XLII

Lady Dae

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The trial.... This is what the princess have been telling her yesterday. When she heard of the trial, she only thought that it would be held in a more private room, perhaps just the king and a few witnesses... She never imagined for it to be held in such a big place with so many audience.  With so many ears and eyes...all looking down on her... Dae kept her head down for a few moments, she was feeling nervous, what if she do something wrong? What if she said something stupid? What if the king won't believe her? What then?

"Keep your head up." She was startled when she heard her father's rough voice, she looks up at him and he looks very much displeased with what is happening... She swallowed and tried to control her shaking, showing fear won't do her any good.... specially to her father.

"What did you do this time?" Her father asked through clenched teeth, though he did his best not to show any anger.

"It wasn't me father." She whispered to him.

"Did you get caught?" He asked her, and she looks at him confused.

"Caught what?" She asked him, her father looks around at first,as if making sure no one is near them.

" I have heard of an incident inside the harem... Regarding of poisoning.... I was asking if you get caught... So I can decide now weather I should gut you here alive while I still can or not." His cold tone and gaze made her shiver and froze in fear.... He would really do that... And knowing her father... He never once back out of his words... Instead she mutely shakes her head. He looked down on her for a couple of minutes, and then nods his head as if satisfied. Once he was away from her, she began to look around again... The princess hadn't informed her of this grand event, what should she do? Should she stick to what they had talked about last night? Just say to the king what really transpired? She looks up at the upper bench, trying to see the familiar dazzling feature of the princess and didn't take long for her to spot her... Because the princess, with her blessed feature would always stand out among the crowds of coals.

There she was speaking with her brother, and Dae couldn't help but felt quiet jealous, she should be the one sitting there... And not here having to suffer being under everyone's scrutinizing gaze.

As if sensing her gaze, the princess looked down on her... And coyly smiled at her. Dae blushes and she looks away... Because she was reminded of what had happened last night... Her whole body heated up unexpectedly... Last night was... different... The princess had done something different... And it made her feel so... warm... Warm wasn't even the correct word to use... She simply has no words for it.

"Let go of me!" A woman screams captured her attention, she looks behind her to see lady Dara being dragged, she almost didn't recognize her... She wore no jewelry today, nor expensive clothes, she was dirty... And her hair... Her hair was cut short, and unevenly, she was also bruised. She was placed on the stand right next to where she was. The woman tried to claw at one of the guards but he quickly step back.

"You will pay for this! You hear me?!" She screams at him before she finally looks at Dae. She didn't speak at first, she looked at her from head to toe before squinting her eye.

"You little wench. If you think you could get away with what you did to me! You thought wrong!" Dae swallowed and she looks away from her... She looks back at the princess but she was busy talking to Marcus. This made her brow furrow, since when did they became close?

The two of them seems to be engaged in a rather serious talk,but Dae wonders what it is? What are they talking about that it made the princess smile?.

"All hail his Majesty the king! King Kalisto Helios! Son of the first Kings, sovereign of the Solviran people. And the Gods descendants!" Dae watches as the king march to his chair... He walked with no crain, he wore something lavish today, a king's clothes made of gold tread, his cape are white, pristine in color. The crown he wore had dragon heads with sapphire eyes seven Diamond stones. He wore a necklace, designed after the scale of dragons, he stood firm, strong and with might... For a moment... She thought he became younger. He say there and for a moment, watching lady Dara who was now standing still with her head down, from a closer look Dae could tell she was shaking. The Councilor of Justice stepped forward.

"Let's begin!" He announced, and almost instantly everyone fell quiet.

"You are here today to witness a trial of a crime, against Lady Dae of Lysos." The Councilor of Justice spoke, looking at her before looking lady Dara with a displeased look.

"Lady Dae, would you tell us what lady Dara had done to you?" She looks up at him, shock... She didn't know she has to speak... She swallowed and nods her head, she looks at lady Dara who was now glaring at her. She quickly averted her gaze and looked at the king, who was sitting stoically, she didn't know what's going on in his mind.

"I... She... Ummm." Her heart was beating loud and she didn't where to begin, she looks at the right side of the trial room and noticed lady Eleanor and lady Ceris, together with the other concubines... Lady Helena was nowhere in sight... Lady Eleanor offered her a smile and mouthed something, it seems she was telling her that it's okay... Lady Eloise on the other hand looks disappointed while the others Plays between boredom, amusement and annoyance.

"Speak... No one will harm you in this room." The king suddenly spoke loud and clear bringing her attention back to him, with a gathered courage she finally spoke.

