The room was quiet, a rather unusual thing in the Royal Palace. None of the five persons said anything, and the clock ticked. They all knew it. Soon, the fate of the woman in the dungeons would be decided. No one truly dared to bring the topic up, even though each of them secretly thought about it. The tutor of the four princes sat on one of the couches, like his students. All of them looked somehow dull, some even like they were struck by a light sickness.

"H-have you heard? Father has arrived today...", Leonhard finally said, breaking the silence.

"Yes...", Licht muttered. "He went straight to his studies. Which can only mean one thing..."

"He's preparing for tomorrow's trial, inspecting the evidence and possibilities...", Bruno added quietly.

"Aithne... doesn't deserve... it...", Kai mumbled.

Heine held his eyes closed, his heart heavy. No, she doesn't... Though it is not ours to decide...

"The question is, however, if that is the opinion of the victim's relatives, and the public."

"She said the exact same thing, you know...", Leonhard uttered. A little creepy...

His tutor nodded. "I can imagine she did. In the end, what she did was against what's law in this kingdom. Not only was it not a commoner, but a noble. That makes an even bigger crime." His eyes showed sadness, well hidden behind his glasses and poker face. He knew as well as her, that the chances of her getting out, were more than slim.

Bruno looked down in shame. He had, by now, changed his mind about her crimes. Without knowing what had happened and what had driven her to commit the murder, he had judged her. Too soon, he now thought.

"Well, in the end, the act has happened. There's nothing to do about it. Murder is murder.", Licht voiced. This time, however, Bruno didn't agree, different from before.

"Would you say the same about father, then?", he said in a steeled tone.

"W-what?!"

Heine let a small nod show. "Your Highness is not wrong on this point. The king is called the Warrior King, after all. If he didn't kill himself, he had to order the death of some people. Though I recall him to go to battle himself."

"B-but that's not the same, is it?!"

"If... you see it... as a big picture... it is... Licht...", Kai responded.

"What if it was self-defence, and no one knows it?", Bruno added slowly. "Or an accident."

I hardly believe knife wounds will be seen as an accident, even if it's basically what happened. Aithne never wished to kill that man., Heine thought.

Licht looked dumbfounded. "I never thought about it that way."

"Didn't you think the same before, Bruno-nii?", Leonhard asked, curious. Said brother blushed a little and lowered his head.

"Y-yes... But as I thought more closely about it, I realized, that without knowing her side of the story, I judged too quickly."

"That is a wise realization, Your Highness.", Heine said silently. And will sure help you, should you become king... It's some knowledge, better achieved before one ascends the throne, to avoid mistakes.

"Not really, master...", Bruno retorted, rubbing his neck. "I understood it way too late..."

And the hour out I could enable her was an attempt at an excuse, even if she didn't know it...

"But you did learn it. That is, what matters.", his teacher replied, kind of weakly. "That is, what really matters."

"What will happen... now, that father is here as well...?", Leonhard asked again, looking sadly at his feet. He had grown quite fond of her, when they talked. She didn't seem like she tried to gain his goodwill, just a normal conversation.

Heine held back a sigh. "Tomorrow, the council and the king will meet her in trial. What will be decided, is up to them."

"That isn't far, nonetheless! Will they even listen to what she'll say?!", Licht exclaimed. Kai gave the answer.

"They'll... have to... It is... her right, to be... questioned... and to stand up... for herself..."

Bruno nodded. "Sometimes, accused people can get an attorney as well. Though I doubt, that one will appear and defend her."

"Your Highnesses are correct. I'm afraid, thatLady Aithne is on her own in this case.", Heine said softly, hiding hisemotion. "We can't do anything but wait for the outcome..."

Hours later, Heine held the latest newspaper in his hands.

"Traitor to the kingdom will soon face justice – High Treason involved?"

The article made the blood in his veins freeze, as he recalled the events these rumours hinted at, his short time in jail, right where Aithne was right now.

"The second capturer of the former crown prince, now king of Glanzreich, that was thought to have died at the scene, is rumoured to have survived the shot from the guards trying to stop them. While the second was released from prison, without any proper statement, though having injured several of the loyal men from the palace, the supposed death one is captured right now – with the second living within the palace. Sources have stated that..."

Heine looked to the ground. That's it. With her being the only one in custody and soon in trial, it's over. No one will believe her to be innocent with that kind of a brand mark. His gaze turned to the window. Is there really nothing I can do, Aithne...? Will this truly be the end...? Are you as damned as I fear you are...? Without any possibility to help you...?

Bruno watched in emotional pain, how his master silently searched for a way out, for once unable to think of anything helpful.

Aithne sat in her cell, wearing her old clothes again. Waiting for the evening, the sunset, that may very well be her last one. Did she even stand a chance? All the signs stood against her, the evidence did, the press did, and no one would actually be able to defend her, without risking his own position and status. The guards outside were again the nice men, that had held off her love and the princes, so at least she wouldn't be bothered by anyone in her last hours. She had hoped to see him again, so much, even if this wish was simply impossible without staining any of his work. And that was something she'd never let happen. The princes were safe as well because of her decision, so she couldn't tarnishing their reputation and steps to ascend the throne.

In the end, all will be well..., she thought leaning her head against the wall, her eyes dull. I will leave without hurting anyone... That is all I really wish for...

Maybe she should've written her testament. Would they even consider the testament of a criminal...?

Th clatter of keys were to be heard, then the creaking of a door. She turned her head. The ghost of a smile traced her face. In the doorframe stood Viktor, accompanied by four to five guards. His face was quite humourless, even if he smiled at her as well for a second.

"Looks like I somehow always have to bail one of you two out, huh?", he joked, trying to ease the atmosphere, despite knowing, that her case would be far more complicated that Heine's. The chances stood high, that he might not even be able to.

"It does seem so, Your Majesty.", she replied, fighting back the memories of her childhood. Viktor became very, very serious in a matter of seconds again.

"I need you to tell me everything that happened. Every little detail might help."

Aithne nodded, and began...

------------

I DO NOT OWN THE ROYAL TUTOR; ANY PICTURES OR THE MUSIC USED IN THIS FANFICTION