{The Trial}
Anastasia was so focused on feeding Moon in the garden. {I think I can remember a glimpse of what happened in the novel concerning something like this}
Zain was accused of being the peeping-tom, the emperor asked the contestants to defend him but everyone stood against him. He lost his title, his family disowned him.
Even the woman he loves abandoned him because of this issue. The emperor didn't bother defending him, after everything he has sacrificed for this kingdom.
In the end he lost everything, that drove him to kill himself. "Don't worry Zain I'll make sure you're proven innocent" Anastasia whispers to herself.
"The question still remains, who is the culprit?" Anastasia asked.
"You think that by acting all righteous proves that he's innocent?" Luna asked. "Ugh... You again" Anastasia said in disgust.
"Make sure you know what you're doing" Luna said.
The day of the trial finally arrived. Anastasia watched everyone point their fingers at Zain. "Is it true you were in the area the time of the incident?" Luna asked.
"Yes" Zain said. "What were you doing there? Could it be that you waited for everyone to leave so you could have the opportunity to feast your eyes?" Luna asked.
"That's not true" Zain said. "Then explain to us what the hell you were doing in the maids bathroom. It doesn't make any sense that a noble knight such as yourself could orchestrate such ill acts" Luna said.
Zain folds his hands into a fist in anger. "We have a witness here who saw you leave the building" Luna said.
Anastasia grips her dress in frustration. {Why can't I remember what happened next? Think... Think... Think Anastasia... You can at least remember something}
Anastasia rubs her face in frustration, she paused in surprise.
{That's it... I remember... Caroline is a complete fan of Zain, she always gushed about how handsome he looked. I remember she complained about Zain losing his title because of this misunderstanding. She said he was innocent that the culprit was...}
"Guinevere Whitestone come forward and speak for your defendant" Mrs Harper said. Anastasia walked up to the court with confidence.
She looks at Azriel. "Before we begin, I have a favor to ask your grace" Anastasia said. "What's that?" Azriel asked.
"I would like you to grant me your permission or rather I'd like you to give me your word, that no matter what happens in this court room, it will not be used against me and that no one would interfere in this case" Anastasia said.
"Very well, there would be no interference" Azriel said.
"Splendid" Anastasia said as she walked up to Zain.
"We are gathered here because my client was wrongfully accused of a crime he knows nothing about" Anastasia said.
"How can you say he knows nothing about this? He was in the building" Luna argued.
"I understand your concern Luna but just because he was in the area doesn't mean he's the culprit. I did listen to your debate, you said he left the building. A criminal won't just casually walk pass the scene when he knows he's guilty"
"Riddle me this... Why would he throw away everything he has worked hard for just to stare at naked maids? When he can walk into a brothel and have any lady he desires for free? It left me wondering who could do such a thing.... Then I finally understood this was all staged"
"The culprit wants to shift the blame on someone, I mean who better to blame than a knight who's close to the emperor" Anastasia said.
She touched Zain on the hair. "Don't worry, I will not let you lose everything" Anastasia whispers in his ear.
"If I may your grace. The night of the incident, I saw Zain talking to a lady. I came to the conclusion that he went to see the woman he loves. A man in love won't have the time to glance at another woman except the woman he's attracted too"
"I even got the opportunity to talk to the so call witness of ours. She informed me that she didn't really see anyone" Anastasia said.
"LIAR!!!!" Luna said. "Luna behave yourself!! Don't raise your voice before the emperor" Mrs Harper said. Azriel sat down watching Anastasia carefully.
"Now I'd like to call someone to the stand... Prince Tristan please come forward" Anastasia said. "I beg your pardon?"
"There's no need to beg for my pardon, young prince" Anastasia said with a smug smile.
"I can't believe this insult. I hope you're ready to face the consequences of your actions" Tristan said.
"Where were you the night of the incident prince Tristan?" Anastasia asked. "Have you lost your mind? I was in my room" He replied.
"I see... So you deny being at the scene of the crime..... Alright then since I already have the emperor's permission to do whatever I like then there's only one thing to do"
Anastasia punched Tristan. "Have you lost your mind?" Tristan asked in anger. Soldiers raised their weapon.
"Nahh-uhh. the emperor gave me his word. No one is to interfere" Anastasia said.
Azriel raised his hand causing the soldiers to put down their weapons. {What are you up to Guinevere?} Azriel asked.
"Alright Tristan would you like to do this the hard way or the easy way. Trust me I'm prepared for whatever your answer might be" Anastasia said. "You don't have any evidence"
"Evidence? Very well, If that's how you want to play this game. The day after that incident, it felt weird that everyone would blame Zain without any concrete evidence. All we knew was that some maids saw him flee the facility"
"When I called them in for questioning, non of them could give a solid evidence neither could they describe what happened that night. I went back to the scene, that was when I found this..." Anastasia brought out a handkerchief.
"I knew it smelled familiar" Anastasia went to Tristan. "Do you remember what I told you the first time we met? I told you, you smelled like arrogance and desperation. That's why when I sniffed it, I knew it smelled familiar"
"For all I know you must have taken that from my room just so you could frame me" Tristan said.
