As the days went by I continued thinking about how I told Adrian things would get better. But with each passing day it seemed like things were going to stay the same. I hoped and prayed that it would all turn out OK. I knew that Adrian was thinking the same thing because Lissa, to my request, continued to press him to talk about his feelings. It took several days and a lot of Lissa's annoying babbling for him to finally talk. Trust me it was quite amusing to watch.

By the end of the week I finally heard back from Hans. He had not visited me in quite sometime. But I just assumed it was because he was trying to help me, as were most of the other guards. As it turns out he was actually out on a mission. On the good side of that though was that the person he was guarding had some insight on what happened with the Tatiana. This person told him that he believed in his heart that I was not the one who did the killing. I was more than happy to hear that another vampire besides my friends was on my side.

Just as he was finishing a member from the court came to get me. I was more surprised than anyone that they were finally getting to me. Whether it was to punish me or let me free I was glad something was being done.

"Guardian Hans will you excuse us. I need to talk with the prisoner before we move to the court room. Thank you." I didn't remember who this certain person was

"Yes Lord Eric. Excuse me." Hans spoke

Turns out this Lord Eric is new to the Royal Court. I didn't know anyone new had come in besides Kaydence and she was only here so that Lissa could receive her spot in the r.c. And that was made official just a few weeks back. So now Lissa is known as Lady Dragomir instead of Princess. You would think Lady would have the lesser value but it truly doesn't.

As soon as Hans was down the hall Lord Eric began speaking to me. "Ms. Hathaway, I am Lord Eric. I am new to the Royal Court and I will be preparing you for what is going on today. I know you don't know me which is one of the biggest reasons they sent me to you. Everyone thought that Lady Dragomir would be down here to prepare you but this seemed like the better deal."

"Why would they send someone I don't know opposed to someone I've known for my entire life? That honestly makes no sense. I have trust issues and having someone unfamiliar tell me what's going on doesn't sit well with me."

"I see…so would you like me to have Lady-"

"Lissa…Her name is Lissa. She hates the titles that you people give her. She doesn't see it as respect. She would rather you call her what she wants. That's more respect that calling her something she doesn't like." I snapped at Lord Eric and honestly felt a little guilty about it. I mean I just met the man and already he sees a bad side in me. That really wasn't going to get me any where. "I am so sorry. I really didn't mean to…"

He held up his hand to dismiss my apology. "It is quite alright Rose. I understand where you're coming from."

"You…you called me Rose. No one ever does that. They always say 'Ms. Hathaway' in a very condescending tone might I add."

"Does it offend you by my calling you that?"

"No. Its nice to be seen as me instead of as…well a murderer. Thank you."

"You are most welcome. I have been able to read up on your past and I must say it was quite intriguing. I've never read about anyone like you."

"Is that a bad thing? I figured it would be-"

"Refreshing. It was. I always read of people having to be the most polite and respectful and then they turn into these ugly people. They make threats and always follow up on them. But with your files you're…very opinionated and are most proud of it. You don't take anyone's crap and definitely don't back down. But in all of my reading you never had one incident where the other person didn't deserve it."

"Wow! That's really unusual to hear from some on the Royal Court. They all seem to think that because I am very upfront about who I am that it automatically makes me the villain."

"As I was saying, I believe that you didn't do this. But what I was most surprised to read about was your relationship with your trainer ex-Guardian Belikov. I didn't see that coming. I know that younger girls find some of the Guardians attractive but for the Guardian to edge it on is very out of the normal. It seems this thing between the two of you went on for quite sometime. The Royal Court didn't even suspect anything until he himself came to them. He was in an uproar about this whole situation and when they asked him why he cared so much he told them everything."

"Did anything happen to him after that? They didn't hurt him, did they?"

"No they didn't. They were actually quite moved by his story. But he did receive a mark in his record."

"Well that's good to hear. I mean all that is over between him and I. But I still don't want anything bad to happen to him."

"I understand that. But we have veered way off track. I came down here to discuss your trial. Well its more like the verdict. We will be bringing you in to the court room at 4:25pm on the dot. I know that it is a weird time but that's how we work. Or how they work since I am new to this. Once we bring you in you will have time to say what you need. Whether it will be remorse for what you did or to deny that you did anything. It is completely up to you. After that we will talk amongst ourselves and finally give you your sentence or your freedom. 3 of us have to disagree inorder for you to be found not guilty."

"Only 3. That seems strange. You would think he would have to be at least half. I don't understand your guys' reasoning for things."

"Sometimes neither do we. But before I go I would like to tell you something. And what I tell you you must keep to yourself. Please do not repeat this to anyone because if it got out than bad things could happen." Lord Eric had a tone in his voice. It almost made me nervous. I had no idea what he was going to say so I just nodded in anticipation for him to finish. And what he said next truly shocked the hell out of me. I definitely didn't see it coming. "I don't know what it is or why but I like you. And not just how you're upfront about who you are but everything that I've read. I know you Rose. And even though this is the first time we have ever met I feel like I can trust you with anything. I also can say that I know you didn't murder Tatiana. She was a good person and had a stiff belief on how she wanted things. Although you called her a bitch I still don't think you could have driven a stake through her heart."

"Actually I called her a sanctimonious bitch. If you really want to quote me." I smiled and so did he. There was something about him that I liked. I didn't know what it was but something in his eyes told me that I could trust what he was saying.

"Yes," he laughed, "I do remember reading that. I literally laughed out loud when I read that. And as much fun as I am having talking with you I must get going. It is almost time for you to go to court. I have to go prepare myself now and let everyone know how it went. I won't tell them about our previous conversation. I will just tell them you had many questions."

"Yes I did. And you answered them with perfect clarity." and just before he walked away I said, "I still have more questions though…just not about my situation."

"I know you do and when you get free I'll be sure to answer those questions for you."

"I'll hold you on that." After I spoke Eric nodded then walked away.