Chapter Sixty-four

"I shall see you later then Your Majesty," I smiled standing up and then giving him a slight bow.

"Oh and as part of your royal duties, you will attend court tomorrow, as well as throne room meetings. " Napoleon said with a smile. "Just so you can see how things work around here."

"Of course your majesty."

"Please do ensure you find a way to drag Harriet along, thank you."

"It is a pleasure, your majesty."

I left his presence and walked the corridors into my bedroom to tend to my twins. I was definitely looking forward to court the next day. I had never in my life attended something like that so this was going to be a new and fun experience.

I made sure to feed my twins first and as I lay them down, they slept off almost immediately. Then Sarah came inside and bathed me.

I made sure I wore the most simple yet elegant dress. It was a black and velvety long dress. I met with Harriet in the corridor looking all grumpy and annoyed.

"I wish to go back to sleep," she yawned. "Don't you?"

"Not really," I chuckled. "But don't worry after the whole court session you could sleep."

"Training, throneroom in the evening… There are lots of activities," she mumbled still yawning. "I seriously wish I could choose to sleep in."

"Doesn't everyone?" I chuckled.

"Where is Emily though?"

Harriet shrugged. "She went early."

"We had better walk faster, so we get there before court starts."

"You are right," Harriet yawned. "Father hates tardiness."


We got to the court a few minutes before they started their proceedings. It was still very early in the morning; a brand new sun had arisen; and the huge hall of the royal court was saturated with the anticipations. Lords and ladies occupied the room while they whispered about the events that led to their present situation.

Harriet and I sat with Emily by the throne of their Father. Some of the other high-ranking lords and ladies sat in smaller throne-like furniture beside us.

The hall with a high ceiling and walls were barely decorated. One could tell that it had existed probably over five hundred years ago.

"What's the case about?" Harriet whispered, looking between Emily and I.

"No idea, "Emily rolled her eyes. "That's why we are here to find out. I should think it's a murder though."

I stifled a gasp. This was going to be interesting.

I soon came to know that the accused was a man whose father was of high standing from the gossip around me. Now he had soiled his reputation beyond repair. His hands were cuffed behind his back, but he did not lower his head in shame like other criminals would.

In fact, he looked happy and there was an odd calculating move in his eyes.

The herald raised his voice saying something in the room that made everyone shut their mouth. "The court is now in session! In the following case, Lord Frederick was accused and tried for the murder of his young sister Lady Eleanor."

The court gasped as if most of them did not know the reason for the court session. Almost every person in the room looked at my uncle sitting on the throne as he cleared his throat. The room became still immediately. With eyes that contained intelligence and suspicion, he then scanned the people before fixing his gaze sideways on the accused. "You are the new Lord Frederick, are you not?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I see. The resemblance is striking," Napoleon said then turned to the herald. "Continue. Is there any evidence to support the claims?"

"The circumstances surrounding her death points only to Lord Frederick who in turn has admitted to his guilt claiming his motive was good reason.

"You are charged with a heinous act," Napoleon said. "Yet you seem proud of your work. You seem proud that you killed your sister, what is your motive? The court would like to hear it."

I was not sure if I was the only one seeing a proud look in his eyes. Or was it amusement?

He seems proud. But let's wait to see what the criminal would say. Raven inputted. Then we would know.

You only say that because you and I are one, I told her.

"Maybe. But I'm known to disagree with you most times. True or false?

I could picture her smirking. I gave a slight grunt and listened to Lord Frederick.

Frederick's voice was filled with an otherworldly confidence. You could see joy and bloodlust in his eyes. The look that said if he was given the opportunity again, he would kill her over and over again.

"Your Majesty, my parents' will bestow all their wealth upon Eleanor, leaving me with nought but the title. Eleanor is a female and as such she does not need the wealth but only to marry a good man," he said. "Moreover, she is a proud one who always believes that she is better than I am. She was quite scornful when the inheritance came so I needed to teach her a lesson."

"Is that so?" Napoleon asked. This time you could really see it in his eyes, he was proud of the man.

As the proceedings continued, Napoleon turned his gaze to me. "Regina, what say you to this matter?"

My heart raced at the unexpected query. This was a test. "Your Majesty," I began, my voice steady, "I would prefer to observe and learn from the court's judgment rather than offer my inexperienced counsel."

Napoleon nodded, a faint smile of approval playing on his lips. The trial resumed.

After deliberation by the council which I only listened to without input, a verdict was put forward.

"It is the judgment of this court," Napoleon my uncle declared, "that a portion of the estate be granted to Lord Frederick, in recognition of his noble title. However, the crime of murder cannot go unpunished. Lord Frederick, for the slaying of your sister, you are sentenced to death by the crown."