"You may think that, but something happened last night and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about" Anastasia said.
"What are you talking about?" Tristan asked, his voice laced with mockery. "My patience is running thin" Anastasia slapped him.
"You raped a maid last night you sick bastard. You are an arrogant motherfucker who doesn't consider anyone's feelings. You took her virginity you son of a bitch" Anastasia said as she grabbed him by the collar.
"Someone get this lunatic off of me" Tristan said. "Don't you dare interfere" Anastasia said to everyone present.
She lets go of his collar, he coughs violently.
"I tried to do this the easy way.... You made me result to this.... I wouldn't have done this if you hadn't raped her last night...." Anastasia said as she hold both her ears.
"Nooo!!!!" Rose yells. Anastasia opens her eyes. {Her eyes are now gold?} Azriel asked.
"Ohh, you're the one who has caused her so much stress dumb prince.... Alright now, let's get this over with quickly" Anastasia said.
Tristan stepped back in fear. "What happened to you?" He asked.
"Tell everyone the truth before I do. You were willing to shift the blame on my poor Zain. He's just a man who has worked his ass just to be where he is today. Unlike you, a suck up prince who doesn't know what it means to fight for survival" Anastasia said.
Tristan tried to run. "Tsk Tsk Tsk.... Running only makes it fun" Anastasia said as she grabbed him from behind.
"Who is the peeping-tom?!!" She asked. "It's.... It's... Me"
The room was filled with gasps and murmurs. "Was that so hard dick head?" She asked.
"This is so disappointing... Here we were about to punish an innocent man for your crime" Henry said.
Tristan sat on the floor in shame. "Bring out his victim" Anastasia said.
A maid entered the room, she trembled in fear. "Don't fret little one, he can never hurt you ever again" Anastasia said to the maid.
"Take a look.... Take a good look at what a monster like you did to that innocent girl. The terror and fear you've inflicted on her..... Now the only thing that's left is for you to go on your knees and apologize" Anastasia said.
"Never!!!" Tristan said. Anastasia tilts her head, a gold rope came out of her hands and rapped itself on his neck.
"Currently little prince, you're in no position to refuse" Anastasia said. The rope tightens around his neck, he choked slowly.
"I... Ack... Ark.. ngh.. I'm... S.. sorry" Tristan said. "Say it like you fucking mean it" Anastasia said.
"I am sorry..... Mgh... For raping... You...."
"Good boy.... Now say it to my sweet knight" Anastasia said. "Ark... Do... I have... To?"
Anastasia tightens the rope. "Haaa... Hm... I'm sorry for the trouble.... I cause...d.... You Zain..." Tristan said.
"Good doggy" Anastasia said as she loosens the rope from his neck. Tristan gasped hard for air.
"So people of the court, it's clear that Zain is innocent so can we stop this bullshit?" Anastasia asked. Murmurs filled the room.
"Your grace, I have two requests" Anastasia said. "What could that be?" Azriel asked. Anastasia smirks devilishly.
"Since my beloved knight was wrongfully accused, it's only fair he's handsomely compensated for the trauma and disgrace he has faced, don't you think?" Anastasia asked.
"What do you suggest?" Azriel asked. "It's such a shame everyone turned their backs on him the minute he had such an ordeal"
"Get straight to the point Nari" Azriel said. "Alright, alright. A promotion is a good compensation, together with a letter to his parents expressing your pride in their child" Anastasia said.
"Would that be all?" Azriel asked. "Not exactly.... As for the maid that bastard took advantage of last night. It's only reasonable that you give her a handsome compensation. Like a house and a huge amount of money... And a specific amount would be deposited in her account every month" Anastasia said.
"Isn't that a bit too much for a demand?" Oliver asked.
"Demand? I won't call this a demand. It's more of an important task the emperor has no choice but to fulfill. I mean what do you think people would say if they found out that a stupid prince the emperor invited to his castle is a pervert and a rapist?" Anastasia asked.
Azriel exhaled sharply. "Your wish would be granted" Azriel said. "Thank you your grace" Anastasia said.
She walked up to the maid. "Now you have nothing to be scared of. I made sure that bastards seed didn't survive. Now you would leave the castle a free woman, a rich one at that" Anastasia said. The maid hugged her. "Thank you"
Anastasia went to Zain, she touched his cheeks.
"My brave and strong Zain. It pains me that you had to go through this injustice. Your death would have caused me sleepless nights..... Now you can fulfill your dreams. I see you happy with a wife and three kids.... {guess what.... crystal was there too}" Anastasia whispered.
Zain hugs her in excitement. Anastasia pulls away, she ruffles his hair. "My baby's all grown up now I....."
Anastasia collapsed but Zain caught her. Rose and Luke rushed to her. "Is she alright?" Rose asked.
Zain laughs softly when he heard Anastasia snore loudly. "She's only sleeping" He said. "Pfft" Luke laughs.
"Thank you lady Guinevere.... I owe you my life"