"Lady Dara... Had inflicted pain on me." Her voice wavered at the end of her sentence, making it seems like she's going to cry, many may have think that... It's because she was still in pain or hurt... When it fact it's because she's nervous and she will have to blatantly lie to every single person in that room.

"In what way my lady?.. Tell us." The Councilor of Justice asked, she looks at the king who was no looking intensely at her.

" Lady Dara had attacked me, she had slapped me and falsely accused me of ruining her dress." That wasn't a lie. But what comes next are.

"It wasn't just that... She would order her servants to push me, disguising at as accident, she would also have other servants cut off my dress... And I believe she may have ordered her son to hurt me, to embarrass me. While his Majesty is away...her son Prince Daylan had embarrassed me in front of my brother and his guests, not only that but he insulted me like his mother did." She told him... Letting the tears gather in her eyes. She looks at him pleadingly and she swore something inside him move, she watches as his jaw clenches.

"LIAR!!! YOU LIAR!!! YOU STUPID WHORE!!! PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY! YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME! SHE IS LYING!" Lady Dara screams at her, she swear if she could throw something at her she would.

" Surely your grace you wouldn't believe her! She's! She's nothing! She's a bastard! A daughter of a fallen king! A daughter of a Sakran woman! A witch!" Everyone gasp... And Dae used that chance to gain more favor from the king.

" Your grace...see? She have even insulted my father! The man who graciously lend you his army." She looks behind her father to see him looking surprised. Then she looks back at the king.

" I may be his daughter to a Sakran woman...but I am his daughter no less... To insult me is to insult him... Lord Titus... Your greatest ally." She told him.

" I may have to agree with my daughter your grace." Dae look up to see her father standing beside her.

" Lady Dae is my daughter, and before she was your concubine, she was a princess... Surely you wouldn't allow anyone to insult nor cause harm to the possible mother of your next heir." People gasp around the room! Some even cry out their objections! While Dae looked even more surprised that her father would even stand up for her.

" Silence! Silence!" The Councilor of Justice declared, and although the noise have lessen, she could still hear the angry whispers of those who are opposed to the idea of her... Being the possible mother of the king's heir.... They may have appeared too presumptuous to them. Specially her father.

" Thank you for that... Lady Dara... I will be giving you a chance to defend yours-" The councilor of Justice didn't get to finish his words when his grace stood up. Everyone finally went silent.

" No need to ask her... I have made up my mind." The king spoke. Before standing up.

" But your grace! We must allow the defendant to make their Statement... Specially when she is being accused not only of physical maltreatment but also of attempted murder." The councilor of Justice tried to reason with the king.

" I didn't do any of that shit! I didn't poison Helena!!! If anything I'm sure it's this witch's fault! You must have poisoned her and try to point the blame on me!" Lady Dara glared at her... Dae shakes her head and looked at the king again.

" Your Majesty, I wouldn't do such a thing... Lady Helena and I have been friends... She was nice to me and I had no idea about this... poisoning... Was she alright?" The king didn't answer her and instead looked at lady Dara.

" You say you are not the culprit, yet every evidence points at you.... Every witness points their fingers on you." The king spoke.

" You have been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember... You have continued to plague the Harem with your cruelty, you and your children have cause me trouble... I think it's only fair I send you all away. To rid me and this palace of useless people like you and of more mouths to feed." Lady Dara flinch at his Majesty's words. She fell down on her knees and she began sobbing.

" Lady Dae.... Would you like to add any punishment?" She looks at lady Dara already sobbing on the ground, and felt pity. This wasn't what she had expecting... Everything proceed by far too quickly.

"What would happen to them your majesty?" She asked, the king Looked at lady Dara and her children who approached her to try and console her.

"I have no idea... I plan on just banishing them from this palace. Do you have something in mind? Perhaps a better punishment?" Dae swallowed... She wanted to look at the princess but was too afraid that the king or anyone might notice the plot they had caused. For now she will stick to what they had planned.

"I don't know if this is punishment enough your grace... But why not use this chance to let them serve the kingdom? Send Prince Daylan to the front line, allow him to take Charge in battle and send back Prince Erik and his brother back. As for her daughter, marry her off to some lord to build connection... She is a princess after all... As for lady Dara." She looks down on the woman who was still sobbing who was still glaring at her.

"Why not let her serve in the temple?" She asked the king, this had earned some mix reaction from the Audience.

"You insult me!" Lady Dara sneered at her. Dae didn't pay her no mind she just hopes this would please the princess. The king didn't spoke... He seems to be thinking of the suggestion she had laid.

