Somehow, the news of my case had reached the public, and it took nearly my entire guard to manage the crowd that had been forming since dawn at the ferry. I sat patiently beside Doctor Tot, who was to act as my representative, in the lower court room of the castle while Beatrix went about shutting all the windows to block out the noise. Lord Siticus sat on the opposite side of the aisle from me, a slew of legal professors beside him. I struggled to keep my face forward, but couldn't help notice the smug little smile on my challenger's face as he sifted through his papers.

Presently, the magistrate entered. We stood as he made his way to the bench, then took our seats again when instructed to do so. If I'd been anxious before, I was utterly nauseous now. The magistrate was a short, thin man with beady eyes and very little hair on his head. A thin, curled moustache rode upon his upper lip like a medal of his propriety. But I knew Magistrate Hermes, and he was a fair and just man. My only confidence was in knowing he would make a fair ruling.

"I have gone over the documents presented to me by both parties," he said in a deep booming voice that you wouldn't expect in a man of his stature. He pulled his eyeglass away from his face and clasped his hands together on the desk before him. "As you may know, these documents were produced many centuries ago. The adoption of a child, as we know it, was relatively unheard of in those days. However, since the adoption in question was legal and binding – in fact, it was I who made the final approval on the matter – I am uncertain how to proceed. On the one hand, we have a document which states that Queen Garnet is the legal child of the late royal family. On the other, we have a law which appears to give Lord Siticus the right to the throne of Alexandria."

Already my heart was sinking. Doctor Tot set a feathered hand over mine to reassure me. I only hoped he was prepared to counter this.

Magistrate Hermes continued. "Since these laws are, as I said, so very antiquated, I have determined that the outcome of this case will also go down as the solution to this seeming loophole. In other words, should I rule in the Queen's favor, an addendum will be made to include adopted children of the royal family. The opposite will be the case should Lord Siticus prove his case. Lord Siticus, your opening statement first please."

Siticus handed the floor over to one of his representatives – an exceedingly overweight gentleman with a mane of fiery red hair which encircled his entire head.

"Thank you, Your Honor. We wish to bring to the court's attention Queen Garnet's failure to defend her nation in its most dire moments. Three years ago, Princess Garnet took an unexpected leave from Alexandria. Rumors spread that she had been kidnapped when, in fact, she later admitted to having fled the country of her own free will."

"Objection!" Doctor Tot sprung to his feet, slamming a fist against the desk. "All of that took place before the queen's coronation ceremony!"

The magistrate nodded understandingly. "Representative Tot has a fair argument. However, I feel I must allow this statement to be heard. This hearing will be based solely upon character. Go ahead, please."

The red haired man cleared his throat. "Thank you, Your Honor. As I was saying, the princess' flight from Alexandria cost her country a great deal – not only financially. While we recognize and appreciate her reasoning, we must question her judgment as to the handling of this incident. And, to be quite clear, Doctor Tot, there was a second leave of absence which took place after her coronation ceremony. This was during Alexandria's most difficult transition. This country had just experienced the death of Queen Brahne, and a massive attack from a foreign arms dealer known only as 'Kuja.' At the moment when Alexandria needed her most, the Queen was entertaining the notion that she was a warrior fighting for a noble cause – a cause we still have not received any explanation of."

The magistrate twisted his moustache. "Thank you, counselor. Will Queen Garnet's representative offer a counter-statement?"

Tot stood and clasped his hands behind his back. "We will, Your Honor. I, for one, have known Queen Garnet since she was a small child. It was, in fact, I who assisted with her escape from Alexandria. Her life was in grave danger, and we have witnesses in this court room today who can give testimony to an attack on her life at the hands of the Queen herself.

"Furthermore, I wish to demonstrate the strength of will the Queen has shown. In her young life, she has seen the death of two families, as well as brutal attacks on the most prominent kingdoms of Gaia – her own included. As warrior kings and queens of yore she fought valiantly beside her comrades to stop a war that would have inevitably destroyed our world. This 'arms dealer' you spoke of was a very dangerous man, with powerful forces at his command. He would have stopped at nothing to fulfill his mission.

"Through all that, Queen Garnet has remained emotionally sound, and absolutely dedicated to her kingdom. She has never placed personal needs before those of her people, and she would lay down her life to save Alexandria. Her people know this, and love her dearly for it."

Magistrate Hermes shot me a brief smile, then nodded. "Thank you counselors. We will take a short recess now to give thought to these statements. We will reconvene in half an hour."

A moment later I found myself leaning against the wall hyperventilating. It was clear now that Siticus and his representatives would not be fair or merciful in their presentation of me.

Just as I thought his name, Siticus strode up to me. "Feeling well, Your Highness?" he asked sweetly.

I straightened quickly. "Quite well. Thank you."

He leaned a shoulder against the wall I'd been propped against and began picking at his fingernails casually. "I have a proposition for you, just between us."

"I am not interested in anything you might offer me, Sir. I intend to win this case fairly."

"Surely you must know I employ the best representatives money can buy. Yours may be loyal, but I assure you mine are better educated than that old eccentric of yours."

I smiled pleasantly. "Clearly you've never worked with Doctor Tot before. He will surprise you."

"Quite," Siticus mumbled. "Now, about my proposition. I really do wish you'd hear me out. We can make this whole legal mess go away right now if you agree to it."

I hesitated. "Very well. Speak your piece."

"I wish to suggest an arrangement that will get us both what we want."

"And what might that be?"

"Why, the thrones of Alexandria, of course."

"Thrones?" I echoed.

"It is not uncommon for third-cousins to wed, especially in royal families."

I was outraged. "How dare you suggest such a thing to me?"

"Oh, yes. I had forgotten you already have a peasant sharing your bed. You might wish to reconsider making a public display of him, Queen Garnet. Furthermore, I doubt very much if any child of his will ever sit on the throne."

"I could have to thrown in prison for mocking me," I said, my voice trembling.

"I speak only the truth, my queen. Now I'll leave you to consider my offer. I'll see you back in the court room… unless, of course, you wish to give me an answer now."

"…Never."

Siticus smirked and spun on his heel. "Very well, Queen Garnet. Enjoy your title while it lasts."

***Sorry there was no Zidane in this chapter. I hope it wasn't too boring. It was kind of boring to write. I'm surprised I got it done as quickly as I did. The next one, I won't spend so much time in court – promise! Thanks for reading, everyone. So long for now!***