Like anything political, the trial took far too long to get done. Kate, stripped of her 'lady' title, was held in a solitary prison cell, though it was far more comfortable than anything a servant or beggar would have been given. She was given half-decent food and a warm blanket. Stiles knew she'd been treated better than she deserved when she showed up in front of the court looking far too much like she normally did. It seemed she'd even been allowed to do her hair and choose her own outfit. That wasn't even fair.
She was there for some opening statements, but they led her to a side room for the witness statements. Someone, probably Officer Parrish or the Duchess of Roden, had warned the Queen and other lords and ladies about Kate's effect on the people she'd manipulated. The Queen herself even confirmed that Kate had been removed for the 'emotional well being of persons about to give testimony'.
As this was all undoubtedly a covert way of catering to Stiles specifically, he felt both honored and embarrassed.
Several people were brought in for questioning, including two men who claimed to be the ones paid to set fire to the Stilinski Estate. Their testimony was hard for Stiles to listen to. They recounted in detail how Kate had found them, how she had given them everything they'd need to start the blaze, every step in how they went around the house, avoiding servants and prying eyes in the night, and started the fire in multiple places to make sure it caught on. A different witness, a woman, confirmed that Gerard Argent had given her the poison that immobilized Noah Stilinski, but that all of her contact was with Kate otherwise.
The clerk of the court was adept at his job and had somehow arranged for witnesses to come forward in the chronological order of Kate's offenses. There were other witnesses, implicating Kate in the blackmail of far more people than Stiles, and it didn't take Stiles long to notice that all of the witnesses were from prison – if their outfits were to be believed, at least. Each was walked in and out by guards. Each one looked hungry and dirty. Each one wore the same drab, gray outfit. All of Kate's accomplices had ended up arrested. How convenient.
There were far too many people to interview to hear them all in a day. Lords had other business to attend to in the day, and also their attention spans weren't known for caring so long. Stiles and Derek weren't called until the second day. Derek was called first, being of a higher rank, and recounted the relevant details. He'd known Kate was up to something and asked her scribe to keep him updated. When the letter came full of messy handwriting, he came to investigate and discovered Stiles and his broken hand. He recounted discovering Stiles' lineage and the request to his uncle to inquire about any validity to Kate's claims of debt and title transference.
"I was not with the Argents when my uncle's reply arrived, but Katherine had no qualms in opening my mail. When the late Earl and his daughter realized I had been prying, they blamed Lord Stilinski and beat him nearly to death." Derek frowned, hands clenched tight. "The rumor lasted longer than necessary because of the Argent's continued interference, though I am unsure exactly how they stopped Lord Stilinski from getting word out."
This was answered by the next witness. They'd heard her name in the study just before Gerard had died – Ms. Tamora Monroe. She was a woman of dark skin and short hair, whose face showed no signs of remorse or nerves.
"My Queen, I have done nothing wrong. I simply followed orders," she said. Lord Gerard hired her to keep watch for any letters addressed to Lord Hale and to stop any coming from Lord Stilinski or containing information about him.
"Ma'am," the clerk of the court interrupted. "Are you then admitting to opening missives intended for Lord Hale, reading their contents, then resealing them for delivery?"
"I am," she admitted. "But I have not, and have no intention of, using the information I gathered against the Hales. I was simply completing a task. Lord Stilinski had to remain dead. That's just the way things were."
She motioned to the man who had accompanied her into the room, not a guard but an assistant. He approached her and handed her a small stack of bound notes. Ms. Monroe held them up for the court to see, then turned and gave a meaningful look to both Stiles and Derek in turn.
"These are the missives I stole," she announced, then placed the letters on the table set up in front of the court. "Reading them will have no bearing on this court's judgment of Lady Katherine. They discuss no ill treatment of anyone that has not been mentioned already. However-" Here she gave a pregnant pause, then shrugged and tilted her head as though to suggest what she was about to say was obvious. "Someone in this court room may desire their return. They must mean a great deal to that person."
Bribery in front of the Court of Lords. This woman was brave. Stiles' eyes were on the stack, remembering every word he'd written to Derek. The first letter clearly declared his feelings, and this woman had read it. She'd read them all. He didn't know if he was mad or just a bit disgusted by her actions.
