XLI

Princess Roshanne

She didn't expect for the trial to happen so early in the morning. She was awoken by Odette informing her that the king had summon all his subjects to the court room for a trial.

She was also made aware that lady Dara was arrested in her room long before the sun peaked from the mountains. Knights stormed the Harem and she was dragged from her bed, she wasn't even wearing a proper clothes.

"The king was clearly mad." Odette spoke as she help her prepare. She will be sitting by the bench, just watching. Hoping that Dae would not forget what she wanted for her to do.

"Lady Helena had also fallen Ill." Odette whispered the last part to her, Making her look at her.

"Late last night... Before she went to sleep,after she had taken the tea.... Neviska did her job." Roshanne smiled and nods her head.

"And the escape goat?" She asked her.

"Have already been dealt with. The robins are doing their job, whispering and spreading the news, until it had reached the King's ear. It was the reason why Lady Dara had been harshly treated." Odette filled in for her.

" Good,that is good." She stated nodding her head. Now this should all go according to her plans. She stood up once Odette was done fixing her hair.

"Give me the sun drop, I shall wear it today." She told her and Odette opened the drawers of her night stand where she keep her jewelry. Sun drop is a pair of earrings that was once owned by her mother, but ever since she succumbed to madness, all her jewelry was given to Roshanne. She wear the sun drop and looked at herself in the mirror. It was clear to say that Roshanne is enjoying this.... Because she looks like she's going to attend a ball rather than attend a trial hearing.

"Princess.... Prince Alastair is here." The guard that is guarding her room announced.

"Let him in." She told him... And the guard did. Alastair was wearing an unusual Raiment... As the children of the king, they are required to always dress in their father's colors during large gatherings where they will be seen in the crowd. Today Roshanne was wearing a cream colored dress pleated with gold trims and embroidered with golden flowers. Alastair usually wore the same color with the same broidery as her... But today he is wearing something unusual... The she sure would make him stand in the crowd.

"Blue?" She asked him as she approach him, admiring this new looks he has... Blue is the color of the city of Cadalin and the family of Castilon. It was their own color, it represents the sea, in which where the city of Cadalin's get their trade mark as sea Farers and traders. His Raiment was then embroidered with golden dragons... To normal people the golden dragon would mean it is to honor their father. But she knew best... Those dragon does not honor their father.... instead it meant her... Because there are rubies embedded on the raiment, making it look like a redscale mixing with gold... He looks gallant and dashing.

"I hope you won't mind." He stated before offering his arm for her to take.

"No I don't mind at all." She replied to him.

"You look dashing, truly you are father's prettiest son." She told him making him laugh.

"Prettier than you?" He asked her.

" Know your limits." She jested making him laugh again, the two of them where smiling when they stepped out of the room.

" I had my morning ride this morning, patrolling the King's slum." He whispered to her, smiling at every person who greeted them.

" Nothing interesting of note had happened so far... The king's slum is slowly being purge of criminals, sooner that place would be safe for everyone.... Well maybe except the fact that a certain crown prince was seen drunkenly wasted on the street." She glowers...of course what's new.

" It was nothing new. The crown prince has the hobby of gambling every pennies in his bank, I'm afraid that sooner or later he'll run dry our kingdom's coffer." She told him making him chuckle.

"What did you do?" She asked him.

"Well I left him there... Why would I pick up a trash? That's not my job as a knight." He answered making her chuckle. She gave his arm a small squeeze when they happened to pass by princess Aideen's room. Daughter of lady Helena.

"Before we go to the court, let us first check our dear sister... I heard her mother got poisoned." She told him.

"Ah yes... I was surprised too." Alastair stated sounding forlorn, he was close to lady Helena and his Son, the deceased prince Aiden.

"The investigation was already ongoin, though I was surprised of how quick the culprit was caught." Base on Alastair, Roshanne knew he still had no idea that it was lady Dara who is being accused as the culprit.

"What do you know about this hearing?" She asked him before they knocked on princess Aideen's room.

"Well as far as I know it was because lady Dara had hurt lady Dae. Why?" She shakes her head and motioned for him to knock,and he did, a moment later a woman named Vera opened the door for them. As far as she remembers this woman is a Aideen's trusted servant.

"May we speak with Princess Aideen?" She asked Vera, she looks behind her first, probably awaiting her mistress command before she turned towards them and nods her head.

The two of them entered the room... And they saw her sitting by her vanity mirror, her eyes were red probably from crying to much and she looks like she hadn't had a wink of sleep.

"Sister." She called her, as she approaches cautiously. As a child Aideen had always been the sweetest, she was a soft hearted woman, she was adored by many. Aideen had always been an advocate for the poor and animals, she had been known to help the poor, and fight for equal rights... Something some had frown upon. But Aideen being a granddaughter of a known Baron in the Highlands, she basically became untouchable.