"Very well then." The King spoke before raising his hand.

Let every subject of mine from here and far know that I The king order Prince Daylan to be sent at the Frontline of the battle, however I do not trust him in leading, so he will fight along side his brothers. As for princess Louvin, I will entrust you lady Dae with finding her a suitable match... The princess saint will help you with finding a suitable match befitted of the princess. As for Lady Dara, you will be se-" The king didn't get to finish his sentence when Lady Aideen raised her hand and stood up.

" Yes princess?" The Councilor of Justice asked her.

" I believe as the daughter of Lady Helena who had fallen victim of lady Dara's cruelty I have the right to demand some Justice too father." She stated, the princess was wearing a black dress with veil, she couldn't see her face but from the sound of her voice Dae knew she had been crying.

"Very well... Speak what you want." The king Spoke before returning to his seat.

"I demand for lady Dara to pay for her crimes against my mother." The King's brow raised before it furrowed, Dae knew that the princess had a right to demand justice, and she knew that the king must heed her, because if he doesn't it will look like he used lady Helena's tragic accident to defend her beloved concubine, it will make him and Dae look bad in the eyes of everyone.

"Very well... What is it that you demand?" He spoke before returning to his seat. Lady Aideen looked at lady Dara with a hardened eye.

" She had spilled my mother's blood, so it is my right to demand to spill hers too." Your majesty! The King! The son of the Gods, the kingdom's Golden sovereign, my father! I demand that let her be eaten by dragons." Dae gasp at the princess' demand. Princess Louvine wailed and passed out. While lady Dara sat their on the ground started looking pale. She looks back at the king.

"Please! Your Majesty have mercy on me! I will do whatever you want! I will serve the temple if you wish so... You could send me in the temple in the white mountains! Just please spare me!" The king ignore lady Dara's plea and instead turned to Dae.

"What do you think my lady?" He asked her... Dae flinched... Why was he asking her? shouldn't he be asking his Councilor of Justice?

"I...your grace...I" She shut her mouth not knowing what to say. Afraid that she will make the wrong decision.

"Your Majesty if I may. I think this is something we shouldn't rush." The Councilor of Justice spoke.

"I am asking you my lady." The king spoke to her ignoring his councilor. Dae swallowed and looked at her father who was looking at her... She wanted help but she wouldn't give it to her... He was allowing her to decide.

"Your grace... I think it's too cruel of a punishment. I'm sure lady Helena wouldn't want this." She told him. But princess Aideen spoke up again.

"Too cruel? This is nothing! My mother hangs onto her life!and there is no guarantee if she will ever wake up or not! Your grace please...heed me." Dae swallowed and looked down on her hand... Her head began swimming, she could feel everyone's eyes on her... What should she do?

" Your grace... I believe lady Dae is too good to be pressured with this decision. Save her from the burden of deciding for someone's life. This decision must fall solely on you, as the king, as the father of the Kingdom and as lady Dara's husband." Princess Roshanne finally spoke... Only then did Dae dare to look at her. The princess of course stood their like the sun stood at the center of the earth,  her eteral beauty shines on. As the only child of the king with glowing golden hair and was blessed she truly is a sight to behold. And once again like the Goddess she is, she came and saved her from another damnation.

"Very well... As the king... And as a father... I will adhere to whatever princess Aideen demanded. Let all be know that is my decision." Everything went into blur... She heard the screams of agony of lady Dara... She heard the objection of some of the noble people... She heard the whispers of some... Before she knew it her father was ushering her out of the room... She didn't know where he was taking her. All she knows is, she must follow him.

"Dae?" She blinks and looked at her father... They were alone in a room, she didn't know what not who's room.

"Yes father?" She asked him, her voice but weak.

"Did you plan this all?" She swallowed and stared at him... before nodding her head. Her father hummed before taking a seat.

"When I gave you the poison I thought you would just use it as you please... It was the easiest method after all. I didn't expect you to cause such commotion." Dae bit her lower lip. Was he mad? Was he not pleased?

" I'm sorry father... This won't happen again." She quickly apologizes and readied herself to be hit by him.

" Sorry? There's no need to be sorry... You made me very pleased." He told her before placing his cold large hands on her shoulder and kissing her forehead.

" You made me proud." Was his last words before leaving her... She looks at him, startled at his words... Proud? Did he really said that? Did she really makes him proud? Dae couldn't explain what she is feeling, her heart was beating loudly, she had never felt this before... But she knew she was happy.