Whispers ran through the lords. The Queen herself called Derek to her side. He gave a gruff but unintelligible response, and then returned to his seat in the crowd. Earl Beacon sat in line with the lords and gave his son a very thoughtful look. The Queen then beckoned the clerk and they discussed.
"The Queen has deliberated," the clerk finally announced. "Your part in the twisted actions of the late Lord Argent and his daughter was minimal, though still illegal. It is the belief of the court that since you neither caused harm, nor instigated it, you will be allowed to leave without any jail sentence. However, you will be fined a small fee for prying into the private matters of a Lord."
Ms. Monroe held her hands up in submission, and then she bowed low. She was no lady, so her bow was sloppy, but it was mostly the thought that mattered.
After her departure, the moment of truth arrived. Stiles was called to speak before the court. Soon he would sit with the rest of them, deliberating on the actions of important cases, cases involving other lords and the various gentlemen and women. His first interaction with this group, however, was this – as a victim of a crime. Great first impression.
Many lords had questions for him about how he ended up in the care of the Argents, about the treatment he received while living there, and about his eventual escape. He tried to speak clinically so as not to feel overwhelmed. "There is a room in the Argent Estate called 'The Den'. It is a bare room used only for beatings." How many times were you taken to the den? "At least a dozen times." Were you harmed outside of the den? "Yes." How so? "Katherine Argent and her father found many reasons to hit servants." Can you describe the worst treatment doled out by the late Gerard Argent? "Well, he beat me against the stairs until everyone I knew believed I was dead. The recovery time included about two weeks of almost constant unconsciousness, followed by two months of physical therapy before I could walk unassisted." And by Katherine? "Katherine Argent poisoned me and intended to watch me die in person to make sure the job was complete."
They asked no personal questions about his relationship with Allison or Derek or anyone outside of Kate and Gerard. At least they were focused on the right problem.
Allison and her father were both called on, then Lord Posey and his mother so they could recount the state Stiles was brought to them in. Doctor Deaton and his sister, Morrell, were questioned for their medical expertise about the state of Stiles, both after the beating and after the poisoning. Not once did Morrell bring up the idea that she had supplied the poison, nor did anyone ask her about it. Clever, sneaky Morrell. Stiles would try not to hold it against her. She didn't deserve prison for saving his life, after all. The same could be said of Lord Argent, though he had stood by for so long while the mistreatment occurred.
The court reconvened every day for a week to get all of the stories and details, and Stiles was there every single day – along with his growing support group of McCalls, Argents, and Hales. After the sixth day, the court closed with the announcement that it would reconvene in the morning to hand down judgment on the daughter of the once-feared Earl. It was all far too long and drawn out, and had they really needed to hear from everyone involved in every error Kate had ever made? Wasn't the attempted poisoning of Stiles enough to sentence her to exile at least? Why even bring the rest of it in to play? The court sure hated being forced to deal with one of their own as a villain.
In the morning, Kate was brought before the court and given a final moment to defend herself.
"You've been interviewing people for six days," Kate said with a tense and unforgiving stare. "You must know more than enough to convict me. Toying with a woman's heart is wicked. I have no pretense before you all, so you should convey the same courtesy to me. Hand down my punishment, but pick a good one. I'd hate to be disappointed this late in the game."
"Katherine Argent, you have been found guilty of murder, attempted murder, coercion, blackmail, fraudulent claim of a title, fraudulent claim of a land deed, contracting arson, and abuse of a member of the peerage." The clerk banged a staff on the ground to punctuate the decision.
The Queen stood then and stared down her nose at Kate, disgust on her features. "I have heard too much about you over the years, Katherine, and yet you surpassed yourself with what I have been told these last several days. With immediate effect, your holdings will be transferred to your family estate, to be claimed by the new Earl, Lord Christopher Argent. I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment here in the capital, where you will be kept in solitary confinement until long after the silence drives you even madder than you are now."
Kate, despite her bindings, stared defiantly at the Queen and gave a low, graceful, sarcastic curtsey. "As you say, Ma'am."