"I apologize for the way I look." Aideen stated without meeting their eyes... Roshanne sighed and placed a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulders.

"You do not need to apologize... We came here to check on you.... Our sincerest apologies for what happened to your mother." After she had said that... Princess Aideen couldn't hold back the sob the wrecked through her chest.

"Oh I cannot lose her... I cannot." She sobs, and Roshanne run her hand along her back.

"It wasn't that long since Aiden left us... I cannot lose another family... My heart can't take it." She sobs again and that's when she hugged her.

" Shhh... Everything will be fine... Your mother will surely recover." She soothes her. Though it did not bring any comfort to the princess.

" The royal... physician said my mother is in a grave state... The poison used was too strong that not even your power could save her." She stated... Making Roshanne look at her and shake her head.

" The old Royal Physician spoke too much and too little of me... I will bring your mother back to her health, just have a little faith in me. Surely you won't doubt me sister of mine? After all... The blood of the Gods run through my veins." She whispered the last part, and Aideen looked up at her with solemn eyes... She swallowed and closed her eyes before gripping onto Roshanne's hands.

" I.... I trust in you sister. I Know you can save my mother." This made her smile.

" You can count on me." She answered before kissing her on her forehead. She then towards Alastair and smiled at him.

"Your brother is here to comfort you.... He will be escorting you as well. In honor of Aiden." Alastair looked surprised for a moment and was about to protest, but one look from her had him nodding his head like the good puppy he is.

"I shall take my leave then." She told them and walked out of the room... Leaving the two alone. As she made her way to the King's court she happened to cross path with none other than crown prince himself... Who looks like he wasn't even sober enough to attend this hearing, he is a mess. He was pulling his arm away from his knights, pushing them back and arguing with one of them... But he stopped once he saw her.

"Ah! Sister, sister dear of mine... How glad I am to see you....you made my day." He spoke with his devilish grin. She only raised her brow as a response, looking him from his toe up to his head.

"What are you doing?" She asked him with a squinted eyes.

"Oh I just came from my nightly patrol, I was about to rest when my servants told me that father called for an emergency.... meeting?" He stated, sounding unsure, while he sway side by side trying to keep his posture straight, his knights stood behind him,ready to catch him if he ever falls.

"Does your nightly patrol included passing out the street? And smelling of cheap ale and whore?" She asked him, the smile quickly fades from his lips.

"I...I was done earlier than expected so why not indulge in a little pleasure?" She squinted her eyes more at him, if her look could only kill he would be dead by now.

"Indulge? In little pleasure? She asked putting emphasis to each word.

" You called it little? Even when you spend the whole of your money to whoring around, and drinking ales in the King's slum with your good for nothing friends?" She asked him, she's already getting riled up by just his mere presence.

" I cannot let my friends go sister... It was what set me apart from you and the other Nobles... It was what makes people love me. I socialize with the poor. To them I am one of them." He stated with a grin.

" True." She told him with a condescending smile.

" Because you were never one of us from the very beggining. Father basically picked you up out of boredom." She watches as the smile on his face drop.

" Well at least I had what you have always wanted." He spoke arrogantly and she scoffed.

" Pray tell me what that is." She asked him, he smiled and put his arm on his hips.

" A cock and the title of heir... Something you will never have." This made her laugh, it was a good joke.

"A cock? You thought that I should be jealous with the little prick of yours? Please! My beeswax are larger than that?" And to add salt to the insult she looks at him belittling him more, his face grew red to the point where he looks like he'll explode any time, he quickly grab her by the arm and pulled her closer to him until they are face to face... She grimaced at how he smelled... And now up closed, he really does looks dirty.

"I am the crown prince! You should be respecting me!"

" Let me tell you what you are. You !Kaspian is nothing but a son of a whore who grew up in the King's slum... Who's mother abandoned you in exchange for a quick fuck and money that she use to buy one pint of cheap ale. You are no prince, Kaspian, no matter what delusions you tried to believe there is no inch of the Gods blood in your vein... You are an embarrassment and you continue to be.... Sooner or later father will grow bored with you... And when his new whore give birth to a golden son... Oh you better be prepared to return where you belong." She removed his hand from her and pushed him back, since he was drunk he ended up tumbling back... Before he could stand up she walked away from him.

It didn't take long for her to reach the court, Gladly she had not encountered anymore distraction nor unwanted attention. A seat have already been save for her. Of course as part of the royal family and the saintee of the temple she is to be seated among the many judges. And she wasn't expecting to see many.... People. It turns out even the lower lords are invited and perhaps some commoners. She took her seat next to a lord she did not bother to know his name. Behind her was the Duke Henver... Her father's brother. Next to him is none other than her brother, Archduke Anthony. On the other side of the bench just across them she could see of course her cousin, Cashandra, she's sitting next to princess Margaret and her husband Duke Archibal. Among them is the other lords and ladies, as well as the Marchioness of course sitting beside lady Lara and Lady Meera.

