saw six white police vans drive past the courthouse, down the side of behind a wired and metal gate, which closed quickly behind them. I was assured that this was the way how things were done; the accused arriving under a private guard away from public view. If I was being honest I think this was for the best - as I dread to think about what scene Bobby would try to cause if he arrived so publicly like we had just done.
When me and Ben entered the courthouse we were then directed to the room that we were going to spend the trial in by a member of staff; and as we did this another member of staff showed our family to the courtroom. When I asked Ben why we were in a separate room and he said that he had a couple of reasons as to why he had done this. First of all he told me that he couldn't bear to be in the same room as the accused party; which I understood. I would feel exactly the same; and there would also be a part of me which knew that I don't know whether I would be able to control myself in front of the accused party. I knew I was going to struggle when the defence tried to make up a case of why they had done what they had done; so it probably was for the best that I wasn't in the same room as them - as I hated all six of them! I also knew that given how Ben had reacted on our honeymoon it was probably for the best to keep them all apart - Lucifer only knows how this trial was going to affect my Beast.
Ben then told me that as we were both key witnesses to the crime we needed to be kept away from the court case until we were needed; when I asked him about this Ben said that for the court case to work we needed to be kept separate. So no glances, outbursts or anything said in the trial affected our testimony. Again I understood this as I knew that Bobby would no doubt call out and shout when he saw either me, Ben or both!
However before I could fixate on this any further there was a knock on the door, and when Ben opened the door a member of staff stepped into the room with a trolley that was filled with water, tea and coffee if we should need it. He then picked the TV remote up and turned the TV on and the sight of the courtroom came into view. I watched as everyone was taking to their seats and I couldn't help but not the only people that were missing were the judge and the accused party.
"Here we go," Ben said as he slid his left hand into my right and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Here we go" I repeated as I took a couple of deep breaths to steady myself. This was it! There was no turning back now! The trial was about to start; and even though I was nervous about it's outcome I was sure of one thing - no matter what happens I will do anything to get my Beast through this.