It sounded too much like a threat to Stiles, and apparently to the guards as well. They scooped Kate up quickly and ushered her from the room before the Queen could retake her seat. After Kate's sentencing, the new Earl Gévaudan was fined for his inaction during the terrible events happening within his household. He could not be held accountable since he never inflicted physical pain nor ordered the infliction. However, the fine was still enforced, and the money went straight into the Stilinski coffers. Chris did not argue the point. There were a few closing statements from the court, but then everyone was dismissed to return to their normal lives.
Stiles didn't even know what that meant anymore. His life was a whirlwind of changes every few months.
The sitting lords and ladies, and of course her majesty, left the room first. Then the audience of notable persons, including Derek, the Argents, the McCalls, and Stiles, began their walk back to their carriages. Just outside the doors, Officer Parrish stepped up to greet the large group. He bowed to each lord, even tipped his hat to the newly titled Lord Christopher Argent, Earl of Gévaudan, then stood at attention and focused on Stiles.
"My Lord," he greeted with a happy grin. "My Lady requests a private meeting."
Brow knit curiously, Stiles nodded. He ushered his friends on. They were all staying in the same lodging, so he would catch up later. Then he followed Parrish into a much smaller room, where Lady Lydia Martin, Duchess of Roden, was sitting in a plush chair and conversing with her huntress, Miss Cora Hale.
It was a waiting room, filled with several comfortable chairs and couches. Beautiful paintings of nature hung on the walls to give the room warmth, but they were all generic, with no noticeable landscape or landmark to tell where the scene was.
At the entrance of the two men, Cora stood from her place beside Lydia. She bowed her head at her lady then excused herself. As she passed, she grabbed Parrish by the forearm and wrenched him along with her. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Stiles and the duchess in a thick silence.
After a tense moment, Lydia shifted in her seat, her skirts rustling, and beckoned for him to approach and take a seat near her. He did, sitting down opposite her.
It had been a long time since Stiles had seen the duchess. They had their brief but memorable meeting in the woods, where she had insulted him when she probably thought he couldn't hear her. Then they'd met at the theater, where most of the interaction had been between Stiles and Cora, and he'd largely ignored the duchess. This marked their only time meeting in private.
"How are you feeling?" Lydia asked. "It's a big day for you, and for many others, but we all know who this was truly about."
"That sounds dangerously close to an accusation," Stiles replied and crossed his legs.
"Does it?" Lydia shrugged innocently. "The imprisonment of Katherine Argent will be marked in history, I'm certain. It has been a long time since a scandal this large has occurred. I'm sure you've already considered how this will affect both your life as well as the two remaining Argents. Katherine needed to be put away. Her scheming needed to be stopped. But people will remember this trial for the family it grew out of and for the most notable victim."
"I'm fine," Stiles answered flatly. He had taken stock of himself throughout the trial, and he was confident in that answer. "I know things will continue to be tough. I know I have a lot to work through. If your ladyship is truly concerned, you could always keep sending your personal officer to spy on me some more."
That made the duchess laugh. She hid her large grin behind her hand a moment too late, and he saw it reach all the way up to her eyes. She shook her head. "Oh Stiles," she sighed and rolled her eyes. "Your connection to the Hales is the main reason our paths kept crossing. I sent Jordan to help you at the insistence of my huntress, Cora. Normally she can't stand most people. It makes her rather refreshing. But she took an immediate interest in you when we met in the forest. Her brother apparently spoke of you often, so your wellbeing became a hobby for her."
Stiles still remembered the devilishly curious look Cora had worn in the forest that day. He'd assumed she'd known all the rumors about him from when his father had died. Knowing what he knew now, that glint in her eye had most likely come from all the stories Derek had told her. She'd been teasing him, and he hadn't even noticed.
"So you're saying you have no personal interest in me or my county or what happens to me from here on?" Stiles asked, suspicious.
Lydia toyed with one of her curls. "You're very interesting, Stiles. I can't say I'm completely uninterested in you." She fixed her eyes on his then, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Were you not already engaged, perhaps I would have fought for your time and attention."
Stiles spluttered and stood. "W-Who said I was engaged?" Had Allison spilled the beans? Or Scott? Derek? How did she know? Did everyone know? It was meant to be a secret until after the trial!