The whole room was a buzz, people are all talking at once, curious of what is going on.

"Have you have any idea what this is about sister?" Anthony asked from behind her.

"Something happened in the harem." She answered him without looking at him... The door opened again and this time Aideen entered, wearing a darker color of dress and veil on her head.... She was accompanied by Alastair. He helped her up to her seat which is beside their youngest sister. Princess Adelaide.

"What happened to Aideen? Is she still mourning her brother?" Roshanne didn't bother to answer him.... Not when she had her eyes already set on the woman who just walked in, wearing a deep color of red pleated and embroidered with golden dragons. Her eyes widen for a moment and she felt her blood thrumming, her heart beating faster threatening to burst out of her chest.... Memories of what had transpired just yesterday came back to her at full force almost knocking out her breath... Dae's emerald eyes looking up at her like a doe, thirsting for more... Her pink cheeks and red lips glisten, her naked and writhing beneath her... She bet her father couldn't even do that to her, couldn't draw that kind of expression and cries. Just thinking about it makes her blood run warmer.

"Is there something funny about this trial, your highness?" Roshanne blink,and looked up just in time to see none other than Dae's older Brother... Lord Marcus, wearing the same color of Raiment as Dae... But instead of gold broidery, his was black... The color of their kingdom. She looks away from him and sets her eyes on Alastair, who's now sitting beside Aideen and looking at her with an alarmed look, she shakes her head signaling him to calm.

"It was nothing my lord... I was just thinking of something amusing." She replied not daring to stare at him for too long.

"Ah.....I see." Was his only reply before sitting beside her.

"My sister must have been naughty to end up in this situation." He stated shaking his head, Roshanne looked around the court trying to find lord Titus... Only to find him standing near Dae and whispering something in her, and she looks genuinely scared, her eyes kept wondering in the court as if looking for someone.

"I must apologize in advance... Your Highness.... I must admit my sister hasn't been thought properly. That's explain her short coming." Roshanne scoffs, but didn't bother to reply. He was trying to struck a conversation with her to no avail... She might be regretting sending Alastair to accompany Aideen instead of her.

"Trust me....she will be thoroughly discipline, for her not to bring any more shame to your family." Roshanne's head whip towards him. And she realized that he was looking at her the whole time.

"By thoroughly disciplining her... Do you mean beating her close to death? Like what lord Fredrick had done?" The smile on Lord Marcus face drops, a look of confusion crossed his face.

"What?" She rolled her eyes at him. He could pretend not to know a damn thing, but she won't believe him.

"Have you had any idea why she was called?" She asked him.

" Well, it was because she got into fight." She smiles at him.

" No my lord... She was called here... Because someone harmed her. You see... The king adores your sister very much at this moment... That's why he's doing everything to keep her safe. He had this grand idea... That she will be giving him a golden boy. And that idea wouldn't happen if something bad happened to her." She watches as the lord's expression turned quite surprised. She looks back at Dae only to find her staring back at her with her green doe eyes.... Looking scared. It was a natural thing to experience, specially when all eyes are on her. She offered her a small smile, which perhaps had calm her a bit.

"The king? Values her that much?" Lord Marcus asked her once again.

"Momentarily.... If she failed to give him a blessed heir... He will quickly throw her aside like a used rug." She watches Lord Marcus's expression really close... She watches as the wheels in his head turned.

" But....if she did manage to give him what he wants.... Dae might be as well... Became the next queen... So if I were you.... I'd treat her nicely. You will never know... When a dog you kept caged might bite." Lord Marcus eye's snap towards her. His eyes widening for a moment, but he quickly schooled it down and tried to act cool.

"What do you mea-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as the crowd began to speak again when another woman was dragged inside. It wasn't even a long day Yet Lady Dara seems to have gone through much? Be clothes were torn at the seems, and was dirty, she was also barefooted walking inside the court, and she was just... Filthy. Roshanne covered her mouth trying to hide the smile on her lips.... Then her eyes went to Princess Louvine and her Brother, Prince Daylan, who looks distraught.

"She finally got herself into trouble." She whispered particularly to no one. But Lord Marcus was there.

"What do you mean?" She looks at him for a moment, before returning her gaze on the defendant and the compliant.

"Lady Dara had been known to cause trouble inside the Harem. Bullying those of younger than her and causing irreversible damages... It's about time someone teaches her a lesson." She told him, a moment later the king entered the room... With an air of superiority in him that she hadn't seen in a while.... At the moment Roshanne was reminded of what he looks like when he was young, and the blessings were still in fact in his grasp.

" This should be interesting." She whispered.