Lydia laughed again, this time short and sweet. "You just said I had someone spying on you," she reminded. "Jordan noticed the interactions between the two of you. He knows what Lord Hale told the papers. It didn't take him long to realize the two of you were likely already engaged or soon to be. So should I offer my congratulations now or later?"
Sinking back into the chair, Stiles sighed. "Now?" He bowed his head to her in apology for his behavior, but then he frowned. "Hang on. Did you just suggest you would have courted me?"
She smiled and nodded slowly. "I am bound by my title, so nothing would have come of it, but I think the two of us could have had a fun tryst. I am intended to marry someone of a duke's standing or higher. You understand."
Stiles frowned and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "You don't sound very happy about that."
"Lord Hale is a lucky man," Lydia said. "Though he will be an Earl in a few years, he is allowed to marry for love. Even had you not been discovered as the secret Baron of Goodwater, he could have made an argument to be with you regardless. The title merely helps. I, on the other hand, cannot marry someone without a title, and a high one at that. A gentleman's daughter may be ecstatic to marry an officer, whereas I can only enjoy his company, not his rank. And a baron might tarry with the idea of eloping with a huntress, whereas I would bring shame on an entire nation for the very notion."
An officer. A huntress. Stiles frowned harder still. "When I was still a scribe, I was convinced I would be happy just to be by Derek's side for the rest of my life, even if nothing could come of it. Even if he could never be with me in public, never defend me in front of the scowls of others, never kiss me in daylight – I was certain I would be happy. I had a small piece of Derek, and I was determined to enjoy it. Though, I learned soon after that I am a greedy man. I want all of him, not just what we can do in the dark." He nodded seriously. "I cannot actually speak for those around you, Lady Lydia, but I'm sure they're all enjoying whatever piece of you they are allowed the have."
"Until they, too, learn they are greedy. All people are," Lydia said. She frowned. "I am." She stood then, tense and cold. "I called you in to congratulate you – on both the outcome of the trial and on your coming nuptials. I have done so. You can leave now."
Stiles stood, but he only walked a few steps away before he stopped. "I know we aren't well acquainted, your ladyship, but you have helped me find everything I have ever wanted. You're brilliant, and though I didn't believe it at first, you're impressively kind. For what it's worth, you don't have to pretend or hide around me. I'll support any endeavor you choose."
She smiled, something small but genuine. "Thank you, Stiles." She motioned gently toward the door. "I look forward to our next meeting."
"As do I," he said. He bowed, and then took his leave. Officer Parrish smiled and bowed his head respectfully when he saw Stiles exit the room. The two men bid each other good day, then Parrish entered the room and Stiles went on his way.
While he walked down the hall, it occurred to him that she had never used his title, only his chosen moniker. It made him like her a little bit more.
Stiles stepped into the daylight outside and squinted against the glare of the sun. He'd sent his friends ahead, which meant he'd need to borrow a carriage or walk. Unfortunate, but he'd gotten used to walking.
When his eyes adjusted, however, he saw a hansom waiting at the base of the stairs. The driver was already up in his station, surveying the street with an air of boredom, and Stiles realized he recognized the man. Squinting down beside the horses, Stiles could make out Derek Hale leaning against the door to the cab.
He caught sight of Stiles and straightened up. He'd waited for Stiles without knowing how long Stiles would take. Stiles' stomach knotted in happy twists. He smiled. Derek smiled back. Oh God. Could this be the rest of their lives? Because Stiles would really love that.
He took the stairs two at a time, in a very unbecoming manner for a baron, but he wanted to be by Derek as quickly as possible. Really, he wanted to leap into Derek's arms and kiss him full on the mouth, but they were in public.
"Hi," he said when he'd finally stopped in front of Derek, feeling a little breathless.
"Hi," he said back. "Everything okay?"
"Everything is fantastic." Better than okay. Better than fine. The only thing that could make it better would be some public display of affection, but that would have to wait until after the wedding. "I love that you waited."
Derek shrugged. "Yes. Well. I love you. Seemed kind of logical."
Jesus. Derek was going to be the death of him, and he didn't need blows or poison to do it. He just needed to keep saying sappy things like that. Stiles was doomed.